"Are you ready?" All I could do was nod as my parents left me to walk into the large room by myself. There were twelve seats, all filled, at the head of the room. I couldn't help but shudder and shrink back at the intimidation they projected.

I felt a little more confidence and comfort as a red haired man gave me a thumbs up, and a beautiful blonde woman gave me a small smile. However, any positive feelings disappeared when I saw a glaring man with unnaturally pointed ears. He did not look like he would be on my side.

"Hello Miss Foster-Ruewen. We are the Council." Said the man in the middle, with the darkest skin I had seen yet in white-washed Eternalia, and coiled hair that reached the top of his shoulders. "My name is Emery and I am the spokesperson. As you know, we are gathered today to discuss the matter of your continued school at Foxfire." He paused for a second, his eyes filling with softness. "I am terribly sorry for the circumstances leading to this. No one, especially no child, should have to go through that kind of suffering." I awkwardly smiled in thanks, not knowing what to say. I hated every single time someone would say something like that. They didn't know half of what happened, what's still happening to me because of it.

I didn't even want to go to this stupid meeting, but I would've done anything to get out of that hospital bed, where I felt as much of a prisoner as I did when the Neverseen had me. The reason was so stupid too, considering what happened.

The Council, which is a collective part of the government in Eternalia, wanted to meet with me about the amount of school that I missed, which was a full quarter and final exams. I didn't know why the King and Queen's advisers were involved so fully in Foxfire, or why all twelve of them needed to be there, but it made me uncomfortable. I felt like I was under a microscope, like I was being judged and scrutinized and pitied by them.

"Now, because of said circumstances," Emery continued, "you missed the final quarter of the school year and your exams. While you perhaps could attend summer school, we've come to a conclusion based on your previous test scores and grades." I could feel my face pale. That wasn't good, not good at all.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the redhead and blonde look confused over at Emery, along with a few others. This "conclusion" must not have been unanimous.

"Your scores and grades have been surprisingly low compared to your classmates since you got here. And Foxfire is considered to be a prestigious academy. Not only does it cost much to attend, but your grades and test scores also have to be of a certain standard, which you have not reached." It was like I was being attacked. I understood my grades weren't good, but he said it so accusatory and... disgusted. Like it makes me beneath everyone just because my grades were low.

"Because of this, we have decided to send you to Exillium, which is a completely free school. They are at the same pacing as Foxfire, but with a lower bar. No amount of money can get you accepted back into Foxfire for this upcoming school year, however after the first half of the year you can attempt to test back in. Thank you for your time. You're dismissed."

I didn't even feel my legs carry me out of the room. Exillium. Exactly where I said I wouldn't end up.

As soon as the doors shut behind me, I heard shouting through them. It sounded like it was directed at Emery, but I couldn't be sure. I just kept walking. My parents decided to go back out to the car while I was in there, so I started walking through the hallway towards the exit.

I heard the slam of a door and pounding footsteps behind me. I jumped involuntarily, fear coursing through my body at the loud noise. All I saw behind me was the pointy eared guy with RBF and the blonde lady. Not the familiar black cloaks.

"Sophie!" The blonde shouted as they caught up. "Before you leave, we wanted to talk to you."

Pointy Ears still had a scowl on his face, but somehow it seemed friendly.

"I am Bronte, and this is Oralie. We wished to talk to you about Emery's decision." Emery's decision, not the Council's. It seemed like I was right when I thought the rest of the Council hadn't been a part of deciding that. "Kenric, our coworker, is still in there, making an argument on our behalf."

"Giving Emery a piece of his mind." Oralie chuckled under her breath.

"Okay." I finally said, my voice sounding so shaky and quiet that I wanted to kick myself. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Emery lied, it wasn't a group decision and many of us were believing you should've been given a second chance." Bronte shot Oralie a glare, probably warning her from oversharing although she already did.

"What she means to say is we are going to be discussing this matter again, with a more in depth conversation so there will be no miscommunication. Oralie, Kenric, and myself were planning to support the idea of summer school and observing how well that works for you."

"We're going to go back in there and try to fight for you, Sophie, because these circumstances are entirely unfair." Oralie rested a hand on my shoulder, giving me the same small smile she gave me before. "After everything you've gone through, it's just cruel to put you through more, put you through this stress. You shouldn't be thrown into a new environment with mostly new people right after you get back from what I would think is the worst experience of your life. So don't think your chances are gone just yet."

"We are going to try to change his mind." Bronte gave me an approving nod then turned and headed back for the meeting room, Oralie close behind him. I didn't even get a chance to thank them before they were gone.

So naturally, I went back in my way like nothing even happened. Except, I was leaving with a bit more hope in my heart. Maybe, just maybe, I wouldn't be separated from all of my friends.

I recounted the entire story to my parents on the way back to my house, where all of my friends were waiting with a big sign that said "Welcome Home!!!"

It made me want to cry. I had been stuck in the hospital for over a week, then went straight to the Council meeting. It had been such a long time since I'd even seen my house. I was even over my friends being there because they'd already visited me so much over the time I've been cooped up. I just wanted to use my shower and products then lay down in my perfectly soft bed.

Keefe ran up to me as soon as I stepped out of my car, enveloping me in a big hug. I loved how he wasn't some tiny little stick guy, he was broad shouldered with a muscular stomach, legs, and arms. It made him perfect for hugging and cuddling. It made me not want to leave that hug, and just stay there forever. However, he got shoved out of the way very quickly by Biana, who also wrapped me up in the most perfect hug.

"Welcome home." She whispered. "Go do whatever you need, we'll wait and join you when you're ready." I could feel my eyes water up.

"Thank you. I've been wanting to shower in my shower for so long. You know me so well." I laughed, running inside and straight up to my room, bypassing the rest of everyone. I laid out a pair of cotton shorts and one of my oversized tees, hopping in the shower immediately after.

I viciously scrubbed all of the hospital air off of me with body soap that had never smelled better. I was so glad to have my hair feeling so much nicer and cleaner, even though I had showered at the hospital, it still felt grimy and gross from just being there.

I stepped out about half an hour later, my skin sufficiently red and my muscles overly relaxed. I got dressed quickly, combed out my hair, then ran downstairs to where my friends were waiting on the couch, watching some show on TV.

"Somebody took their time." Tam joked. I just rolled my eyes.

"You would too if you were me. Those hospital showers were not good." I wrinkled my nose in disgust while squishing myself between Dex and Keefe on the loveseat.

"How'd the meeting go?" Keefe asked, wrapping his arm around me.

"It was really weird." I told the entire story yet again, feeling sick with sadness at the end.

"They can't send you to Exillium." Dex said. "I need you to be here with me." I smiled and hugged my cousin, appreciating his kindness.

"Who does Emery think he is? I swear he's always making decisions by himself." Marella noted.

"You can always test back in if they don't change it." Fitz told me.

"And didn't Jensi get kicked out, too?" Tam asked. Biana nodded beside him.

"And Rayni and Irja go there. So if you do have to go, you'll have at least three people."

"You should be able to ace that test now." Keefe whispered for only me to hear. I nodded, only wishing I could've had this type of memory all my life.

"Thanks guys, but can we not talk about this right now? It's been a long week, I just want to hang out."

We turned the TV to some popular new movie I missed the release of, laughing our heads off at everything, just like we used to. It was nice, it was normal. I never wanted it to end. I don't ever want to go to Exillium.

I went through everything with the Neverseen, suffered through all the pain and torture and betrayal, just to get back to my friends and family, only to be separated from my friends and sent to some ghetto school that everyone hates. And I have actual superpowers to handle?

Maybe I shouldn't have escaped. Maybe I should've let them kill me.

After my friends had left, I sent out a text. The response was an almost immediate knock on the door, which I opened.

"You're back." I hardly even had time to see Stina's face before she flung herself into my arms. My tears dripped into her curly hair as we stood in the doorway hugging.

"Why didn't you come to the hospital?" I asked, my voice hardly above a whisper. It had hurt, when I texted her and she didn't come. It felt like she didn't want to visit or see me, but that clearly wasn't the case.

"I'm sorry, I really wanted to. I just couldn't be there. It was too much for me, losing you right after my dad only to find out you're actually alive, then you being hurt at the hospital... I knew I wouldn't be able to handle it. But I promised myself I would be there as soon as you got home." She pulled out of the hug, holding my face in her hands. "You'll never have any idea how much your loss hurt me, I hardly went to school to the point where they had to kick me out. It was just like when my dad died, except almost worse because you helped me through that, only to be dead too. I'm so glad you're alive." She pulled me back in again.

"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry." I cried. I couldn't believe all the pain I put her through, when she's already been through so much.

"It's not your fault, Sophie. Don't be sorry. I blame your kidnappers. They took you and hurt you. They're monsters, and they will be caught." I nodded with a guilty feeling. I still felt like it was my fault, like I chose to get kidnapped and hurt her. And, I didn't think they would be caught. I couldn't even tell anyone about Alvar being one of them, I didn't know if I'd ever be able to. I needed to, I really did, but I just couldn't.

"I never want you to go again." She told me.

"I'm not going anywhere." I really hope that's true.

Okay so this might be really rushed and weird, idk cause i wrote it all at like ten at night so yeah. but i've been getting behind scheduling wise so i had to get this one done fast so i can get ahead again. but the MAIN plot point is starting now so yeahhhhh. idk where i was going with this story when i started it but now that i'm dedicated to finishing it it's going in this direction. there will still be stuff and moonlark and techno, trust, but it's more of a side plot than the main thing so yeah. hope you liked it!

Avery, out ->

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