Swan Song

Chapter Thirty Eight

So, I somehow managed to skip this chapter because I'm a mOrOn- anyway, here you go.

So, a lot of my reviewers have said "You predicted the coronavirus!" But actually, I really didn't. When I was planning this whole thing out, I was researching the most effective methods of human extinction (this week's episode of "My search history: I swear I'm a writer!"), and there seemed to be an agreement that a virus would work the best, so that's what I wrote.

I just managed the details better after a real pandemic came around and I knew more about epidemiology.

Enjoy!

The buzz of chatter around the room faded, and Sophie couldn't help but tug at an eyelash when she realized that everyone was staring at her. "What?" she almost whined, sounding very leader-ish.

"What do you think we should do?" Stina asked.

"Why are you asking me?" Sophie protested. After all, Mr. Forkle was there- he was the official leader! Sophie was just a teenage girl.

"Because you're the moonlark," Glimmer answered, like it was obvious. Maybe it was.

"That doesn't mean I'm qualified to make these decisions!" Sophie pulled out another eyelash, wanting to scream. She took a deep breath before she actually did start screaming. "What do you guys think we should do?"

"I think we should fight them," said Keefe, looking almost happy about it. Sophie reminded herself that his mother's death had definitely made him more reckless and looking for a fight. She made a mental note to talk to him later.

"I think we should only do that if it's our last option," Sophie said, trying to keep her voice calm. A small part of her noticed that she was definitely acting like a leader now- it seemed like she didn't have a choice. She didn't ask to become the moonlark, she didn't ask for this responsibility, but she had it. So she might as well do a good job of acting like a leader.

Keefe rolled his eyes. "We already know that we're going to go through all of the other options, and none of them are going to work, and we're going to end up fighting anyway. I'm just saving us time."

"For once, I actually agree with Keefe," Tam said. Linh gave him an incredulous (and slightly teasing) look.

Sophie locked her hands together tightly to resist pulling out another eyelash. "You have a bit of a point, but if we fight and it goes horribly wrong, I'll spend the rest of my life feeling guilty and wishing that we had at least thought of another option." Transmitting, she added I know you're upset about your mom, Keefe, but please don't let that make you reckless again. You're mom wanted you to make these sort of decisions... and I want just the opposite.

Keefe let out a long sigh and glanced at her. She stared back. Okay, he transmitted finally, and Sophie wanted to cheer and hug him and maybe even kiss him, but she kind of had to act professional.

"So, that date that Fintan said, with the elvin calendar... you're probably all aware that I don't know much about the elvin world, so when exactly is it? Just so I have sort of a timeline."

Everyone else in the room glanced at each other, clearly uncomfortable. Sophie was just about to ask why, when Fitz spoke up. "It's... well... it's in about three days."

Despite there being adults in the room, adults who could definitely punish her, Sophie couldn't help but yell out a lot of words that she definitely shouldn't say. Three days?! Keefe's recklessness seemed a little more appealing- she was somewhat doubtful that fighting would work with so little time to prepare! Any other solution was hopeless.