The six elements

Chapter 3 -the center-

I got up early this morning to prepare myself for the worst. I took a long, warm shower which turned my skin red to wake myself up as best as I can. Im now in Thomass car in the passenger seat in silence. I dont know whats happening but I have to admit that Im mad against my brother for not saying anything to me. I hope that its not just a bad joke against me

Are you afraid?

No, I say, looking at the window, but you look terrified.

Some things are going to happen, Tess, but whatever happens, I want you to know that I love you and I didnt say anything because I wanted to protect you. Because I received the order.

Protect me from what?

He does his stop, turn right and after an hesitation he answers. From yourself.

We park in front of a library and the stress begins to overwhelm me. Are mom and dad aware of all this? I ask with tears in my eyes.

Yes, he whispers, passing in front of me.

We enter the library in silence and avoiding as many people as possible, we head to a door in the back of a row of science fiction novels. Thomas takes a key out of his pocket and puts it in the lock.

The employees wont be asking questions? I say, worried.

They know, Thomas answers.

A staircase plunging into the darkness is facing us. We get down after closing the door behind us. Came down, a black curtain separates us from where were expected. Thomas passes to the side and I fallow him. My expression of fear changes to astonishment as I enter the huge underground of the library. The light plunging on the big white walls is so dazzling that the room seem overwhelmed by sunlight. Then, I notice that the room is made in an hexagonal shape. On each wall there is a streamer representing the elements. I recognize the fire, the air, the water and the earth. I just cant identify the grey one which is on the wall that contains thousands of nails driven into the cement. On the last wall, there is no streamer but some ties on the ceiling showing that there has already been one. Its only then that I see that were not alone. A big circle of six colours is in the middle of the room. All the persons standing on the circle are looking at me, intrigued. Leila and Chris are on the blue part, on the green theres Sophie and Kevin, on the red Miranda, on the grey theres Jake and finally on the white Kelly and Carl.

Why are they here? I thought they hated Mirandas crew just like me? Why is Thomas forcing me to come with Mirandas gang? I hope hes not trying to get me into a sect! Then, I see that the colour on which the girls are standing correspond with the colour of their hair And the same with the rings of the boys. I completely dont understand what Im doing here and what are all those colours! Kelly smiles strangely at me while Thomas goes join Miranda on the red part.

Sorry Im late! Exclaims a familiar voice in my back. I turn around and see my best friend, David. Hey Tess! Welcome in the center! You can go join Jake on the grey part.

I head in an uncertain step towards Jake who looks really happy to see me. Whats happening here?

David places himself in the center of the circle and puts his hands in the sky. We are now at the portal in the human world to get to Calzuma, the elements world! he says.

I strain my eyes and look at all the other who are very serious. I cant help myself, I burst out laughing. I laugh so much that I bend in two.

Tessa, stop, stammers Jake, visibly uncomfortable.

Okay! Where are the cameras? I laugh even more.

Tessa, shut up! Miranda exclaims.

Jake grabs my shoulder and I immediately stop laughing. The same feeling from yesterday invades me.