The Elementals

Chapter 4

I jolted awake. I could feel I was sweating since I had had the same nightmare again but only this time the boy was Ben.

"Are you alright?" I looked around to find the source. It was Ben. He was sitting across from me with a campfire in between us.

It was dark so I assumed it was night. I shivered as I thought about the nightmare I just had. I wanted to go see Stella at our secret place. But I get the feeling that I won't be able to.

"Stella? Stella, are you there? Hello, Stella?" I called to her in my mind and it didn't take long before she replied.

"Yeah, Maya? I am right here. Did you have the nightmare again but where are you? Are you alright?" Stella replied.

"Hold up Stella, I am alright and yes I had the nightmare again. And I am in the middle of the woods so I don't exactly know where I am. Can you come and find me, I really need you"

"Alright your lucky we have a connection or I would have never been able to do that. I will try to get to you as soon as I can. I have to go bye!"

"Bye Stella, see you so-"

"Earth to Maya? Are you there? Hello?" I snapped back to reality only to find Ben shaking my shoulder.

"Oh yeah, sorry," I said. "I was just... Never mind."

"Okay, you can go back to sleep. I'll keep guard until you wake up."

"No, I'll keep guard, you can go to sleep. I have had enough sleep and anyways you look exhausted."

"Are you sure cause I can take-" he was interrupted with a yawn of his own. "Or maybe your right."

He stood up and walked back to his place on the opposite side of the fire.

"Good night and thank you." He said before drifting off to sleep.

I wonder why he said thank you. I will just ask him when he wakes up.

****

I woke again to the sound of Ben calling my name. It was already morning and I could see the sun shining down at me. I must have fallen asleep while I was guarding last night.

"Sorry I must have fallen asleep last night." I apologized.

"It's alright but we have to keep going. Here eat this." He handed me an apple.

I took it and just as I took a bite did I realize how hungry I had been. Within 10 seconds the apple was gone but I was still hungry.

"Hey Ben I'm still hungry, I want more!" I whined.

For the first time, I saw Ben smile and then just as quickly as it came it was gone and was replaced by his annoyed expression.

For that split second when he smiled it felt soothing for some reason but then he look annoyed. Why? Why couldn't he just let it out? Why couldn't he just enjoy the small things in life? This probably had something to do with his past. As soon as that thought came into my mind, I heard a crack.

I looked up and saw Ben was already in his fighting position. I immediately knew that something was wrong so I stood up too.

All of the sudden a man in black came charging at us followed by several more behind him.

Ben stood in front of me protectively. I was slightly annoyed because I know how to fight and I can take care of myself since I am 16.

I stepped to the right so I was standing beside Ben. The man in black raised its hand and a black swirl of smoke started coming towards us.