TEN
Keefe awoke to the smell of Slumberberries. Then his memories came rushing back to him. Falling, dark tunnel… elixir…
He sat bolt right up and gasped, "How could you do this?!"
Lady Gisela spoke in a calm and hypnotizing voice, "Just a little test-"
"What test?" Keefe demanded.
"Well… to see if you actually wanted to help us," Lady Gisela responded.
"Oh…," Keefe said. His anger melted away. Again, his emotions were confusing him.
"Just to alter your registry pendant too."
"Okay," Keefe said.
"Get some rest. There is much work to be done tomorrow," Lady Gisela soothed.
Keefe thought about how she really did love him. And he was committed to helping the Neverseen. Then, Keefe started to drift off but little did he know he'd have a dream he'd never forget.
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Sophie was taking a walk in the Wanderling Woods. She was letting the fact that Keefe was probably never going to return wash over her.
Sophie came up to Dex's tree and her tree. It was very peaceful here. She came here when she needed time to herself.
She was so lost in thought that she didn't realize until that moment when she looked down.
A woman was kneeling. No. Chained to Sophie's tree.
Long blonde hair covering her face.
Sophie gasped and rushed forward.
"Are-are y-you alright?"
She had long gashes down her leg that looked like they were made by a large creature.
Sophie pulled back her hair and saw the girl she had seen many times from photos at Havenfield. The girl was Jolie.
Sophie started to panic. She was unconscious and she needed help.
Sophie frantically transmitted to Silveny to come and ten seconds later Silveny appeared.
Sophie put Jolie on Silveny's back and then climbed on herself.
There was no time to think about how all of this was possible. There was only time to get to Everglen and meet Elwin there.
Sophie knew that this could only be the Neverseen's doing. She just didn't know why or how.
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Keefe was wandering through the darkness. The shadows seemed to lurk about and try to devour stretched out like ribbons.
He was running from something and he didn't know what.
They seemed to frantically whisper warnings he couldn't understand. He was following a trail of golden light. He didn't know why it was so important to him, it just was.
A figure walked through the darkness and appeared in front of Keefe. Mom, Keefe thought. Or said. Keefe couldn't really tell. Everything seemed to echo around and what you thought may be what you said.
My son, she said.
She was the light.
You'll be safe with me, she whispered.
He started to walk forward but caught himself. Something was wrong. The warning whispers grew louder and louder but then Lady Gisela made a swift motion with her hand and shadows turned to white noise. He felt the pang of desire to go to her. To run to her. For her to welcome him with open arms.
She smiled. Keefe stopped holding back and walked to her. Before Keefe reached her though, she wasn't light anymore. She grew darker and Keefe flinched.
She was beautiful and terrifying at the same time. Before Keefe could escape she spread her arms out and an invisible wall hit Keefe with such force he was thrown back several yards.