9 No More Time For Doubts (1/2)
Ms. Ipruk slowly begins to open her eyes. Once she notices Sophia's presence she hugs her tightly. ”Sophie! You're okay! I am so very sorry. This teacher did not want things to turn out this way.”
”I'm fine. I'm glad to see you're back now. You had me super worried!” Sophia lightly scolds but clings tighter.
”I really am sorry. I owe you many explanations but let's get up from the ground and finish up here.”
”You're right.” Sophia let's go and dusts herself off from the ground. ”We should take this… Evidence right?”
”We can take one of the vials but let's not touch those eyes. Even if they're not 'dangerous' anymore, I'd rather be safe. Besides, it doesn't matter, we already know they're here and that they were used.”
Sophia nods in agreement and takes one of the empty vials and picks up some of the notes on the ground. They leave the room since there's not much else they need from here.
Outside the creepy pathway, they start making their way back up to the library through the trap door. For Sophia its easy, since she can fly up but, she needs to help Ms. Ipruk up as well. It's not too high up but high enough that it's annoying.
”Oof. Thank you dear. I'm still a little drained from earlier.”
”...”
”Yes?”
”Explanation. Now.”
”Here? Now? Oh, alright then, aha! Well. I was searching the library for old records that might shed light on anything. But, I couldn't find anything useful to this case. Then, I tripped over the trap door. It was slightly opened. I was curious so I went down. The real challenge was getting inside the 'secret room'. It was blocked by a powerful magical barrier. I spent almost half an hour just trying to break it!”
Half an hour to break a barrier spell is not unheard of but for Ms. Ipruk, it should not take that long. She is a legend after all. So it can only mean that it was a pretty strong spell.
”Once I did, I started looking around and imagine my shock! I try to think the best of people but I should of been more doubtful. I should of been more suspicious and done something. Who knows how many innocent people got hurt because of these horrifying creations.”
”Ms. Ipruk, it's not your fault. It's not your job to fix everything wrong in the world. Let's just do our best now.”
She gave her a huge smile. Almost like a proud parent, ”You're right as always, Sophie. I don't know what I'd do without you!”
”Yes. Yes. I know your life would be significantly awful without me but you still owe me more explanations!”
”You do deserve the truth.” She gives a deep sigh, preparing herself, ”I noticed something off about the secret room. I knew someone was in there. It had to be a lost spirit! I tried talking to them but I couldn't get a response. So, I…”
”You let them possess you? Why? How?”
”Do you remember what I said about Spiritual Magic? Well, I wasn't completely honest. There's a way to use it without having to sacrifice part of your soul and life energy. It's not very is stable. When I sensed the spirit, I tried to use it. It was supposed to be a simple spell where I let the spirit enter my dreamscape but because it was unstable it backfired on me! Instead, the spirit began to take control over my body. A forced possession. Before I lost complete control, I wrote that note and I tried to write it in a way that he wouldn't understand. Ancient Fae is something not many people know, but you know it. I messed up but as long as you're here, I knew you would get the job done.”
Sophia stays silent for a long tense moment. But once she speaks again she doesn't hold back. ”I'm so angry! Ms. Ipruk how could you be so reckless?! You didn't just leave me to clean up your mess but, carelessly risked your safety! What if something bad happened to you! What if I never saw you again! What would I even do-”
Ms. Ipruk gently puts her hand on her shoulder. ”I'm sorry for not considering your feelings and lying. I was trying to- no, that doesn't matter. Sophia… Do you still trust me? Even though, I'm not always right.”
”That's an absurd question. I trust you because you're not always right. You're not always right, but you're very real.”
”Thank you, Sophia. Sometimes I feel that I don't deserve your loyalty.”
”Of course you do! And I'll even forgive you. Just this once,” she playfully winks but then says more seriously, ”Just don't lie to me about important things. Please… be more careful.” Sophia wipes her eyes, when did she start crying? How pathetic. These tears are real as well.