Sparkle (KOTLC) {Completed}

13

The next morning, though her sleep couldn't be considered restful, she had no vivid nightmares and woke up feeling almost refreshed, even after sleeping against a tree. Well, at least awake enough to stop hiding in her own mind. 

Immediately upon waking up, she ran to the mansion and saw Mr Forkle, the rest of the Collective, Livvy, Edaline, Grady, Councillor Bronte, and another woman talking.

"What's going on?" She asked confusedly.

Squall gasped and immediately wrapped her in a hug. "JJ! I'm so glad you're ok!"

Janessa melted into the hug, shaking slightly. "Thanks. Anyways, what's happening? Where's Sophie?"

"She's still asleep after yesterday." Livvy said in a kind voice. 

"What happened yesterday?" Janessa wondered, before she stopped. "Oh, sorry, I guess you'll tell me what I need to know. I'm ready to be active again, Mr Forkle, by the way, but that's for another time I guess." Janessa blushed at the floor in shame.

"Of course you can know!" Physic exclaimed, hugging her again. 

Councillor Bronte cleared his throat. 

"Oh... sorry for interrupting." Janessa mumbled.

Squall put a hand on Janessa's shoulder. "I'll fill her in. You can continue."

The ice-covered woman led the girl into the kitchen and sat her down, while Edaline came in, handing her a plate of pastries.

"A lot has happened since you were gone. I know we didn't get to go over much before we brought up... you know." Edaline said apologetically.

"Don't worry about it, I'm ok now. But, what happened yesterday?" Janessa asked.

"Sophie, Biana, Tam, and M- a pyrokinetic went to Nightfall, Lady Gisela's Neverseen hideout, to find Sophie's human parents. They weren't there, but found Alvar, almost dead, and we discovered soporidine, an ogre sedative on his foot. The same sedative was used on Prentice, and there's no cure." Squall started as Edaline returned to the other room.

Janessa paled and stuttered. "Ok, give me a second to go over that in my head. This would make much more sense if I had more background information, but I think I understand so far." Janessa took a deep breath. "Why was there a pyrokinetic? Who are they? I thought I was —am— the only pyrokinetic in the Black Swan."

"Lady Gisela made genetically modified monsters that can only be defeated with a pyrokinetic. Their identity is supposed to remain a secret, but I'm sure you'll know in time." Squall explained.

Janessa nodded. "Last time I talked with her, Edaline said something about Natalie? Or Amy? Sophie's human sister."

"She's in Atlantis living with Quinlin. She managed not to be taken by the Neverseen when her parents were kidnapped." Squall replied, her icy features somehow soft and warm.

Janessa sighed loudly. "I get the feeling this is only the most recent, important stuff. While I was gone, so much more must've happened."

Squall nodded sadly. 

"Can you just tell me like the bullet point version super quickly? Like no detail, but the most important stuff." Janessa asked warily.

"Alright. Be prepared, though." Janessa shifted uncomfortably. "Keefe destroyed part of Foxfire. Wylie was kidnapped because his mom was murdered and they thought he had information about it. We got him back though. Sophie triggered her ability as an Enhancer. Sophie attended the Peace Summit with Mr Forkle, but the Neverseen destroyed Lumenaria and..." Squall trailed off.

"What?" Janessa's face dropped. "Who...?"

Squall sighed. "Mr Forkle. One of them."

Janessa's lower lip trembled for a second before steadying again. "Oh. Anything else?"

Squall nodded gravely. "Unfortunately. An unknown prisoner escaped with Fintan." 

Janessa paled. Was it Vespera..? It must be. Fear shook the white-haired girl to her core. 

Squall continued on, but noticed the girl's strange reaction. "Sophie and Keefe have been contacting his mother and they went to collect a starstone from King Dimitar."

"That's how Keefe was injured, right? I vaguely remember Sophie talking about this. I should've payed closer attention." Janessa looked down crossing her arms. So many things she'd missed. So many things she could've known a week ago.

Squall wrapped her frozen arms around her again. "You did what you could. You couldn't have changed anything. Nothing is your fault, JJ."

Janessa whimpered, shaking in the woman's embrace. "Thank you."

After a few moments, Squall asked, "Are you ready to rejoin the others?"

Janessa nodded and Squall guided her back into the room, a hand on her shoulder. 

The girl faltered when she noticed all her friends sitting on the couch together, looking down for a moment. 

"Hey Nessie." Dex said, somehow showing his usual dimples despite the heavy mood of the room.

Janessa's face relaxed into a shy grin. "Hey Dex. Hey guys." Unbeknownst to her, Squall shot both her and Dex a teasing grin, causing the boy to blush slightly.

She didn't notice the red in his cheeks as she squeezes between him and Biana, leaning into the one-armed hug the brunette gave her.

"Feeling better?" The beauty asked.

"Yeah. Thanks for making me go yesterday." Janessa breathed, appreciating the hug wholeheartedly.

"Next time, we're actually going shopping though." Biana replied with a weak smile, reminding Janessa of what she'd just learned about her older brother.

Janessa returned the shaky smile, nodding. "Definitely. You'll have to show me the best stores."

Biana's grin strengthened and the heaviness in her eyes lightened up, her arm relaxing around Janessa's shoulder.

Footsteps then came rushing down the stairs and Sophie appeared, wearing pyjamas and with a mess of hair. The blonde blushed brightly before noticing her twin on the couch with her friends.

The two girls locked eyes and both filled with guilt before Janessa spoke up. "I'm glad you're ok. Sorry I've been gone this past week."

Sophie's worried expression relaxed and she smiled in relief. "I'm glad you're ok too."

************

A/N

Ahhhhh!!! I feel really bad for never updating but everything is soooo hectic right now! I really hope I'm able to write more often but I seem to be having more tests every week :(

Hope you're all doing well and I'm so thankful you're reading my stuff and enjoying it. It means so much that you guys comment and vote :)

-Minnie :)