Disclaimer: I'm flattered but no I did not create those beautifully sculpted boys of the covenant just the three new yorkers...
Author's Note: Hey I know that it's been MONTHS but it has seriously been tough there have been crazy AP assignments and now AP review classes and some one I knew died and it's just been hard. I also have been really stuck on the story cause I had all these different parts written and I needed to put it all together, also I was writing a lot of heavy duty angst and I kept forgetting to insert subplot lines and comical relief. Anyways this part is pretty long so I thought that might make up for it a bit.
P.S. the french parts are roughly written since I didn't have time to go back and really edit it besides I figured it wouldn't make that big of a dif just some verb conjugation issues and stuff.
Recap:
"Hey, Reid?"
Reid looked annoyed, "What?"
"Why do you care?"
"About…?"
"About what I think is wrong with Sophie."
"I don't." Reid got out and slammed the door. Caleb got out too.
"Oh and Reid?"
"What??"
"Don't tell anyone."
"I know."
OOOOOOOOO Flashback OOOOOOOOO
"Tres jolie, mademoiselle." (Very pretty, miss) The butler said to the little girl twirling in front of him in her recital outfit.
"Merci Bernard!" Sophie stared at herself in the full length mirror. Her dress was simple and beautiful. She appeared to glow in the pale green dress and matching slippers. Double checking her hair, making sure not a piece was out of place, she replaced her ballet shoes with sneakers and dropped the slippers with into her duffel bag along with the rest of her necessities: PLENTY of hairspray.
"Est-ce que vous diserez quelque chose? Je peux vous aidez avec votre sac." (Do you want something else? I could help you with your bag?)
"Non Bernard, c'est toute. Ma mere m'attend." (No Bernard, that's all. My mother is waiting for me.)
"Tres bien. Bonne chance!" (Very well, good luck.)
"Merci!" (Thank you) Sophie exited her room, leaving Bernard to fold up the laundry. She ran down the large circular stair case into her lavishly furnished foyer. Stepping outside she took a deep breath, breathing in that familiar scent of spring. The air was fresh, the gardens were green, the sun was shining. Her mother's car was no where to be seen. At first Sophie imagined only that the driver was washing it or running behind schedule, that he would soon bring it out but her mother too was missing. Sophie rolled her eyes. Her mother had forgotten again. She was probably tied up with one of her benefits or meetings, probably so busy with her high maintenance social life that she had once again forgotten about Sophie. She turned around and stomped back into her house.
Standing in the foyer, looking very frazzled and nervous was her mother.
Sophie was stunned silent for a moment, this was not like her mother, her mother was always refreshed and calm, she was the picture of social grace and poise. She was never frazzled.
"Mamon?" (Mom?) Her mother turned around, panic registering in her usually soft features.
"Sophie! Ou est ta souere?" (Sophie, where is your sister?)
Sophie bristled, once again it could not be about her.
"Je ne sais pas. Peutetre elle est dormi. Nous devons partir, nous serons tard!" (I don't know. Maybe she's sleeping. We need to leave, we will be late.)
"Quoi?" (What?)
"Tu est oublie! Je ne crois pas!" (You forgot! I can't believe it!)
Her mother's eyes darted nervously to the maid pretending to dust and nosily spying on the fight. She got down on her knees so that she could look Sophie in the eye, the gesture confused Sophie.
"Mon cherie, we have to go." (My dear, we have to go.) Sophie had been taking language lessons since she was a child, Latin, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin, and English. But she never heard her mother speak any language other than French. Her mother however did not seem about to explain anything to her, Sophie only assumed that she didn't want the maids to hear.
"I am going to be late."
"You aren't going to your recital, we are leaving."
"Why?" Sophie burst into tears. "I can not miss my recital Mamon, I have to go!"
"No Sophie. I promise you it is important, otherwise I would not miss it for the world."
"Where are we going?" Sophie was scared, she'd never been like this with her mother.
"I can't tell you right now, there is a car in the back, you will not recognize it but you must get in. Wait for me there. Do not say anything to anyone, do not stop on the way. I am going to find your sister."
"Est mon pere?" (And my father?)
"Just go Sophie, please." Her mother turned and ran up the stairs towards her sister's room. Sophie was paralyzed with fear. Her breath quickened. She forced herself to walk down the long hallway, her legs trembling, her reflection in the marble tiles shaken. She entered through the swinging doors of the kitchen. One of the maids, Claudia, was in there, preparing Sophie's afternoon snack. Sophie randomly realized that she must not have been informed of Sophie's recital, she faintly registered that the woman was peering at her strangely.
"Ou allez-vous mademoiselle?" (Where are you going miss?)
"Dehors." (Outside.)
"Est-ce que tu veux que j'apporte ton casse-croute la bas?" (Do you want me to bring your snack there?)
"Non." (No.) Sophie's voice sounded foreign to her own ears. Her mother's unusually frantic demeanor was contagious. She felt butterflies in her stomach, she was paranoid, certain that the maid was looking at her with murderous eyes and she didn't even know what this was about! Certainly it would just turn out to be another social banquet. That her mother was just worried about appearing tardy. But it just wasn't like her to be frightened.
She stepped onto the back patio, on the drive way that ran along the side of the garage and indeed saw the unknown car parked discreetly. Slowly walking across the lawn she could see that a figure was in the vehicle, but it could not have been her driver, the silhouette was too tall, the hat was all wrong. Sophie scrunched up her nose at the car, they would not be arriving at a banquet in this. She stopped midway. Standing on the fresh green lawn, the gardener would kill her if he saw. Suddenly she saw that the figure exited the car, a man got out and ran towards Sophie. She was startled and jumped back , turning to flee from him, she bumped into the Claudia.
"Vennez-vous avec moi mademoiselle!" (Come with me miss!) Claudia said hurriedly, she held out her hand. Sophie stared at it then lifted her own hand but before she could react Claudia grabbed her by the wrist and began dragging her away. Furious that she was being manhandled so, Sophie wrenched her arm free and kicked Claudia in the shins. Claudia fell cursing. Sophie's eyes widened as she felt arms embrace her and carry her off. The man tossed her into the back seat. Sophie began to panic again, why did she hit Claudia? She was trying to save her!
She yanked at the door handle but it must have had a child lock on it or something.
"Mamon!"
"Relax Sophie, your mother sent me." The man shouted back as the car sped away from her house. Sophie's life shrinking away in the distance.
"Mamon said to wait for her!"
"It's too late, they know and the maid is obviously working for him."
"What are you speaking about! My mother said wait, I don't know you!"
"I had to save you. You are the most important one. You are the source! Your mother can take care of herself."
"What about my sister?"
"All that matters is protecting the source." Sophie curled up in hysterical tears. Who was this man? Why was he kidnapping her? Would she ever see her family again? What was the source?
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Sophie was sitting on the couch in the living room. She had pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. Now she was staring at Pogue who sat opposite her in an arm chair. He held his head in his hands and he rested his elbows on his knees. He didn't look back at Sophie but stared at the floor. Sophie was beginning to wonder if she did anything to make him angry. The last thing she could remember was she was telling Caleb where Chase appeared. After that her memories were blurry and unrecognizable until everything went black all together. When she woke up, she was dizzy and nauseous, Sarah told her that she had a seizure and then fainted. Sarah was the only one who had spoken to her since she woke up. Pogue had been glaring at walls, carpets, fireplaces, and candy dishes the entire time…he had scarcely looked at Sophie. Tyler appeared worried and only managed to give her a forced smile while he darted from window to window, peeking outside. Cassie and Beth had been like him, feigning a smile but obviously avoiding her. Beth took Cassie to the bathroom and returned ten minutes later with a bleary eyed Cassie. Sophie had frowned and stared at Pogue once more. What was it with these people? What did she do to them? Did she do something wrong? Sophie was sure that something happened that they weren't telling her about. Tyler accompanied Sarah into the kitchen and for a few excruciating minutes she was all alone in the uncomfortable tension that only Sarah seemed oblivious to. When Sarah and Tyler finally returned they both had snacks from the kitchen. Cassie and Tyler were the only ones to eat. Everyone else resumed their silent vigil.
Sarah sat next to Sophie and gingerly stroked her hair, "Do you want anything? You should drink something." She cooed softly. Sarah was unsure whether she had overstepped her bounds but she just felt so bad for Sophie. She knew everyone was irked by what happened but probably no one more than Sophie! Even if she barely knew the girl, she felt like she had to coddle her a little.
Sophie shook her head meekly and was surprised when Sarah leaned her head onto her shoulders and continued to stroke her hair. Sophie never realized how kind and sweet Sarah was. She never felt like any of the people she met in Ipswich really cared or liked her until now and she was grateful for it.
A little while later, Reid walked in followed by Caleb. Pogue was immediately at attention but before he could open his mouth Caleb confirmed that they hadn't found Chase.
"You mean he wasn't there?" Beth asked.
"Yeah. I mean it makes sense that he would leave, the place was crawling with cops." Caleb explained.
"Cops?" Tyler repeated.
"Reporters too. All of them investigating Chase's handiwork. Two very large holes on opposite sides of the shop. The story now is that a rhino escaped from the zoo and ran through the shop. That was your work, am I right?" Caleb asked Sophie. Sophie tore her eyes away from the random painting she was staring at and nodded.
"Right. Well, you've got them fooled so we didn't do anything to cover it up. I'd rather they be on a rhino hunt than a witch hunt."
"Do you really think that the story is gonna hold? I mean, I don't even know where the nearest zoo is, it might be Boston." Tyler wondered.
"Yeah, it was a pretty strong spell." Reid retorted, looking suspiciously over at Sophie.
Caleb squatted next to the couch so that he was eye level with Sophie.
"How are you feeling?" He asked worriedly.
"I'm okay." She replied, her voice a little hoarse from not talking in so long.
"Don't worry, we're going to find out what Chase did to you." Sophie nodded and Caleb stood up again.
"Okay…soo…sleeping arrangements. I really don't think we should split up."
"If you think I'm sleeping on the floor you are nuts." Reid snapped.
"We should split into two groups, that way, two sons can be with each group. So I guess Tyler and I will take Sarah and Beth and Pogue and Reid will take Sophie and Cassie."
Everyone mumbled their agreement, even a dejected Reid who was not looking forward to sleeping on the floor.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Sophie jerked up in her bed as she woke from her sleep in a cold sweat. She couldn't remember her dream, only the sudden and intense need to use. She panted heavily and looked around her room, Cassie was sleeping soundly as usual, perched on the edge of the bed. Leaning over her, Sophie could see Pogue and Reid asleep on the floor. Letting out a shuddering breath, she ran her fingers through her hair.
Staring at her hands she realized she was shaking. She just couldn't ignore the power, calling to her, humming under her skin…it was an itch she couldn't scratch.
Sophie laid back down on the bed closed her eyes, turning on her side. No one would know that she had let her eyes fall black, just long enough to provide the relief she needed before she drifted off to sleep again.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
The next morning Sophie woke up to the sound of people speaking softly, trying not to wake her probably. At the thought of getting up and dealing with everybody's concern and blame and freaked-out-ness, Sophie felt immeasurably tired so instead she laid there and pretended to sleep.
She could make out Beth's voice, "Reid, get out."
"Sorry but I can't leave you alone, you must have at least one brother with you at all times."
"I have to get dressed!"
"I'm not shy."
"Get out."
"Nah-uh. Caleb's orders."
"Well I have Sophie and between you and me, I think she can kick your ass so I'm covered. Thanks, buh-bye!"
A while passed, Sophie heard people come and go, she heard inaudible exchanges and after some time had passed without the sounds of movement she thought she might finally be alone and decided she needed to get up or she was going to be late to school. She turned over and sat up jumping a bit in surprise when she saw Reid sitting in a chair and watching her, the familiar bored expression on his face.
"Mornin' sunshine, not expecting me?"
"Guess I was just hoping against it."
"Well I'm just here because Caleb fears for your safety."
Sophie didn't know what to say and just sort of stared back at Reid, in her mind she knew it was weird but she didn't stop.
"Right, then…you should get ready or you're gonna be late."
"Yeah." She said slightly annoyed. She wasn't in the mood to fight Reid to get him out of her room so she could get dressed.
Reid got up and made his way to the door wordlessly. Sophie watched him in shock. "You're gonna leave then?" She asked. She KNEW it was weird but she didn't stop herself. God the last thing she needed was for Reid to think she liked him! But she couldn't stop herself, it just sort of came out before she even thought it.
Reid paused by the door, "Yeah I think you'll be safe." He opened the door and left.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Sophie swallowed a bite of her waffle, it felt like she was dry-swallowing a pill. Everyone was pretending nothing happened but at the same treating her as if she were fragile.
Beth had been staring at Sophie for a few minutes with a concentrated expression. Sophie could feel herself grow nervous under her scrutiny, finally she gathered the courage to look up and meet Beth's gaze.
"What?"
Beth sighed, "Has your hair gotten darker?"
"I don't think so." The truth was, she couldn't even look at herself in the mirror today.
"Caleb?" Caleb turned around, an entire waffle shoved in his mouth. He swallowed, "Yeah?"
"Do you think Sophie's hair is darker?"
Tyler leaned in next to him, "Careful, man, this could be a test."
Caleb looked like a deer caught in headlights for a moment, then his expression became pensive, he turned and studied Sophie's hair.
"Umm…" He started, "It's always been blonde?" He responded, more as if he was asking a question than answering one.
Beth made a sound of disbelief and shook her head at him. Sarah shared an eye roll with her.
Caleb's face changed to apologetic, realizing that this was not the answer.
Tyler decided to back him up, "Oh yeah, you're right Caleb. It has been blonde." Sophie, Sarah and Beth cracked up at their earnest, hopeful expressions.
Pogue chuckled and tapped them on the back, "When a girl asks you a question, usually she's not looking for what you think, she's looking for you to agree with what she thinks. Watch and learn."
Pogue approached the girls and leaned in to Sophie, he looked at her hair a bit then turned to Beth, "Yeah, I think it has gotten a little darker." Beth, who had already turned her attention to her breakfast now looked up with a triumphant expression.
"See?" She turned to Pogue, "Thank you, Pogue." Caleb and Tyler who had been watching him with deep curiosity now looked from Pogue to Beth as if they just found out a secret they'd been searching their whole lives for.
Cassie joined the table now with her granola bar and cup of milk, she looked at Sophie for a moment, "Hey your hair's gotten darker, I think."
Beth gave Sophie a 'told-ya-so' look. "You gonna dye it back again? Cause I can do it."
"One, I will never let you touch my hair again. Two, I don't think I want it blonde anymore. I'll just let the blonde grow out I think."
As they filed out of the kitchen an unconvinced Caleb turned to Reid, "Do you think Sophie's hair's darker?"
"It's blonde." Reid answered with a 'why-are-you-asking-me-this?' look. Caleb sighed, maybe Pogue was born with some girl-deciphering gene that no one else possessed.