The Elementals

Chapter 5: Through Destruction, We are Survivors

"There is nothing here" she said as she looked around her confused. They had gotten out of the car and Mike had directed her to the center of a gas station that had gone out of business for what looked like a long time.

"I know" he said and just as he took a step forward, he disappeared into thin air.

"Mike?" she called out. "I'm freaking out a bit here"

"Just take a step forward" he said and as she did, she felt the sensation of being sucked into a void. There was nothing around her she closed her eyes as she felt dizziness crawling up to her. When Susan opened her eyes again Mike was next to her looking at her with concern. "Are you ok? You look like your about to throw up" he said smiling.

Susan looked at the scenery that lay before her. They were no longer in a gas station and instead she was greeted with an aromatic smell of flowers and a tall building made of stones with long staircase that led up to the entrance.

"Come on" he said grimly and went up the stairs taking two at a time. She followed not wanting to lose him. After they reached the end of the stairway, he looked at her again. "Are you ready?" he asked. "Remember there is no going back once you enter through these doors. Back to the ordinary life you lived with your mother sister all your life" he said.

She nodded slowly. She sick and tired with lies and secrets. All she wanted to know who she truly was. Though her mother had hidden this from her there was no ignoring the fact that she could control fire and that all of this was much bigger that herself.

"Ok, I'm ready" she said trying to keep her voice steady as possible and to keep s confidence face. Mike sighed and opened the door.

Susan realized nothing could prepare her for what she saw in front her. As she entered through the door, she saw the whole room was filled with teenagers mingling with each other talking and exchanging smiles and laughing. It looked like a hall but what most bewildered her was what was happening on the right-hand corner of the room.

"Those are portals" he said pointing at the blue color circles swirling around like a wheel. "And standing near them with the black biker jackets are the portal openers. They help the members of the headquarters travel to places for missions. I personally don't like them" he said. Susan couldn't help but stare at them. They looked like plain ordinary high school kids who would be the perfect fit for the jocks. Some of them closed their portals and started to pack into a group and high fived  each other smiling. Susan couldn't hear what they were saying but their expressions held a mocking sort of humor in them. One of the boys turned to look directly at her. She felt a cold shiver run through her. He had white hair that fell onto his eyes. Susan couldn't say anything else about him from where she stood but she could swear he had winked at her. Mike stiffened as the boy turned back his attention to what the group was saying. Susan understood he had seen what she had.

"Why don't you like them?" Susan said curiously still staring at the group.

"I..." but before he could say anything more a figure appeared before them. Mike slowly relaxed shoulders moving back from their tensed position. The man was wearing a blue robe over a white shirt. He had dark brown eyes and black hair cut short. His face was wrinkled with highly visible lines all over.

Mike smiled and said, "Susan this is Director Solvion." Susan noticed the whole room had turned silent and all eyes were focused on them. Susan hated the attention, but Mike didn't seem to mind as he continued to talk with the man in a casual manner. "Director, this is Susan. She is the fire elemental"

Mike's words seemed to catch the director's attention. His gazed shifted back and forth from Mike to her. She felt slightly uncomfortable. Something about him made Susan cringe with fright. "It's a pleasure to meet you...sir" Susan finally said breaking the silence.