The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (Fanfic) - Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven - Josh Newman

Josh glanced at Sophie.
The were sitting on the bench for a very long time now, while savage howls echoed through the streets.
But Sophie, was sound asleep, snoring slightly from time to time, and twitching her nose. Josh squeezed Sophie’s hand tightly, and she snapped awake.
“Do you think this is really going to keep the body safe?” Josh whispered and pointed at Nicholas. His body was absolutely covered with ice, blocks of it, that he and Sophie have created.
“Hmmm...” Sophie murmured. “I have no idea,” she whispered hoarsely.
“We’ve been waiting here forever... When will they be back?”
“Would you stop grumbling all the time? They’ll probably be back shortly.”
Sophie gazed sadly at the small ice mountain, and her gaze lingered on the open eyes, and the terror immortalized in them. Josh was peering at Sophie glumly, and knew regret washes her in torrents. Josh was the first one to distrust the Alchemist, and he still didn’t trust him.
But he never wanted him dead.
Josh shuffled himself to crouch near the body, wrapping his arms around his knees, and laying his head on them.
“Do you think Scatach and Billy got the watch by now?” he asked Sophie.
“Yes, I bet they did. What’s with all the questions?”
“I don’t know...” Josh mumbled. “I’m just really curious. Do you think there is a leygate to the holy land?”
“Probably...” Sophie tilted her head up, and a faint yet audible whimper escaped her lips. When Josh turned to look at her, he saw her eyes were glistening with tears.
“Sophie...” Josh was shocked. His sister was never the crying type, not even when the worst had happened. The sudden change of her behavior this night, was very scary. “It’s going to be OK.”
“OK?” Sophie repeated his answer loudly. “OK? No, Josh. It is not OK.” Sophie’s voice rose to a shout.
“Actually, it’s not even in the same galaxy as OK!” Sophie pointed at Nicholas. “I killed him.”
“Sophie, Dee killed him! Stop blaming yourself!”
Josh winced back, and bumped into the small icicle as Sophie leaped from the bench and started screaming at him.
“Dee killed him?! Dee?! Who left him here?! Weak and hurt?! Me. Who abandoned him at the feet of one of the most dangerous beings on earth?! Me. Who backed away deliberately when he called for help?! Me!!!”
Sophie’s whole body was shaking from anger. Her hands were clenched into fists without her even realising it.
Josh was about to run away, when he suddenly froze.
“You aren’t the one to blame.” Perenelle appeared behind Sophie. causing her to swivel her head back in surprise.
The tall woman was holding the limp body of Machiavelli, and a small whisper escaped the barley conscious man.
“Help.”