SOPHITZ

9

DRRRIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG! rang the doorbell. Sophie hastened to open it and found three people standing there. The first was a gorgeous teenage girl with long brown hair and teal eyes. She was wearing an immaculately pink tunic embroidered with gold and in her hair was a large pink clip that looked like a butterfly. Biana. The next was a shorter strawberry-blond boy with perrywinkle eyes. He was wearing a hand-me-down looking tunic and slung around his waist was a bag which Sophie assumed that was filled with Technopath supplies. Dex. The third was a taller boy with wavy brown hair and handsome teal eyes. HE was wearing a tight fitting jerkin with a navy blue tunic and his overnight bag was black with elven runes inscribed on it. Fitz.

"Come in!" said Sophie, stepping aside for them to enter.

"How're you doing, Soph?" asked Biana, her eyes welling up with tears. Sophie grimaced.

"As well as I can be, I suppose."

"We'll find them." said Fitz reassuringly in his deep accented voice, putting a hand on Sophie's shoulder. "I promise."

"That's kinda why I asked you here." admitted Sophie. "I thought we could start forming a plan."

"What about the Black Swan?" asked Tam. "Won't they have an opinion?"

"At this point, I don't really care what the Black Swan say." said Sophie forcefully. "I just want my parents back." There was a silence, and then someone walked into the room.

"Hey Fitz, Dex, Biana!" said Linh, giving each of them a hug. Sophie tried to ignore the way Fitz beamed when she wrapped his arms around him. Or the way she held on to him just a second longer than everyone else. "I heard something about the Black Swan."

"I was just saying that I don't really care what the Black Swan thinks. If we find a plan, then we're using it, with or without them." 

"I don't think we will have to do that." Said Keefe, surprising everyone. Sophie turned to look at him sharply.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Well, Granite delivered this to me today..." said Keefe slowly, pulling out a scroll. Sophie snatched it from his hand.

"Why didn't you give this to me as soon as you got here, Keefe?" she asked, unable to believe that Keefe had withheld such a large and vital piece of information.

"I had more important things to take care of." Keefe mumbled, hoping no one but Sophie could hear him.

"What things?" asked Dex suspiciously.

"Yeah, what things?" asked Fitz, equally suspicious. 

"Nothing." said Sophie quickly. "Let's focus on the matter at hand, shall we?" She unrolled the scroll and began to read out loud:

Sophie and Friends,

Oralie just told us today about what happened to Forkle. I am deeply sorrowed. He was my greatest friend and helped me through many great trials (none that I am willing to disclose) I know you all must be wondering what we shall do next, and you have a right to be worried. Things will be getting very complicated as the Council has to sort out the chaos from the Summit. For now, all the Black Swan wants you to do is STAY PUT. The best thing for you at the moment will to be as inconspicuous as possible. Go to Foxfire, get together at Everglen, just be normal teenagers. IF we need your help, we're not saying we will, we will contact you through Squall. Dex, check in every day with your mother for letters. I know this sounds difficult, but Sophie, we need you for a big plan in the future, and if we lose you, I am not sure what will happen. Just stay put, keep good thoughts, and let us know if anything suspicious happens.

Yours Truly,

Granite

"STAY PUT?" cried Keefe as soon as the letter was finished. "They're at war and they want us to STAY PUT????"

"I know it sounds hard." said Linh, laying a hand on Keefe's arm to calm him "But I've learned that sometimes when things are dangerous you need to step back. I should know." Fitz sighed reluctantly and said

"Linh's right. If the Black Swan want to keep Sophie safe, then she'll need all of the protection possible. Personally, I think we all should be with her at all times, for safety." Linh smiled at Fitz, relieved.

"That will not be necessary." said Sandor, coming down the stairs. "Sophie will be fine with me at night, but I agree with Mr. Vacker, that you all should be together as much as possible."

"So do I." said Grizel, melting out of the shadows.

"So, let me get this straight." said Sophie, growing angrier. "You think I should just stay put here? DO nothing?"

"Yes." confirmed Fitz. "IF they need you for a big plan, then it would be unwise to take any risks. I agree that it will not be fun, but I think we will be most useful investigating at Foxfire. Maybe there's a clue there." he put an arm around Sophie's shoulder, and she sighed.

"You're right." said Sophie reluctantly. "There'll definitely be a clue at Foxfire. Meanwhile, let's go have some fun." she smiled.

"Doing what?" asked Biana. "Makeovers?" she added playfully.

"No, silly." said Sophie, smiling coyly. "Playing some human games."

"Human games?" asked Linh.

"Yup." said Sophie, smiling again. "Some of my favorites." She led her friends upstairs, reflecting slightly that it was time go get some answers.

And another chapter done!! How do you like it? Comment below and vote PLEASE! Did anyone of you see the new Beauty and the Beast???? OMG, it was the BEST MOVIE EVER! (And i'm saying that from the perspective of a Highschool senior.) Well, Goodbye for now!!! -Sophitzlover