ALL IN. sokeefe.

Gisela's cold, calculating gaze swept over them, the corners of her mouth twitching into a smile that sent a shiver down Sophie's spine. "I didn't expect you to make this so easy, Keefe," she purred, her voice silky smooth, as if they were discussing something trivial. "But here you are. Always so predictable."

Sophie's breath caught in her throat. She could feel the weight of Gisela's presence, the suffocating pressure building in the air between them. But it wasn't just Gisela. Standing just behind her, wearing a smug, too-calm expression, was Gethen—the one person Sophie had hoped to avoid more than anyone else. Her father.

He stood with his arms crossed, his sharp eyes fixed on Sophie, and though he didn't say a word, the look in his eyes made Sophie's stomach twist. Keefe's hand tightened around Sophie's, his fingers cold and trembling. She glanced at him, feeling his tension radiate off him, his jaw clenched in fury. 

But she wouldn't let him face this alone. Not again.

"You're not taking us down that easily," Keefe said, his voice low but determined, his gaze never wavering from his mother.

Gisela raised an eyebrow, her smile still present but no less chilling. "Oh, Keefe. You always did like to put up a fight. But it's over now. You should know that. You can't win this one."

Sophie's heart hammered against her chest, panic building, but she forced herself to stay calm. They had to keep moving. She couldn't let Gisela get the upper hand.

"What do you want, Gisela?" Sophie managed to ask, her voice sharp despite the fear crawling up her spine. 

Gisela's gaze flicked to Sophie, her eyes narrowing. "It's simple, really. You've been a thorn in my side for far too long. You've ruined everything I've been trying to build. And Keefe—" She glanced at her son, her expression shifting just slightly. "Well, he's always been more trouble than he's worth. But I thought... perhaps with some motivation, he might come to his senses."

Sophie's blood ran cold. There it was again. Gisela's manipulative tone, the sense of control she thought she had over everything—Keefe, Sophie, their lives, their choices. It made Sophie's insides churn. His mother was trying to tear him apart. Again.

Keefe took a step forward, defiance in every line of his body. "I'll never go back to you," he spat, his voice sharp. "Not after everything you've done. And if you think for one second that I'm afraid of you or your stupid organization, you're wrong."

Gisela's smile didn't falter. If anything, it deepened. "You were never meant to be afraid of me, Keefe. You were meant to be with me. But since you're being so difficult, I suppose I'll have to take a different approach."

Sophie's breath hitched. "Keefe—let's go." she said, trying to pull him back toward the door, away from Gisela and Gethen. Her fingers were still entwined with his, but he wouldn't budge.

Keefe's eyes never left his mother's. "No. I'm not running. Not this time. We end this now."

He looked at Sophie, his expression softening just for a second, as if to reassure her. But the moment passed quickly, and his gaze hardened again.

Before Sophie could respond, Gethen moved. His steps were silent, smooth—like a predator closing in on its prey. Sophie barely had time to react as he positioned himself in front of the door, blocking their escape. His smirk was too knowing, too confident, as if he had anticipated their every move.

"You're not going anywhere," he said softly, his voice like ice, his eyes gleaming with malice.

Sophie's chest tightened. There was no way out. No way to escape.

"We'll see about that," Keefe growled, his voice low and dangerous.

"I'd like to see you try to run," Gisela said with a soft chuckle. "You're trapped. All of you. There's nowhere to go. "

Sophie could feel the panic bubbling up in her chest, threatening to choke her. But she refused to give in. She wouldn't let Gisela break her, not now. Not after everything her and her friends had been through at her hand. Not after everything the Neverseen had done—everything Gisela's new organization had done.

"Who are you with?" Sophie asked calmly, eyeing Gisela. "Because I know you're not with the Neverseen." Gisela's face tightened slightly at Sophie's words, darting a glance at Gethen. "I don't know what you're talking about." Gisela hissed, a slight edge of worry in her tone. 

Gethen slid his eyes to Gisela, moving away from his position at the door. "Explain." He said sharply, eyes narrowing. Gisela's eyes widened slightly as she looked around the room—as if searching for an escape route. "Well?" Gethen pressed, skepticism gleaming in his eyes. "Answer the Moonlark's question." 

"If she speaks truthfully..." Gethen's voice trails off meaningfully. "Well, that'd beg to the question—who are you with, if not the Neverseen?" 

Gisela rolled her eyes. "Why would she speak truthfully? Can't you see she's attempting to drive us apart so my inane son can escape with her?"

Gethen's face remains deathly calm. "Answer the question." He tilts his head menacingly, his hand hovering over the dagger sheathed at his hip. "Unless you have something to hide?" His face remained a cool mask as Sophie slowly tugged Keefe toward the doorway. 

Gisela and Gethen were too absorbed in their silent standoff to notice the two of them inching further away. 

"Something to hide?" She scoffed, a scowl twisting Gisela's features. "I am Neverseen, through and through." Gisela narrowed her eyes at Gethen. "But you..." She purred, prowling closer to him. "Can you say the same? After all, you gave your DNA to the Black Swan. You fathered the Moonlark."

Gethen paled, spinning around to face Sophie. She stood, unaffected as he looked between her and Gisela—unsure of who to speak to first. 

Sophie tilted her head. "Yeah, Dad. Why'd you give away your DNA to a rival organization? MIss Creepyface has a great point."

( a / n ! — hope you guys like the new chapter !! i'm gonna try to update more... seriously this time. i've just been really busy with school and lost a bunch of motivation. i don't really think anyone's reading this anymore, but i'll finish it because... i mean... i have to. i used to beef with people on watty who didn't finish their fics. can't be a hypocrite !! i still want to take this fic down, tho. it's genuinely so cringy. i guess i was 13 when i started it... but still. remember to vote && comment loves !! )