Izzy' eyes slowly opened, the bright sun blinding her vision. Groaning and covering her face, she rolled over, wishing she could flip a light switch and turn off the sun. A slight movement near the other side of the bed caught her attention, forcing her to realize where she was. Sitting up and glancing around the room, she couldn't be sad she had left everything behind. Her chest still tightened at the thought of what was, but for some reason, it hurt less, like someone had stuck a box of bandages on her heart. She still felt strange, like her insides were crawling from too many super sour and sweet gummy worms, and she knew it would take a while to fully heal, but maybe she could get through this.

Taking a deep breath, she pulled back the covers, silently stepping onto the plush carpet as she walked towards the end of the bed and glanced over the side. Fitz, who had insisted he sleep on the floor, was surprising in a deep slumber even as large wall of windows brilliant light shone directly on his face. He was tangled up in a blanket, like he had had a nightmare; his pillow halfway across the room and his sleep bag nearly under the bed. The only thing in place was a bright red sparkly dragon wrapped tightly in one arm. She had a feeling she wasn't supposed to see that, but it just made her smile grow. His face was calm, like he was finally not worrying about anything, maybe even dreaming. He looked adorable, and beyond tired, and surprisingly helpless. Something… flashed. Suddenly she could see what he looked like when he was younger, teal eyes shining happily as he gave her a movie star smile that melted her heart.

Sophie.

Izzy forced a gasp back. Did she… just remember something? No, that wasn't possible. She couldn't remember because-… because… what? Stifling a sigh, she realized how ridiculous a thought it was. Her eyes met several pictures around the room, a young Fitz staring back at her. They had been there the whole time in plain sight, and that name, it meant nothing.

She shook the thoughts from her head and pushed away the strange burst of fear before quietly sneaking out of the room and down the stairs. Maybe she just needed some food. At least it would help her think.

Standing in the empty kitchen, the house unusually quiet, Izzy sighed and looked for anything that resembled a fridge. So far no luck.

"Hey Foster. Nice pjs." A deep, confident voice said from behind her, causing her to jump a foot in the air with a squeak.

"Woah" Keefe put his hands up in defense as she whipped around. "You're wound pretty tight. Let me guess, Golden Boy turns out to be super annoying, am I right? You should come live with me instead." He winked, causing a blush to fly through her cheeks.

"Umm, uh…" Izzy mumbled as she glanced around. Was he even supposed to be here? And how did she respond to something like that.

Keefe laughed, waving the air in front of his face. "Relax Foster, I was just joking. Geez, it's a good thing I came here to save you! You really are in dire need of awesome."

"Save me? I don't need saving. I'm fine." Izzy stammered as she crossed her arms, frowning at him as she fought the urge to tug on a particularly itchy eyelash. She wasn't used to this world yet, in fact she still wasn't convinced that it was even real, but at least where she was from really cute boys didn't start popping out of the ground like carrots, or sneak up behind her in kitchens.

"You haven't left this house yet, right?" There's so much more to this world! And I'm here to show you." Keefe gave a wicked grin before stepping forward in an overexaggerated bow and offering his hand out, reminding her of Prince Charming from Cinderella.

Izzy took a step back, still a bit in shock. Her brain was sputtering to work through it's half asleep daze and confusion. It also didn't help that how straight forward and carefree he was reminded her of Maria... She didn't want to trust him, it was illogical and how most murder shows seemed to start, but she couldn't ignore the memory of his ice blue eyes strangled with sadness under the trees… If it was just that, she would probably still run away that very second yelling something about stranger danger, but her mind couldn't help but remember the sadness in Maria's eyes when they parted…

"Miss F, do you really think stuffy Alden and his living not-so-tiny clone are going to let you leave anytime soon? Now's your chance! And you've got the best tour guide around." He gave another wink. "So, are you going to sit here like the goodie two shoes we both secretly know you are, or are you going to prove me wrong and seize the moment?!"

He meant it as a motivational speak, it was obvious the way his eyes shined, but all it changed was one raised eyebrow, leaving him in slight shock as his brain turned to create a new plan. To leave the house and see the rest of this… world did he call it? It was beyond tempting, and it would prove once and for all if any of this was even real; because a guy like Fitz didn't exist in real life, right? In fact, none of them would exist in her world… And Keefe would definitely not be talking to her. Plus, he couldn't be bad. He was friends with Biana after all. And yet, after everything Fitz and his family had done for her, to just leave… She pulled on a few loose eyelashes.

"Haven't you ever wanted to see Atlantis?" He smiled confidently, as if he knew it was the hook he needed.

"Atlantis?" She uncrossed her arms before laughing. "You've got to be kidding."

This will just take a moment." Keefe said as he stared at the shelves filled with bottles of every size and shape possible. While he started muttering things like 'take that Alden, and you too of course Fitz, and Dad, hey let's just make this a take that award ceremony!' Izzy found herself wandering a bit. The store was just so… strange. Looking like a rainbow had attacked a hollowed out melting candle, curved and swerving shelves sat tightly crammed with bottles among bottles. The names were just as strange. She ran her finger along one of the shelves, reading the tags under each line of bottles as Keefe's quiet voice began announcing the Fiftieth Award Ceremony for people who deserved "Take That" awards, and something about kissing a Gulon? Whatever that was...

She forced a small smile onto her lips. It was probably just her, but the tension swallowing the air around her felt like a dark storm cloud was on the horizon, just waiting to swallow her whole. It was probably because of how awkward this all felt, and scary. Very scary. Was it really smart to trust her safety to a guy she barely knew, who spent his time hosting imaginary award ceremonies? Probably not… But the worst was how he had brought her to this city. After grabbing clothing out of a guest room closet where Biana apparently kept her overflow, and assuring Izzy Biana would be fine with it, he had sent Izzy to change. Then he dragged her out through the dining room door, onto the patio, and into the frigid, early morning air. The tendrils of fog that hadn't been burnt away by the waking sun were still vivid in her memory. Holding up a wand, he grabbed her hand, gave her a mischievous smirk that said I'm up to something, and pulled into the light. Now, through some magic she was here, surrounded by bottles. But at least she wasn't getting the strange looks she had on the streets when she fell to her knees in shock. The stares only increased when he then pulled her off the ground, laughing as she screamed at him and hit him on the shoulder and chest a few times. Whatever happened, she was never doing that again. She was determined to walk for now one, and no one would convince her otherwise.

Sighing, she took the few steps out of the aisle, walking into a thankfully much more roomy alcove. Even the elves counter and register set up looked the same as the malls and shops in Europe, except this counter was bent like a wave and just as melty as the stores exterior. Izzy walked up to the register, more out of curiosity than anything else. Though Keefe did seem to need help…

The whole area seemed, dark. It wasn't the lighting, though that was a bit dim too, but the whole store, despite its eccentricities and colors, was cold. It gave off the feeling of the air before a blizzard.

A loud crash sounded from the employees only door, making Izzy nearly jump out of her skin. A man with tousled, smoking strawberry blonde hair ran out, a large hole in his white lab coat sat surrounded by steaming green gloop. Everywhere the slime touched, more holes began to melt into his coat. His mad scientist looking goggles scanned the room panickily back and forth.

"Sorry miss, I'll be right with you! Just, ah, a new recipe, gone a bit…" He trailed off as he ran past her, grabbing a large, dark bottle with a round bottom and twisting flute off of the shelf, accidentally throwing the cork past Izzy's head, and dumping it over his head. "Wayward! That's the word." He turned and smiled as congealed grey smoke pour over him. "Also, this is why I wear Flaredon and Selke skin robes. Keep that in mind for Alchemy." He mused before turning the bottle right side up and flicking his goggles onto the top of his head. If he wasn't a mad scientist…

"So what can I help you, with…" He started to trail off as his light purple-blue eyes grew beyond normal size.

"Found it!" Keefe triumphantly yelled. "And a take that award to you too shelves!" Dashing out with a giant smirk on his face, his gave the small, sky blue bottle a little swish for emphasis.

Izzy rubbed her arm as she glanced between the two of them, trying to send Keefe a look that said 'help!' as horror and what looked like nausea seemed to overtake the man's face.

Keefe's eyes grew as he quietly swore under his breath. "Before you ask-" He smiled nervously as he jumped in between them, panic obviously overtaking his features, "She doesn't know anything. She doesn't remember me, or Fitz, or anyone. So… yeah…" He looked back at her, as if to get praise for a job well done.

Slowly removing his grey clouded goggles off of his head, the man kept trying to form words, an extreme sadness covering his eyes. Just as he stared to say something though, Keefe accidentally interrupted him.

"So, um, yeah-I'm-just-going-to-get-this, and-this-scans-here-right? Cool, cool!" He stammered as he grabbed something on the register and scanned his cube. Without wasting another second, he snatched Izzy's hand and dragged her through the aisles as he yelled, "Bye Mr. Dizznee! It's been, uh- See you later!"

Izzy had no choice but to follow Keefe, but it didn't stop her from looking back. Mr. Dizznee stood in the same spot, frozen. His eyes met hers, time slowing as they stared at each other. Some sort of silent message passed between them, but she couldn't put it into words. It was like he was saying, 'I'm glad you're safe, but what about me?' She couldn't help but wonder if everyone who once knew her, or "Sophie," was this horribly sad. But she knew the answer to that. His eyes said it all. Even Fitz, even Keefe and Biana, even if they were all compounded together into a giant globy mess of despair, it didn't compare to his.

As they hit cobblestone street outside of the shop, she wanted to ask, but something kept her from opening her mouth. Fear, shock, and the thought of what she could have done to make his eyes look like that stopped her.

"Well," Keefe interjected. "That was, fun! Now, drink this and we'll go to Atlantis!"

Izzy stared at the bottle, frowning. "It's not going to spew dark clouds, is it?"

Keefe laughed and pointed a thumb back at the shop. "I think there's enough in there to last everyone a lifetime." She knew he was referring to the potion Mr. Dizznee used, but as the realization of, whatever it was hit Keefe, his smile disappeared and he covered his mouth. For the first time Izzy noticed he looked a bit pale, sweat beading down his forehead.

"Umm," his voice was muffled through his hand. "Just, chug it. It doesn't taste good, but it's important. Ok?"

Izzy wanted to argue, but whatever was happening, whatever she must have done to the shop owner, and Keefe, and everyone else she had met, it weighed on her too heavily for her to open her mouth. She found the strength to part her lips just enough to fit the cool glass of the bottle. In one foul swoop she downed the liquid that should be named essence of feet before handing the bottle back to Keefe as she gagged.

"Good job!" he laughed, taking the bottle and throwing it much, much harder than he needed to onto the ground. Izzy jumped back in surprise, afraid it would bounce up and cut her. Keefe laughed even harder, a tears almost falling out of his eye. "Relax Foster, I've got this!" He wiped his eyes, still laughing, as he pointed to the broken pieces. They slowly began to vanish, melting into the air as a tiny wisps of white smoke lifted from them. Izzy took another step back, her mind wandering to plastic and carcinogens as Keefe shook his head.

"You really are entertaining to watch Foster. Those things are biodegradable, they just have an enzyme in the liquids to keep them from melting too soon. It's totally safe to drink! Geez you worry a lot." He added as her face contorted into disgust and concern. "Actually, it's good for us and the environment. It's packed with vitamins in it. But, we've got more important things to worry about right now." He gave a blinding smile and held out his hand, his ice blue eyes flickering with excitement. "Are you ready to see something unlike anything else?"

This world was, complicated. And a past she didn't remember seemed to follow her like a shadow. But through everything in her short time here, all of the emotions, all of the people she had met and the experiences she had gained, she was sure of one thing. She wanted to see more. Without another hesitation, she grabbed his hand, making him jump slightly as if he didn't expect it.

"Geez, careful Foster, I'm delicate." He put his free hand on his forehead, as if he would swoon. Izzy rolled her eyes, though a small smile formed all the same.

"So, what?" He added. "No more hesitating or worrying? No more, 'what would Wonderboy think?" He mocked a high-pitched, horrible rendition of her. "I really would have thought it would take you more time to decide."

Izzy shook her head. "I'm going to try not to worry. My whole life is worry, and I can't change the direction it's going in right now. But, I can make it better. I can enjoy the ride, even if that does mean escaping to strange elven cities without anyone I know. Keefe..." She added with a sigh when he gave an overexaggerated pout.

"I'm hurt Foster. I'm hurt!"

She rolled her eyes again, something that seemed to become a frequent occurrence around him. "Look, I only met you yesterday in my mind. But that's not what's important. I'm ready to go. I want to control my own life for once. And I choose to go."

He gave her another smirk. "That's what I like to hear." Wrapping a hand around her waist, he reached into his pocket, and told her to hang on.

"Oh no! Not doing that again!" She started trying to push him away, but he tightened his grip. Bursting out laughing, he gave her another smirk.

"Come on Foster, don't you trust me?"

She gave him a giant frown. "No! Didn't I make that clear earlier? I just met you! And that- that, wandthingamagig, no! Nah uh, not happening. I'll walk thank you very much!"

He laughed again, only rolling his eyes as he held up the crystal and pulled her towards the light. As a warmth of a million feathers enveloped them, Izzy screamed, but nothing came out. As soon as they reached, wherever, she was so stealing that wand from it and breaking it in half.