Keeper of the Great Adventures

Chapter 4

It was dark. That's all she knew - the darkness. Who was she? Where was she? What happened? Why was she trapped in a dark void with no end? She had so many questions and no answers. She kept hearing... voices? She didn't know how to get to them. She didn't know if she wanted to. Although it was dark, she felt at peace. Safe. The voices got louder and louder, and before she knew it, there was a bright light.

"Foster??" A voice cried.

"She's ok! Get Elwin," Another voice said. Her eyes adjusted to the light and saw many faces looking down at her. They were familiar. A boy came closer and held onto her hand. Her mind felt less panicked and calmer.

"Foster, it's me!" The boy said. Sophie crinkled her forehead in confusion when all of a sudden, it hit her. Her memories came flooding back. She tried to speak but realized how parched she was.

"Hey, Keefe,"  Sophie transmitted.

"I can't believe you are back,"

"Where did I go?"

"I'll explain everything as soon as possible. Elwin needs to check you first," Keefe handed her Ella and gave her a reassuring smile. Before Elwin checked Sophie, everyone left the room except Keefe. As Elwin was working, Keefe held on to her hand the whole time, sending her calming breezes.

"Well, Sophie, that was a close one," Elwin sighed. "But what's important is that you are alive." Was it really that bad? She didn't remember any pain. "I'll leave you two alone so Keefe can catch you up," Sophie nodded and drank some of the Youth Elwin handed her.

"So... what happened?"  Sophie transmitted to Keefe.

"You really don't know?

"No that's why I'm ASKING"

"Aww, there's my feisty girl."

Sophie glared at Keefe and twisted her hand away.

"What happened?" Sophie asked again, getting impatient.

"What do you remember?"

"I remember... sitting on a beach with you. Then it went dark."

"Yeah, that was Tam."

"WHAT??"

"OW! I don't need a headache," Keefe cringed.

"Sorry... but what do you mean that was Tam?"

"I mean my mom thought it'd be fun to kidnap Tam and brainwash him or something into thinking the Black Swan betrayed him and the Neverseen took him in,"

"How is that possible? He was with us that night?"

"I don't know. But it's true. Tam came onto the beach and knocked us out. Biana said she heard a warning from you? That's why she came to the beach and found Tam leaping away. She was able to grab me and save me. But Tam got away with you. If Biana hadn't grabbed me, you wouldn't have had to suffer as much,"

Sophie could feel the anger and guilt pulsing through his mind.

"Based on what you said, you did everything you could,"  Sophie transmitted.

"I guess. Anyway, we don't know where you went after that. But you were gone for 5 days,"

"5 days?"

"Yeah. Vespera did this crazy illusion over their hideout. We found it after Biana and I were flying on Silveny. I felt this horrible feeling inside. One I knew only belonged to you. We flew around for a while and eventually found a way past the illusions."

"Wow,"

Sophie felt so horrible for putting her friends in danger, but she was grateful they could save her.

"Anyway, we found you after I followed your strong emotions. And.."  Keefe stopped.

"Keefe?"

"Foster, I thought you were gone. Before..."

"Before what?"

Sophie tried to listen for the rest of the thought, but she didn't have the strength.

"You had burns everywhere. You look like you were tortured. It was... horrible,"

"I did? Where are they now?"

"Elwin treated them... but you looked bad."

"Gee, thanks."

"You know what I mean,"

She adjusted herself in her temporary bed. Elwin came back to see how things were doing and to check up on Sophie.

"Are you doing better, Sophie?" Elwin asked.

"A little. Keefe still has yet to finish telling me what happened," She paused.

"Is it true that I had burns? And was... tortured?"

"Unfortunately. It took me 2 days to heal you completely," Elwin said, shuddering at the memories.

"Was Keefe hurt?" Sophie asked with a horrified expression.

"Let him finish the story, drink some more Youth, and get some rest," Elwin said as he exited the room. Sophie gulped down the Youth and was appreciative of the refreshing feeling that soothed her sore throat.

"Elwin said there was more to the story?"

"Unfortunately. I helped you out of the cell you were in. I have tried so hard to keep you safe. I failed. I promise that I will never let anyone hurt you again."

"You don't have to do that. But it's nice to know you'll be there."

"Foster, I've always been there. And I always will."

Her heart fluttered more than it ever has. Sophie looked into Keefe's ice-blue eyes and saw pure determination.

"What happened to Biana?"

"That's the other bad part."

"What happened?"

"She saw Tam."

"So?"

"Oh, right. Sorry. They are dating. Were. I don't really know."

"WHAT??"

"First off, OW. Second, they started dating a week before the night we all gathered. They planned on telling everyone then, but then Linh dragged Tam home before they got a chance."

"Wait, but she would've seen Tam grabbing us? Right?"

"Well, he was wearing a cloak, and it was dark outside."

"Oh,"

"Anyway, so when Biana and I got there, we were expecting someone like my mom or Fintan. While I was getting you, Biana was looking for clues or things we could take with us. Biana found Tam and froze. It was heartbreaking to watch. Tam treated her like garbage. But then-"

"Are you almost done, Keefe? People are waiting to see Sophie." Elwin said out of nowhere.

"Who's waiting to see me?" Sophie asked. That's when Tam walked through the door, wearing a Neverseen cloak.