The shadow girl

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: the beginning of the beginning

The early morning sunlight shines magnificently, as the front door of our mansion is locked. You see my mother works at the hospital so she wakes me up at 6 o'clock in the morning because she is the last person you would call quiet and quick. My father is an archaeologist working in Ancient Rome, and I have an hour until I need to go to school.

My mother always warns me not to go in my father's study, but since there's no one to stop me, I don't bother listening. The reason is because my father has a little door behind his cabinet which opens up into many strange rooms.

As I creep through the desolate corridors, searching for his study, I come across a stray, black cat. The cat snuggles against my leg as I stop and purrs loudly. And, being me, I pick her up ( well I'm assuming it's a female). Her warmth gives me a radiant feeling, lighting up the gloomy spaces around me.

I come to the cabinet and pull it forwards, just enough to squeeze over to the little door. I find the key still in its little socket and open the door to the rooms beyond it.

The cat is still nestling in my arms as I peer into each room. Finally, I come across something that interests me, it's a small room with shelves that are piled high with books. It's a nice, snug, little library.

Swiftly and silently, I walk over to a stand with a book placed upon it."The Tales of the Sandinista's." I read aloud. Opening the book, I read:
Sandinista's are people that have powers. They are the 5 elements, Fire, Water, Earth, Air and Shadow.

I turned over the page, finding that where they came from was a bit boring and hard to understand.

Fire
Sandinista's who possess the element Fire learn about it until they're 17 . On their 17th Birthday, the tiny sparks they used to make turn into raging flames. Those who can create them are normally loud, and strong-tempered. They like to be talking a lot of the time and be the centre of attention. They are the best at remembering things because they can speak to the flames.

Water
Those who can control Water can have enough power to flood a country and can control all the Oceans, but this can only happen once they have passed their 17th Birthday. These Sandinista's can see through the darkest oceans, control sea creatures and be able to breathe under water. Their personality is shy and creative and are very good at keeping secrets.

Earth
Sandinista's who can control earth are only able to create trees, soil and plants until their 17th Birthday, which is when they are able to speak and control land animals and create any plant and tree. They are normally bouncy and funny but will listen when wanted. They like creating things when least expected.

Air
The element Air is normally what most Sandinista's wish to have because before they are 17 they can still fly and make clouds but when they are 17 and over they can talk to flying animals and create tsunamis and normal thunderstorms. However, they can not control lightning because it is a rumour that only those of Shadow can. Air Sandinista's are silent sometimes but will voice their thoughts most of the time. They like to be alone at times but apart from that they love to be with friends.

Shadow
Sandinista's who posses the element Shadow are rare and once reached the age 17 become secretive and cut-off. They then leave to go to the Shadow base to claim a ranking and respect from their power-mates. Any other information we have been informed of has not been classified as true. Their powers and normal personality has disappeared from the Records of Elements.

Sounds like an amazing fairy tale. I think. Turning over the next page, expecting to see some sort of story. But to my surprise the page is blank. That's when the weird things started happening.

At first, only a low humming could be heard, but then darkness edged in to my vision until I was completely engulfed in it. I looked down at my hand, and to my surprise, I could see it as if  there was a sunbeam in it.

Then I was falling. I tried to scream, but nothing came out. Frightened and scared I eventually passed out, only to be woken by a hard surface colliding with my body. I looked up but I was still dazed and all I could see was white light. All I could feel was the black cat still in my arms, and I'm sure he spoke to me. It was just a couple words but it was enough to make me panic.

Not just a tale