Keefe's POV

"No, Sophie!" I scream trying to jump after her but I get held back.

"Stop!" Brandon yells, using all of his strength to keep me from jumping.

I watch in horror as they fall down. But then a crack opens in the sky and they disappear. Teleportation. Where are they going to go? I need to find Sophie. What if she gets hurt? What if my mother hurts her?

"We need to go after her," I turn around, urgently telling Brandon.

"Slow down," Brandon says, loosening his grip, but not fully letting me go.

"No, we need to go now!" I yell annoyed.

"Where are you going to go? How are you going to be able to find her? You can't trace her teleportation," Brandon says.

I know he's right, but I can feel my anger bubbling up. Why is he so calm? Sophie is gone. We don't know where she is. What if-

"We need to get the prisoners out of here," Mr. Forkle announces.

One by one, people light leap away with the captured Neverseen members.

"Come on," Brandon holds his hand out to me. "We'll find her, but first we need to regroup."

I don't want to leave, but I know he's right. So I let him leap us away.

(Later on)

"Can you try harder?" I ask Forkle again.

He rubs his head. "My transmissions won't reach her, which means she's out of range. She must be in the Forbidden Cities."

What? If she's with my mom, so many bad things can happen. What if my mom kills more people? I know Sophie's strong, but my mom could put her in a tougher position— especially with humans around.

"You need to calm down," the hooded guy that's partners with Brandon says, "Your stress is making me nauseous."

I roll my eyes. Empaths are annoying, now I get what Sophie used to tell me. Sophie. An idea pops in my head.

"Fitz," I look over at him.

He stands all the way at the opposite side from me. I can feel his anger radiating all the way over here without having to be in contact with him. I push back everything I want to say to him and swallow my pride. He might be our only hope in trying to transmit to her.

"What?" He spits out.

Keep it calm, Keefe.

"You've transmitted to Sophie before right? And it was when she was in the Forbidden Cities, too. Maybe you should try it again," I say.

"That was when her mind wasn't at its strongest," he says, "If Mr.Forkle can't do it, I definitely can't."

His matter of fact tone is starting to piss me off.

"Look asshole-"

"Wait a second," Mr. Forkle stops me. "Mr. Vacker, instead of transmitting, I think you should try to open your mind to her. If my suspicions are right, she will most likely try to transit to you first."

"But it won't wo-"

"Please Fitz!" Biana's voice cracks at the loud volume. "Please just try."

Fits looks at her and I see his face muscles relax and he sighs. "Fine."

He closes his eyes. Seconds, turn into minutes. At some point, I see his eyebrows scrunch, but he doesn't say anything. After maybe about 10 minutes, he opens his eyes. 

"Nothing," he says, standing up. "Can we go now?" He asks Biana. 

I inspect him, trying to use my empathy to see what he's feeling, but unfortunately his emotions aren't as loud as Sophie's. But he's definitely hiding something. 

"Wait-"

But the light takes them away as they light leap back home. I turn to look at Forkle.

"He's hiding something, I know he his," I say desperately.

He nods. "I hate to say this, but I agree. He purposely blocked anyone from reading his mind."

He rubs his forehead, looking exhausted because of his efforts. 

"I can hack into the Forbidden cities security cameras," Dex says trying to up the mood. "I'll start by looking in places she's been to before and go from there."

"That would be wise Mr. Dizznee, thank you," Forkle gives him a small smile and Dex nods, immediately leaping away as well. 

After he leaves, it's just Forkle and I. I slump and sit on a chair. 

"Mr. Sencen, I know you must be feeling hopeless right now, but we will get her," Forkle says. "We just need to take it one day at a time. Don't forget the promises you made her."

Yes, of course. She will be my wife. I will not let her slip through my fingers. Wherever she is, it is not far enough for me to give up. I will scourge the world to find her. 

"I must get to the Collective and Council to figure out our next steps, if you find out anything new, you know how to contact me," he says. 

As I'm left alone, I close my eyes, sinking in to the darkness. I'm not sure if this will work, but I need to know. I stretch my being farther and farther to feel the flicker of warmth Sophie gives me. Her emotions are the strongest I've ever felt, so if I can reach out enough-

"There!" I exclaim. 

It's filled with worry, sadness, confusion, but I can feel her strength as well. And... love. And it engulfs me. It's like she's right here, right in front of me. Hugging me, kissing me, telling me everything will be okay. I force myself out and open my eyes. I know what I must do. 

I go to the light leaper and look into the crystals. 

"Take me to Everglen."