Amy

"Just... woah!" Amy stared at the scenery around her.  It was all so surreal,  so...beautiful.  She couldn't even find the words to describe it.

"Pretty impressive, right?" Fitz said.  Amy just nodded.  She followed him and Alden into the house where someone appeared right out of thin air.  Amy screamed, then blushed when she heard Fitz and Alden laugh.  The girl just ignored Amy, and turned to Alden.

"How did it go?  Where's Sophie?"  she demanded.

"I'll tell you later.  But for now, we have a guest."  Alden explained, nodding towards Amy.  Biana eyes went wide when she finally saw Amy for the first time.

"Uh.  Sorry.   I'm Biana.  I guess you can go to my room."  She said, a smile on her face.  But Amy could tell it was forced.  She could tell something was obviously wrong.

"I hope later is soon."  She said before leading Amy up the stairs.

Fitz

"What now?"  Fitz asked, as soon as Biana and Amy left the room.  Sophie was in trouble, and she needed their help.

"Well, Sophie probably teleported out and-"

"Help."

"... probably at Havenfield.  We can go check if you-"  Alden started.

"Stop."  Fitz said.  "I thought I heard her voice."

Alden shook his head.  "Doubtful."  he murmured.

"No.  I heard it.  And she sounded weak.  Like when she faded." 

  "Fitz, you're overreacting. Sophie's probably fine."  

"Dad, she needs out help!  You can't just assume I'm making this up!"

"Alright then.  Let's go to Havenfield."  Alden pulled out his crystal, grabbed Fitz's hand, and they leaped away.

. . .

When Fitz knocked on the door at Havenfield, Edaline answered it.

"Oh, hello Fitz.  Alden.  Sophie's upstairs.-"

"What?"  Fitz cried, before bolting up the stairs to Sophie's room.

"When she came back from Everglen, she said she was tired, so she went straight to her bedroom and fell asleep.  I tried to wake her, but she was pretty out of it."  Edaline cried after him.  But Fitz had already ran to Sophie's room.

Fitz ran into Sophie's room, not bothering to knock.  He shook Sophie by the shoulders.  

"Sophie?  Sophie?  Wake up!"  

Sophie moaned, and slowly opened her eyes.

"Hi Fitz."  She said, then fell back asleep.  Fitz just stood there.  Staring at her in his arms.  She was fine.  Perfectly fine.  Just tired.  But when was Sophie not tired?  He tried, not to but felt betrayed.  When she leaped back, Sophie didn't even bother checking in with anyone, to tell them she was alright.  

"Some cognate you are.  You don't even care about anyone but yourself." FItz said, not really meaning it.  It just came out before he could stop it.  Luckily, Sophie was fast asleep, so she didn't hear it.  The people at the door did, though.

"Fitz!"  Alden scolded.  But his eyes softened when he saw Sophie.  "See son?  I told you I was right."

Fitz just sighed.  How was Sophie back?  He nudged her.  Sophie just sighed dreamily in her sleep.  

"Ugh.  I'll just ask tomorrow."  Fitz said.  "Can we go dad?  I bet Biana's wondering what's wrong."  

"Sure.  Bye Edaline, sorry for the trouble."  Alden said as they walked to the leap-master.  He yelled "Everglen", but Fitz wasn't really paying attention.  He couldn't stop thinking about how odd Sophie had acted.

Why did Sophie not tell anyone she was back?  Or have someone else do it if she was too tired to.  Fitz's thoughts was a jumble of confusion, worry, shock, and annoyance.

One thing was obvious for sure, though.  Something happened in the short period of time between light leaps.  Something that changed Sophie Foster.  And he was going to be the one to figure it out.

Sorry guys.  You probably want some nachos for how cheesy that was...  I know, it's weird.

😄😄😄😄😄 - P