ɢʀᴇᴇɴ ᴇʏᴇꜱ

h e l p l e s s

Sophie

What--how--

Sophie could only gape at the imparter's screen. Her brain couldn't comprehend it. It wasn't possible.

Keefe caught Biana as she stumbled back. Alden looked more broken than anything, and Della--Della looked grief-stricken, so grief-stricken that Sophie's chest ached.

Fitz, on the other hand, didn't look dazed--he looked mad. So mad that Sophie almost felt scared.

His jaw was clenched so hard she was surprised his teeth weren't cracking, and his face was redder than she'd ever seen it before. She knew things were awkward between them right now, but she reached out and touched his shoulder, hoping to calm him down. His echo was gone, but she was sure it wasn't good to be this upset.

"Fitz," she whispered. "Deep breaths, okay?"

He didn't make any sign that he heard her, but his body did relax a little.

"For the golden boy, you do seem rather emotionally unstable," Lady Gisela noted, looking almost pleased with the Vackers' reactions, which made Sophie's teeth grind together.

"Be quiet," Keefe snapped, and she could tell it had taken all of his willpower not to say Shut up.

"Ah, but you don't want me to do that," his mom replied. "Then I wouldn't be able to answer your questions, which I'm sure are currently burning on your smart little tongue."

Keefe's body was almost as tense as Fitz's, but he didn't respond.

Mr. Forkle stepped forward, gently gesturing for the kids to step back.

I'll take it from here, Sophie, he transmitted to her. Take your friends inside; I'm sure they need a break.

But what about Tam? Sophie protested, looking at Tam's pale face.

We'll figure it out, he answered gravely. But look at your friends--they need you right now, Miss Foster.

Sophie swallowed. Okay, she finally agreed, only because he was right--Biana and Fitz weren't looking too good, and same with Keefe.

"Guys, we should go inside," she told them, urging them towards Havenfield.

"What?" Fitz demanded. "No, I'm staying out here!"

"Go," Mr. Forkle said gently. "You may not be able to handle the emotional stress, Mr. Vack--"

"Who cares about emotional stress?" Fitz snapped. "Alvar is my brother, and--"

"Fitz, please," Sophie said, desperation lacing her tone. "You can talk to him later."

"Yes, later," Lady Gisela purred from the imparter. "We have plans for you, Fitz Vacker."

Sophie tried to ignore her, continuing to guide her friends to the house.

"Wait," Linh interrupted. "Is it okay if I stay out here?"

Her voice quavered a little, and Sophie knew she had to let her stay with her twin, even if only through a screen. 

"All right," she agreed. "Be careful, okay?" She hugged her friend, and then led the rest of the group back across the field.

From behind her, she heard Alvar chuckling from the imparter. "Running away, little brother? How typical."

Don't listen to him, Sophie transmitted sharply to Fitz, who had stopped in his tracks.

They finally made it back through the door. Sophie and Dex shoved the other three up the stairs into her room.

"THAT JERK!" Fitz yelled, hitting the wall with a loud thump. "I can't believe he's actually alive!"