Vanished (I LUV U.) - Abide With Me Book 1

Chapter 1 - Problems

First chapter, pare! Eto na talaga...

This chapter is fairly easy to understand. <nagbabasa: Wow, okay! :D>

It is very easy to comprehend. <nagbabasa: Eto talaga type ko! :D>

Now, read this delightfully appealing piece of modern literature displayed in your equally innovative computer or mobile glass viewing ports. <nagbabasa: NOSEBLEED =_____=>

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Chapter One - PROBLEMS

March 20, 2011

     Crackles of thunder sounded in the calm blue sky. Above the horizon, a wall of clouds was advancing. Their shadows darkened half of the Hostelry subdivision. Winds from their base swayed the sturdy branches of the oak trees. A flurry of golden leaves flew into the air. Eventually, the grey wall engulfed the morning sun. At that moment, the sky turned dark.

     East Region Jorean University was once filled with students excited to learn the art of manipulating the eight elements. Now, it was dead quiet. Dead leaves rolled and danced on the outdoors sparring court. The school flag flapped and fluttered until it was ripped off from the pole. Inside, everything was quiet too. That was so, until Zenzu came.

     Zenzu tiptoed across the gymnasium. The black jumpsuit protecting his body did nothing but make noise as the layers stretched and contracted with his every move. His combat boots squeaked as they slid on the varnished floorboards. He was so nervous he could hear his ponytail brush over the specialized pads on his back. Someone would surely take notice of him now.

     Calm down, he told himself. Gotta’ be ready.

     His forehead was beginning to itch. Zenzu sneaked his fingers under the black headband dyed with a yellow ‘Z’ and started scratching away. It felt good, but it only took away his anxiety for a little while.

     The bleachers to his right suddenly rattled. Dust got blown into the air. Then, a strong gust of air whistled over his head. Then, another gust made his eyes turn to the left. A strange feeling started to take hold of Zenzu. It was the feeling that the enemy is all around you; they can see you, but you can’t.

     Adrenaline started rushing through Zenzu’s body. He clenched his fists, ready to defend against an attack. The fifteen year old remained still while his ears became sensitive to the slightest sound of dust falling on the floorboards. In complete silence, he connected to the earth - his element.

     You can do this, he encouraged himself. You’re an earth-jorean! You can move earth! You can move metal! You can move anything! Zenzu took a deep, long breath.

     "Okay," he murmured. "Let’s do this."

     WHAM! Zenzu’s eyes were slower than his reaction time. Jutting out from his left was a column of earth. It was as thick as his arm and pointed ahead to the left. Lying on the ground several meters from where it pointed was a girl, possibly older than he was.

     Sorry, Zoey! Zenzu almost said.

     She wore a black sparring jumpsuit with specialized padding to protect specific parts of the body. Designer light-blue stripes confirmed the girl’s element.

     "Air-jorean," he said. The pitter-patter of his sweat got louder than the thumping of his heart. Earth was a defensive element. Against a logistical element like air, Zenzu would have to up the ante.