Elements

Chapter 18

To show this chapter in a more detailed way, the chapter will be told from Ira's point of view.

It all happened so fast.

Screams pierced my ears as the scene came in focus. People were scrambling from the canon balls that flared the sky, fleeing from the chaos. My heart pounded against my chest as I faced reality.

Mother had warned me. The protective barrier surrounding the kingdom would soon fall, weakened by the Destroyer's several attempts to get in. I...I didn't realize it would happen so quickly.

And what had happened? Because of my foolish decision to handle it later, Jackson was laying unconscious on my side, blood pooling from his head. A blast from one of the Destroyer's cannons had been the last straw. It shattered the barrier like glass, and shot a second cannon that hit my boyfriend. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I tried to check Jackson's pulse. Faint...and growing fainter.

"Help! Help! Please!" With my vision blurred from tears, I couldn't see anyone near by to help. Everyone was fleeing as more cannons fired. I watched the canons balls fall to the ground, destroying my new home. I wiped my tears away and tried to lift Jackson up, but he didn't budge.

I wailed and buried my nose in his shirt. "Jackson. Oh, Jackson..."

Why him? I pleaded. Have mercy. Take me instead. Not him!

I lifted my heavy head, gulped down the lump in my throat, and screamed once more, "Someone please help! Mother! Jane! Please, he's dying."

No response.

I closed my eyes and cried. I cried and cried and didn't even notice when Mother arrived with my siblings. Jane gasped and she saw Jackson.

"No, he can't be..." Jane stared at me. Me, crouched down over Jackson's body, tears streaming from my face.

Mother closed her eyes and waved her hand. Plants started to grow around Jackson. They engulfed him and a few moments later, they retreated to show Jackson was no longer there.

I scrambled up and faced them. "Where did he go?" I whispered.

"The clinic." Mother Nature said calmly. "I can't heal him with my powers. It's too severe. Doctor Elite will take care of him."

I sobbed. Jane rushed over to me and wrapped me in a warm hug. I buried myself in her shoulder, my heart pounding. The six of us stood in silence, not knowing what was yet to come.

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"He will live."

My eyes teared up with relief. "Thank you, Doctor. Thank you so much."

Doctor Elite nodded. "You are welcome, Goddess of Ice and Snow. Now, although he lives, he will have some disabilities, or disadvantages to say."

Mother Nature looked up. "How so?"

Doctor Elite bowed. "Your Majesty...the cannon ball concussed his head permanently. Any sort of physical activity will damage it more and cause swelling in the brain, which will lead to absolute death. He will have to stay in the hospital for a month before he can walk again. So, with all due respect, your Majesty and Goddess..." Doctor Elite bowed once more. "He cannot fight in the war."

I held back a sob. Jackson had been looking forward to fighting by my side in the war. Now...

"Could...could I be alone with him?" I ask hesitantly.

Everyone stared at me, and Dr. Elite cleared his throat. "Goddess, he-"

"I know. Just five minutes, please." I plead.

Mother Nature sighed. "Ira, we trust you. Just five minutes."

When everyone left the room, I looked at Jackson and smiled weakly. At least he was OK. That's all that matters.

I kissed Jackson's hand and my lips trembled. He almost died. Because of me. How could I ever forgive myself?

"I'm so sorry, Jackie." In times like this, I could only remember Jackson's childhood nickname. He was obsessed with Jackie Robinson in 3rd grade. He admired how he didn't care about anyone else's judgement and persevered. Jackson's dream soon was to be a professional baseball player on the Yankees team. It was the cutest thing. Would...would this accident restrict him from his dream? From doing anything?

My eyes stung and I started to whimper. "I'm so, so sorry. It's all my fault. I-I should've handled the barrier problem before. I caused s-so much destruction-"

"Ira, dear, it's not your fault."

I whipped around to see Mother striding towards me, a sympathetic look on her face.

"You're...you're not upset with me?" I stared at her with bewilderment. "I-I've caused so much destruction, so many deaths-"

"Ira, no one was killed. Only seven were injured."

"What?" I wiped my eyes and processed that. "Well, Jackson getting injured is like a death to me." I shut my eyes tightly, trying to stop the tears. "Besides, people were in danger, so much was destroyed, and without the barrier..." I suddenly bolt led up and cried, "The barrier! Mother, we-"

"We took care of that, Ira." Mother assured me quickly. "The Destroyer only targeted a small area of the kingdom. I'm not sure why..." She frowned then shook her head. "Look, dear, I'm very sorry. I've been so stressed lately, I haven't the slightest clue why I put such a big responsibility atop your shoulders. I'm the queen, I should've handled it. I feel so useless, so horrible...truth is, these last few days..."

I turned towards Jackson again and stroked one of his hairs behind his ear. "You're not feeling yourself? Instead of staying strong and encouraging, you feel angry? Like you have all the pressure, being the queen?"

Mother bit her lip and closed her eyes. "Yes, you could put it like that."

I stood up and sighed. "Mother, you're not alone. Even being queen, you have your children. I can't believe I'm saying this to my mother, but don't hesitate to ask for help."

I stared at Jackson, his eyes close, his face pale. "I've changed too, Mother. Jackson and I becoming an item was one of the most amazing things I've ever experienced. Meeting my true family..." I smiled at Mother. "That made me feel like the luckiest person in the world. I've been through a lot lately, and I want to help you so you don't suffer too. Mother, you're not invincible. Understand that. But you are more powerful than you think."

We stood in silence for what felt like hours. Finally, Mother smiled. She chuckled softly and said, "Ira, you'll be a great queen one day. You did all the grown up talk for me. Thank you."

And when she left once again, I turned to face the boy I loved, a little more hopeful and stronger than before.