A/n: Sorry about the cliffhanger... and the short chapter... and the wait... I'll make it up with this one, I promise! Please don't hate me...

Please read the author's note on Chapter 2 before you read this chapter, or else you might get a little confused.

Fitz was clearly thrashing, and trying to scream. Even with his breathing control, it was only a matter of minutes before he drowned, considering his level of panic. Sophie lunged for him, but someone- or something- yanked her back. Judging by the shadows restraining her friends,  the same Shade killing Fitz was also keeping them back.

Sophie thought about using her infliction on the Shade, but then decided against it. She couldn't target under normal circumstances, much less while someone was murdering her boyfriend and the target was unknown, possibly not even there.

Just as Fitz's face started to turn purple, the shadows ceased, seemingly contained in a bubble. Fitz pulled himself up, gasping for breath. A spear of shadowflux suddenly materialized, aiming for his heart. Thinking desperately, Sophie took a step forward and a beach umbrella raised into the air, shattering as the spear hit it. But the spear was gone, luckily, and all sighs of shadow had vanished, slinking back to their master, to try another day. She turned to the shadow in the bubble, which was still thrashing to get out. Only a hydrokinetic could do something like that, and a powerful one at that.

"Linh?" Sophie asked.

"No," a soft voice said behind her. 

She turned and saw a girl with long brown hair, extending past her shoulder blades, light colored skin, and eyes that seemed to flash from color to color. "My name is Star. I just noticed that you were struggling and tried to help..."

"Thank you," Sophie said. "You saved Fitz's life."

"Fitz? As in... Fitz Vacker? Wow. And you must be... Sophie?"

"Yeah. This is Biana and Keefe."

"That's... so cool!"

Sophie shrugged, a little embarrassed. "Thank you."

"It was nothing."

"Uh, guys, sorry to break up the Starphie friendship thing-"

Sophie and Star both turned to glare at Keefe. "No." Sophie said. "Just no."

"Whatever. But, uh, we need to get rid of that." He pointed at the shadows in the bubble."

"Oh, sorry," Star said. She lifted her hands up and the bubble rose. Taking back her arms and flinging it in an arc worthy of a Major League Baseball pitcher, it flew far away.

She dusted her palms off on her legs. "I'm just glad I could help you guys. You're awesome."

"Guys, we need to figure out who did it so we can take them out."

"Theory number one: Bangs Boy is a secret spy for the Neverseen."

Sophie glared at him. "Why do you hate Tam so much? Maybe it was Umber."

A/n: If you're confused and like, "Umber died! Everyone knows Tam's with the Neverseen," READ THE CHAPTER 2 AUTHOR'S NOTE ALREADY!!!

"Uh... guys? I don't know if I'm getting the wrong ideas, but why did they go for just Fitz? They could've killed all of you," Star commented.

"That... is weird..." Biana said. "I can't think of a Shade who would have a grudge against Fitz and Fitz alone."

"Unless they were trying to threaten Sophie and send a message," Keefe interjected.

"I think they're past that point... maybe? Honestly, I don't know." Sophie said. "I'll talk to Mr. Forkle."

Star raised her hand. "Do you think Mr. Forkle would mind if I helped you guys?"

Sophie smiled at her. "Are you kidding? We need all the help we can get. I'll talk to him when I meet with him. In the meantime, hail me if you need anything."

She smiled. "Of course."

A/n: No cliffhanger this time... maybe it's for the best. See you soon!

P.S. I want to know what your favorite KOTLC character is! I like Linh :-)