Broken

Reprimand

Sophie was sat underneath Calla's panakes tree, the wood pressing against her back a comforting pressure. She was not looking forward to this conversation.

"We agree to sleep on the matter, and then you go and put your life at risk without telling anyone??" Mr. Forkle's voice wasn't quite a yell, but any louder and it would've been. Sophie sprung to her feet under the tree.

"I wasn't just going to leave Keefe in the hands of the Neverseen!! Everybody was ready to let him suffer through another torturous night, wanting to get their own stupid beauty sleep while he was scared for his life. I couldn't sit around and let that happen!!" Her tone was near manic, but she couldn't bring herself to care in the slightest as she faced down the man in front of her.

"Sophie. I'm glad we have Mr. Sencen back. I genuinely am." Sophie conceded with a small nod. "But you cannot go on your own secret mission without telling anybody, even if it's to save your friend." Sophie opened her mouth to protest, but Forkle cut her off. "If you have a problem with the plan, express that in the future. Tell me, so that I can help you. If you insist on diving into danger, you need someone to cover your trail, okay? I can't say I always agree with your methods, but had you told me your plan I would've helped, despite our differing opinions on the matter."

His words settled the anger in her heart, and she slumped against the tree, arms crossed as she gazed down at the fallen panakes petals around her. "I'm sorry."

After a bit more reassurance and a simple farewell, Forkle left Sophie to herself underneath the flowering tree. She huffed out a sigh, noting for the first time that night that the sky was growing darker as the sun began its descent in the west. She stood up, brushing grass off of her leggings before walking to Havenfield.

"Keefe?" she asked when she opened the front door. No response. She cautiously crept up the stairs, gently cracking her door open. Despite her growing exhaustion, adrenaline peeked through her as she glanced around to check that everything was as it should be.

And it was! Except for one shadowed figure, hunched into a ball on the floor against the foot of her bed. "Keefe?"

He lifted his head, eyes bleary with exhaustion. "Hmm?"

"Sorry, I just wasn't sure where you were. You can sleep in here tonight if you want. I'll just be down the hall in the guest room."

"No no, it's fine. I'm just tired."

He started to stand up, but she stopped him with a hand to his shoulder. "Keefe, I'm serious. You'll feel more comfortable in here. I'll see you in the morning, okay?" He nodded, a small smile on his face as he took off his shoes, sleepily pushing himself onto her way-too-large bed.

"Wait, Sophie?" he asked, his voice small.

"Hmm?"

"...Thank you. For saving me. For coming to get me. I..." He trailed off, emotion thick in his voice.

She didn't have words strong enough to express her emotions. So she reached over and squeezed his hand, letting him feel them for himself. His eyes widened, and he smiled softly. "Goodnight, Keefe." She left his hand resting gently on her pillow, still smiling as his eyes fluttered shut.