Always With You- SOKEEFE(unlocked)

Chapter One

"Keefe? KEEFE? KEEFE SENCEN IF YOU DON'T WAKE UP THIS INSTANT I'LL PUT YOU ON GORGODON DUTY AND TRUST ME WHEN I SAY IT'S A PAIN IN THE—"

"Is it working, Sophie?" Elwin interrupted.

Sophie shook her head for what had to be the millionth time that day. "It's as if every time I send a transmission...it just..." she stopped herself, knowing that if she were to continue that sentence she would probably burst into tears.

"I think it'd be best if we continue this tomorrow." Bronte said breaking the silence.

"Right. Well, I'll be sure to update you all if I see any progress." Elwin said to everyone before they left.

"Hey." Sophie heard a soft voice say beside her.

"If you're going to lecture me..."

"That's not why I'm here."

"Fine. What is it?" Sophie said turning to face Oralie.

"He's going to wake up. I promise that. I...I know you're worried—" Oralie said to her.

"Worried?! It's been five days and Keefe still hasn't woken up from whatever this transformation, that Gisela forced on him, is! We've tried everything, and nothing has worked."

"Sophie, listen to me, okay?" Oralie said trying to get Sophie's attention, "If anyone can help Keefe out of this mess, it's you. I think this is more complicated than any of us realize, but if anyone knows complicated, it's you two."

"If you're trying to be all 'mom advice' now..."

"I'm not trying to parent you, I'm trying to... be a friend. And, if you want to put the whole 'cache thing' on hold, I'll stand by you. I just think getting Keefe to wake up is more important to us than unlocking this secret that we don't even know will be of use."

"Yeah, I..I guess you're right. I'm sorry about yelling, and for not being the nicest to you lately."

"I get it, okay. I know what it's like to not know." Sophie knew she meant Kenric, which made tears appear in both of their eyes. "Anyways, it's getting late, and we both need our rest." Oralie said.

Sophie nodded but grabbed Oralie back just as she was about to leave.

"Thanks." Sophie said giving a slight smile.

"Anytime." Oralie replied and turned as she walked out the door of the Healing Center.

But, before she left, Sophie noticed something in different about Oralie. The look in her eyes were filled with sadness, determination, but worst of all - guilt. Of course it's natural to feel guilty sometimes, but maybe the whole— "I'm you're biological mother and lied to you about it for 15 years" —thing got to her head. And maybe all of the avoidance and guilt tripping is just making it worse.

Sophie put her head in her hands, looking towards Keefe, and let out a sigh. "If only you were awake and I could tell you everything, then you could give me this speech telling me it's okay." She said, letting a few tears escape.

"Hey, Sophie, are you on dream duty?" she heard Elwin say as he walked back into the room.

"Um, no actually. I think Fitz is coming in a couple minutes." Sophie said wiping away tears before Elwin could notice. "I was about to go anyways. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Sophie."

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"I just don't see a good reason for me to go."

"Well maybe because it's required." her father told her.