Sophie

All was dark, and all was quiet as Sophie nestled into the cot, the thin blanket doing little to warm her. She shivered a little, but she'd survive. The boy, whose name remained unknown thanks to Sophie's fear of asking, had chosen the farthest cot from her. She wouldn't lie. It had hurt a little when she'd first learned how far away he'd be sleeping. Was he avoiding her because she'd hurt him? He'd promised countless times that she hadn't harmed him in any way, but... His actions said otherwise. Was he afraid of her? Upset with her? 

These thoughts plagued her, keeping her from getting any sleep. Her eyes found a small picture hanging above another cot, closer to the door. It was of a young girl wearing a ridiculous brown costume of sorts. Was that of her? When had that been put up? Her thoughts quieted as the sound of footsteps nearing sounded, stopping above her. Sophie froze, though unable to stop her shivering. Seconds passed, and she wondered what was going on until she heard a flapping, and another fabric fell across her, sealing in the warmth and blocking out the cold. 

Peeking one eye open, Sophie saw that it was a cape. It was his cape. She withheld a gasp, realizing the footsteps had not yet sounded going away. For moments, she felt the boy watching her. And then, in the smallest of whispers, he whispered, "Night, Foster." And the footsteps receded back to their own cot. For minutes, Sophie didn't breathe, afraid she'd somehow accidentally tell the boy she wasn't asleep. More minutes passed, and Sophie could hear the faint breathing of the boy, asleep. She relaxed, her head growing dizzy with exhaustion and her eyelids turning heavy. Then, she was asleep. 

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"She's still recovering!"

"She's my responsibility!"

"She's not even awake!" 

The arguing went back and forth, and Sophie pressed her pillow to her ears in hopes it would muffle the noise. The voices broke through the fluffy barrier and didn't help in the slightest. 

Only when another voice entered the conversation did Sophie allow the people to know she was awake. 

"Can we give her one more hour? Yesterday was exhausting for all of us." Sophie's eyes snapped open at the sound of the blonde's voice, and when she rolled onto her back, she found three people in the middle of a heated argument. The woman noticed her first, and Sophie realized it was the doctor woman who had treated her the night prior. 

"Oh, good morning, Sophie," she offered a warm smile, and Sophie did her best to return it. All eyes were on her now, carefully watching her every move as though she were a ticking time bomb. The blonde went to speak next, opening his mouth to say one thing, before settling on another. 

"Sophie," he smiled, "you're awake." Sophie nodded, rubbing her eyes and tucking her hair behind her ears. 

"Was I out long?" she asked, her voice scratchy against her throat.

"Surprisingly, it's only twelve, Miss Foster." 

Something in the back of Sophie's mind tingled. Recognition. She knew that voice. And that title. Sophie turned to find an older looking man with weary eyes and a grimace of a smile. Her eyes didn't leave him, straining to remember him. It felt as her brain were splitting in two, the one side bringing the swan image to the front of her mind. While the other, brought an entirely new image to mind: a bright blue flower made of what looked like silk. It glittered in a dim light, the source unknown, and contained a fog-like purple pollen. 

"Mr. Sencen has informed me of your condition," the man continued. "So don't worry about answering any questions... for now." The blonde boy, "Mr. Sencen", shot the elderly man a scowl, though the old man shrugged in response. She knew, what she assumed was his, last name, but she couldn't call him "Mr. Sencen". So, she kept to calling him "blonde boy". Maybe "blondie" would be easier? The idea brought another image to mind, fuzzy and unidentifiable. But she distinctly remembered pink hair. 

She exhaled a relieved breath. This was proof that her memory wasn't all gone.  It also meant she'd just have to keep an eye out for anyone with pink hair. 

"If you aren't here to ask her questions," the doctor asked, "what are you doing here?"

'As we're all well aware, Miss Foster's memories are inaccessible at the moment." He looked at Sophie, maybe for confirmation. And when she nodded, he continued. "I am simply curious to see if we can trigger anything. Now, if you'll let me, I'd like to open my mind to yours, Miss Foster?" 

Sophie furrowed her brows, arms crossed as she tried to guess what he meant. "Open his mind to her thoughts"? What was that supposed to mean? No matter, Sophie decided, it sounded creepy. 

"It means he wants to read your mind," The blonde boy explained once an entire minute had passed. Sophie felt her cheeks flush as she nodded in understanding. 

"Yeah..."

"Too creepy?" the woman guessed with a smug grin, and Sophie gave a small nod. Sophie might've let him, if her brain weren't so conflicted. One side of her felt he was trustworthy, as if she'd known him her entire life. The other half was full of hatred towards him, and maybe even violence. That part wanted to hurt him. Revenge. So she, as politely as possible, declined. 

"I see," the man said, resting his chin on his hand. "Then may I ask if you're willing to try and trigger some memories?" She wanted to agree. So. Badly. The lack of knowledge she had was killing her and she was willing to get any information she could get her hands on. At the same time, however... "I don't know if I should trust you or not." 

She hoped he would understand. Both sides of her were fighting for control over her mind, as if trying to get her to remember two entirely different things. The internal war caused a slight headache, but nothing she couldn't handle. She already had all those scars, the most noticeable one being the cut that had sliced through her left eyebrow. She reached up to feel it, finding its faint indent right where she'd expected. 

"You trust me though," the blonde boy asked. "Right?" 

It was true. While both sides still fought for power, both sides could agree if even a little that this boy meant something to her. Being near him gave her an instant sense of security and relief, and out of everyone she'd met so far, he seemed to be the easiest for her brain to accept as trustworthy. 

"I trust you," she promised. "But... I'm still unsure about pretty much everything else." The blonde boy nodded. 

"I'll take her to Grady and Edaline, then?" he asked. The man frowned, eyes narrowed on the boy with suspicion. 

"Are you sure they'll be ready? Are you sure she'll be ready?" Again, everyone's focus went to Sophie, and she felt her heart begin to pound under the silent pressure. She didn't want to ask, but she needed to know. 

"Who are Grady and Edaline?" 

Everyone shared a sympathetic look, the blonde boy finding his words first. 

"They're your parents--or, adoptive parents. I'll give you details later but... You've been missing for awhile now and they've been waiting to know you're okay. I'm not sure if you want to, considering all the questions I know you have, and the craziness in the world right now. But still... I think they need you." 

She swallowed. She did have lots of questions, and things did feel very crazy right then. But... her parents. She didn't remember them, but Old Sophie cared for them, right? So shouldn't she do her best to appease the Old Sophie, at least until she came back? She didn't doubt all the huge emotions that would hit when seeing her parents; knowing she should love them but in reality, didn't. It would be weird, if anything. But... she could handle weird. So she agreed. 

"Then let's go." 

"Are you sure you don't want to wait another day, Miss Foster?" the man pried. 

Sophie grinned. "They need me."

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Sophie pulled out another loose eyelash. She was pretty sure that was her twentieth when the doors to what the blonde boy had called "Havenfield" finally opened to reveal a battered and weary woman, auburn curls falling past her shoulder. If it weren't for the dark circles around her eyes, Sophie knew the woman could be a model if she wished. However, she looked like she'd lost a fight with her pillow, wearing a plain purple gown and fuzzy jackalope slippers. 

At the sight of Sophie, the woman's turquoise eyes widened and fresh tears pooled. 

"Sophie?" she squeaked, but before Sophie could respond, she was pulled into a tight squeeze as the woman sobbed into her shoulder. Behind her, she noticed the boy had backed to give the two space. Though, that wasn't the only reason. More footsteps sounded and Sophie found that a man had appeared in the doorway, same tired eyes and hopeless expression. Until he saw her.

"Kiddo..." His fists quivered uncontrollably, and he steadied them by wrapping his arms around the two women, whispering promises of safety and love. Of course, Sophie felt nothing towards the couple as they nearly strangled her with love. She felt no love, no happiness, not even confusion. She just stood there... numb. The adults continued to cry as they held Sophie, and as not-awkwardly as possible, she wrapped her arms around Edaline and Grady's shoulders.

"I'm back," she said, as both parents pulled away with teary eyes. Tucking a strand of red hair behind Edaline's ear, Sophie repeated the words. That's how Old Sophie would have comforted them, right? Or was Sophie just making things worse? 

"I missed you, kiddo," the man--Grady--said, wearing a sad smile. 

"We missed you," Edaline corrected. "And we're glad you're okay." She wiped her tears before placing a loving hand on Sophie's shoulder. It was a heart warming moment; the Ruewen family reunion. That's how it should've been, at least. But to Sophie, it was just awkward. She gave her best smile, hoping it somewhat resembled Old Sophie's happy smile. 

"Thank you," Grady said, and Sophie looked to see Grady speaking to the blonde boy, who's expression was that of confusion, fear, and shock. 

"... What?" 

Even Edaline seemed surprised by this, and Sophie guessed the two must not usually get along very well. 

"For bringing her back," Grady explained. "Thank you, Keefe." 

Sophie internally cheered. She had his name! The moment, while touching and tender, made Sophie want to jump for joy and do a little victory dance. She had the boy's name! And she hadn't had to ask! Mentally, she repeated the name so she wouldn't forget it. Again. 

Keefe, Keefe, Keefe. 

Sophie broke free of her thoughts as she heard a strange squeaking sound, and she turned to find Grady giving Keefe the biggest bear hug. "Thank you for bringing her back." 

Edaline took Sophie's wrist, moving to join the hug, and pulling Sophie in right beside her. And Sophie found herself squished against Keefe between both her adoptive parents. 

"I'm so glad you're okay," Edaline whispered in Sophie's ear as they pulled out of the hug for a second time, and Sophie couldn't hide her wince. Neither knew about her amnesia. It was sad, how she could remember a word as silly as that, and not her own parents. Not Keefe. Just that word and a silly black swan. What did that even mean; a black swan? Swans were white. Black swans didn't even exist. So why...?

"'Okay' wouldn't be the word I'd use..." said Keefe, looking anywhere but her parents. It must've been awkward to tell them Sophie was most definitely not "okay". Luckily, thanks to her amnesia, Sophie had no problem blurting the truth out. Though she definitely didn't know what she'd expected. Obviously, they remembered her, so... 

"What?" Edaline uttered at the same time as Grady said, "Repeat that?" And Sophie again told them what had happened. 

"I can't remember anything. Not you guys, not... well, whoever it was I saw before." 

"Livvy, Forkle, the council, me..." Keefe listed, talking to her parents. There was an edge to his voice as he said the last word, and Sophie flinched. It wasn't her fault she couldn't remember, so why did she feel so guilty not remembering him? Did he blame her for forgetting him? Maybe he should. Maybe it was her fault for forgetting him. Not for the amnesia, but for forgetting him. If she remembered something as unimportant as a strange swan, why not remember the boy who seemed to care for her more than others? Why not remember the only person she found herself able to truly trust? 

"But why would the Neverseen erase your memories?" Edaline asked, watching Sophie with a curious look. The name didn't trigger anything, though she felt like it should. At least maybe Keefe would take the chance to tell her "parents" everything, giving Sophie the information he'd been hiding from her. He didn't say anything, however, and Sophie decided she'd better prompt him. 

"What's the Nev--"

"They didn't do it." 

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Keefe's fists were once again shaking by his sides, his eyes focused on the ground. How couldhe tell them? How could he tell them it wasn't the Neverseen? Grady had been so happy to find out Sophie was safe-- happy enough to hug him. "That Boy". He'd called him by his name. Now, what would he do if Keefe told them it was his fault? What would Sophie do if she learned that he was the one to erase her entire life; the one to make her forget everything; and the one to put her through so much trouble?

"They didn't do it," Keefe told the Ruewens, wincing even as the words settled in everyone's mind. 

"Who didn't do it?" Sophie asked, and another dagger of guilt pierced Keefe's heart. If only he hadn't... But Sophie had needed it. She was hurting, and he wanted to heal her--even if only for a little while. Still. He'd done it, accident or not. He was guilty. And deserved every ounce of guilt, maybe more, of guilt he felt. Maybe if he broke, he'd never have to live with that haunting truth. Maybe he'd never have to tell her about Biana, or how Sophie had almost killed all her their friends. 

Maybe... 

"Who are the Neverseen?" Sophie repeated, her voice with an irritated edge. Keefe broke away from his daze, finding all eyes on him with expectant expressions. 

"Bad guys," he said, putting it as simply as possible in hopes to ease the tension. 

"Understatement of the century," Grady scoffed, shaking slightly with anger. Only when Edaline placed her hand on his did he stop, refocusing his attention on Sophie. Sophie. After all this time, she was back. How many months had passed since that day; the day Biana had found him in the Forbidden Cities? 

Biana had found Keefe little over a month after he'd run away, and now, it had been maybe five months since then. So much had changed in those five months. Biana, who'd found him, was now broken. Elwin was... As was Alvar. Even Oralie had been fired. So much had happened, and Keefe would have to be the one to tell her all of it. Everything she'd missed... Well, only if his Foster were to come back--though that sent more chilling thoughts into question.

Would Sophie ever get her memory back? Would they ever just be... safe from the Neverseen? Would they ever truly win? If Sophie did get her memory back, would she return to the Neverseen? 

"Is there a way to..." Edaline was on the verge of tears, just barely managing to withhold the sobs. "Is there a way to bring her memories back? To..." 

Sophie tugged at her lashes as everyone looked back to her. She'd said she didn't remember anything, but she had to remember something. Her emotions were too suspicious not to be hiding something. Sadly, Fitz would probably be the only person able to read her mind. And he... wasn't in the best place at the moment. 

"I don't know," Sophie told them, and the Ruewens' squeezed each other in fear for their daughter. "So far I've got nothing." 

The emotions emitting from Sophie shifted with her words, and Keefe knew they were more lies. He didn't call her out, however. Sophie was a good person, memories or not. So whatever reason she had for lying, he trusted her. He'd always trust her. Forever. No matter what happened. 

"I figured bringing her here might trigger something," Keefe explained as he took Sophie's hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. Even after losing all her memories, she still trusted him. And that thought was the only reason his sanity hadn't yet shattered. Because her trusting him despite not knowing him, it made Keefe feel... special. 

At those words, the Ruewens lead everyone inside and up to Sophie's bedroom. The last time Keefe had been there, it had been when he, Edaline, and Fitz had discovered Sophie's secret compartment in the floor. Once inside, Sophie inched towards her bed and pet the fluffy blankets with curiosity. 

"It's so soft," she noted, awkwardly sitting at the foot of her bed. Edaline nodded, following her into the room but keeping her distance. No one could deny the tension in the room, and it had started ever since Sophie had told the Ruewens about her lost memories. It was obvious Sophie had no emotional connection to them at the moment, while the Ruewens were doing their best not to make things weird despite the emotions that were probably building up inside. 

The silence stretched on for what felt like an eternity, until a loud roar snapped everyone back to attention. Eyes following the noise to its source, Keefe found a squirming Iggy in his cage. Oh. It wasn't a roar, but a burp--and a smelly one at that. 

"What was that?!" Sophie asked, eyes wide in surprise. Edaline chuckled as she unlatched Iggy's cage and allowing him to run free. The colorful imp sprinted out of the cage and used its bat-like wings to carry itself across the room and into Sophie's arms. 

"That's Iggy," Edaline explained as they watched Sophie cautiously stroke Iggy's back. 

"'Iggy'?" Sophie asked, scrunching her nose. "What kind of name is that? Who named him?" 

Keefe couldn't silence his snicker, neither could the Ruewens as they watched the two. Sophie placed the smelly imp on her pillow, though he only ran right back up her arm and perched on her shoulder.

"Iggy," Sophie scolded. "Stay." She set him back down, and he ran right back up her arm. The process repeated three times before Sophie relented and allowed Iggy to sleep in her lap. Keefe couldn't deny how underwhelming and sad it was to see the overjoyed Iggy get pushed away by the person who had once saved him.

"Does anything seem at all familiar?" Grady asked, standing beside his wife. Keefe hadn't even noticed he'd gone, though now he understood it must've been to collect himself. As, Grady's tired eyes were now slightly red and swollen, while his voice was much shakier than the confident, stern man Keefe knew. 

Sophie scanned the room a final time before turning back to her parents with an apologetic smile. 

"I... Nothing comes up, no matter how long I stare at something." Grady's hopeful smile fell as he took Ella from her untouched spot on the bed.

"Not even this?"

Sophie eyed the stuffed animal, taking it from Grady and even giving it a squeeze before handing it back. 

"Is it important?" she asked, and Keefe knew it wasn't an act when she confirmed she didn't recognize it. Right then, Edaline broke into sobs, collapsing to her knees in the doorway. Grady rushed to aid his wife, helping her to her feet before excusing them both. That left Keefe and Sophie. Alone.