Lodestar: Keeper Of The Lost Cities

Leaving

Sophie heard......well, no, that's not right. Sophie didn't hear as much as feel people talking. A dull, aching pain in her head that increased as the people's voices rised. She groaned. The voices halted. The pain eased.

Hazy, pulsing lights flashed and flickered behind her eyelids. She wished they'd stop. She just wanted to sleep, and dream away her problems. Her problems.........all the events leading up to her fainting came rushing back. She cried out and Fitz answered.

Sophie? Sophie! Are you okay? Just stay with me, tell me what's wrong. I can help.

His words, while well-intentioned, felt as though he was asking for too much, and she had to stop herself from blocking him. Sophie was conscious now, but still she found herself reluctant to open her eyes. It was easier like that, and she hated herself for thinking it.

He continued transmitting pleas, and when she felt she couldn't listen anymore she replied: I-I........I can't. And she opened her eyes. The effect was immediate, Fitz jumped up, shocked, and hugged her.

"Guys, get over here, Sophie's awake! Physic?" Then he seemed to remember what she'd said. "Wait-what? Why? Sophie, you can trust me, we're cognates. What are you hid-"

Fortunately, Physic came, sending Fitz off so she could treat Sophie. She didn't know whether to feel ashamed or relieved, but she'd searched Fitz's mind and discovered that Tam and Linh lived in a place called Sundrop Valley. Should she tell him she planned to run away? No, she couldn't, he'd die for her, she knew, and she wouldn't let him put his life in harm's way ever again. Besides, he used to be like one of the Lost Cities's celebrities, he wouldn't be able to live life on the run. Physic examined her and then told her:

"Well, your head will have a slight bump for a few days, but drink some of this-", she handed Sophie a blue mug with some Starkflower stew, "-every day for three days and the swelling and pain should be gone. And Sophie? Don't worry about Prentice, Keefe, or anything that has to do with the Black Swan for as long as you need, doctor's orders. Everyone here cares for you, so your not alone, ever. Remember that, okay? You're free to go." Physic left the room.

I don't deserve their trust, Sophie thought, as she lept out of bed heading towards the door, planning to go to Havenfield and from there, to Tam and Linh. She bumped into Fitz, Dex, and Biana instead. They looked determined, and because Sophie knew they could do almost anything together, Sophie swerved to avoid them.

"Going somewhere?" Biana coolly asked.

"What do you mean? What do you guys want?" Sophie said.

Dex's eyes shined. "Where we're you trying to teleport Sophie? Whatever you're going through, we can help. Anyways, Fitz searched y-"

"What! Fitz, you searched my mind? I cannot believe you! You-you don't trust me enough to let me have my own thoughts? I guess I just can't trust anyone anymore!" By the end of this, Sophie's eyes were blazing and red and shiny, her voice was hoarse, and her mind was made up about running away. She was doing it.

" I'm-we're worried about you! Keefe's only been gone for a day and you're planning to run away? Without us? I can't let you do that Sophie. You're safe here, with us. We're all here for you, and we're trying to protect you!" Fitz shot back.

"Don't protect me then! Not only do I not deserve it, I'm trying to protect you! I'm- I'm not worth all the things you guys have suffered because of me! I need to do this. Please. You guys deserve so much more then me." Sophie replied.

"Sophie......everything we've done, all the battles we've endured........that was our choice. Sure, you were a big part of that, but you didn't make the decision for us. You can't place yourself responsible for everything that goes wrong, okay?" Biana softly said, placing her hand on Sophie's arm.

"I.....I don't, I-I can't." Sophie slowly backed away from them, then fled the room, fleeing into her treehouse/room and locking the door. She gazed mournfully at where Keefe used to live, then collapsed on her bed, stifling sobs, before she heard the door creak open.

"Soph-", Dex started, before Sophie crashed into him, smothering him in a hug.

"Are they still mad at me? I'm sorry I ran away. I'm sorry I'm still going to run away. And I'm sorry I dragged you into this mess I call my life. I'm sorry-I'm so sorry.....I just-I-" she sobbed into his shoulder.

"Sophie. I'm here for you, you're not alone. You can't leave, not without me. We're best friends, Sophie, I need you here. Where would you go anyway? Who would help you? Sophie don't go, please." Dex murmured softly, still hugging Sophie.

Sophie stepped away, her eyes pleading with him to trust her as she unlatched the window.
"I'm sorry", she whispered, barely making a sound. The last thing Sophie saw before she fell into the void was Dex's hurt-filled eyes as he ran to try and catch her. He didn't though.......he found her moonlark pin instead. A silent promise that she would return. She didn't know how, when, or where, but she would.

Sophie disappeared into the void and envisioned Tam and Linh's quaint-yet-comfy cottage. She seemingly fell out of the peaceful, bright, shining blue sky that seemed too........beautiful for the entire situation. She hit the ground with a thud, looked up with squinting eyes, and found Linh staring, openmouthed, at her through the window. She quickly dusted herself off and looked over her shoulder. She couldn't be stopped now. She wouldn't be stopped now, nor would she return to the Black Swan base........it was too late. They probably didn't want her back anyway. But Sophie knew that was a lie she was telling herself so that she could prevent herself from feeling guilty. As she made her way towards the Song's cottage, she knew that if at anytime she decided to return home, they would welcome her with open arms. But she also knew that they shouldn't. So she wouldn't let them until she deserved their trust.

Linh rushed over to her, "What are you doing here-oh, are you hurt? Tam's inside, but I'm sure he'll be happy to see you. I've missed you so much-oh, where's everyone else. And-"

"Hey, Linh. I've missed you and Tam too", Sophie interrupted, smiling. "But I have too talk to you guys, I need a big favor, and it's okay if you decide you don't want to help me. It's probably best you don't help anyways but if you could ju-"

"Wait, hold on. Take a deep breath, and think about what you're gonna say, okay? Tam and I will listen to everything you have to say, and although I can't guarantee that we can help the way you need us to, we will help in any way we can. That's a promise, alright? No reason to be worried. Come inside."

Sophie entered the house, surprised to see Tam smiling carefreely, a look he rarely wore, and she felt slightly regretful that she would be the one to wipe it off his face. "Hey Sophie! Are you okay?" He asked once he saw her worried expression.

"I-I need a favor. Feel free to say no, but just hear me out okay?" Sophie nervously said.

"Sure Sophie. Ask away." Tam replied, concerned.

"I'm running away," she said, taking a deep breath. "And I want you guys to come with me."

1298 words and a cliffhanger! I hope you all liked that chapter, have an awesome day! Follow me @ridley123!!!!!