The Neverseen's Last Resort

33

Keefe

Keefe and watched as the council turned smaller and smaller, disappearing into darkness of the caves. 

Two days ago, he, Fitz, and Edaline had gone to the council with the papers they'd discovered hidden in Sophie's room. It had taken longer than Keefe had wanted to actually do something, but at least they weren't being forced to study for Foxfire or plan back at home. At least this way, they had a job equal to the council's, though not as dangerous. 

While the council ran off to find Biana, Keefe and Fitz had been tasked with finding information on the sketch. What did the Neverseen have to do with a flower? And how had they never seen the flower? Theories spiraled through Keefe's mind, each one crazier than the last. But he pulled himself back to reality, needing to focus on the mission.

As soon as the council was out of sight, the two boys ran in the direction of the back entrance to the caves-- an entrance not many knew about. The only reason the council had know-- about that, and the hideout itself-- was because of the symbol they'd found. Similar to the lodestar pattern, the throwing star-like symbol had actually been directions to the main hideout. 

How Sophie had had access to such secret information in the first place was a mystery, but Keefe swore the second he saw Sophie again, he'd ask her. Well, after he gave her the biggest hug and hugest apology, followed by an awkward explanation about the vague note he'd left before he'd run away. Then, Sophie could do whatever it was she wanted: hit him, curse him, hug him, cry-- and Keefe would be her shoulder if necessary--, and he'd answer any questions she had.

Then, and only then would he ask her about the pattern and the flower. Hopefully, she could tell them about the flower before it was too late. Because despite how frail and delicate the flower looked, Keefe couldn't help but feel it had something to do with the Neverseen's biggest and *baddest plan yet. 

"I don't hear anything," Fitz whispered, and Keefe blinked back to reality once again. Listening, he too decided it was safe and followed his friend into the dark caves. Though he had no idea what the entrance's side was like, he was sure they'd gotten the worse side. In the cave, seeing was almost as impossible as the thought of warmth, reminding Keefe to readjust his cape in hopes to cover his freezing hands. 

Having a cave in the artic in the middle of winter was a horrible idea, though, winter was ending now. But that didn't help their case. 

"We didn't think to bring any light, did we?" Fitz sighed through chattering teeth, and Keefe gave a guilty shrug.

"No, but I'm freezing." 

"What about temp regulation?" Fitz asked. 

"Oh, yeah!" Keefe said, snapping. And the warmth of the friction spread throughout his body until he had stopped shivering. It was still chilly, but now, it felt as though a spring chill was just passing through.

"Much better," Keefe said, keeping his hands clutched to the rusty rails that led down the caves. They were about the height of his waist, and through the darkness near the entrance, he knew they were a rusted yellow. But now that they were deeper, if he let go, he doubted he'd ever be able to find it. 

"Just follow the rails," Fitz instructed, and Keefe nodded-- before remembering Fitz couldn't see him. 

"I know," he said after clearing his throat, which was scratchy from the cold. 

The heavy, bothering silence lasted for about seven minutes before Keefe got bored. 

"So," he asked, "how do you think the council found this place just from the symbol?"