Board Thread:Short Stories and Fanfictions/@comment-47.184.159.121-20191117015824/@comment-47.184.159.121-20191117021057

Keeper of the Lost Cities: 9

Chapter 1 “I’m ready,” Sophie told Oralie, doing her best to channel Keefe’s confidence as she added, “Bring it on.” Oralie smiled at Sophie’s confidence, “Then let’s do-” she was cut off by a loud growl. “You can’t go over there!” came Sandor’s squeaky, frustrated voice. “Why not, Gigantor?” teased Ro’s voice. “Because some people are busy!” exclaimed Sandor. “So!” said Ro. Sandor let out a squeaky sigh as Ro shoved her way past and over to Sophie. Oralie quickly tucked her cache away. “I suppose you are wondering why I’m here,” said Ro, “Well, since Elwin says Keefe will probably wake up tomorrow-“ “He does!” interrupted Sophie excitedly. Oralie cleared her throat and said, “I should probably go now.” She pulled out her leaping crystal, and blushing slightly, leaped away before Sophie could say a thing. Sophie frowned. Some mom. “So,” said Ro, “I was wondering if you wanted to help me with his punishment!” “He’s going to wake up tomorrow!” shouted Sophie ignoring Ro’s comment about the punishment. “Oh,” said Ro, “I can see that you are absolutely overjoyed about him waking up. Of course, I can understand that given the fact that-” someone cleared their throat. Sophie glanced up. It was Grady. “No you can not visit That Boy today,” he said. Sophie groaned, “You’ve had a busy day and if you are going to visit him tomorrow you need rest.” With that, he grabbed Sophie’s wrist and held her down like Sandor was when he was worried about Sophie teleporting away. Ro glanced at Grady’s death grip and said, be at the healing center tomorrow at eight o’clock sharp. With that, she ran off into the shadows that had fallen. Grady kept his hand on Sophie’s wrist and dragged her toward the house. Sophie slowly ate supper before heading up to bed and snuggling beneath her soft, warm covers. Her dreams that night were a mixture of Silveny’s transmissions and an army of amoebas chasing Keefe. Sophie woke up at seven and quickly showered, dressed, and allowed Vertina to teach her how to make a complicated braid which weaved around glistening jewels. She gulped down a quick breakfast and quickly light-leaped to the healing center with Sandor barely keeping up.

•	                          *                             * “Hello Miss Foster,” came Mr.Forkle’s familiar voice as Sophie burst into the room. She ignored him and ran over to Keefe who was stirring. Mr. Forkle sniffed, “Some greeting,” “Well,” said Ro’s voice from the corner, “I can completely understand that she absolutely needs to see Keefe because he’s so attractive! So hansom! So lovable! I mean, he and Sophie are meant for-” she was cut off when a groan came from Keefe. “Elwin!” called Sophie desperately. He rushed into the room, looked at Keefe’s little movements, and ran to the back room to get a dozen of elixirs. Keefe groaned again and his eyelids fluttered open. “Sophie?” he whispered. Chapter 2

“I’m here,” said Sophie. Keefe closed his eyes and sighed exhaustedly. At that moment, Elwin burst into the room and instantly made Keefe chug a bunch of elixirs. Keefe winced twice as much as he swallowed each on. When Elwin was done, Mr.Forkle kneeled beside Sophie and said to him, “Mr.Sencen, do you feel any different than before?” “Well,” said Keefe with a weak smirk, “other than the fact that mommy dearest almost killed me and I had to chug down a million elixirs, I don’t feel any different. Oh, and also, Foster over there is sending me a flurry of worry.” Sophie felt her face get hot as she stepped away, knowing that it was probably unnecessary to worry. “Sorry,” she mumbled. “Nah, it’s fine,” said Keefe, then broke off into a coughing fit. Elwin ran into the room again freaking out and flashing a bunch of orbs around Keefe’s face before making him drink another dozen of gross-looking elixirs. “So,” started Keefe when his coughing fit had calmed down and Elwin had warned them that they only had five more minutes of visiting time, “Did you miss me?” “Well,” called Ro from the corner and Sophie seriously wondered how she could forget that there was an ogre in the room, “I had lots of time to plan that punishment.” She flashed her own smirk as Keefe groaned and sunk deeper into the cot. “Are you seriously going to let her do this to me Foster?” he whined. “Even if she tried, she couldn’t,” said Ro with a wicked grin, “But we all how much your eyes are very convincingly adorable. I mean, ice blue is the color of all colors. Sure teal is nice but ice blue. That is a color to love, a color to cherish, a color to-” “Okay! Visiting time is up,” said Elwin walking in with another tray of elixirs. Keefe groaned. Mr. Forkle stood up and asked Elwin, “When will we be able to start testing to see what   Mr. Sencen’s new, uh, ability will be?” “Not today, said Elwin, “But maybe tomorrow. Keefe groaned again, “Mother of the Year always leave the best presents, doesn’t she.” Elwin set the tray of elixirs in front of Keefe, who made a face. Ro laughed from the corner, “If you’re worried about a few bad-tasting medicines, Hunkyhair, I worry how you’ll react to my punishments! Of course, Sophie should totally help me, but since she’s probably going to be your girl-” “Hey aren’t visiting hours over!” whined Keefe before gulping down the last elixir. “That’s right!” said Elwin, “You need to get some sleep.” “But he just slept for a week!” said Sophie. “A WHOLE WEEK!” exclaimed Keefe. “But it wasn’t restful sleep,” said Elwin. “But-” started Sophie as Elwin herded them all out of the Healing Center. “Nope,” said Elwin, Keefe needs his rest. With that. The door closed leaving Ro, Mr. Forkle, and Sophie all together. As they walked down the hallways of Foxfire, each one’s mind on a different thought, they could hear Keefe breaking into another coughing fit. They stepped out onto the lawn and Mr. Forkle and Sophie held out their leaping crystals. “Oh, I don’t think you want to do that,” came a sickening voice. And out of the bushes, stepped Lady Gisela. Chapter 3

“Sophie, if you inflict on me,” said Lady Gisela, “you’re little Mr. Forkle is going to go away.” At that moment, a troll grabbed Mr. Forkle pressing a knife to his throat. Following the troll came Gethen, Vespera, and Trix. “What do you want,” growled Sophie pressing her panic switch. “Me?” said Lady Gisela tossing her head, “I want to check on Keefe.” “Why would I let you do that!” hissed Sophie feeling more furious at Lady Gisela than anyone she had ever met, “You almost killed him. Why would I let you get near him?” Sophie felt anger building up inside of her, begging to be released. It grew darker by the minute. “Because we have the upper hand,” sighed Lady Gisela. Sophie glanced behind her and saw that was true. Both Ro and Mr. Forkle were surrounded and threatened with knives. Behind them, Trix was stirring up some wind and Gethen and Vespera were standing beside him looking menacing. Sophie pressed her panic switch again. Where was Dex? “Yes,” said Lady Gisela, “You are kind of in a hopeless situation. And don’t think that will work,” she said seeing Sophie pressing her panic switch for a third time. Gisela pulled out a small cube with a smug smile. “It blocks technology like that,” she said. Sophie gritted her teeth as dark hate swelled inside of her. Keefe! she transmitted, Keefe! No one responded. Sophie realized that he must be asleep. Fitz! Sophie saw Lady Gisela looking suspiciously at her. Fitz! Get to Foxfire right now. Neverseen! Then she immediately cut off the connection hoping Fitz heard. “Take me to Keefe!” ordered Lady Gisela. Sophie glanced over at Mr.Forkle. his eyes glinted with worry. “No,” said Sophie, “I won’t.” “What was that!” hissed Lady Gisela. “I said ‘No’” said Sophie proud of the way that her voice wasn’t shaking “Has it ever occurred to you,” said Lady Gisela stalking forward, “That even if you don’t want me to find Keefe, I always will. You Black Swan people will never win. You put to much trust in each other. That is why you will always lose. Where are your reinforcements now?” “Right here!” came a voice. And suddenly, the Foxfire front was a battle. But as Sophie inflicted, she realized someone was missing. Where was lady Gisela? Then Sophie knew. She was on her way to Keefe. Sophie turned and ran into Foxfire as fat as she could. She channeled strength into her legs and carried herself forward with anger. Sophie burst into the Healing Center to find Elwin unconscious on the floor and Lady Gisela looming over a furious Keefe. Sophie couldn’t keep the anger in any longer. It erupted from her, like lava bursting from a volcano. She chose her target and Lady Gisela collapsed and the floor, fainting from the pain. “Whoa,” said Keefe sitting up, “Are you okay?” Sophie couldn’t answer. She didn’t have the strength as she stared at Elwin and Lady Gisela’s bodies. She heard the door burst open as she collapsed onto her knees. Strong arms caught her before she hit the floor. Grady’s voice whispered to her, “It’s going to be okay Sophie.” Sophie latched onto the words. Comfort washed over her as the world dimmed. It was going to be okay. For now. And everything was black. Chapter 4

Sophie floated through the air. Nothing made sense. She didn’t want it to make sense. Shadows threatened to take over, but relaxing breezes would fight them back. Sophie sunk deeper and deeper. She wanted to stay there forever. Sophie! a voice called. It was familiar, but Sophie didn’t have the energy to focus on it. The voice called again and again, begging her to respond. Finally it stopped and Sophie locked herself away from everything. Nothing could get near her. Then, her mind faded away into a misty fog.

	                      *			*		Sophie! a voice called. This time, Sophie latched onto the word. The fog melted. The world became clear. Sophie’s eyes opened. Standing above her were Fitz and Keefe. Sophie felt her face grow hot. From the other side of the room, Mr. Forkle called, “It’s nice to see you up Ms. Foster. “Wait!” said Sophie sitting up, regretting it as she felt a dizzy spell come over her. “How long was I asleep?” “Oh,” said Mr. Forkle, handing a bottle of youth, “a little over a day.” Sophie almost chocked on the sweet syrup. “Over a day! Why didn’t you wake me up!” “We tried,” said Fitz, “but you kept ignoring us” That would explain that voice Sophie had heard. “Have you discovered Keefe’s ability?” asked Sophie leaning back on her pillows. “No,” sulked Keefe, “They won’t let me.” “And that is why we are here today,” said Mr. Forkle. “Right now!” asked Sophie sitting up. “Given that you’re up to it,” responded Mr. Forkle. “Um, could I have five minutes,” said Sophie wondering what she looked like. Mr. Forkle muttered something that started with ‘you kids’ but agreed. Sophie changed and brushed her a hair a little. When she came back into the room, the population had increased. Her family, Fitz’s family, Keefe’s father, Stina, Dex, Wylie and their families, and the council. Keefe did not look happy about having all these people there to watch him find out his new ability. Sophie snuck beside him and whispered, “At least they aren’t going to watch you almost die.” He offered her a small smile. “You mean almost foster it.” Keefe teased. Councilor Emery cleared his throat, “Are we ready to begin?” he asked. He went on to explain that the councilors would test for their abilities on Keefe. Alina went first and asked Keefe to sing with her since she was a Beguiler. Nothing happened. The same happened with Bronte, Clarette, Darek, and Emery. When it got to Liora, she told Keefe to snap his fingers and make it appear across the. Keefe did so and it vanished and appeared in the corner. A gasp went up from the group. Everyone stared and whispered to one another. At last Mr. Forkle stepped forward and said to Keefe, “Mr. Sencen, you are a Conjurer.

Chapter 5-Keefe

Keefe stared at his hand. Why would he end up with a useless ability like a Conjurer? Okay, he probably shouldn’t say that out loud, but still! At least it wasn’t dangerous or anything, but why couldn’t it be something more fun like a Charger, or a Mesmer. Well, maybe he shouldn’t hope for a Mesmer knowing how powerful his mom would be if she found a way to control him. Suddenly, Keefe realized that he was being bombarded with questions. Also, he figured it would be a little less weird if he would stop staring at his hand. Out of the corner of his eye, Keefe noticed Fitz supporting Sophie as she leaned against him. He tried not to stare. Fitz had practically rejected Sophie! She shouldn’t be leaning on him like that! Why couldn’t she figure out that he liked her?! Ro was giving plenty of hints! Keefe sighed and guessed he should probably answer some of the questions he was being asked rather than worry about his love life. But couldn’t Fitz- nope, he was not thinking about that again. So he turned away faced the millions of questions and a check-up from Elwin

•			*			*	Keefe plopped down exhaustedly beside Sophie. She had invited him to stay so he didn’t have to hang out with his dad. “So,” said Sophie, “you’re an Empath and a Conjurer.” “Yeah, I guess so,” said Keefe with a sigh, “I guess that explains why Dear ol’ Mom made sure I wasn’t one when I manifested as an Empath.” He sighed again. “Hey!” said Sophie, “Why are you so sad? Most kids who got a second ability would be jumping off the walls!” “Are you calling me a kid, Foster?” said Keefe with a smirk, “You I’m older than you, right?” Sophie gave an exasperated groan/sigh. “I’m serious Keefe, tell me what’s wrong!” Keefe gave in. “I’m just worried about why my mom (*voice crack*) gave me this ability! What does she want with it?!” Sophie scooted over closer to Keefe and caught his hand. “Keefe, you’re not the person that your mom thinks you are,” she said gently, “Your stronger then she thinks. We all know that you would never help the Neverseen.” Keefe twined his fingers around Sophie’s and sighed. “I know. It’s just-” his voice cracked again as a tear rolled down his cheek. Sophie reached up and wiped it away. “Keefe,” she said, “you’re one of the strongest people know. You can get through this. I know you can. We just need to keep fighting, even if it means losing those we love.” Here, a tear ran down Sophie’s face. Keefe rapped an arm around Sophie’s shoulders and pulled her closer. Sophie rested her head on his shoulder. “Sophie,” whispered Keefe, watching the sun set in the distance, “there’s something I need to tell you.” “What is it?” whispered Sophie back. Keefe took a deep breath, he knew the time had come. “Sophie,” he whispered, barely audible, “I love you.” Chapter 6 I love you. The words swirled around in Sophie’s head. What? How was this possible? How long had Keefe loved her? When she looked back to her time with Keefe, she realized that it was pretty obvious. Not to mention all of Ro’s comments. Sophie gazed at Keefe as if he were crazy. At that moment, the door opened. Still hugging Keefe, Sophie turned to see who it was. It was Fitz. Fitz stared at Sophie and Keefe like he was seeing things. Then his shock became anger as her turned on Sophie glaring. “What’s this!” he exclaimed, “You tell me that you don’t want to be together until you ready, then you go around dating Keefe!” “Fitzy, she was just-” started Keefe. “And you!” shouted Fitz, focusing his glare on Keefe, “You knew that we were temporarily apart and you slid in and stole her from me!” “He did not!” cried Sophie, pulling away from Keefe to face Fitz. “I don’t care if you won’t admit it!” responded Fitz angrily, “I DON’T WANT YOU GETTING NEAR THIS FALSE FRIEND OF MINE!” “So you get to decide who I date, now do you!” lashed out Sophie. “I don’t know why I even put up with you guys,” fumed Fitz. “Well maybe if you could control your temper you would be a more agreeable boyfriend!” growled Sophie. “I’M DONE WITH YOU!” thundered Fitz, “Do you hear me Sophie? I’M DONE WITH YOU! “Do you think I care!” exclaimed Sophie, “Well since you’re so dumb, I’ll tell you. I DON’T CARE!” “Do you know what I think, Sophie!” bellowed Fitz, “I think you’re you the most selfish, worthless, bratty, unmatchable-” “Do you know what I know, Fitz Vacker!” hollered Sophie, “I HATE YOU!” “Well the feeling is mutual!” yelled Fitz. Then he turned on his heel and stalked out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Sophie collapsed on her bed in tears. Why did this always happen to her? Life didn’t have a meaning anymore. What was the point? Sophie curled into a ball. “Sophie?” whispered Keefe. No response. “Don’t worry Sophie,” he said, “I won’t let this break you. Then he opened the door and calling down to Grady and Edaline. They pounded up the stairs, followed be Sandor and Ro. Sophie ignored anxious calls. Finally they gave up and went off to hail Mr. Forkle. All emotion left Sophie. All but anger. Hot, boiling anger that threatened to overflow. And as she laid there, all alone, all willpower against the anger left her. It was in charge. It was complete anger with no other emotion. Anger that had her on the verge of breaking. But Sophie was too strong to break. So she squeezed herself tighter and allowed the anger to completely take over.