The Elementals

Chapter 1 The Not So Average Day

I remember the days where I used to just go out and enjoy the life I have. Nothing to worry about, nothing to be afraid of, but I was wrong. Over time, as I got older, I understood why I'm here and what I'm capable of. I've lived out in the woods all my life, because my family didn't have a choice. My mom, my dad, ...my brother... We had no choice and I didn't understand why until a few years ago. I thought living the life of an Elemental would be something to be proud about, but instead, it was like I was already in hell.

"Austin! It's time to get up! You're gonna be late for school!" My mother yelled. I rolled out of bed feeling tired. "I'll be down!" I Yelled as I got dressed and ran downstairs. Mom looked at me with dissatisfaction. "Aren't you going to do anything with your hair or actually try to get a little freshened up?" She questioned. "Fine, I'll be back in a minute." I said as I rushed upstairs to clean up.

I grabbed my backpack and rushed to the front door. "Don't forget your keys!" Yelled mom as she tossed them to me. I caught them and rushed towards the truck.

I looked back to see two crosses alongside the hill. "Dad.., brother.., I'll show them someday. I'll make you two proud." I said as I got in the truck and drove down the hill through the woods.

School.., I hated it. It was a place where anyone could get picked on for no reason. You see a lot of dark stuff happen here and you can't unsee it. It was a place for everyone. Humans and Elementals both went to school, but the Elementals had to stay in hiding. Which means we couldn't show our powers or the government could get involved. There are only a few Elementals I know, but there might be more. They might be in hiding still after all these years.

I pulled into the school parking lot and got out of the truck. Sometimes I get the weirdest look from humans, like I'm a monster or something. I started walking towards the entrance of the school, when I saw two boys on the corner of my eye. I looked back and watched as the one boy pushed a girl to the ground. The other boy laughed as the girl's papers flew everywhere.

"Austin.., come on. We're gonna be late." Said a guy with short brown hair. "Sorry Chase. I just.. got distracted a little." I said as I followed him down the hall.

Chase was born an Elemental as well. He's a year younger than me, but we've been friends for awhile. He specializes in the grass element and is known to make vines, leaves sharp as blades, plants intensely grow, and many other cool powers. Even though he's a different element, it doesn't mean we have to be enemies.

Chase and I made it to class a few seconds before the bell rung. "Cutting it close again, are we?" Said the teacher. "Sorry sir. It won't happen again." Said Chase. "It better not, now sit down. Today's lesson is on the food chain." Said the teacher.

Time passed as we entered the lunchroom. Chase and I got in the lunch line and looked at the schedule. "Heh, I expected something good on a Friday. Guess not." Said Chase as he grabbed a cheeseburger and put it on his tray. I grabbed a cheeseburger as well and put it on my tray. We walked over to our lunch table where we usually sat and started to eat.

"I see you guys got here early. You run down the hall or somethin?" Asked a girl from behind us. Chase smirked and turned his head. "I was hungry Erin. Even though this food sucks, I need something to eat." Said Chase as he chowed down on his cheeseburger. Erin sat at the table with us and with her, was a quiet guy named Chris.

Erin is the type of person who doesn't take shit from no one. One minute she'll be all sweet and next she'll kick your ass. She's a year younger than me, but she's always with older kids. She is an expert of her water elemental powers and she's not one to mess with. She's known for making whirlpools from swinging her finger, making water duplicates of herself, and becoming one with the water around her.

Chris is the youngest of the four of us. He's known for being the quiet guy, but has the power of a madman. He specializes in the phantom element and has the power to disappear at will, make illusions, and go through objects if needed.

"So, I hear that Pennsylvania has been chosen again." Said Erin smiling. I froze and looked at her with anger. "Don't remind me. That's the last thing I want to hear. It's been ten years since Pennsylvania was chosen for the competition anyways." I said as I put my hand on my forehead.

Chris looked at me not knowing what to say. "What's the.. competition?" He asked quietly. Erin looked at Chris. "The competition.." Erin started as I slammed my fist on the table and stood up. "The competition is a cold, ruthless, hell that you're forced into! They don't care whether you live or die, if you're rich or poor, or if you're weak or strong! All they care about is what happens within that arena!" I yelled as I rushed off in anger.

I leaned up against the wall thinking about what just happened. Chase came running up beside me and looked at me with a concerned look. "Austin.., calm down. I know... why you don't want to bring it up. It's been ten years since.... you know. Chris has no idea what the competition is, but if he doesn't know..., then he'll be dead before they even start the match." Said Chase calmly.

I wiped my eyes and looked at Chase. "Yeah... it's been ten years.. since my dad... and my brother.." I mumbled as I slammed my fist against the wall. Chase backed up in fear. "Sorry.., it's still hard for me. Come on. Let's go sit down." I said as we went back to the table.

Chris looked at me in fear. "Sorry. It's just... this whole competition thing. It always gives me a bad feeling inside. I didn't mean to scare you." I said calmly as I started to eat again. "I already told him about it. I'm ready if I'm chosen this year. I've waited my whole life for this." Erin said as she smiled with confidence. "Well, confidence is key, I guess." Said Chase as he started stuffing his face with food.

I heard some ruckus behind me as I turned my head slightly. It was the girl from earlier. She was getting picked on by the same two boys. They kept touching and pushing her as they laughed at her. "Austin, you okay?" Asked Chase, but I ignored him. The girl began to cry as the one boy pushed her off her chair. I stood up in anger. Chase grabbed my shoulder, but I shrugged him off.

I walked over to the two boys in anger and looked at them in the eyes. "Can't you see we're busy at the moment." Said the one boy in a cocky tone. I swung my fist at the one boy and sent him to the ground. The other boy swung his fist at me and I grabbed it, holding his fist tightly. "Look kid, if you stay out of this no one will get hurt. Besides, she needs to learn some respect anyways." The boy said as he snarled.

I held onto his fist tightly as my body temperature started to increase. The boy started to snarl more. "Ow.. what the... OWWW!" He yelled as he collapsed to his knees. My eyes, black as coal, turned into small flames as my hand ignited into a blaze of fire. The boy yelled in pain as his hand started to burn. Tears rolled down his eyes as he begged for me to let go of his hand.

I let go of his badly burnt hand and watched as he squirmed on the floor, tears rolling down his face. Everyone in the lunchroom, stared at me with an uneasy look to them. The girl looked at me in shock as I put out my flames. I reached out my hand saying "Are you okay?" The girl grabbed my hand and I pulled her up. I felt a chill roll down my body as helped the girl up. Her eyes were a bright blue and she seemed shy. "Yeah.. I'm fine." She said softly. "What's your name?" I asked the girl. She looked at me in shock. "My name... is Sydney."