Author's note: Yeah, I know it's been seven months since I've updated. I'm really sorry about that! I admit, that I had no inspiration or ambition to work on this story for a while. Things also got busy for awhile. My depression and anxiety acted up because I was recently diagnosed with social anxiey and something else. I was really depressed about that, but I promise I'm doing better. On a happy note, I did graduate high school. I'm looking forward to College this fall and I promise that this story will be completed.

Warnings: None

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for minor OCs.


(San Francisco, California)

"This place is a mess. Nicholas, where is the broom?"

"It's over here. Well, what's left of it."

Sophie stood at the bottom of the broken stairs, a cleaning apron over her pink button up shirt and denim jeans. She'd tied her blonde hair in a loose ponytail, a bottle of bleach in her hand and an old fashioned feather duster in the other. Nicholas looked down at her from the top of the broken stairs, holding the broken broom sheepishly. "We're going to need a new one," he continued on, tossing it aside. "Or maybe we have another one around lying somewhere.

She wrinkled her nose, the smell of moldy books reaching her nose. A clang from the other room sounded and Perenelle walked back in, her hair freshly washed and in a new pair of clothes. "The other broom's no good," she answered her husband. "And the mop is now in a pile of ashes near the sink."

"Well, that's not good."

She turned to Sophie, her emerald colored eyes sharp as the early noon sun hit her eyes. "Joan called Francis; he and Scatty are both on their way. Thank goodness she survived the fight with Dagon," her face had relaxed, allowing the signs of motherly worry show on her face. "And I think you should head home. Your family is probably waiting for you."

She tried not to let those words get to her, but she could feel her stomach begin to knot. "Aunt Agnes is worried; I know that," she smiled a little at the thought of her eccentric aunt. "Mom and Dad are gone, but that's nothing new." She didn't mention Josh; she didn't have the heart.

"We'll meet you at your home later," Perenelle said, not even giving a chance to explain why her aunt may not like that. "So go and rest a little, alright?"

"Alright. See you guys!"

She dashed off down the street, letting the warm June air caress her face. The once familiar streets seemed so different now. If she closed her eyes and focused, she could smell every restaurant and human scent, she could hear the sounds of birds chirping from at least two miles away, and even see a huge billboard that stood on the other side of town. Yet, everything was still the same. She was the one who had changed.

"Aunt Agnes is going to be furious that we didn't tell her where we went," she grumbled, stuffing her hands in her pocket. "And what am I going to tell her about Josh?"

She soon found herself at the door to her aunt's house, standing tentatively at the door. Taking in a deep breath, she opened the door. "Aunt Agnes, I'm-"

"SOPHIE MARIE NEWMAN! Where have you been?"

The old woman instantly pulled her inside, checking her over to see if she was intact. Or, if she really wanted to make sure that she was the real Sophie and not some imposter. "Hello Aunt Agnes," she sighed, forcing a smile to her face. "Didn't Mom and Dad tell you where I've been?"

"Yes, but is that the truth?" her aunt glared at her, not in a mean way, but in a scrutinizing way that made her feel exposed. "Where have you been?"

"Honestly, Mrs. Fleming was sick and Mr. Fleming needed someone to look after the house while he took her to the hospital, so Josh and I decided to keep house while they were away," she sat down at the tea table while her old aunt scurried around for cups. "I'm being honest, we were away taking care of the house."

If her aunt didn't believe her ,she said nothing. She set out two cups, placing one in front of her and then putting a plate of biscuits on the table. She then sat down, pouring some tea gracefully into her cup. For someone so old, she sure did know how to keep her balance. Maybe it was all that tea? "Have you been well?" the old woman asked. "You look very sad."

"I'm fine," she lied, putting on a smile. Keep it together Sophie. Just keep it together for an hour. She lectured herself, watching as her aunt mumbled something about reckless and irresponsible teenagers who don't have the curtsey to call their aunts every day to make them not worry. Sophie just sipped her tea, but it felt bland. "How have you been?"

"Worried sick," Aunt Agnes fretted. "I haven't heard from you, or your parents! Did Josh lose his phone? Speaking of which, where is he?"

Her throat caught in her mouth and she coughed, her aunt jumping at the sudden sound. She coughed for a few seconds, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "Sorry, I drank too quickly," she set the cup down. "Josh is still at the house. He lost his phone and he's been looking for it."

She didn't know what was sadder. The fact she had to lie to her aunt, or the fact that she was the worst one with coming up with lies that revolved around her missing twin. She looked down at the clothes Joan had given her when they arrived in San Francisco. While she liked them, they were a little dirty now. The destruction of the bookstore had made her smell like mold and ash, something that didn't blend together.

"Do you mind if I go shower? I'm afraid that I haven't been able to change clothes in a while and I kind of smell."

"Of course, dear," the old woman sighed, adding more milk to her tea. "Dinner will be ready at six. Please don't disappear again. I made Tuna Casserole; just the way Josh likes it. When will he be back?"

She fought back the tears, biting the inside of her cheek. "Soon, I think," she said, adding under her breath: "I hope."

She hurried up the stairs, into her brother's room and flopped down on his bed. She buried her face in the pillow, tears staining it as she cried quietly into it. It was pathetic. She'd been trained in three elemental magic's and still, all she could do was cry over her brother. A brother that had disowned her and hated her. Still, she loved him. She would always love her little brother. Even if he has lost the way.

She showered quickly, taking at least fifteen minutes before setting the clothes Joan got her on her own bed. She grabbed fresh clothes, more than happy to have her own wardrobe back. Nicholas and Perenelle had given her one day to rest and recuperate before finding someone to teach her earth magic.

"Sophie! Mr. and Mrs. Fleming are here. And some woman with short hair. What was your name again?"

She grabbed a brush, brushing her hair as she ran down the stairs. "Perry, Nick, Joan!" she called out, meeting them at the bottom. "What are you doing here?"

Perenelle smiled. "Didn't we say we would meet you later?"

She blushed. "Oh, yeah I guess you did," she noticed her aunt, who looked relatively calm in the company of strangers. Actually, now that she thought of it, it looked like her aunt…knew most of them. She was chatting with Nicholas like they were old friends. She stepped towards Perenelle, whispering to her. "Perenelle, what's going on? Do you guys know Aunt Agnes?"

Perenelle shook her head. "She actually sought us out many years ago. We've kept in contact ever since. Sophie, your Aunt isn't exactly who she says she is."

"What?"

Before Perenelle had a chance to say anything, a knock at the door sounded. They all jumped in surprise, Aunt Agnes walking towards the door cautiously and opened it. A tall, Asian man, possibly Japanese, stood at the door. He looked at them solemnly, a woman dressed in leather with bright red hair and freckles stood next to him, sunglasses on her face. Sophie couldn't stop the smile from forming on her face. "Scatty!" she called out, stepping towards the woman. "You're here! Really early, though. Where's Germaine?"

"Actually, I'm not Scathach," the woman removed her sunglasses, revealing smirking green eyes. "My name is Aoife of the shadows. And I want to know where my sister is."


(With Dee and Josh)

"It's so good to be back in San Francisco. I think once the Elders come back, planes will be the first to go."

Josh stared out the window of Dee's office in Enoch Enterprises. In his hands was a jar of Freyja's ashes, clenched tightly to the point where his knuckles turned white. He knew that she wanted her ashes thrown out to where the Valkyrie fortress had once been, but for now, the jar would have to suffice. He had no idea when he would have time to get to their homeland, and he still had to research where it was. If her sisters were still alive, and there was a slim chance they were, then he would have to ask him.

"Don't look so glum, Josh," Dee patted his shoulder, letting his hand rest there. "I know Flamel is here. Perenelle may have escaped and Machiavelli and Billy the Kid might be trapped on Alcatraz, but we'll get them shortly."

"And Sophie?" he asked, staring blankly out the window. "Is she there?"

"What do you think?"

He nodded, and the immortal stepped away and hummed a song as he walked over to his desk. Josh set the jar down, stepping over to the door. "Is there any place I can shower?" he asked. "I've been kind of wearing the same clothes for a few days."

"A few doors down, there's a bathroom. I ordered some clothes for you that I think will fit. They should be there."

He nodded, walking out the door to where the doctor said the bathroom would be. The bathroom was small, but not small enough to make him feel claustrophobic . The clothes were simple enough. Jeans, a t-shirt, a package of socks and underwear. Not the kind he preferred, but it would be weird if the doctor knew what brand he liked.

He sighed, thumping his head against the tile wall as hot water dripped down his back. He was tired; so very tired. Tired of fighting, tired of running. He was so upset with Sophie, who constantly acted and was treated like she was better than him. It had always been that way ever since he was a child. He would always claim that he loved her, but now, he wasn't so sure.

Staring down at the water that rushed down to the drain, he felt numb. The water was still very hot, but it didn't reach his core. Never before in his life had he felt so empty; so drained. Maybe it was all the magic he was learning and having to move around so much, but he knew that Sophie was the reason behind it. If he had the choice, would he go back and ignore his father's idea to work in a book shop? Why would he want to follow his father's example? It's not like the guy was ever really there for him.

No, he wouldn't think like that. His parents loved him; they always had. If he had the chance, he would not change anything. All his life, he was invisible while his sister received all the attention. He was shoved in the background; a person people would forget even existed. Well, not anymore. He was not going to be someone people could push around.

He was Josh Newman, bearer of a Gold aura, powerful than most of the immortals. And he was not going to be pushed around anymore.


Word Count: 2,163

Yeah, I know, it's not a very long chapter, but I'm just getting back into this story. I won't abandon it because I hate to abandon things that I know people are enjoying.