The Elementalists

ROBIN

   I wait a few seconds after walking away from John before I break into a full-out sprint. I'm panicking, and I didn't want anyone to notice, but I can't hide it anymore. I'm losing it, I know, but if I lose anyone else...

I don't know what I'll do.

I'm running as fast as I can, using my air abilities to keep the wind from pushing me back. My only thoughts are that I have to find the others and I have to hurry.

Peter's disappearance—and possible betrayal—will have to wait until I find Mark and Jamal.

I hope, since I sent them off in Daemon's direction, that they're with him. I know that Daemon will make sure that they're safe. He'll protect them.

Those thoughts help keep me from having a panic attack as I run. I tell myself that Daemon will keep them safe, that Daemon won't let them get hurt. And as I do so, it helps clear my mind to where I can think again.

I begin to cough violently—I've never been very athletic, I've always used air power when I needed to get somewhere quickly. When the coughing has ceased, I force myself to stand back up; I get up and begin to run again, using air to help me fight the wind.

My legs begin to ache, but I ignore the pain. I have to get to Mark and Jamal. I have to find them. I can't let them get hurt. I can't lose anyone else. No, I won't lose anyone else.

I look to my left and see the tornado as clear as day. It's heading in the direction of the town—that is, of course, after it wipes out this forest.

Although, I realize, it's going awfully slow for such high wind speeds. What's Time up too...?

Is she making the tornado spin in place so that it tears up this whole forest? I wonder with a start. Is she planning to do the same thing to the town, too?!

The wind speeds up even more, and for the first time in my life I experience pure terror as I realize that my thoughts are correct. She's planning to tear up this entire forest...and most likely the entire town.

Is she planning on tearing up the entire world, piece by piece?

Does she not understand the mass panic that will cause?

Does she not even value anyone's life but her own?

Yes, actually, she does value someone else's life, possibly even more than her own. She values Daemon's life.

I begin to cough again, but I don't stop running. I turn my head away from the tornado and face the direction that I'm headed.

And I run face-first into a tree.

"Ow!" I yell. "Crappity crap crap crap...URGH!"

I stand back up, mumbling, "Crap," and, "Stupid tree," repeatedly under my breath. I'm about to start running again when I hear someone say, "Robin?"

I turn around in the direction that the voice had come from. I don't see anyone at first, just a gray mist, but the gray mist begins to move and take shape. It forms into the shape of a small boy, and the boy is...transparent.

I recognize the boy immediately, and I begin to run towards him, shouting, "Angel!"

Angel laughs and says, "I'm here to take you to Daemon and the others. Follow me."

He runs off, and I dash after him without hesitation. "Wait!" I yell desperately. "Angel, wait! I need to talk to you!"

"Robin, there's no time," Angel says, appearing in front of me. "The dead can't talk, but their spirits can. All you need to know is that everything will turn out fine." He hesitates before adding, "Well, mostly everything. Remember, Robin—the others need you. Be a good leader for them, for me, alright?"