Sophie shouted through the house, “I’m home!” After being strangle-hugged by Edaline, she looked around. “Hey Mom, where’s Grady?” “Hmm, I think he’s up on the residential level,” Edaline answered, as if confused on why Grady was up there. “Ok, thanks,” Sophie said, also a bit puzzled. Upstairs, she found Grady pacing in her room, muttering things like “This isn’t like him . . . . why is he doing this . . . . Sophie will be devastated . . . ” Sophie chose that moment to step into the room. “What will devastate me?” Grady visibly jumped. “Nothing! Why do you ask?” he said, looking nervous. “Please don’t lie to me, Grady, I know there’s something.” “Um. . . . It was a boy?” “Please. That’s all you can tell me?” Grady sighed. “Yes, he asked me not to tell you. That boy.” “Aha! So it’s Keefe! Oh wait. . . you said I’d be devastated . . .” she trailed off, then sighed. “Now what did Keefe do?” Grady handed her an envelope. “He left this for you. Just let me leave the room before you read it.” A little suspicious, Sophie agreed. Once he had left, she opened the letter. To The Mysterious Miss F! Ugh- I'm already regretting starting this letter that way. But I don't have any extra paper, and crossing it out would look worse, so........ I guess we'll just have to add it to my list of mistakes. And I know you're going to think that everything I'm about to say should also be on that long list of Keefe fails. But I swear- that's NOT what this is. I'm not trying to fix everything or save everyone this time. I'm just trying to make sure I don't hurt anyone. I can't tell you more than that without putting you in danger, so just........ trust me when I say that the powers my mom gave me are super bad. There seriously aren't strong enough words to explain how horrible they are. AND I CAN'T control them- just like I can't stop my mom from forcing me to use them. So..........this is the only way. I don't want to do it. But I have to. And I'm not going to ask you not to hate me. In fact, it might be better if you do, because I need you to PROMISE that you won't try to find me. My mom will be waiting for you to track me down- and since I know how stubborn you are, I want to make sure you understand who you'd be putting in danger. I'm going to be hiding the same way the Black Swan hid you. That's why you have to stay away. Well, there are lots of reasons. So again, please, just........ trust me, okay? And since this is the last time I'll ever talk to you, I just...... I want to say that I'm really going to miss you. You mean a lot to me, Foster. More than you'll ever know. Please be careful. Please be happy. And PLEASE forget all about me. It'll be better for everyone that way. You'll see. Love, Keefe As she finished the letter, something clicked. “Did I know? Did I suspect?” Yes, she realized, she had. Keefe had always loved her the same way Fitz did. A tear trailed down her cheek.
story in instructions
