The Stars Said Hello [1]

C H A P T E R - 3 5

Sophie drifted in the darkness, unable to separate nightmare from reality. But the pain pulled her back to consciousness. Cold, thick cords sliced into her wrists and ankles. Bonds.

She was a hostage.

"They ordered a search and rescue," a strange voice whispered from far away. "They believed the tidal wave."

"Staging a suicide would have been better," someone else hissed.

"No one would've believed all three of them jumped."

"I know. The boy and the other girl are an unfortunate complication."

Two men—or maybe three. She couldn't tell. She wasn't even sure she was awake. The mental fog felt so thick she could barely think through it.

"What are you going to do with them?" he asked.

"We're not here to answer your questions," a new voice hissed. A ghostly whisper. "Just do your job and wash the girl's recent memories.

Please, Sophie thought, scrambling to make her muddled mind concentrate. She transmitted as far and wide as she could. My name is Sophie Foster. If anyone can hear me, please send help.

She listened for a reply, but there was only silence as the darkness swallowed her again.

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Loud voices yanked her out of the haze. She wanted to cry, but she didn't have the energy. Her body felt like one giant bruise. At least the pain meant she was still alive.

"Funerals are being arranged."

"They didn't care that there were no bodies?"

"They found the pendants at the bottom of the ocean. Everyone believed."

No! Her brain screamed. We're not dead. Please, someone hear me. We need help!

"Have they decided what to do with the boy and the girl?"

"They have to get rid of him. The girl on the other hand, she's useful."

"How?"

"She seems to know about a lot of secrets."

 Please! she transmitted. Please help us. She pushed the message as far as it could go.

"The girl's awake. I can hear her transmitting for help."

A strong hand squeezed her arm like a vise. "Stop it, Sophie! Do you hear me?"

"Relax. She can't reach anyone from here."

"I don't care. Knock her out."

Sharp sweetness tickled her nose, and she sank into the dark oblivion.

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Keefe sniffled as he saw the plant, "You promised Mer. You promised that you would come back."

Flitz and Biana stood behind him with hunched backs while Alden and Della looked so pathetic.

Kenric and Oralie had red eyes and tear stains but they had pulled themselves together for the funeral.

The Dizznees looked so very lost and sad.

Grady and Edaline stood looking defeated as all of them planted the trees.

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Meredith snapped out of her knocked out phase and said, "I swear to the gods that when I find out who you are, you're gonna be sorry."