DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of these characters, because the amazing Shannon Messenger does.

A/N: Let me know what  you guys think! I'm open to suggestions. :)

     Sophie woke up to a tickling feeling in her nose. She couldn't breath! "HELP! HELP!" Sophie cried out before she realized that the arm of her fuzzy pajamas was over her mouth. She groaned and opened her eyes, there was something bad that happened, something - Oh, she remembered now - Keefe had left them, her, for the Neverseen. The emotions crashed over her like a tidal wave. Guilt, anger, fear, but most of all grief. Grief that she had trusted him. Grief that she couldn't stop him. Grief that now, because of him, they were all in danger. 

     Sophie dragged herself out of bed. She had wanted to stay in bed, drowning herself in self pity. But she didn't want her mind to break, plus, more importantly, she smelled Starkflower stew coming from the kitchen. Sophie opened the door, not bothering to change out of her PJ's, and stepped outside. She saw that everyone else was already up they all seemed to be talking animately at the table. Sophie walked over, Biana was the first one to realize that she was there. Biana looked at her, her normally perfect face was blotched red and tears were in her eyes. "Hi Sophie," she smiled weakly Oh, right. Alvar had also been part of the Neverseen. Sophie felt so selfish for pitying herself now, because not only had Biana's friend - and possible crush? - had left for the Neverseen - but her brother had too. "How are you doing?" Sophie asked softly, fresh tears arrived in Biana's eyes "As well as I can be," she looked down. 

     Finally, the rest of the table noticed that Sophie was there "Sophie!" said Mr. Forkle/Sir Astin/Master Leto (she wasn't sure who to call him anymore)  "You're here. At long last, I can now announce the news. While I know that we are still recovering from recent betrayals," her glanced at the huddling Vacker family "I have some favorable news, Prentice is awake!" The group at the table slowly looked up 

"Is he well?" Alden croaked 

"Um, well the answer to that question is a little less favorable. It seems as if he is awake, but unaware of his surroundings. Like he is in a trance,"

Sophie gasped "I thought that you said he was awake!" She glared accusingly at Mr. Forkle

"And he is, but not . . . fully functional," Mr. Forkle replied 

Fitz's teal eyes, brimmed with tears, glared at Sophie "And you didn't tell us he was awake?" he accused Sophie "I - I forgot - it-" 

 "I thought you would tell us, since you're supposed to be my friend. Oh wait. I don't know who my friends are anymore," Fitz's eyes narrowed

"It's not my fault that I grabbed onto Keefe as he light leaped away. It's not my fault that he joined the Neverseen. It's not MY FAULT!!" Sophie was practically screaming

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Mr. Forkle stood up, almost knocking down the table "I also have another announcement. So if you two are done acting like two year olds, I think I'll announce it." He glared at them 

"Sorry," they both muttered

"Good. Now, since Keefe has joined the Neverseen and knows where our hideout is, we have decided that it would be best for you to move back to the the Lost Cities,"