The Aftermath

Chapter 9

Third Person P.O.V.

'Woah, woah, woah. Hold it right there. Did he just say 'betrothed'?' Sophie thought as her jaw dropped to the floor along with Keefe's.

"You look so surprised love. Why is that?" Corbyn asked with his own smirk. Sophie shook her head in horror. 'No. This isn't right. No way I could be betrothed if I've never met my parents.'

In that moment, no one knew what to say. "Oh don't tell me you didn't know. The old stinker didn't tell you? Hmm. Guess I'll just tell you myself then." Corbyn said.

Sophie and Keefe could only stand and watch in horror as Corbyn started the story. "When you were just a little girl, we had managed to finally get ahold of you." Corbyn started.

'No way. I would've remembered. Unless... Forkle erased it.' Sophie had finally come to the conclusion. "That old stinker had come but we threatened to kill you. Even if it risked shattering our sanity." Corbyn continued.

"So we compromised. We returned you safe and sound and in return I got your hand in marriage." He finished. Sophie and Keefe still stood, soaking in the new information.

"No. That can't be possible. There's no way we could..." Sophie trailed off. 'He would have told me.' Then again, there were still many things he still hadn't told her.

"Yes. It's true. So come with us and we'll give your friend back. It's a win-win. You protect your friends and you come to the right side. It's practically a no-brainer." Corbyn bargained.

Sophie took a deep breath. It wasn't the best deal, but it was enough to protect her friends. As if Keefe had read her mind, he stopped Sophie.

"Foster, don't do this. We can find another way. Team Foster-Keefe." Keefe said recalling memories. Sophie looked over her shoulder at Keefe.

She didn't want to do this, but it was for her friends. For Biana. For Fitz. For Keefe. 'Unless there is another way.'

Sophie looked back at Corbyn and Fintan as she transmitted to Keefe. When I agree, I tell them to bring Biana and you take her. Don't worry, I'll find a way out.

Sophie took one last look at Keefe, hoping to not raise suspicion and come off as just thinking. She finally faced Corbyn and nodded.

"Fine. But you bring Biana here and let my friends leave in peace as I will go with you in peace." Sophie ordered. "Fine. Bring her." Corbyn said to the elf next to him.

A minute later, Biana was thrown on the ground in front of Sophie and Keefe. There were burn marks and scratches. Her breathing was shallow as she slept.

Sophie and Keefe rush over to Biana's barely-alive body. Fitz. We got Biana. Hurry here as fast as you can. Sophie transmitted. Fitz transmitted back that he was on his way.

"Okay, you got your friend. Now you come with us." Corbyn said stepping towards them. Sophie glared up at him as she rose from her knees.

"Fine. Just tell them how to get out and we can go." Sophie spat, venom laced in her words. "No, Sophie. Don't... do..it" Biana stirred.

Keefe got Biana onto his back and lifted her up. "Turn left down the hall and there's a pair silver doors on your right. Now leave." Fintan rushed.

Sophie tried to memorize the directions as Keefe took one last look at Sophie. It wasn't any normal please-don't-die-and-leave-me look. It was a look full of love, worry, and longing.

Sophie returned Keefe's gaze as Fitz ran into the room. "Sophie! Hey! Get away from her!" Fitz yelled getting in front of Sophie.

Corbyn just smiled at Fitz. "Oh don't worry. Miss Foster and I have come to a...compromise." Corbyn explained with a cruel smile. Fitz glared at Corbyn.

"And what is this compromise, may I ask?" Fitz spat. "It's called nun ya." Corbyn answered. "What's nun ya?" Fitz asked with furrowed eyebrows.

"Nun ya business." Corbyn said with a smirk. Fitz glared at Corbyn so hard, he was starting to shake with rage. "Fitz." Sophie said.

Fitz turned towards Sophie as she smiled softly. "You and Keefe just get Biana out of here. I can handle it from here." Sophie tried. Fitz shook his head.

"No. I'm not leaving you in a room full of murderers. Not by yourself. Keefe, take Biana back to Everglen." Fitz ordered. Sophie shook her head.

Fitz. Trust me. I have a plan. Sophie transmitted as she said out loud,"Fitz. I can handle it." It was a little difficult to transmit something while saying something else out loud.

Fitz took a deep breath. Reluctantly but stubbornly, Fitz grunted in agreement. "Fine." He said as he transmitted If you're not back above ground in an hour, I'm coming back down myself and getting you out.

Sophie gave him the smallest nod as the trio gave Sophie one last look and headed down the hall. "Finally. Now that they're gone, we can finally get to Grindelow." Fintan said.

'Grindelow? Maybe I should... no. I need to run.' Sophie stood there as everyone else got back to packing. Corbyn stood there in front of Sophie with his blond hair and maya blue eyes.

"So, care to explain what Grindelow is?" Sophie asked, attempting to get information. "Hm, nice try but no." Corbyn said. "Also, you'll have to be sedated when we're going there so..."

Sophie saw Corbyn look past her and festered to her. There was someone behind her with a sedative. Using her reflexes from the war less than a year ago, Sophie swooped under and grabbed the person's arm.

She held it against their back and kicked them towards Corbyn knocking them both down. Now was her chance to run. Sophie took off down the left hall and reached the silver pair of doors on her right.

It turned out to be an elevator. Sophie pressed the button repeatedly as she heard footsteps coming. Not knowing what else to do while waiting, she let the light through her.

Just as the elevator doors opened, Corbyn, Fintan, and a group of elves appeared. Still invisible, Sophie got in the elevator without a noise.

Corbyn and Fintan ran to see the elevator doors close on them. "Damn it." Sophie heard Fintan say. She reappeared with a triumphant smile as the door opened again.