Sophie

This was Sophie's chance. To win Alvar's sister over**. To surprise Alvar with the love he deserves. Sophie knew this was right. The Neverseen were her family. Her home. And Biana's questions made Sophie's heart break. How could she be so clueless? The Black Swan were manipulating her. Lying to her. And that couldn't be forgiven.

First, Biana. Then Fitz. And anyone else the Black Swan had brainwashed. 

So, when the chance came, Sophie took it. She'd tell Biana everything if it brought Biana to light.

But so far? Biana was beating Sophie. Making her second guess every little thing she'd planned to use as proof of the Black Swan's lies and deceptions. 

"Remember how? I know they didn't do that." 

Sophie shook her head. 

"I know they did it because I remember. They tried to wash away the memory. But I remember. It's come back to me." 

Biana leaned in, intrigued. Sophie took that as a good sign. Maybe she was finally getting to Biana. She could finally understand the lies. 

"What memory?" 

Sophie turned away. She wanted Biana to realize the truth. But... would it be giving away vital information if she showed Biana? No. They were her memories. And no one knew about it. Not even Alvar. So... it couldn't affect them in any way... right? 

Reluctantly, Sophie gave in. But what had made finally cave wasn't just about wanting to show Biana the truth. It was because Biana had made Sophie curious. She'd made Sophie second guess everything she'd used as a foundation for her beliefs. Sophie wasn't even sure about Alvar anymore. But Sophie still loved him. Trusted him.

And she knew he'd be home soon. Like he promised. 

So, Sophie pressed her fingers to Biana's temples.

"What're you doing?" she asked, shaking her head away from Sophie's cool touch.

"I'm showing you," she answered.

"How? You're an Infli..." she trailed off. And didn't finish, seeming lost in thought. Seconds passed before Biana came back to Sophie. 

"Show me the memory," she demanded, seeming worried this time. Sophie rested her hands, once again, on Biana's temples. Sophie didn't explain she was a Telepath, too. But Biana didn't question further. So, Sophie let what could stay secret, a secret. 

Then, she replayed the memory in her mind before sending it into Biana's mind. 

Screaming. It was all Sophie remembered, at first. The image was still blurry and in fragments. As if, it hadn't been hidden. The memory had been erased. Wiped from her mind, altogether. And yet, she remembered. Somehow, some way, Sophie remembered. 

A cry brought Sophie back to the memory. The same boy and girl- Sophie and the stranger- were tied up and blindfolded. She could hear the boy's faint whimpers, but they were soon quieted. Death? Sophie didn't know. Maybe the Black Swan had wiped that from her memory, too. The boy. 

Sophie- or Past Sophie- cried out in pain. And Sophie felt a stinging in her arm. A burning. And the smell of burning flesh. Mixed in with the screams, were calls for help. Pleas for the pain to stop. 

A familiar voice cackled as the burning continued. Scorching Sophie's skin. It burned. The pain stung. 

It hurts, it hurts, it hurts. 

More pleas for the pain to stop. But the mysterious figures went right on burning them. Torturing them. 

From their words, Sophie knew they'd only wanted the girl.

"He's a complication," one said. 

"We should've just staged a suicide." another said. 

"They wouldn't have believed they both jumped." 

The voices continued, and Sophie remembered trying to transmit. Call for help. No response. She was trapped. Helpless. Vulnerable. Sophie felt a switch inside her ignite. The word triggered a series of emotions-- all of which were negative.

She hated being vulnerable. And this memory was especially fragile. But she wanted to help Biana see the light. Not only for Alvar, anymore. But for Biana's sake. She was really a good person. Someone with potential. And Sophie was determined to bring that full power out. For Biana. For her future. 

More cries called Sophie back to the memory. 

"She's transmitting again," the voice said. 

A sweet scent tingled Sophie's nose, and she fell limp. A sedative. It was the reason for her fear. 

Another thing Sophie would never forgive them for. 

When the memory finally faded to an end, Sophie pulled away from Biana, who's eyes were glistening with tears. 

"I don't need your pity," Sophie stated. Biana didn't look away. Her eyes staring into Sophie's, as if reading her soul.

"Stop," Sophie ordered, an uneasy feeling running through her. But she didn't look away, instead, her gaze intensified and Sophie froze as Biana muttered a single word.

"Sophie?"