after unlocked: a sokeefe fanfic

Chapter 41-Sophie

They walked for another twenty minutes, in the open, heat beating down on them, until the predicted tunnel going underground loomed in front of them.

An unspoken agreement passed between them, and Sophie transmitted to him, "If you remember anything, fill me in."

"You'll probably see it," Keefe shrugged. He took Sophie's hand and grinned cheekily. "Ready to know all my secrets?"

And they plunged into the darkness.

Sophie's eyes adjusted silently, at first seeing spots in the shadows from the rapid contrast. She squeezed Keefe's hand. "You okay, so far?"

"Haven't remembered anything yet, if that's what you're asking," he replied. "Patience. You'll probably see it, like I said."

Once her eyes adjusted, Sophie realized there were actually light sources in the tunnel, so faint that she hadn't seen them until now. The glow came from the many stalagmites and stalactites already appearing in the cavern.

Keefe hitched in a breath. "Whoa."

The formations surrounded them, dripping blue and white and purple and green and orange liquids to the ground. The unending sound of droplets hitting the ground followed them as they continued down the path.

Sophie readjusted her hand in Keefe's, reminding herself that he was there with her. And as long as they were together, even if they were both frightened, both kids, and both facing the unknown, they were safe.

Minutes ticked by, each one seeming longer the more the silence continued. Sophie longed to break it, the suffocating silence, the intense darkness, the ever growing fear in the back of both their minds.

Keefe paused.

"What?" She whispered.

Immediately, she regretted saying it instead of transmitting it.

The darkness swallowed her words instead of making them echo.

She wasn't sure which she preferred.

"Careful," he whispered back.

Ahead of them, another glow, brighter than the stalactites, lightened the shadows. As they padded forward, more tentatively this time, it brightened, until they stood next to a turquoise colored pool of water.

"Thirsty, Foster?" Keefe thought, attempting a joking grin.

Sophie didn't smile back.

"What is that?" She asked.

She pointed to the glint of something in the water and crouched down. Keefe copied her. They stared into the depths, focusing on the glints.

Keefe sucked in a breath.

"They're registry pendants," Sophie realized.

It sunk in a moment later.

Risking a look at Keefe, she saw her own disgust mirrored on his face. Disgust and horror and hate.

"Let's keep going," Keefe finally said and stood up.

They walked and walked and walked.

They walked past deep caverns, shrouded with shadows so dark, Sophie couldn't tell how deep they went.

She didn't want to know anyway.

"Uh, Foster," Keefe whispered. "Does it feel weird in here?"

"We shouldn't talk," Sophie transmitted.

He didn't reply, only looked at her expectantly  and dawning realization. "Did you just try to transmit to me?"

"I can't feel your emotions," he whispered.