The Stars Said Hello [1]

C H A P T E R - 7

"It's okay Sophie. It's gonna  be okay."

It took her a second to recognise that the voice belonged to Meredith. She crouched on the floor, holding her against her shoulder. Some part of her brain knew she should be embarrassed about smearing tears and drool and snot all over her jacket, but she couldn't make herself care.

"I drugged my family," she whispered.

"You did the right thing."

"It doesn't feel like the right thing."

She squeezed her tighter as another round of sobs overcame her. "Look, Sophie, I feel like a jerk for saying this, but we have to get out of here. The Washers could be here any second, and they can't find us here."

"Washers?"

"Telepaths trained to erase memories. I'm sure the Council has sent them by now."

She forced her arms to let go of her and wiped her tearstained face on her shirt. "Just give me a second."

"I'll go get your bags. Are they upstairs?"

She pointed to her worn purple backpack. "This is all I'm taking."

"That's all?"

"What am I supposed to take? What am I going to need it for?"

"It's now or never, Sophie. Don't leave anything behind that you might regret later."

"No, there's nothing—" 

"Ella," she whispered. "I haven't slept without her since I was five. I thought I should leave her behind, but—" She couldn't finish.

"Where is she?"

"Upstairs, on my bed. She's the bright blue elephant wearing a Hawaiian shirt." She blushed, but Meredith didn't laugh.

"I'll be right back," she promised.

"I'm ready to go," she said with sudden determination.

Meredith helped her to her feet and led her to the door. 

Then, clutching Ella with one arm and Meredith with the other.

Alden And Della Waited Outside, pacing in the glow from Everglen's enormous gates. As soon as the doors swung open, Della wrapped Sophie in a tight hug, stroking her hair and whispering that everything would be okay. 

"No one saw us," Meredith assured Alden, handing over the black pathfinder.

"Thank you, Meredith. My dear, you might want to let her breathe," he told Della.

Della released her from the stranglehold, and Sophie took a shaky breath.

"Are you okay?" Alden asked, deep shadows haunting his face.

"No," she admitted.

He nodded. "It gets easier from here."

"I hope so." She hugged Ella. "What happens now?"

"Della and I are going to personally oversee your family's relocation. Fitz and Meredith can help you get settled in here while we're gone."

"Here? I'll be living here?" 

Della wrung her hands. "Oh, Sophie, we would love that—we even offered. But the Council wanted you placed with other guardians."

"I selected them personally," Alden assured her. "They're good friends of ours. You're going to like them."

"Okay," she agreed without much enthusiasm. 

"We'll talk more tomorrow," Alden said. "Right now we have to get going. Meredith, Elwin's waiting to see Sophie."