Hi everybody! So, as usual, sorry it has been so long but here I am now. A few things to say so bear with me.
One: Since I haven't been here so much I feel like I'm missing a lot. I just want to say, however late I am, I totally understand everything that's been going on with hurtful reviews. I just want to say- the best people get criticism. It's how you know you are getting so great that you are noticed. If you look, Shannon Messenger has a ton of bad reviews, and we all agree her work superb. I don't claim to know the whole story, I don't know if the review in question was intentionally rude or not, but just know that any criticism is just one person's opinion, to which I assure you there are a ton more positive opinions.
Two: So even though I have a basic outline for my story, I executed it astronomically different than I originally anticipated to. That is a big reason why it takes me so much longer. I have to outline each chapter as I go to fit my plot and how I want to end. Sorry about that.
Three: Is it just more or have my stories been getting really depressing? Every time I write anything-boom death. In fan fics in creative writing class. I don't know why. So I want to start a second story just fluff. Is anyone else really nostalgic for the good old days of book one? I am. But I am already swamped with this one story…so I wanted to ask something. Does anyone want to collaborate? Coauthor? I've never done it so I don't really know how…but if anyone wants to I think it would be tons of fun. Tell me if you do. Pretty pretty please with little cookies on top. (::) (::) (::)
Four: PLEASE REVIEW! I love to know what you guys think. If you love it hate it. *loki voice* TELL ME! DO you think I am awesome? Do you think I write OOC? DO you think I write flawlessly? DO you think my plot is flat and my characters 2-dimensional? Is it awesome? Is it boring? Anything just tell Me!
Lastly (I promise this is it)
ANOTHER VOTE IS HAPPENING!In honor of the new year, I will let you guys decide.
*Drum roll*
1. Sophitz face the interspecies war together
2. Sophitz fight but they make up in time for the ending
3. heavily implied Sophitz at the end
4. Luc? Maybe…
YOU GUYS HAVE THE POWER! USE IT WISELY AND BEFORE January 9th.
Thank you to everyone that fav/followed. I love you guys!
Pen . edge : AHHH DON'T DIE! *TRIES TO SAVE YOU LIKE RUNNING A MARATHONWITH KEEFE AT THE FINISH LINE* *fans you with all the books* Okay, think the awesome books saved you.Your phone and Keefe however…I'm not so sure. I am glad to be back too, just in time to…kill characters…I should really not be allowed to write anymore. And you admire me?! That means so much coming from you, you have no idea! Thank you! And I wear my evilness with pride! I hope you like this chapter!
Hailey: Yep. That happened. Gotta say, I'm crying over here too.
Pegsisus: My thoughts exactly.
Annicat: Thank you so much! I hope you like this chapter!
Guest: Thank you! And well, it sure seems like Keefe died doesn't it? And I totally get that its weird, but in my world where I have power they don't like each other. At least they didn't kiss yet (Thinking about Star wars cause I just watched it)
To both Jenna22KOTLC3 and Sugarspice: Omisweetgoodness I am not that cruel to end like that! That would be-though admittently cool-a horrible ending! Though *whispers* don't give people ideas, I hear there are some evil authors on here. (My friend just like stared me down as I wrote that, she says I'm those authors. Gee.) (: Here's another chapter.
PRASIE THE LORD WE CAN FINALLY GET TO THE ACTUAL STORY BLESS YOU IF YOU ACTUALLY READ ALL THAT YOU ARE WHAT IS GOOD IN THIS WORLD!
Sophie POV
Italics are flash backs to the past
"I'll never tell you anything!"
Sophie smiled. "You all say that. That you will stand up for your cause. That no pain I can inflict will break you and no death scares you." The Neverseen agent she had captured, for a fleeting moment, looked proud, if it was possible for a murderous coward to be proud of his evil cause. The pride was quickly replaced with fear he was trying ever so hard to mask when she whispered in his ear, "It never lasts long."
The agent in her captivity struggled against her telekinetic force to no avail, Sophie's power was stronger than ever and she no longer held back for fear of her own power.
Fear wasn't a problem for her anymore.
She had more important things to worry about.
"I'll give you a choice. You know my power, you know that I can probe your mind, break it even, to find out what I want. You know i am capable of inflicting indescribable pain, causing you extreme torment with the flick of my wrist. You know I'll get what I want. But I don't feel like wasting all that time with you and I know you don't want to endure that. Tell me what you know about the Neverseen hideout in Australia, and I might work out a deal for you to go with minimal injuries."
"You know, you remind me of your mother." He spat.
"Have it your way. Don't say I didn't give you a chance."
…
Sophie and Dex sat arm in arm. He had become her life line, holding her from drowning in that alleyway.
By the time Fitz had arrived with Alden, she had cried herself dry. She just couldn't cry anymore, it was all on the inside now.
"Sophie, are you okay!? What happened?" He crouched down next to them. "Where's Keefe? …Sophie?" She knew he needed answers. Fitz had known Keefe ten times longer than she had, he deserved to hear it from her. But she just couldn't muster the energy to speak.
When she didn't respond Dex managed to croak out what he knew.
Alden seemed to age a thousand years, but he held together, trying to calm Fitz, to organize them. He said they should go, Gisela could be back and now that Sophie remembered she should come back with them.
Sophie noticed he had no 'no reason to worry' for them this time, it was too much of a promise for even him to muster.
Fitz ignored him, just sitting next to them, tears streaming silently down his cheeks.
Sophie didn't move. She just remained curled there, taking whatever comfort she could from her best friend's embrace.
They were a breaking.
No, they were broken.
…..
"You can't keep doing this, Sophie! You came to us! When you didn't want to stay with you family and you wanted to come here and help us defeat the Neverseen we welcomed you! But that means we work as a team, you can't keep running off and fighting people behind our backs! We make a mission plan for a reason!" It was true. Shortly after the…incident, Sophie had resolved to destroy the Neverseen and rescue Luc. But even she had to admit her disposition had been anything but cheery, and Grady and Edaline had just gotten past that. She was not about to drag them down again. It was bad enough that Sophie had to make her human family think she was dead. Sure, she knew how terrible it was to have your memories stolen…but she wasn't so sure how she felt at that moment could qualify as better.
"Wrong again, Mr. Forkle. I said I would work along side you, meaning the occasional exchange of information as a means to mutually benefit our end goals. That does not mean I have to follow your plans, and it certainly does not mean that I have to follow your orders!"
"Collaboration does not always equal combined forces, stop being so obstinate and listen for a moment and we may just get to Luc by the end of the month." He sighed, massaging his temple. "I'm on your side, Sophie; I'm just trying to protect you."
"We have one week to save Luc, if Gisela keeps her word, and all we know is where they are! I am not about to hand myself over to be their weapon of mass destruction so we need more information! We need a better plan! How exactly do you intent to protect me from that!?"
"I meant you, Sophie. I'm trying to protect you from yourself."
…..
His funeral was like any of the others that had become far to frequent in the Wanderling Woods.
It was packed with nearly the entire Elvin population; there was an elegant speech about how promising he was and how untimely his demise was. Everyone cried.
Sophie couldn't help thinking that he would have hated it.
She sat farther away with Dex, not wanting to face the stares or draw a scene. Keefe might have hated it, but this was his day. People should be mourning him, not judging her. Dex had been more than happy to oblige.
Well, as happy as he could be. Try as he might to hide it, he and Keefe had grown close. It was as painful for him as anyone.
"It doesn't feel real. I keep thinking he's going to pop out and yell this was his greatest prank yet." Dex wiped away a tear. "But he's not going to, is he?"
Sophie shook her head, it was real this time.
She looked up, scanning the area, "Did you hear that?"
"The crying?" She nodded. "Yeah, but, it's a funeral…it's kind of a given."
"No, it's familiar…" Sophie stood and followed the sound of her miserable friend. "Biana, is that you?"
Biana looked up, her bloodshot eyes betraying her fury. "What are you doing here!?"
"What are you talking about, it's Keefe, of course I'm here."
She jumped up staring at Sophie, "You need to go. Leave."
"But-" Biana stopped her.
"Not the funeral. Everything. Our lives. I love you like a sister, Sophie, and I would do anything for you. But everywhere you go people get hurt. Who's next? Fitz? He's completely infatuated with you; he would take a medler for you any day. You're going to get him killed too! Where you go people die! Can't you see the pattern?! I lov-I loved Keefe, and now he's gone." Her face contorted like a mirror to Sophie's heart.
She wasn't mad a Biana. She was right.
So she left.
…..
"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Sophie didn't need to look up from her maps and plans to know it was Fitz who had spoken.
"Come on in." The awkward silence ensued.
After a small eternity that was probably only a couple minutes long Fitz cleared his throat, the unspoken agreement to start an actual conversation. He seemed nervous, scratching the back of his neck. "So, um, how are you. I mean, really?"
"Diving right in, aren't you?"
"That's not an answer."
"A not answer for an impossible question." He wouldn't meet her eye, suddenly the carpet seemed extremely interesting to him.
"How are you doing?" she inquired quietly.
"About as good as you." She wanted to hug him, but it felt wrong, like too much had happened.
It didn't change that she wanted to.
"So I heard about the whole 'Luke and Leia' moment. Must be strange."
"Strange doesn't even begin to describe it. I can't think it's weird because he's gone, and I can't miss him properly because I don't really know what I am to him."
"That's simple. You were his friend. Who happened to share a crazy mother."
"Even when you say it simply it's complicated." Their conversation drifted off back into the awkward silence.
He stood up abruptly, his eyes earnest, "Come back with me. Everyone misses you. Biana feels terrible and your parents want you back. You don't have to be alone anymore. We won't let anyone hurt you again. I won't." He was so sincere; she almost believed that it was possible. But then she remembered why she had left.
"I'm not worried about people hurting me. Don't you get that? I can't be around you or anyone right now! I'm confused about nearly everything in my life except one thing: I need to focus on saving Luc right now, to stop Gisela. Keefe deserves for her to be stopped!"
"Do you care about him, Luc?" Fitz nearly whispered.
Sophie took a shaking breath, "I don't, the human me did. But the elf me…I just don't know anymore."
She couldn't decide what it was Fitz was feeling, but he had definitely made a decision with himself. "Let me come with you. I won't let anybody get hurt again, and that includes you. Let me fight with you."
"Don't you get it?! I'm not yours to protect! I'm not going to stop you, but just know, I need to save the world. There is no room for feelings."
He smiled. "Feelings are never convenient."
"Neither is a hostage situation. Let's focus on the latter first. It is a tad bit more pressing." He smiled again, it was small, but its existence was so significant, it was a start.
….
Forkle POV
He had to let her join. The moment he saw Sophie he had known. She had to fight. She needed it to hold onto, he feared her mind would break without it. But watching her fight, become unrecognizable, he couldn't help but think , What have I done?
…..
Sophie POV
Sophie fingered the latest note she had received from Dex. For once, he had respected that she couldn't be with them, that she had to do this on her own. He understood. But he still sent her little notes, letting her go her own way but letting her know he was there for her. His silent support was perhaps the most beautiful thing that had happened in a long time.
She shoved it into her pocket, not wanting to loose it among all the papers on her desk. They were battle plans. The beginnings of a war, all on a few sheets of paper.
At this point there were only two ways it could end.
One: She defeats her psychopathic mother, Keefe's murdered, rescue Luc, and let the Black Swan finish the fight.
Or Two: She loses and becomes the Neverseen's very own nuclear bomb.
But win or lose, Gisela was going to suffer.
…
Luc POV
Everything was black. Well, to him at least. He was blindfolded, so there was only so many variations of the color black visible to him. That was not nearly the worst part.
The worst part was what he heard. What he felt. All he ever heard was screams, whether it be his own or the other prisoner's, someone was always screaming.
What he felt was pain. Hunger. Anger. All that great stuff.
He didn't know where he was, or why, or who the other prisoner with him was. But he had a bad feeling that, one way or another, his stay there was almost up.
He wanted to throw up when he heard the familiar sound of his captor's heels slapping on the stairs. Didn't she just leave? He wasn't ready for more. But she didn't turn to him.
Luc sighed in relief until he heard their exchange. ""Hello, dear." She chirped,
With more hate in the prisoner's voice than he had ever heard, the prisoner replied, "Hello Mother."
Yay! I hope you liked it. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE vote and PLEASE review. I will love you forever if you do. That's all.