(Cress070)
Elastic Heart
Sia
Track eight
1000 Forms of Fear
Sophie Foster. That name had always sparked equal amounts of hope and fear into the heart of the Elven world. She was their final hope, final defense against the Neverseen, who threatened to bring down the foundation of their meticulously balanced society.
Sophie was always there, always ready to snap back against the Neverseen. She was their last defense in this desperate stand. At the heart of every matter, Sophie walked out of the dust with her heart still beating inside her chest.
And she knew that. And she was afraid.
And another one bites the dust
But why can I not conquer love?
And I might've got to be with one
I want to fight this war until is ends
And I want it and I wanted it bad
But there were so many red flags
Now another one bites the dust
And let's be clear, I trust no one
"I can't do it. Dex, I just can't do it." Her breath was coming in raggedy gasps, and her brown eyes were full of tears.
Dex patted her awkwardly on the shoulder. "I know…"
But he didn't. No elf ever had. No elf had ever known this feeling, of being so lost, and not knowing a truth from a lie. Sophie, even safe with her family of Alden, Della, Fitz, and Biana, still felt so alone. And so, utterly, helpless.
Because no elf had ever been their Moonlark, raised by humans, been torn away by destiny, and then finally- finally found a home. And with Grady and Edaline, Sophie had been content. Happy. Until the day. The horrible, awful day. The day Grady and Edaline had been killed, and Sophie had had to step over their bodies to get through the door.
You did not break me
I'm still fighting for peace
She knew, because of The Note. Sophie had found it last night, when she had walked into her room and heard the crunch of paper under her feet. She had picked up the paper, and unfurled it to read the words that would change her life.
"Come on," Dex said. "The note said outside Everglen at 3:00pm. It's 2:58 now. You can do this."
Sophie nodded, and looked around the room that she had been given when she had moved in with Alden and Della. Her gaze alighted on the sword, the sword that had ended Mr. Forkle's life. She saw that, and was reminded of his love and strength. She remembered, and stood up. Dex got to his feet beside her, and took her hand.
And I will stay up through the night
Now let's be clear, won't close my eyes
And I know that I can survive
I walked through fire to save my life
And I want it, I want my life so bad
And I'm doing everything I can
And another one bites the dust
It's hard to lose a chosen one
"Let's go." Dex said, and started walking from the room. "Wait-" Sophie replied, and she walked over and took the sword off its decorated platform on the wall.
"Why are you bringing that?" Dex asked. "You probably shouldn't have kept it in the first place."
"Yeah…" Sophie said, but she didn't agree. The sword stood for everything that she had lost, what she still had, and the battle she was fighting.
"I'm ready now." she said, walking out of the door.
"What? Why would you bring that?" Dex asked.
Sophie shrugged. "It makes me feel stronger." She reached for Dex's hand and squeezed it. He squeezed back.
The heavy sword dragging her down, Sophie and Dex walked down the sweeping marble staircase, and out the grand double doors.
The Everglen gardens were gorgeous, as if an artist had painted a garden, and then shaped it with the hands of a god until all of the colours were brightened tenfold and the exotic plants and flowers bloomed year-round.
But in Sophie's vision, everything had a dark, grey sheen over it. After all of the horrors she had seen, nothing could ever look beautiful again- could it?
And then, in no time but also millennia, they had reached the gates, the gates were opened, they stepped through- and there was a man there, just as the note had promised.
Well I've got a thick skin and an elastic heart
But your blade it might be too sharp
I'm like a rubberband until you pull too hard
But I may snap when I move close
But you won't see me move no more
Cause I've got an elastic heart
Sophie staggered on her suddenly numb legs.
"Hello, Sophie."
It was Fintan.
He.
Took.
A.
Step.
Closer.
To.
Her.
She couldn't do this. Wouldn't do this. It couldn't be. Even though his blond hair matched hers exactly, even though their jawlines, now that she considered it, were the same, no. She couldn't believe this. Now he was so close, she could have reached out and touched him.
"My daughter..." he said, his lips curving into a greedy smile.
No. No. No. She couldn't.
Sophie grabbed her sword. Without any planning, any idea what this would mean, she plunged it into his heart.
The last words that Fintan Pyren would ever hear, whispered through her gritted teeth.
"You will never be my father."
Well I've got a thick skin and an elastic heart
But your blade it might be too sharp
I'm like a rubberband until you pull too hard
But I may snap if I move close
But you won't see me move no more
Cause I've got an elastic heart
And you will not break me
I'm still fighting for peace
