The Outsiders meet elves: A Keeper of the Lost Cities crossover a Sophitz story

Chapter 65 - Johnny

I was trapped. Black, jagged, emptiness, swirled around me, leaving me lost and broken. I don't know who I am.

Hello? It's Sophie. I heard a voice.

Hello? I called out, trying to find the voice's source. I haven't heard of Sophie, have I? I don't know, it's all mixed up. I remember a girl, with green-gray eyes, that danced. I remember her laugh was melodious. I don't remember who she was, just that she's important. Amazing.

Where are you? I heard a voice.

Here. I called, Where are you?

Here. I saw a blonde girl, reaching out, trying to reach me. I don't remember her, but I know she's someone I can trust. I reached out for her hand, but the jagged shards ripped us away from each other. I saw different shards, each with a picture. All with that girl, with the dancing eyes. I saw one, she was stroking my cheek, trying not to cry.

"Please, don't go back to them." she whispered, "Stay with me. I don't want you to get hurt."

The shard was whisked away, replaced by another one.

"I dig Evelyn. She's cool." whispered a boy with blond hair. "Ya should've let us meet her earlier." The girl with dancing eyes is sitting with a girl with dark eyes.

The shard flew away. The girl with dark eyes, she's an important part of my life. I wish I knew who she was. The blond boy. He feels like a brother, but not quite. I wish I knew who all these people were. I need to know. The blackness feels like it'll swallow me.

We need to find his nook. It'll be lighter. I found it before. I heard a voice. It sounded like the blonde girl, from earlier.

Is this it? It's the girl with dancing eyes. I know it. Her voice, I want to respond. But I'm trapped.

Yes. It's the blonde. Come on.

Transmitting time. And inflicting time.

I felt warmth, not enough to pull me out of this. I try, but I slip, falling into the blackness.

Please, Johnny. I need you. The whole gang needs you. Dal really freaked out, when you left. He thought you were dead. You're not, though. You're gonna come back. I'm Johnny. I need her. I need those dancing eyes. I love you. I love you, Tess. Tess has the dancing eyes. I grabbed the rope of warmth. Joy. Happiness. Love.

I'm out of the blackness. I'm in the Curtis' house. Tess and Sophie are near me.

"I love you too, Tess." I whispered.

Tess removed her fingers from my temples, and looked at me in shock.

"I love you." I repeated.

"Johnny." she sobbed, hugging me close. She buried her face in my neck. I gently wrapped my arms around her. I love her so much. So, so much. "I love you so much." she whispered.

I pulled away from her embrace, and kissed her. Slow, sweet, tender. I missed her so much.

"Get a room!" Steve yelled.

"Steve!" Sophie shouted, "You ruined the moment!"

"So?" Steve asked.

"They were having a moment." Linh said gently.

I shook my head. "Steve will always be Steve."

"You got that right." Tess murmured, leaning her head against my shoulder.

"I don't want to see any PDA!" Steve shouted, "It's gross!"

"It's not like we don't see you doing that with Evie!" Tess shouted.