Elemental

Chapter 4: Hypnotized

When I wake up, the first thing I am aware of is the enormous pain in the back of my head. I feel as though my head was smashed like a pumpkin. I open my eyes, but immediately close them again, because there is a bright spotlight shining down on me. I slowly sit up and squint my eyes around me. The light above me is the only thing discernible. It casts a ring of light enveloping me. Beyond that, I see nothing. Except...

Yes. There's definitely a man standing in the shadows. Or a woman...?

"I see you've awoken." Yes, that's a man's deep voice.

"Where am I?" I ask warily.

"Answers will come in time. First, you must answer a few questions of mine. First of all: are you in love with Brooke?"

Whoa. Talk about random! What does that have to do with this? "No."

The light above me turns from white to red. Suddenly, my vision goes black. Blacker than when you close your eyes. The darkest black I've ever seen. Then, my entire body goes cold. I feel encased in ice, but I'm not wet at all. My mind is invaded by dark thoughts. Brooke, my mom and dad lying dead on the floor. My whole world destroyed by flames. Then, as quick as it started, it stops and I have my vision back. I'm lying in the ring of light with the man standing in the shadows. I'm still shivering, even though the cold is gone. "Who are you?" I ask in terror and wonder.

"You needn't know that yet. Now let's try this again, and please don't lie: are you in love with Brooke?"

"Yes," I answer reluctantly.

"Good... Next question: are you a good fighter?"

Better not lie. "No."

"Hmmm... Are you a good runner?"

"Yes."

"Thank you. That will be all." My vision goes black once more, and my body is once again freezing. The horrid thoughts circulate in my brain. My body is still gripped by whatever it is, but suddenly, my vision turns red. My thoughts are now directed to my entire life, even things I hadn't remembered until now. Faintly, as if from far away, I hear the mysterious man say the word "Modsatte" and my vision goes black, this time from unconsciousness.

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I awake in my familiar room at the Capitol. As I open my eyes, I sit up and look around the room that I have occupied since the Capitol took me in as an orphan. I stand up, aware of the pain in every muscle in my body. Aden, you definitely overdid it yesterday, I think to myself. Well, it wasn't all my fault. That stupid girl gave me quite a hit in the head, I think as I gingerly touch the bump on the back of my head. Stupid girl. I can't believe she got away! What was her name? Betty? No... Brenda? No... Brooke- that was it! God, I hate her. If I get the chance, I'll happily kill her!

I walk out of my room and through the deserted halls. As I walk by a window, I realize why- the sun isn't even up yet! Well, might as well just roam the halls. I turn another corner and almost bump into Vayu. 

"There you are, my friend!" he says to me. "I've been looking for you. I'd like you to go on a special mission for me." He pulls me into an empty room nearby and shuts the door.

"Aden, I'd like you to go into the woods, track Brooke, and then kill her in any way necessary."

"I'd love to," I respond, while unsuccessfully trying to hide a smile on my face.

Vayu smiles at me. "When would you like to leave?"

"As soon as it takes to pack a bag full of food and a change of clothes."

"Off you go, then," Vayu says, chuckling.

I hurry back to my room where I hastily pack another t-shirt and another pair of pants. I also pack a few packages of dried meat and some crackers. The rest I can hunt or gather. I slip the pack, along with a bow and a quiver off arrows onto my back. I speedily walk out of my room, through the labyrinth of corridors, and finally, outside.

I quickly make my way to the area where Brooke escaped. I remember it well, despite the fact that she hit me so hard on the head I was knocked out. My thoughts turn again to my hatred for Brooke. As I pass the spot, I plan out the rest of my journey. Once I get to the river, I'll follow it north for two days. Then, I'll turn west into the forest and walk for about a half day. I remember where the village is from when Vayu took me there scouting. When I reach her village, the real fun will begin!

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I approach the outskirts of the city warily. Now what? I can't just walk in there and shoot her! I'd be killed before the arrow pierced her heart! I'm too bad of a runner! I contemplate my choices. There aren't many that don't include running for my life. Then, in my peripheral vision, I see a flash of blue. Turning quickly, I see Brooke, fairly far away wandering around the forest. The blue I saw was her dress. I smile at the sight of her. Fate is with me. This is my destiny. Better take her down before she sees me.

 I quickly take out my bow and notch an arrow. I take careful aim, right between her shoulder blades. I am just releasing the arrow when somebody shouts "Hey!" behind me. The arrow flies off into the woods. I hear multiple pairs of footsteps behind me and I take off sprinting. Before long though, I am roughly tackled my a large body. Damn my bad running skills! Whoever it was flips me over and I see my attackers. There are three men, all with red hair. Great, probably all elementals. They all look pretty buff, but I could probably have fought my way out if I hadn't been tackled. One of the men lifts me up by the shirt and takes my things off my back. Another man ties my hands behind my back. I get an odd sense of deja-vu.

Brooke comes running up. "What are you doing?" she practically shouts. I glare at her.  "That's the guy I told you about, the one who saved me! That's Aden!"

"Oh yeah?" the guy who tackled me says. "Well, he would have killed you if I hadn't apprehended him!"

"What?" Brooke's face fills with confusion and betrayal. "That can't be! I thought... never mind, Andrew can sort this out," she said, trying to convince herself. I am marched through the streets of her village, the people gawking at me and at Brooke, who is almost in tears by now. Finally, we enter a house and I am tied to a chair in what seems to be a kitchen. One of the men leaves for a minute then returns with another man. He has the same color hair as the other men, but his face shows curiosity instead of anger.

"What is your name?" he asks after taking a seat across from me.

"Aden," I reply in a monotone.

"Where are you from, Aden?"

As if he didn't know. I've heard of this guy. Andrew: the traitor who fled the Society. "The Capitol."

"Ahhh, I see. Brooke, come with me please." He leads her into an adjoining room. I hear their voices, but can only make out a few words here and there, mostly when their voices were raised in anger.

"YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE ME!" I hear Brooke shout.

Andrew talks in a slightly quieter voice. "...sometimes.....hypnotize....one word....Alright, we'll try it."

They walk out, both looking hopeful. Andrew whispered a few words to the men, and they cut my ropes, while still holding me there.

Andrew pauses, then says one word: "Modsatte."

The world goes black as I become unconscious.