<Keefe's POV>

As I strained to open my eyes - unsuccessful - I heard lots of tangled voices forming, whispering rather disturbing things, before I fell back into unsettling slumber...

It went something like this...

"He's not ready yet," a deep voice says. 

"The flasher is more powerful, right?" a lady's voice sounds.

"He's definitely powerful, although this one should be alright,"

"Was heartbreak the right emotion?"

"For sure. Though we need to do something about the Vacker boy -"

"We already amplified his emotions, especially anger..." This voice cuts in.

"The emotions make him frenzied, then we can harness the power." A new voice informs them, "the blonde girl manifested a new ability- empathy, but it's her telepathy we want, right?"

"Yes, but sooner or later, we will have to -"

CRASH!

A loud crash sounded through the room I'm in, rousing me to consciousness fully.

"UGH! You idiot! What'd you have to tip the dresser over for?!" The deep voice chides angrily.

"Sorry! This place is half renovated into a conservatory, you know!" The new voice apologises.

"Someone's coming! Go!" the lady's voice whispers urgently.

Then, the voices fade away.

"Keefe, are you okay?" An urgent voice makes me open my eyes.

Sophie!

I momentarily forget that she's the one who caused this mysterious, painful sleep.

Thus so, I sit up in my bed (Oh, I'm in Havenfield)- not a great thing to do if you realise you've been lying down for a few days straight and probably hair a serious case of bed head- ugh thank God Ro's not here to call me Lord Funkyhair.

Either way, I hide the wince I hold back as I yawn and stretch comically. Ugh, my bones feel like crumpled paper.

Then, I am consequently attacked by a Flying Foster Tornado.

Also, it's not a great recommendation for previously bed ridden people**

I open my eyes and gently hug her back.
Then I stiffen, remembering Fitz.. and... her.. My chest tightens as my grip falls slack.

She finally pulls away, and I see her face glistening with tears.

"Woah there, Foster. I sense some serious tension and stuff radiating of you right now..." I say half heartedly playfully.

She averts her eyes and says to me, "Keefe, it's not what you think it is, I-I can explain,"

I bite my lip and gesture for her to continue.

She takes a deep, shaky breath, shuts her eyes hard, opens them again, and then says, " Okay, so, Fitz.. spiked the bracelet he gave me with a love potion. A very strong one. I couldn't help going to his Winnowing Gala, and- and I'm sorry I kissed him. But its really not his fault. Please, Keefe, forgive me.."

The old worry crease between her eyebrows crinkled over, making me painstakingly reach out to smoothen it gently.

I grit my teeth, "This is hard to believe... but okay. Just promise me you won't take anything from him anymore. He's dangerous. there's something seriously not right with him. The Fitz I know would never do that."

Sophie nods her head, and explains to me how he'd been manipukated and evfyones emotions have been felt a hundred times stronger.

I frown, "You sure?"

She purses her lips, giving me her glare, "Yeah!"

"Okay, okay, I believe you,"

I stroke her hair, still propped up against the bed painfully. Pondering deeply, I ask her the question that's been bugging me:

"Foster, what happened in the last few days?"

She looks at me. Her previously calmed expression turns back to a troubled, conflicted one.

"I-I'll sum it up for you," she starts, "So, you collapsed in front of my house after thinking I cheated on you. Then I strangely  manifested a new ability, and unsurprisingly, it's stronger than usual empathy, although yours may be more, I really don't know. So, because of that, I'm on house arrest. Then.." her voice chokes into a sob.

"T-then... we just found out Wylie's kidnapped again. And this time we don't have any leads..."

My eyes widen. I've never been a huge fan of Wylie: very serious, study maniac, trauma kid, heartbreaker to Linh...
But all the same, I feel upset.

"What happened?!" I ask, concerned and seriously wishing I could jump outta bed.

Sophie pinches the bridge of her nose and sighs, "That snobbish girl Phoenix, Wylie's new girlfriend, he was last seen with her,"

"Oh.."

"The rest are checking the registry, leaping records, and investigating the area," Sophie informs me.

"I wish I could go," she adds on, grumbling.

I run my finger across her hand, "Hey, Foster. You have me, I have you."

At she's hides her face in her hands again, "I wish you'd just be mad at me or someone. Being so forgiving and nice and stuff, it just makes me feel so.. so ashamed and stupid."

"You'll never me stupid to me. Just don't do this again. Be careful. The world isn't safe." I warn her.

She nods grimly. Then she sits up, like she's been shocked, "Oh! I just remembered: the rest ate upstairs right now. Fitz just.. um.. told me what happened to him- the emotions thing- and he hailed everyone, and I think the Collective, Grady, Edaline, Alden, Della and the bodyguards are coming. Perhaps the Council,"

I raise a brow, "Okay.. can I follow?"

She squints at me as if contemplating intensely inwardly.

"Can you stand up?" She asks finally.

I muster up some strength and push myself out of bed...

"CRAMP CRAMP OW-" I screech extremely loudly.

Sophie's eyes widen and grabs my arm to support me.

Then, unexpectedly, Fitz barges in, "What happened?"

There's no trace of resent, malice, or anger in his eyes, thankfully. And he concernedly helps Sophie support me.

"Hey dude, you finally awoke," he smirks at me.

I feel relaxed: this is the Keefe I know.

I smirk back and say, "Nah, I was just getting some extra beauty sleep."

Sophie and Fitz exchange a totally "friend" look as Sophie rolls her eyes at me.

"The council is here," Fitz mutters to Sophie. "Can Keefe go?" He adds hopefully.

"Yup, I guess so. Not like we have much of a choice," she replies.