Fan Fiction Challenge #4: A Traitor
In Book III, what would have happened if there had actually been a traitor among the Keepers, as Wayne warned? Who would it have been and why? How would the rest of the Keepers found out?
Charlene's Betrayal
"Charlene, how could you?" Finn stared at Charlene, still not comprehending what had happened. How could she have betrayed them? Finn had trusted her—they all had. But she led them into a trap. Finn looked around the small, darkened storeroom where he and the other Keepers were captured. CTDs stood guard, armed with pirate swords. Not that they expected to need them… each Keeper was tied up, too filled with emotion to go All Clear. Willa looked like she was going to cry, but Maybeck was purely infuriated. If looks could kill, Maybeck's glare would have left Charlene shriveled up on the ground. Philby's face was blank. Finn knew that he was trying to think of a way to escape, but he didn't seem likely to find one. Jess and Amanda were handcuffed on the other side of the room, with CTDs holding swords against their throats as a precaution. The Fairlies' powers had stopped the Overtakers before; clearly, they weren't willing to let it happen again. Amanda's eyes met Finn's, pleading with him to do something.
Finn knew it was up to him. This was Charlene. She wouldn't leave them with the Overtakers. Would she? Finn had to get through to her. And to do that, he had to get out of those ropes. Closing his eyes, Finn made himself picture the darkened train tunnel. It was hard—almost impossible—to rid his mind of Charlene's cold, smug expression, but he had no choice. Achieving All Clear, he stepped through the ropes. The CTDs zoomed towards him, but Charlene held up her hand, stopping them. Taking that as a sign of hope, Finn stepped closer to Charlene. "Charlene, this isn't you."
Charlene seemed to soften, but it only lasted for a moment. She shook her head, pulling away from Finn. "You can't say that. You don't know who I am. When you and the other Keepers look at me, you see a superficial fraidy-cat who only cares about her appearance. But I'm more than that! I'm strong, and I'm brave, and I'm smart. I'm not just a pretty face. But I know that's what you think of me. You've never appreciated me, but they do."
Stung by her words, Finn gasped. "Charlene, how can you even say that? You know that's not true. They're putting thoughts in your head!" Finn felt desperate. He reached forward to grab Charlene's hand, but jerked it back when he saw the venom in her gaze. This wasn't the Charlene he knew. "You know you can't trust them. Look what they did to Jess! When she was under Maleficent's spell, she couldn't even remember Amanda. Amanda told me…"
Charlene's face darkened and Finn knew he said the wrong thing. Her voice sharp as glass, Charlene snapped, "Amanda. She's all you care about. You know how I feel about you, but all you can think about is her. Speaking of which…" Charlene waved to the CTDs, who grabbed Finn. "Maleficent wants the Fairlies delivered to her personally. The rest of you stay here. As long as you don't interfere with her plans, she says that she'll leave you alone. I suggest that you take her up on that offer. I don't want anything to happen to you." For a moment, Finn saw the old Charlene return to her eyes. Then she turned away and followed the CTDs who were dragging Jess and Amanda away. "Charlene, don't do this!" Finn shouted. But she didn't turn back.