That Eye on the Cloak

Chapter 5 - Sophie

"Life's a game,"  Gisela spoke, facing the back wall in the dark room, "made of tough choices. The only way to win is to make the right ones."

She quickly turned on her heels and stared at Sophie intensely. "Listen to me, to learn how to survive. Number 1, trust no one."

"So should I not trust you?"  Sophie quickly asked, curious.

Gisela sighed  before continuing, "That's up to you. Continuing on, number 2, do your work for yourself. If you let someone else do something for you, they could feel like they have leverage. Number 3, don't let anyone in. If you do, it would be painful. And number 4..."  She quickly threw a dagger and it landed an inch away from Sophies's right ear, "...always stay on your toes."

***

Sophie thought back to that conversation while she practiced her aim. Her wrist was getting sore but was scared to ask for help because if she did, she would need to "suck it up" and "stop being a baby."

She sighed. The lack of compassion in this rebel group will really be their undoing. But by the time that happened Sophie would be well on her way through her quest for revenge.

Suddenly, Sophie spun around quickly, sinking the dagger in her hand into the wall a few inches away from Alvar's head.

"You aren't going to sneak up on me, so don't bother trying. One day, I might not miss." Sophie teased. The past few days showed that trying to make friends here is a rigged game. 

But... there were nice ones.

"For being raised by humans, not bad." Alvar said with a smirk, chuckling before continuing, "Still, I don't think you could beat me."

Sophie pretended to be offended and in a high tone chirped, "Well, good sir, shall we put your skills to the test?"

She dug her dagger out of the wooden wall and shifted it around her hand. She pretended not to be looking, but out of her peripheral vision she saw Alvar coming at her with a slightly bigger dagger. 

Before he could strike, Sophie sidestepped and quickly pivoted. Alvar barreled past her, then turned around. He was laughing.

After a few more back and forth of the same thing, Sophie managed to pull Alvar into a headlock with her dagger against his throat. 

"So, what do you think now?" Sophie questioned when she let him go.

After brushing off his black tunic, he replied, "Well, Sir Sophie, you seem fit to go on your quest for revenge."

He leaned forward and whispered quietly into her ear, "But, Sophie, seriously, you better go soon. I overheard Gisela talking and she said she was planning on keeping you. Now, go get packed. Meet me in the front corridor in about an hour."

And after he was gone, Sophie blacked out.

***

Sophie woke up in a dark room on the floor. Her head was pounding and she felt like throwing up.

She had a hazy memory of what had happened. Nothing made sense.

Then she realized, she was still in the Neverseen's base.

She had to get out.

But then again, didn't Gisela tell her that they had plans for her? What were they? Where was she?

A figure emerged from the shadows, and Sophie assumed it was Gisela.

But as the elf drew closer, she realized she was about her age.

"W-who are you?" Sophie asked, disgusted by her voice, that was very nasally, like she had a cold.

The girl pulled back her hood. Long locks of curly brown hair draped over her  shoulders in an half up half down style. Something about her was strangely familiar. Her eyes were a shade of true blue.

They stared at Sophie while the girl answered, "Celeste."

—————————————————

Hello again!

I am back from the dead. 

Anyway, any guesses on who this Celeste chick is?

(Hint, Sophie knows her)

Very special indeed.

Another longer chapter, but for an actual book, it's usually about 1000 words per chapter and this is only like 650 (and counting)

Should I aim for 1000?

Idk.

But what I do know is that THAT EYE ON THE CLOAK HAS REACHED 300 VIEWS!!!

I owe it all to you. You are amazing readers and I love your comments.

You inspire me every day!

Love you guys ❤️

Neverbean -> out