Sentry of the Arcane: Befall

Chapter Nineteen: Sophie

I must've blacked out after I saw the photo because I find myself sitting up in bed. I hug myself and shiver uncontrollably as I go back to how the four of us were so close to a murderer. Or someone no one knows. I let out a shaky breath before staring up at the Altruistics, Sovereigns, Steven, and Caroline. My breathing becomes shorter as I ask in a panicked tone, "Where's Fitz? What happened?"

Caroline looks at me sympathetically. "Dear, you blacked out while you were still standing," she explains softly. Walking closer to me, she says, "You would've hit your head on the edge of the table if Fitz didn't drop everything to catch you. You were so close to getting a blunt force injury, Sophie."

I nod, still shivering. Caroline hugs me tenderly, followed by Laurel and surprisingly, Audrey. After a few moments of hugging, we all separate, and I notice that Donovan and Benen are gone. "Where'd they go?" I ask, pointing to the empty space near the door.

"They went to go get Fitz," Steven explains, smiling gently. "He went to the conference room to check if Mr. Wallace was there. But now you're awake, so that's good."

I whimper quietly at the mention of the conference room. I honestly don't know what's happening to me- it feels like all of the fear and panic from the past year is overwhelming me. I wrap my arms around my legs protectively as Audrey asks, "This isn't like Sophie at all. What happened?"

Caroline just says, "...Something."

Before either Laurel or Audrey can protest against the chemist's answer, the three boys burst into my room through the connecting door. Fitz sighs in relief when he sees me awake. I find myself staring into his intriguing teal eyes as he makes his way to me. I watch with wide eyes as Fitz sits down next to me on my bed.

It doesn't look like you woke up rested and at peace, Fitz transmits to me. I can practically hear the seriousness in his thoughts. Biting my lip, I nod hesitantly.

I place my hands over his, holding his hands gently. Please tell me you didn't find anything, I mentally plead. No poison, no... him, nothing. It was empty..?

Fitz smiles softly and nods. I found nothing. Mr. Wallace wasn't there either, but Benen and Donovan found me before I exited the conference room.

Thank God, I transmit, letting out a breath I didn't know I was holding in for so long. Taking in a quivering breath, I lean forward and touch my forehead to his chest, my hands still holding his. I'm panicking so much right now, Fitz.

Sighing softly, Fitz rests his head on top of mine, letting me listen to the rather comforting sound of his heart beating in his chest. I can tell... What's scaring you so much?

Don't you also have telepathic abilities?

Fitz smirks at my attempt of a joke. Is it how Fitton was in the photo in the first place?

Not quite, Fitz.

Fitz takes his hands out from underneath mine. I tense up momentarily, thinking that I did something wrong. But when he pulls me closer in a warming embrace, I relax a lot, letting my arms wrap around him as well. Or is it the fact that the four of us were so close to a possible killer? Fitz transmits to me.

I take a shaky breath. That's exactly... why, I manage to think before shivering uncontrollably. We... "We were so close... he was right-" I feel a warm tear fall down my cheek. "He was right there," I say, my voice cracking. Before I know it, more and more tears of fear stream down my face. "He's here. He's-"

I suddenly stop when Fitz uses one hand to gently wipe the tears off of my face. Hugging me again, he says, "He's not here now. He won't come here now."