a dangerous combination [discontinued]

~ F I F T Y - T H R E E ~

Sophie was an idiot.

She knew it, too.

Her heart was pounding and blood roared in her ears as she stepped out of the protective layer the Obscurer had provided for them. (no idea how an obscurer works and I'm too lazy to check the books 🙃)

But she knew somehow that she had made the right decision. It was clear at this point that no means of escape would present itself. The best idea was to get it over with as soon as possible.

That didn't make it any easier, though. It took all of her strength to put one foot in front of her every step.

This could be her last moment on Earth. She should be able to savor it.

A figure emerged from the crowd, and their identity completely ruined what should have been a peaceful last moment.

Lady Gisela.

Usually when a person smiled, their features went along with one another, creating an overall pleasing face to look at.

For Gisela Sencen, however, it looked as though her eyes were trying to fight the grin on her mouth, and therefore made her face unnatural and repelling.

She didn't stop however, the brittle smirk still present on her face as she took a long look at Sophie. "I'm going to be fully honest with you, Sophie Foster. I was not expecting it to be that easy."

Sophie swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet the woman's icy eyes. "You thought wrong then."

"It seems that I did. But no matter." Her gaze focused on where Sophie had emerged from. "You may as well tell your friends to come out as well. I'm in no mood for a game of hide and seek."

Stay hidden, Sophie transmitted to Blur and Tiergan. She knew it might be pointless, but she had seen a glint of reflected light in Gisela's outer coat pocket.

Could it be?

"Actually," Sophie said in a desperate attempt to buy time. "I have a question for you."

Gisela raised an eyebrow, as if to say well?

"Why are you so intent on capturing me?"

It was at this point, when Gisela threw back her head and laughed, that Sophie could clearly see what was in her cape pocket.

A crystal.

It was to the Forbidden Cities, Sophie could tell from the color. Which meant that if she could get her hands on it...

She didn't hear the response to her stupid question as she lunged for the stone, maneuvering her hand into the pocket and closing her fingers around the cold, hard object.

Gisela realized too late what was happening to stop Sophie from stealing the crystal, but Sophie knew that if Gisela managed to grab onto her when she tried teleporting away, they would both end up in the same place.

So she made an irreversible decision.

She threw the crystal to where she knew her friends were still obscured.

Realization dawned in both of their minds, along with shock, fear, and awe.

But Sophie knew she had done the right thing.

Go, she transmitted. I'll be fine, I promise.

Gisela shouted something inaudible over Sophie's head, and shadows dive through the protective shielding, revealing both Sophie's teammates, their eyes wide.

Go, she transmitted again, more urgently this time.

Tiergan met her eyes, and Sophie saw how helpless he was to help her.

And that was okay.

As long as they were safe.

He held her gaze as he grabbed Blurs hand and held the crystal up to the light, and Sophie could read the message in his blue irises.

This isn't over.

And he gazed at her one last time before the two of them stepped into the light, vanishing from the city of San Francisco.

~~~~

im sorry that was so dramatic you guys have no idea how many times I cringed writing this-

- riya 🤍🤍
10/4/20