Chapter 1-Fitz
I stepped out of the glowing gates of Everglen, raising my pathfinder to the light as I gripped the newspaper in my other hand. I sighed, not having any expectations for the girl I was going to see now. The newspaper in my hand about a 12-year old girl prodigy convinced my father that this girl-Sophie Foster- was going to be the one that my dad had been searching for these past 12 years. This was the 12th girl already. I was tired of missing classes at Foxfire and a bit more than slightly irritated, but what could I do? Alden, or dad was getting desperate to find the girl. I didn't understand what was so important about this girl anyways. I stepped into the path created by his pathfinder, and let the light sweep him away. I arrived on the front steps of the Natural History Museum in..Balboa Park? Yes, that was it. This was the place that I was told Sophie was going to be at right now. I walked up to the museum, purchased a ticket, and strode in. I admired some of the works they had in the museum, then found Sophie Foster's class near the giant dinosaur replicas. I almost laughed out loud at the sight of the dinosaurs. What in the world made humans think that dinosaurs looked like that? I stifled a laugh, then watched as a slim, long silky haired blond girl recited facts on the dinosaurs. I heard one of the boys in the class sneer at the girl, calling her a 'superfreak' then walk off. That's when I realized this girl was Sophie Foster. He stared at her for a moment. He knew that if she was pretty from the picture in the newspaper, but he hadn't realized she was beautiful. I dared say she was more beautiful than my own sister. I leaned against a display and tried to look casual while flipping through the newspaper. When I felt her gaze on me, I lifted my head to meet her stare. Disappointment burst through me when I realized her eyes were brown, because all elves had blue eyes. If she was an elf, there was no way she had brown eyes. They were still pretty though, a deep, clear brown with flecks of gold scattered throughout. I hid my disappointment though, and shrugged off the display and started walking toward her. Had to make sure, right? I flashed my smile at her, held the newspaper up, then asked her "Is this you?" She nodded her head mutely. I said, "I thought so." Squinted at the picture, then said " I didn't realize your eyes were brown." I almost slapped myself for asking her that. Of course her eyes are brown, you dolt! Now she'll be suspicious! Sophie looked unsure for a moment, then murmured, "Uh...yeah. Why?" I shrugged, then said "No reason." I could tell Sophie was starting to get suspicious. Then she asked me, "Are you in this class?" I stared at her amused, then told her as a smile curved my lips, "No." And I couldn't help myself but add, "Tell me something. Do you really that's what they looked like? It's a little absurd, isn't it?" pointing to the dinosaur figure in front of us. "Not really." the girl replied. "Why? What do you think they looked like?" I laughed and said, "Never mind. I'll let you get back to your class. It was nice to meet you, Sophie." Time to go. But just then, a wave of little humans scurried into the exhibit. I almost fell back from the high pitched voices coming from the kids and winced as I rubbed my temples. I opened my eyes to see Sophie making the same motions. Wait. Does this mean… "Did you just...hear that?" I asked with my voice hushed. I saw the blood drain from her face. A torrent of emotions went through her face, then settled on panic and fear. "Who are you?" She whispered to me. My eyes widened, then I said, "You didn't-did you?" I whispered, "Are you a telepath?" She didn't reply, but she flinched, and her reaction gave her away. I was beyond excited! I had found her! Dad wasn't going to be blown away! I said, "You are! I can't believe it!" And I really couldn't believe it! But I panicked when she started backing towards the exit, and realized I was scaring her. I quickly said, "You don't have to be afraid. I'm one too. My name is Fitz." She stilled and studied his face for any sign that he was lying, or joking. He could tell. So, I told her, "I'm not joking." I saw her wobble on her feet and and grabbed her arms to steady her. Wow, her skin was soft….Hey! Wait! This isn't the time to be thinking these thoughts! Snap out of it! Without thinking, I told her, " It's okay, Sophie. I'm here to help you. We've been looking for you for 12 years." I realized my mistake when Sophie jerked away from me and bolted like a frightened deer. I groaned then chased after her. I shouted to her, " Wait. You don't have to be afraid." When she ignored me, I pulled out my imparter and quickly updated Alden on what was happening. Then I saw her run into the middle of the road. A car was coming straight toward her. My heart stopped and my mind shouted NO! But I couldn't do anything. I was frozen, my spine locked up in fear for Sophie, and what would happen to her.