"Come on, Sophie. Don't give up!" Mr. Forkle says as I continue to punch and use my daggers to kill the fake bodies.

I'm out of breath, but I'm almost done. I wing my dagger at the last dummy, straight in the middle of the head.

"Good job, Ms Foster. You were quicker today," He tells me approvingly.

"Good job," Dex fist bumps me as he goes up for his turn.

We've been practicing more self defense ever since Keefe, preparing for a Neverseen attack. Even after we captured Gisela, we decided to be safe and not keep our guard down. I go sit down on the grass and drink the water and bottle of youths left for us. The only people left are Fitz and Keefe. Fitz has been avoiding eye contact ever since the day at my house. And Keefe...

He sends me over another smirk as he catches me staring at him. I quickly dart my eyes away and feel my cheeks heat up. It's just Keefe being Keefe. I can't overthink it. Bianca and Rayni walk over and sit next to me. Tam and Linh couldn't make it to todays sessions since they have family stuff.

"Good job, Sophie! You need to teach me how to do that dagger throw— you get it so precise," Biana says.

I smile. "Thanks Biana, but I actually was super sloppy, I have to stop taking it easy."

"I'm glad I wasn't the only one noticing it," Rayni says bluntly and Biana gives her a look. "What's on your mind Sophie? It obviously has to be something big if you're messing up like this."

What is on my mind? The Neverseen are still out there. Fitz is being annoying. Work. Keefe...

I cover my cheeks with my hands, but by the two smirking looks from the girls, I can tell they caught it already.

"I called it," Rayni says holding her hands up. "So is it official or are you guys playing hard to get."

"I don't know what you're talking about," I say, almost messing up my words.

"Oh come on," Rayni rolls her eyes, "just admit it, it's not a bad thing."

"You guys are really asking these type of questions during training?" I say trying to change the subject. "We need to focus."

"That's true," Rayni says, "but this issue or whatever is preventing you from fully focusing, so I'm going to bring it up."

I open my mouth to defend myself, but no words come out. Biana puts her hand on my shoulder.

"You don't have to say anything, Sophie. But if you want to talk about it, we are both right here. And just so you know, just because I'm Fitz's sister, doesn't mean I agree with everything he does. But if you really don't like him at all, you should probably tell him," Biana says, "all these years you've been so busy, you haven't realized how he's been trying to connect with you again."

I feel a pang of guilt in my heart. She's right. I've been so busy I haven't given him a second thought. If Keefe did that to me...

I shake my head. Why did Keefe come up first in my mind? I have to start focusing. I nod at Biana.

"I'll talk to him," I say.

"I don't want to spar these dummies," I hear Fitz's voice, "just let me spar him."

He points at Keefe, who has his hands in his pockets. Wait what's going on?

"Mr Sencen?" Forkle looks at him for approval.

Keefe sighs. "Whatever the Fitzy wants."

"It's Lord Vacker to you," Fitz says harshly.

I notice Keefe stare into Fitz's eyes for a while, but he just clicks his tongue. He takes his hands out of his pockets and starts to unbutton his jerkin.

"Wait what? No," I stand up. "Why do they need to spar. Just practice on me, Fitz."

"Sit down, and shut up," Fitz says, without even looking at me.

I'm taken aback at his harshness to the point where I don't even see Keefe grab the collar of his shirt.

"Hey man, your attitude has been really pissing me off," Keefe says, a vein popping out on his neck.

Fitz swings his fist and I cover my eyes to scared to see what happened. But I don't hear an impact. I look up and see Keefe catching his fist. Fitz growls and jumps back, preparing for an attack.

"Mr. Forkle, stop this," I exclaim as I see Fitz pull out his dagger.

"Ms Foster, I think they both need to do this," he says and I notice the girls and Dex agree with him.

Keefe's back flexes through the shirt he has on as he grabs Fitz's arm, preventing him from stabbing him. His other arm swings up, his uppercut knocking Fitz away. This needs to stop. Every hit Fitz tried to land, Keefe just counterattacks. But Fitz gets more and more angry.

"Enough!" I yell, knocking Fitz's dagger away with my telekinesis.

They both stop, looking over at me. Fitz clicks his tongue first, walking away from us all.

"I think I should probably follow him," Biana sighs running after him.

"See you guys," Dex says going along with her.

They all leap away, leaving only me, Keefe, Rayni, and Mr.Forkle.

"Well this was great!" Rayni says, grabbing her bag, "but I think I'm gonna go home since the drama finished."

"You two, Don't leave yet," Forkle says as she leaps away.

I walk over to Forkle, who has Keefe on his other side. I avoid eye contact with him.

"Keep your minds open to me, what is discussed cannot be repeated to anyone else. Do you understand?" Forkle says.

We both nod. I close my eyes, opening my mind to the communication line he opened up.

What's up? Keefe asks.

The Neverseen has been spotted. Forkle says.

I gasp. What do you mean? You guys found them?

They don't know we did. They are in hiding in the moment, but we need to make a move soon before they leave. He says, surprising me.

You're not one to make rash decisions, what's the rush? I ask him.

I'm not the type. He says. But my undercover source told me now is the time to make a move.

What undercover source? Why have I not been told this! I feel my anger bubble up.

Calm down Ms Foster, no one has been told this except me. Not even the Collective knows. We can talk about this after, but I need you to assemble a team to go with you tomorrow night. He says.

The anger does not dissipate but I set it aside.

How many people are we looking at? Keefe asks.

I need at least five of you guys. I will come as well. And along with some other people I have in mind. Who is your 5 Ms Foster?

I bite my lip in thought. I think about what we will need— even if it might make people upset. Tam, Biana, Keefe, Marella, and Dex.

You do not want to take Ms Rayni? He asks surprised.

Too much of a risk. If they get a hold of her... Tam would never forgive me. They would probably probe her mind. She wouldn't forgive me either.

He bums in understanding. Okay, then the Operation is on. Meet me by the cave near your home. Please prepare for tomorrow. And I will alert everyone you chose, so get a good nights sleep. Please.

He breaks off the connection and we all look at each other in mutual agreement.

"Goodbye."