Elemental

1. Goodbyes

Aria

BOOM BOOM BOOM!

I jolted up at the loud knock. Tai twitched in her bed next to me, but didn't wake up. I looked outside our window.

The wind raged, lightning struck, and thunder rolled. The palm trees flailed around, with only their strong roots keeping them firmly stuck to the ground. This was typical storm weather for us on the tropical island of Samoa.

Kicking off my blankets, I made my way out our room, eyeing the front door.

BOOM BOOM BOOM!

The noise repeated.

I tip toed down the dimly lit corridor toward the door, making sure I made no noise like my dad taught me. I put my hand on the knob, my other hand tensed to attack. Regardless of my racing heart, I slowly turned it and yanked it back.

I swung at the loud knocker, unable to see their face. But a hand swiftly caught my fist.

Lightning struck, lighting up the dark night. And the shadow in front of me.

"Dad!" I yelped. "You scared me. Where have you been?"

He pushed me inside, slamming the door behind him. He was dripping wet from the storm.

"Dad?" I asked, but he was too busy bolting and locking the door down.

Fear crept up my spine. "Dad, what's going on? You're scaring me."

He was breathing hard, like he was running. He whirled around, grabbing my shoulders. "Listen to me Aria, and listen carefully. This is what your mother and I have trained you guys for. Wake up your sisters, gather them, and follow the back road. There will be a man waiting for you with a car. He will take you somewhere. Do as he says. Do not look back or try to come back for us, okay? We'll find you guys."

Confusion swam inside my brain, but we were trained to follow orders not to question. I knew this day would come. The day we were trained for. The day we would have to say goodbye.

"Yes, sir." I nodded.

"Good. Now go. Move quickly. Do not take any clothes or bags with you. Just run, and don't look back." He kissed my forehead. "Your mother and I love you all so much. Do not forget that."

I kept my tears in, mustering the courage to stay strong. "We love you too, Dad. Koe feiloa'i(See you again)."

Taking one last look at his face, I pulled away, running back to my room.

Tai was still asleep when I got there.

"Tai, Code Red. I repeat, Code Red. Shoes on. Sweater on. Let's go!" I rushed, slipping on my old chucks.

She jumped up, slipping her shoes on like we rehearsed so many times before.

"You go wake up Lila, I'll go get Rita and Fai. Meet me at the back door in 2 minutes." I said.

She nodded, running off to Lila's room.

I pulled my hoodie up, darting down the candle lit hallway then used the secret side door to exit. Running across to their house, I opened the hidden door, crouching down to get in safely.

Everything was dark. I wanted to use my Gift so bad, but didn't want to risk getting caught by the Hunters.

Instead, I felt for the walls, using them to guide me to Rita and Fais room. I knew every angle of their house, every crack and turn. So it didn't take long before I found it.