Wesley Academy

8. That Night

Jamie dropped me of at my dorm, pecked me on the lips, and told me he would see me later on tonight. I went upstairs, to pack my things so I would be ready to leave after skills development. Since I hadn’t spent much time in my room at all everything was still pretty much packed, and Keith had already given me my over night bag and that was still at the house. All I had to do was pick up my dirty clothes and I was ready. I looked at the clock and realized if I didn’t hurry I would be late for my class.

I stepped outside the dorm and bumped into someone. “ Oh, sorry.” The boy turned around and I realized it was Keith. “ Hello, Ally. Nice to see you again. I trust you had a good night?” I blushed thinking about what I almost did with Jaime, but I knew if I was given a chance I would probably do it again. “ Yeah, my night was great!” I smiled sweetly.

“ Well, that is good to hear. I am hear to take you to your other skills class. Based on you performance in this one we will decide whether or not it is more beneficial for you to stay in mine or join this new one.”

“ Okay, lead the way Ole Wise One.” I giggled, and he looked at me like I was crazed. Whatever I thought. At least I amuse myself. He started walking towards the woods. By now it was close to dark, and I was worried he was taking me the wrong way. “ Why are we going into the woods. There couldn’t possibly be a class in the forest.”

“ And yet there is Ms. McClain. Why would you doubt me so? Oh how you wound me.” He laughed, and now it was my turn to give him the are-you-crazy-look. We walked down a path leading even deeper into the woods. It seemed like we had spent almost an hour walking before we finally came upon a small cottage. “ Now, Ms. McClain I want to make something perfectly clear. You are to give this teacher the up-most respect you are possible of. She does not usually take on students, especially ones as inexperienced as yourself. But she does make rare exceptions when she sees great abilities. Go down and knock on the door. Then wait for her to address you. Be polite, and for God sakes, don’t do anything stupid.” With that he walked back down the path we came. By now I was beginning to get scared. I mean… How could a teacher be so weird as to want to hold class in the middle of the woods, and why did Keith tell me to be so polite. Oh, well. It is now or never.

I quietly walked to the door and hesitantly knocked. I waited for several moments and knocked once more. After a few minutes I decided that maybe she wasn’t here and turned to leave when I heard an old raspy voice from behind the door. “ If you give up this easily my child, then maybe you really aren’t ready for what I see in you.” I turned back to the door startled. “ Ummm, I was told that my teacher was to be here. Ummm.. I’m not sure… Well, what I mean to say is….”

“ Come, come my child. Let me see your face.” I opened the door. Inside there were several candles scattered throughout the room. With the dim lighting I could see a large table in the center of the room scarred with age. This table had only two chairs even though it was big enough for at least eight. On one side of the room there was another door next to a stove and sink. On the other side there was a rocking chair covering a worn out, threadbare rug. A large hound laid upon the rug in front of a small fire. Even he looked worn with age. It was only then that I saw a person sitting in the chair. Or at least I think it was a person. She looked to be so small and fragile that I thought maybe she was a figment of my imagination.

“ Shut the door dearie, you are letting in an awful draft.” I shut the door quickly which snuffed out a few of the candles close by. “ Come around here my child so I can get a good look at you.” I did what she said. As I walked past the table I noticed a few more things. For one, it was covered in melted candle wax. There also seemed to be the picture of a star centered upon the wood. There were cobwebs covering the legs, and the floor was covered in dust. Then I saw that the windows were also covered in dirt. There was a long forgotten broom in one corner covered in cobwebs, and the other corner was so dark I could not even tell if something was there. I walked to face her, bracing myself for what I was to find.

She was only an old women. She looked ancient with wrinkles covering her face. Her skin was tanned from to many afternoons in the sun, but it was her eyes that struck me the deepest. They looked just like mine.

“ Hel-lo, My name is…”

“ Ally, right. I know you dearie. Now stand up straight, and push your hair out of your face.” I did as she asked. “ Well my dear, you are beautiful to be sure. Your face looks strong, and I bet you have a bit of a wild streak in you. Probably more than others to I bet.” Then she winked at me. “ You remind me a bit of myself child.” She stood and hobbled over to the table. I reached out to help her but thought better of it. I wonder how she knows so much about me.

“ I know so much about you my dear, because we are so alike. Here come over here.” She separated the candles on the table carefully and sat down on the chair. Then she motioned for me to stand on the other side. As I walked over she gave me another set of directions. “ Dearie step up to the edge and repeat after me. Earth, Water, Air, and Fire. You fill me, and so long as I am one with you and accept that which makes me whole, these pure elements, then I shall be united with the Spirit.” She repeated it twice and then I followed. “ Earth” Gasp, one of the candle’s flame turned green. “ Wh…wha…” “ Continue my child, quickly. “ Water, Fire, Earth, Aire. You fill me, and so long as I am one with you and accept that which makes me whole, these pure elements, then I shall be united with the Spirit.” Each candle changed color first blue, then white, and red. Finally the one in the center burst to a brilliant shade of purple, and the others paled in comparison. I gasped again taken with the beauty of it.

“ Yes my dear, you have the gift. I will teach you.“ She sighed and slowly stood wobbly on her feet. I assisted her to the rocking chair. “ What just happened Mrs…?” “ Oh my dear, I must of forgotten to tell you. I am Demeter, from the Greek goddess.” She slowly sank into the rocking chair with a groan. “ Could you poke the fire for me please and add a log.” I did as she asked. “ Now could you please tell we what happened Mrs. Demeter.”

“ Not Missus, just Demeter, and my dear Ally, you were just introduced to your true skill. You are an Elemental, like me.”

“ What is an elemental? What does all this mean?” I was desperate for information. What is going on?

“ Well, elementals are those that are gifted with the ability to control the elements, but most importantly the Spirit. There is usually only one a generation, and my time is coming to an end. I had a vision of one like yourself, and here you are.” She seemed to begin to nod off.

“ But Demeter, What does that mean.”

She roused again and spoke softly. “Well, my dear it means you are the new guardian. You are the new speaker for our people. You will take over the job I have done for the past few century. You are a modern earthly goddess.” She then dozed off with a soft snore. I let myself out of the door, confused and unfocused.

I wandered down the path I came mulling things over in my mind. What had just happened to me? What did all of this mean? All I could think was I need to talk to Jaime. I finally reached the campus, and no one was around. It must be really late. I wonder if I should even go to the house or just to my dorm. Hmmm.. I went to my dorm and grabbed my stuff. I know I won’t be able to sleep tonight anyways so I might as well try the house.

I was walking slowly towards the house deep in thought when I heard a howl. Then I could feel eyes on me. I looked around and could see no one. I heard howls again this time further away. I walked faster. The eyes were on my back I could feel someone closing in on me. I began to turn. Then I was tackled. I began to scream uncontrollably. I felt a hand fall over my mouth. I looked up, and I was looking into the dark black eyes of Demitri.