Sentry of the Arcane: Befall

Chapter Twelve: Fitz

"She's gone."

Benen immediately gets up. I don't miss the heat in his eyes- a mixture of anger, worry, sadness...

And love. Not infatuation.

Not anymore.

Benen announces, "I'm going after her," mostly telling me that. Leaning closer, he says, "It pains me that she ran. It hurts me that she became invisible so it'll be harder to find her. But I will find her." His love flashes over his face, and he looks like a faithful person. A person that Laurel needs.

I nod. "I'll open my mind to you so you can transmit your current location," I instruct. "Tell us to come down only when you want us too."

Benen nods. "She won't want to be alone," he agrees before bolting out of his own room in search for Laurel.

Meanwhile, Sophie and Audrey sit down across from the male Sovereign and me. The four of us sit in silence for a few moments before Audrey curls her knees up to her chest. "Should I have not said anything at all?" she asks out loud, but I assume she wants Sophie's opinion.

"No..." Sophie says softly, placing a tender hand on her shoulder. "We needed to talk about it someday, Audrey. Sure, I didn't think that we'd talk about it today, but it must've been hard for you to just stand back."

"You have no idea."

And I could've sworn that I heard the female Sovereign's voice crack.

"And now-" Audrey pauses, sighing heavily. "Both of you are reminded of that day..."

"But it's not your fault," Donovan adds in, his features sympathetic.

Sophie shakes her head. "I remember that day more times than I would like," she admits. Looking at me, she adds, "But I just remind myself that I'm not there anymore, and I'm safe- we're all safe now." Shaking her head softly, she says, "But like you, she had to just stand by. Unlike you, she had to watch him..."

"Just holding it in will just tear her apart," I say. When both girls look at me, I continue, "In a way, bringing it up again will help her move on. She'll have the support to talk to." And directly at Sophie, I whisper, "And so do you."

She blushes slightly, and I lean back. Closing my eyes, I let my mind reach out to Benen. I sigh deeply and try to trace any thoughts that have to do with Laurel and her invisibility. When I hear the faint thoughts of someone trying to find the female Altruistic, I hold my focus completely on those thought. And before I know it, I'm in Benen's head. I transmit, Benen, it's Fitz. Where are you?

Fitz?

Yeah, where are you?

I'm... Benen's thoughts fade away slightly as he uses part of his consciousness to orient himself. I'm... heading towards the conference room..?

I frown at the uncertainty in his voice. Why the question, Benen? Are you not at the conference room?

No... it's just that it's dark, like pitch black. But for some reason, Benen's thoughts pause. One unsettling second passes before Benen transmits, I know exactly where to go. I haven't bumped into anything. And I know it sounds really cheesy, but my heart is almost guiding me to her.

Benen, I mentally say. That's because it's love.

It... More unnerving silence. I'm tempted to make him say something, but I stay quiet. Benen finally thinks again, It is.. It IS! Fitz, thank God that we know each other!