Stellarlune - KOTLC Book 8.5 Fanfic

Chapter 46

 "Alright then. Are you really sure about this Miss Foster?" Mr. Forkle asked, as he raised his leaping crystal to the air.

Was she? Sophie looked around, trying to figure out her friends' expressions. Fitz, Dex, Biana, Linh and Tam all looked uneasy, but didn't say any more to the matter.

But what about herself? How did she feel?

Frightened, anxiety high, heart beating loudly in her ears. Though deep inside, she felt at peace with her decision. And that was how she knew that she was ready.

"Yeah - I'm fine, but - are you guys?" Sophie said, noticing the deep fall in her friends' faces.

Her decision did mean a risk of death for her, she should've realized how big the impact of it would affect her friends. Would they be lost without her? Before Sophie had come to the Lost Cities, nobody had known her, and were perfectly fine without her. Or, somewhat...

Dex had been lonely in the past, but would he have found a friend later even if Sophie hadn't come along?

Would Keefe have slowly break under the pressure of his parents, without much support, or would he have found more friendship inside Fitz and Biana? Would Keefe have found out about his rebellious mother if Sophie hadn't broke into the story?

Tam. It was hard to tell if he would be friends with all of them if Sophie hadn't come along, and Linh, as well.

They'd all thought that Shades were "dark" and "untrustworthy," but now that had changed. Would it have started to change without her intervening?

"Yes," Dex said, stepping up. "I mean like -" he stopped, with a short bitter laugh that cracked, "If it weren't for you, nothing would've changed. To be honest, I may have still been eating lunch alone, but because of you that changed. And so much more."

"And we'd like to repay you for it," Linh added. "Sophie, all those times you've helped me - us, you always stood by our sides, and now... I think we should stand by your decision. We'll support it."

"I agree. I know I always gave you a hard time at the beginning Sophie, but you saw past those negative examples," Biana winced with the memories, but continued on, "My point is, that you were always understanding, well, still are. And you deserve to be at peace with your choice."

"When me and Linh were in Exillium, you were the first one to see us out," Tam mumbled. "And because you gave us that chance, Sophie, everything changed. I just want to thank you, and that we definitely will not judge you for whatever decision you make."

A heartbeat passed, as Fitz jumped in the sentimental conversation. "I almost hate to say it Sophie, but... I think it's pretty clear what you want to do, and .... Even though it's hard, I'll support your decision as well."

Sophie felt her heart skip a beat with Fitz's confession, knowing that it said a lot. She wouldn't know what to do without her friends, and - it felt like the beginning of the end. There had been other risks before - but this one, could have no return, and once she would go down that path, nothing, but herself would be able to bring her back.

"Thanks, you guys..." Sophie whispered. She opened her mouth to tell Mr. Forkle to bring her to Oralie, but faces flashed into her mind.

"What about Edaline? And Grady?" she asked. "Can I see them before I do the healing?" She left some names out of the sentence, knowing that Keefe definitely wouldn't be an option, but transmitted a quick goodbye to Silveny, Greyfell, Luna and Wynn.

"First of all, Miss Foster, are you sure you want to perform the healing now?" Mr. Forkle asked. "This very well could wait -"

"I'm sure," Sophie cut him off. "The more time we delay, the more time the Neverseen gets to create more plans. But onto the question. Can I see my parents?"

Mr. Forkle fumbled for his Imparter, and quickly punched some buttons on the screen, then put it back into his pocket. "I've arranged for them to come to where the healing will take place."

"Thank you." Sophie was feeling pretty confident now, knowing that she'd shaken Mr. Forkle, though felt her mood plummet as she pondered about why he would be shaken so easily. Did he really think the healing would be the end for her?

It didn't help her rattling nerves, as Mr. Forkle took out a leaping crystal, and gathered the nervous group around into a circle, making them vanish into the light.