Unedited.

Ambra Mistle. Sophie had more important things to worry about, but the minx kept surfacing in her mind.

Sophie shook the thoughts away as Bad Dog shifted. Sophie focused on wiping the black sleep from Bad Dog's eyes. Bad Dog was indeed sick, and was going through a detox, and diet. After Fitz had explained who Ambra was, a level five at Foxfire, Fitz had also said she almost landed a kiss, had Fitz not ducked and she kissed a tree.

That cheered Sophie, after wishing everyone she knew a goodnight she went back to Havenfield with Sandor. "Sophie! You got a minute?" Grady called as he strode towards the enclosure. "Hold on." She called as she put a drop of elixir in Bad Dog's eyes, she patted the thick shoulder and it rolled to it's feet, before loping off to the food. Sophie gathered the bucket of warm water and slipped out of the enclosure, she met Grady. "What is it?" She asked, as she tossed the water onto the compost pile, and walked towards the storage. "Well, it's about Bad Dog." Grady said. Sophie opened the storage door and walked in. "Yeah?" She asked. "House been calling it a he." Grady said. Sophie nodded. "Yes, I guess I just assumed."

"Well he is a she." Grady said as Sophie scrubbed the bucket out. "What?" She asked stopping for a moment to look up at Grady. "You noticed the patch of purple fur at the back of the neck, only females have that." Grady said. "Oh...okay." Sophie nodded as she hung the bucket, before scrubbing her hands. "You seem distracted." Grady said. Sophie shrugged. "Not really." She answered, what was that? That burning in her chest? "Is...everything alright?" Grady asked. "Why wouldn't it be?" Sophie asked her voice sounding sharp, Grady's eyebrows rose. "Why don't you tell me?" He asked.

Sophie dried her hands and hung the towel up. "I'm going to Dex's for a little while." She said, "Why?" Grady asked, Sophie had skipped school, more as in she missed it, due to having woken up before dawn because of Bad Dog throwing a rage. "I haven't hung our with him in a while." Sophie said. Plus she needed to see if there was any way he could make her iPod call Kyle. She needed advice, she needed someone to really talk to her. Honestly.

"Alright then." Grady said.

~

Kesler answered the door, he smiled. "Sophie! Nice to see you. How have you been?" He asked as he let Sophie step in. "I'm good thanks. You?"

"Tip top shape." Kesler said straightening up. "Dex is in his room. Go on up. First door to the left." He said. "Thanks." Sophie said. When she reached Dex's door she found him, wrestling with spools of wire and a very tall branch. "Hey Dex?" She asked knocking on the door. Dex jumped and the spool of wire loosened he groaned and glared at Sophie before realizing it was her he straightened up. "Oh. Hey. What's up?" He asked. "I was wondering, can you have my iPod make a call?" She asked holding out her iPod. "Well yeah...." Dex frowned. "Who are you trying to call?" He asked. "Kyle." Sophie answered. "You can't!" Dex blurted loudly making Sophie jump. He looked away, "I mean I can't." He handed her the iPod back, not looking at her.

"It's to hard. Impossible." He said. Sophie didn't have to be an empath to know he was lying. Sophie closed the door, and leaned against it crossing her arms she looked at Dex. He shifted and fidgeted, before muttering under his breath. "Why weren't you at school today?" He asked, trying to change the subject. Sophie didn't answer, why was Dex lying to her? Why was her vest friend lying to her? It was just Kyle, he knew Kyle. He trusted Kyle. Dex glanced up at Sophie. Staring they held each other's gaze, neither of them willing to give up.

"Dex, what aren't you telling me?" Sophie asked, she didn't understand why her voice sounded so fragile, or soft. Dex's stare crumbled and he looked at his feet, digging his toe into the floor. "It was a group decision. I voted against it!" Dex said. Something inside of Sophie was starting to sink as her stomach started churning in a not so good way. "What are you talking about?" Sophie asked.

"It was a decided we couldn't tell you, and we...Alden erased Kyle and Rose's memories of us...of you." He said. Sophie's stomach roiled. Her vision started to turn back as cold anger filled her. She blinked it away. Stay calm. She too herself. "Who was all against it?" She asked. "Me...Elwin and Tam." Dex said. Three had wanted to tell her, to let her vote, that meant. Biana, and Fitz they had voted against telling her. Grady and Edaline had voted against her having anything to do with it. Alden and Della...Keefe. Keefe had voted against her? That couldn't of been possible, Keefe was many things but he wasn't unloyal. Linh had voted against her too! The closest people to her....had...they had hurt her. Again.

"Sophie don't be mad, it was for the best. No matter how much we didn't like it, Tam, Elwin and I had to stay quiet." Dex said. Sophie looked back at Dex, "Having a group decision is more important then telling me Dex? How long were you going to keep this from me?" Sophie asked. Dex looked away, "I...I had no choice."

"Dex, I'm your best friend. Your cousin. Family!" Sophie said. "I know that! But I couldn't-"

"You could have! You know I would never do something like that to you!" Sophie's voice was shrilling to a high pitch. Anger. Anger was the safest thing to feel right now. "I would have told you, no matter what the group decision was." She said. Dex didn't speak for a moment before turning his periwinkle eyes to her. "Sophie, I'm sorry." He said.

"Me too Dex." Sophie said fighting back the crack in her voice she pulled the door open and hurried down the stairs. Ignoring Dex's calls for her to wait.
How could they? Sophie lifted her home crystal before stopping. Grady and Edaline, they had voted against her. Sophie spotted a leap master out of the corner of her eye. Using it she leaped to Eternalia.
Sophie didn't wait for Dex to catch up. Sophie ran through the crowds. She accidentally left Sandor behind at Dex's home. He'd find her soon, she just. Sophie stopped. He didn't have to find her...looking down at her cape she knew just what she was going to do.

"Melody!" Sophie said bursting into the chime shop, startling the elf so much she nearly dropped the potted plant she was carrying. "Sophie, hello, ho-"

"I need a change of clothes. I'll come back later I promise, it's just-"

"Say no more." Said Melody as she set the pot down. Before long Sophie found herself outfitted in a pair of pants, a white long sleeve shirt and a red dress that was a very close model to Pearl's dress that Sophie had bought. Sophie left her clothes folded in a neat pile on the chair in Melody's office and left the chime shop. Sophie knew she'd get a lecture, but Sandor had said not to remove the trackers from her clothes. Not switch them. Sophie found herself walking through Eternalia. Not really knowing where she was going. Not caring either. She wanted to forgive the others, but she was to angry to even think about them. As she passed a book shop she stopped.

Books had been her safe haven. Always. Even before she knew she was an elf. Books and music. Sophie looked at the iPod in her hand. She just needed to calm down. She stepped into the book store. Someone called a greeting but she ignored it as she looked around. It wasn't extremely big, it was two stories with the upstairs was round, with shiny oak railings Sophie could see from where she stood, some couches and bookshelves, on the second floor. She quickly climbed the short stair case. Pulling sets of books out, she found a nicely lit corner, that was above the door. She set the books she had gathered aside and untangled her headphones. Just as she heard the door open, she also heard a very familiar crisp accented voice, sounding annoyed.

"No, Ambra. I told you already. I'm waiting for someone else, and I won't have someone on the side while I'm waiting." Fitz said. Ambra's voice wasn't high pitched, nor did it sound incredibly girly. It sounded...normal. But it didn't have an accent. "Fitz, I'm not going to give you up. What does she have that I don't?"

"For one she can take a hint." Fitz grumbled. "I could name a lot more, but then it'd take to long and I have to get back home."

"Fitz I like you, can't you accept that?" Ambra asked. "I accept that you like me. That doesn't mean I accept your affections. Now leave it alone."

"Why?" Ambra's voice was pleaded. "Why can't you accept my affection? Why can't you like me?" Fitz let out a sigh even Sophie heard.  "I told you, over and over again. I'm waiting for someone else." Fitz growled. "Is she waiting for you?" Ambra asked. Silence made Sophie's ears burn. Did he not think she was waiting? Why wasn't he saying anything? Why wasn't he defending her? "That's what I thought." Ambra said. "Can you at least tell me who she is?" Ambra asked. "Here is what I will tell you. I am waiting, don't bother me with your confessions or whining. I like her and not you, get that through your head and accept it." Fitz said. Sophie could hear the door opening. "Good day Miss. Mistle." His crisp voice clipped sharply, and the door shut.

Before Sophie's brain could start working she emerged herself in a world of loud music and words of fiction. Now was a time to be angry. Anger was safe to hold onto, anger made her mind clear of all the pesky worries about Ambra, and such.
Sophie didn't realize how late it had gotten until someone tapped her shoulder. Sophie nearly jumped out of her seat and looked up. "Oh um...sorry but um....we're closing." Stuttered the elf who had light brown hair braided in two pig tails which fell to her waist. Sophie pulled out her headphones. "Alright, I'll be down in a moment little one." She promised, as she closed the book. The girl turned and tripped away.

Sophie put the books back where they belonged. She'd come back for the set she was reading. Placing her iPod in her pocket Sophie walked down the stairs. "Sh-she's the h-h-human girl." The little girl stuttered to an elf who was clearly her brother he kneeled before her trying to calm his sister. "Ssh. I'm sure it's not, why would Miss. Foster come to our talentless book shop?" The boy asked. "Because it's quiet." Sophie said, making both the brother and sister jump. The girl his behind her brother as he stood. He was Sophie's height but he was clearly trying to look taller. "It's a lovely store too." Sophie complimented, running her hand over the shined railing. "Sorry." She smiled and gave a deep bow. "I'm Sophie." She said.

The boy seemed to forget his manners. "You just bowed to me....a t-talentless." He said wide eyed. Sophie frowned, "Is there a problem with that?" She asked. "N-no....I mean I just thought...you're so powerful and...." The boy turned red and returned her bow. "Sorry. I'm Eli Booker, this is my sister  Joanne." He said. The girl who was in a auburn dress, clung to her brother's leg, staring at Sophie. Sophie gave what she hoped was an encouraging smile. "Nice to meet you both. Sorry I stayed so late, I got caught up reading." Sophie said. "It's fine. Um we...uh we were just closing up." Eli said nervously. "I see. I'll come back soon, I would like to buy a set I found but I forgot to bring my lusters." She said.

"Ooh...um yes, uh pl-please come back." Eli said. Sophie smiled as he seemed to try and remember what he was supposed to say to leaving customers. "Do your parents own this shop?" She asked. "I do." Eli said. "Really?" Sophie asked as she felt her eyes go wide. Eli nodded, "I opened it when I was nine. Dad helped me manage the accounts but the shop has come a long way." He said. "Well it's beautiful." Sophie said. "Thank you." He said. Sophie looked down at Joanne. Who hid further behind her brother. "It was nice meeting you both." She said. She bowed again and left the shop. The sky was dark and the air was cool, but Sophie didn't mind, it tamped down her burning anger.

People were rushing home, or to friend's houses, the paved roads had emptied but people still wondered about, just walking or going to work of star gazing. Sophie could see a familiar bulky figure standing at the chime shop. Sophie ducked into an ally. Sandor sniffed the air. Beside him Dex, and Grady both waited impatiently. Sophie felt her spine tingle, like she was being watched. But this was the Elvin world, nobody would hurt her. Besides the Neverseen... But they weren't here. She was safe, nobody was watching her. Just in case she whirled around and stared into the dark ally. She was being silly. As if to prove to herself she stepped deeper into the ally.

Nobody else was here. A few more steps, chills made her shiver. This wasn't the human world. Sophie glared into the dark. There was nothing to be afraid of. Sophie charged the darkness, and stopped glaring around. Nothing.

Then, it was soundless. A spark of orange, wild eyes and a scarred face were illuminated for a moment. One heart stopping moment, then everything went black. Sophie wanted to scream, but her throat refused to work. Sophie wanted to turn and run but moving her muscles, felt as impossible as making fire come from her hands. A silent woosh and Sophie's nose burned with the smell of ash. "Next time Moonlark." Brant wheezed the threat, a flash and he was gone.

Gone like he was never there.

(Should I do a Fitz third person view?)