Sophie had been through much more than any girl her age should have.

There was only so much water a dam could hold before the cracks began to show. Before the contents became too great for the container and the pressure built until it couldn't. And for her, that container was nearly full. Just barely teetering on the edge of a complete mental breakdown. But Sophie was a strong girl.

There wasn't a thing in the world that could get more than a tear from from her. That was a lie, Sophie wept when Carlitos got away from Molly and ran into the road. She wept when they had to bury said Retriever, and she wept now when Edd and Molly never came home.

There wasn't an explanation, and barely even a reason. They'd known that Felix was drunk while making the attempt at driving them home, but that was it. All Sophie was given was that her younger brother and sister were 'missing'. That the eleven and nine year old would be found before the end of the month. Told by Jack and Rosemary themselves that everything was going to be just fine.

And she'd believed them. Believe every little false reassurance and welcomed every false hope with open arms. The three of them were all in near full blown denial. Yet they held strong, both for themselves, as well as Edd and Molly.

Along came the funeral with two empty caskets.

Most days after that for Sophie were spent alone in her room. She didn't particularly want to talk to anyone, even her remaining family. It was best for her to just deal with it by herself. And the easiest way for her to cope, Sophie found, was to sneak out after dark. She'd lock the door every time she left of course, knowing her family's luck the world's most patient burglar would be just around the corner.

Just where she'd go was a toss up between two things. Either she'd wander somewhat close by, before eventually passing out in the treehouse Jack had helped her and Edd build, or she'd go to a friend's house.

Tonight, she'd mixed the two.

She invited a friend over to spend the night in her treehouse.