Three

The pouring rain described her mood perfectly as Amber climbed down the stairs to where the observatory's telescope was kept.

She didn't feel like stargazing today.

A week had passed since Sofia had run away. Affecting the whole family, Amber wouldn't be surprised if they had the same emotional pain she currently felt.

Especially Miranda.

Amber pitted her the most, unable to imagine the pain in her mother's eyes with the thought of getting her daughter back only to lose her once again.

"Dad said you'd be here."

Amber turned to James, noticing his ragged appearance. His demeanor seemed ice cold and frankly she didn't blame him.

Who wouldn't be if everyone asked about your missing sister constantly without realizing how insensitive they were being?

"Yes I am," Amber said, toying with the ruffled collar of her gown. "Does Daddy need anything? Is it Sofia?"

"Dad said something about the horse Sofia had ridden into the night coming back exhausted from running and hungry but I tuned out the rest of it because why bother knowing what's going on? Sof is being nothing but selfish," James scoffed. "Whatever happens to her from this point on, I don't care."

Amber frowned. This wasn't the brother she knew. "James, how can you say that about our sister?"

"Sister? What kind of sister runs away from home after saving Enchancia from its worst threat in years?"

"As your twin, I do agree with you. However, I'm sure Sofia had her reasons for doing what she's done."

James narrowed his eyes, turning his back towards his sister. "Reasons? What reasons?"

"Plenty! She could've been traumatized by Vor and couldn't take it anymore because nobody else knew what she was going through except me because newsflash that so-called woman affected me too!" Amber snapped, her eyes glistening with tears. "If I would've been there that night, I could've prevented her from running away! I could've…."

Tears streamed down her cheeks as James walked up to her and hugged her.

Despite his earlier words leaving a bitter taste in her mouth, she didn't want him to let go.

She needed him now more than ever.

"I am so sorry for what I said earlier," James whispered.

"No. For once you're right James. Sofia is selfish which is out of character for her," Amber hiccuped. "It isn't like her to do something like this."

James nodded. He and Amber had let go as twenty minutes passed since they argued over their little sister.

"I'm glad we agree," James smiled a little. "But you're right too, Amber. Sof had her reasons for running away and while we aren't sure what they were, we can only hope they were good ones."

Good reasons.

Amber hoped that was the case, gazing into the rain soaked windows of the observatory.

The heavy rains of the morning had slowed like her feelings of sadness and uncertainty.

Wherever her sister was, she hoped Sofia was taking it easy for Amber decided that she deserved it despite the heartache she was causing the family.

Still, the days awaiting her return seemed so far away. Ergo, whenever that day would come, Amber would be ready for it.

Days, months, years. It didn't matter.

Her love for her little sister was forever.

The magically lit fireplace felt warm against her skin as Sofia brushed her hair.

The chilly weather had forced her and Cedric inside for the day, leaving her disappointed she couldn't explore her new forest home further like she done for the last five days in a row.

At least it was an excuse for her to properly clean herself.

Without her long hair getting in the way, it was easier to brush what was left of it.

With a free hand, Sofia fiddled with the amulet's chain. Though it filled her with unimaginable pain and trauma, she couldn't part with it like she could with her enchantlet.

She had so many memories with the amulet both good and bad that the thought of losing it made her sick to her stomach.

She sighed as she placed a lock of hair behind her ear and slumped in her chair.

"Is something wrong my dear?" Cedric asked, casting a spell on the feather duster.

Sofia watched the duster with amusement as she put her face in her lap.

"It's complicated," She said. "I want to keep the amulet but ever since everything with Vor, it's caused me nothing but pain and I want to get rid of it but I can't. I promised Dad I would never take it off."

"You don't want to disappoint him, do you?"

"Well no."

"Then keep it. Besides, now you'll have plenty of opportunities to try out different powers you never thought you had!" Cedric grinned.

Sofia thought back to the wishing power she used when falling off the castle bridge to her supposed death.

Perhaps it could work when there wasn't any danger!

She wished for the rain to vanish, watching the window for any sign of change.

Cedric watched with her, surprised by the weather changing in an instant, revealing a brightly night sky.

"How long have you had this wish power?" He asked.

Sofia shrugged. "Not very long. I had since Vor…."

She didn't need to say more. Cedric understood by the pain in her eyes.

That woman had destroyed so many people with her wickedness without question.

"A nice campfire would do wonders on a night like this," Cedric said, stroking her hair. "Miranda once told me how much you liked them."

Lifting up her face, Sofia smiled.

A campfire was a wonderful idea.

The evening breeze played with her hair as she stepped barefoot on top of the grass.

The wet soil touched her bare flesh as she sprinted through the forest looking for firewood.

When she gathered enough, Sofia watched as Cedric lit the wood ablaze before conjuring up two chairs for himself and Sofia.

Sofia took the seat next to him, watching the fiery glow dance before gazing at her mentor in shame.

Would he think any less of her if she admitted that Vor was one of the reasons she decided to run away?

"Sofia, what is it? What's the matter?" Cedric asked, taking her hand.

"I lied to you," Sofia croaked. "I lied to you, Mr. Cedric. I—I ran away because I couldn't take it anymore with Vor and nobody was helping me get through it because they didn't care! They always saw me as the happy girl I always am but lately, it's gotten harder to be that way."

Without thinking, Cedric took her in his arms and allowed her to sob on his shoulder.

He stroked her hair affectionately, kissing her forehead while she hiccuped. In normal circumstances, the high pitched hiccups would've amused him.

Unfortunately, now wasn't the time for such things.

"It's all right Sofia. I'm not mad," Cedric shushed, putting a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I completely understand why you did what you did."

"Really?" Sofia sniffed. Her face was turning to a furious red and she felt humiliated by it. "You don't think any less of me for it?"

Cedric shook his head, carrying her to her chair.

He had his own thoughts of escaping from his own difficulties as a child and understood her more than anyone else did.

Thirty minutes passed and with the fire dying, Sofia had fallen asleep in her chair.

Cedric didn't want to move her but he knew she couldn't stay in the forest at night by herself even with her Buttercup training.

Who knew what animals stalked the forest at night? A defenseless little girl alone would be an unbearable tragedy waiting to happen.

Lifting her up carefully so he wouldn't wake her, Cedric carried Sofia to her room and laid her down on her bed.

"Goodnight Sofia. Sweet dreams," Cedric said as he tucked her in.

Sofia gazed at him with a sleepy smile before turning to the side and drifted off to sleep.

There was an expression of inner peace on her face that Cedric hadn't seen in months.

He had a bone to pick with whoever caused his apprentice the pain of not trusting anyone for fear of being turned away

He could deal with that another day.

For now, Sofia's happiness was all he needed to get by day by day.