Lost In Time Chapter 8:
They were pulling Keefe away when the group ran out from the dining room. "Get them!" Biana screamed, recognizing the figure from the forest. They charged toward them but were too late. A bright flash of light knocked them down. "KEEFE!" Sophie yelled, but she couldn't see anything. She only heard Marella scream. Sophie tried to stand up, but something knocked her down again. "Someone help!" she screamed, but her only response was the sound of glass breaking. Finally the blinding light disappeared, and Sophie immediately stood up. "One, two, three, four, five, six, oh no!" Wylie got up alongside her. "Where did they go?" he roared. Sophie covered her mouth in shock. Someone had taken Keefe, Marella, and Fitz. Tam walked over to where they had disappeared. "They light leaped away." Biana ran over to where he stood. "No not Fitz, no no no- Someone has kidnapped my brother, and we have no idea why or how!" she yelled, running her hands through her hair. "I knew something was wrong, I knew it." Everyone looked at her, puzzled. "What do you mean Biana?" Dex said, taking her hand. Tears were running down her face as she whispered, "I saw a strange women on our way to rescue you. She was the one that warned us you were in danger, but before I left, she had screamed 'they are coming' and turned into ash. Ever since then I've been hearing voices and seeing creatures. Dex I'm so scared." Biana wrapped her arms around herself and collapsed onto the floor. "Why didn't you tell us this before?" Wylie asked when she finally calmed down. "I thought it wasn't real and I was imagining things. But now they've taken my brother! And we don't know who!" Sophie was the first to break the dark silence that fell over them. "We need a plan. Tam, write down everything you remember that could help us. The rest of us will figure out a way to get into the Lost Cities."
No one argued as Sophie took the lead, forcing everyone into different positions. Even without Keefe, she was stronger and influenced more people than all of them combined.
"Keefe said he saw Bronte and Luzia light leap in front of him, so what if whoever kidnapped them went to the Lost Cities?" Linh had said as Tam sketched out exactly what he saw. "The elves did have relations with humans during this time, so we know whoever took them was an elf.", Wylie explained, adding that to the ongoing list. Sophie sat in silence, processing everything they were saying. "Do we know any elves that have alliances with the Neverseen? If so, would they be alive right now?" She asked, walking over to where Linh and Wylie were huddled. She had worked against the Neverseen for so long that it wouldn't come as a surprise if they recruited anyone in 1420.
Linh nodded in agreement. "After Tam finishes the drawing, he will start on all of the Ancient elves we know." Sophie glanced over at where Tam was working. "Any progress?" she asked him, hoping he discovered something. Sadly, Tam shook his head. "I finished the drawing, but I can't find any clues as to who took them." Sophie groaned, falling into a chair. Holding the bridge of her nose, she took ten deep breaths.
"You cannot let your emotions get out of control," she thought to herself. Mr. Forkle managed to keep everything calm when he led the black swan, and it was mostly because of his patience. Standing up, she faced her three friends.
"Does anyone have a known location of where Vespera resides in the Lost Cities?" Sophie asked, hoping for a positive answer. "She's most likely in Lumenaria as a prisoner. Why do you ask?" Wylie said. Before Sophie could say anything, the study doors burst open.
"Because she took them," Biana said. Her eyes were still puffy, but she still stood tall. Dex shuffled in behind her, hands in his pockets. "I know what happened to them." Sophie motioned for her to continue, but Dex had walked over to where Wylie and Tam were. They were talking amongst themselves, not listening to what Biana had to say. Biana slammed her fists on the table, managing to get their attention.
"I said I know what happened to them." she said, glaring at the three boys. Biana was pretty and sweet, but when work needed to get done, she was on top of it. "So what do you believe happened to Fitz and them?" Wylie said, crossing his arms. Biana looked around, checking to make sure no one else was in the room.
"The identity of the three hooded figures is still a mystery to me, but I know who they are working with. The leaping crystal back to 2021? It's hidden with Vespera. That's the only logical place. And where the leaping crystal is, Fitz, Keefe, and Marella will be close by it." Everyone shared a look. "So what do you think we need to do?" Sophie asked Biana, still processing the information that had been thrown at her.
"I'm saying we need to find a way into the Lost Cities," Biana said, with a smile on her face. "And I think I know how."