Confessions and Realizations - A Sokeefe Story

Chapter 7 - New Location

Keefe's POV

They glittered out of the beam of light, into a meadow with rolling hills. They had to walk a ways to get to the actual meeting spot, but Keefe had light leaped them here on purpose. He wanted to have a few minutes to talk to Sophie before they had company. 

"Hey, Foster, is everything alright?" Keefe turned to Sophie, who was fidgeting with her hands. 

"Yeah? Yeah, I'm fine." Sophie looked up for a brief second before lowering her head again. "Where are we going anyway?"

"Haha, great tactic. I see you went with the subject change." Keefe laughed sarcastically and took Sophie's hand. "Can't lie to the Empath, remember?" He could feel her emotions without physical contact, but he wanted to get a clearer reading. He felt suppressed emotions, like Sophie was ignoring something. He was used to this, but this time it was a different emotion. It was......love. For who, he wondered? 

"Keefe, I'm not lying, okay?" She pulled her hand away, but not before Keefe felt the strong guilt coming off of her. 

"Whatever you say. I'm just checking on you, Sophie. I haven't seen you in a few days." Keefe used her first name to let her know that it wasn't a joke. He knew that since he used her nicknames 98 percent of the time, when he used her real name, it would be so much more special. 

It was worth it, because he felt her emotions turn fluttery and fast paced. 

"You can tell me anything, Sophie." He used the line she said to him in the dream/vision a few weeks back. 

She sucked in a breath. "I-I'm just not sure I know what to say, Keefe." 

"Well, when you figure it out, let me know, I'm here to listen."

"Thanks, Keefe." She wrapped her arms around his neck. 

"No problem, Foster" Keefe whispered into her ear. "We should go now, though."

"Yeah, we should" Sophie pulled back from the hug, but still kept her fingers intertwined with Keefe's. He squeezed her hand. 

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When they got to the Black Swan's newest hideout, Forkle was in the middle of a heated discussion with the rest of their friends. 

"Ah, Sophie and Keefe, how nice of you to join us!" He looked mildly annoyed, but Keefe took no offense, as he had a good explanation.

"It took us a little longer than we planned, because I accidentally light leaped us further away then I meant to. Sorry about that." He tried at a sincere smile. Apparently they bought it, except that Keefe saw Fitz shoot a glare at his and Sophie's interlocked hands. Keefe knew that Fitz still liked Sophie, but not in a good way. In a possessive way. Keefe hoped Sophie wouldn't go to Fitz when she cleared her feelings out. He shuddered at the thought. Forkle sat back down, and began to explain why he had called them to the meeting. 

"So, I was just explaining to the Team how we may have found a location that the Neverseen are using as a hideout." Forkle said this with zero emotion, but Keefe could feel Sophie's fear spike. 

Keefe took Sophie's hand, and sent blue breezes to calm her anxiety. 

"What?" Sophie whispered harshly. "You tell us this now? When did you find out?"

"Relax, Miss Foster, we only discovered this a few days ago. We were going to hold this meeting anyways, but this news gives us more important matters to discuss."

Keefe knew what was coming next. All of their friends would volunteer to go at once. To his surprise, everyone stayed quiet, and Forkle continued. 

"We believe that it would be wise to send a small team of people in, to scout out the area and see what evidence we can collect. This may help us discover what their next move will be."

Of course, as Keefe had predicted before, there was a chorus of "I'll go", "No, you stay here, I can do this" and "I don't want you to get hurt, let me go"

It wasn't surprising that the only ones silent were Keefe, Mr. Forkle, and Sophie. They had been especially affected by the real world, and they were in no rush to go on a mission again. Of course, Sophie and Keefe would both never turn down the opportunity to go, if they were chosen. All they wanted was to keep their friends safe. 

So when Forkle quieted everyone down, and told them that he had already decided who was going to go, Keefe held his breath, promising that if Sophie was going without him, he would find a way to keep her safe. 

"I've made a combination of three people, because the lower the numbers are, the easier it will be to get in and out without being noticed." 

Keefe agreed with the old man, for once. 

"These three people are talented enough in their own areas that they will all be able to assist each other and they will get out safely. I have chosen Sophie, because she can teleport you out of there, and her inflicting, and telepathy could be useful. Tam, because he will be able to help you get in and out unnoticed thanks to his ability as a shade."

Forkle paused here, and Keefe hoped that he would be the last name. He knew that there was a good chance it would be Fitz, or even Linh, because they were much more powerful than him. 

"And lastly, Keefe, because he can helps with Sophie's emotions, and he has excellent fighting skills."

Keefe knew that Forkle meant his time at the Neverseen, but that didn't matter, because he was going with Sophie. He could keep her safe. He had hardly thought this, when he heard someone growl. What the heck? Keefe thought. Then it clicked. Pretty Boy Fitz wanted to go too. And there he was, trying to attack Mr. Forkle. Tam and Keefe jumped up at the same time, and grab Fitz by the arms before he can hurt anyone.

"I WANT TO GO TOO!! SOPHIE, TELL THEM WE'RE COGNATES. WE HAVE TO STICK TOGETHER!"

Thankfully for everyone, Sophie said, "No, Fitz. You're not coming. You need to learn how to control your anger. Please leave, now."

Keefe was so impressed at how controlled her voice was. She had practically deadpanned it. It was clear to Fitz that he wasn't wanted anymore, and he stormed out, leaving Team Valiant staring after him. 

"Well," Mr. Forkle said, "Let's continue, shall we?"

They spent the next hour devising a plan that had almost 40 different back up plans.

"This is plan number 37:  If Tam can't cover you for more than ten minutes, you need to go down this hallway," Forkle pointed on the floor plan of the hideout, "and you should end up at a sewer tunnel under a street in the old part of London, UK. Then you can light leap back here."

They all looked at him and nodded. Biana, Dex, Wylie, and Stina had decided to stay so that they could suggest different ideas and step in for backup if needed. "Okay, that's everything. Remember this doesn't take place until next Friday, and today it's Wednesday. You have over a week to prepare." Forkle looked pointedly at Sophie and Keefe. "I don't want to see anyone going earlier. We'll meet up here on Saturday morning to go over the plan. You are free to go."

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Keefe light leaped with Sophie back to Havenfield, and ran after her up to her bedroom, earning a confused glance from Edaline, and a glare from Grady. 

"Rough day." he explained to them.

They nodded and let him go comfort Sophie.