Dying Powerful

Chapter 4- Phoenix

HEY!

Next chapter! Back to Phoenix who is about to enter the Empire State Building? What will happen? Who will she meet? Hope you like! Asher on the side :)

~Sarah!

Phoenix’s POV

The musty smell hits me like a wall. The lobby is dimly lit, candles lining the room. It’s funny how one of the most iconic buildings has become abandoned. It’s happened all around the world. The Eiffel Tower stands rusted, Big Ben stopped working months ago and just last week the Golden Gate Bridge collapsed. I shoulder my bag and hesitantly began to step forward. Keeping out a cautious eye, I make my way to the front desk. There doesn’t appear to be any signs of life. But on the center of the cleared desk is a glowing light. When I reach it, I see it is an electronic-based clipboard. The words ‘PASSWORD’ are stated followed by a blank.

What on earth?

I glance at the attached keyboard. I massage my scalp and temples. Did my mum ever mention a password? I retrieve the note. Maybe something on here will help. Tentatively I begin typing in words from the note. Then it begins beeping and I spring backwards. Martigale was the password? Here I was thinking it was a person.

“Nicely done. I guessed Rumplestilksen my first time.” A voice proclaims from above me. I gasp.

A young guy, maybe 20, is sitting cross-legged on the desk that had been deserted moments before. His jet black hair is quaffed and his blue eyes have strange specks of violet colouring in them.  He’s dressed bright red jeans and a fitted white long sleeve. He’s layered a worn black leather jacket over it. His hiking boots are clean and tidy, compared to the dust covered surfaces surrounding him. I look at him incredulously.

“I’m Asher Colts. You guide and from the Earth based elemental sector. Pleased to meet you.” He grins at me, reaching his hand forward.

I can’t help but notice the large 29 stamped on his hand. Slowly, I take hold of Asher’s hand and he shakes it. I give him a tiny smile. I study the 29 tattoo closely. There’s something different from Chadler’s and mine. A swirled patter steams from the number in a light green ink.

“That’s the elemental swirl. Red for Fire, blue for Water, green for Earth and grey for Air.” He says, as he tilts his hand so I could get a better look.

“My mom was earth and my Dad was water.” He smiles at the thought. “You’re Robin’s daughter, correct? Robin was just lovely. She was a huge reference in the fire sector.” Asher explains as he gathers a messenger bag over his shoulder. He motions me to follow him.

“Wait. My mom was elemental?” I question. I remember my mom right before her death. She was always writing. She was an author for a living. But she spent so much time documenting what she could in hopes of leaving something for survivors. Before she died…

“Yes. Here give me your hand.” He asks as he pushes the door open. I give him my Moriens hand.

Gently, he takes it into his. Asher produces a pin the colour of Salmon. He runs it gingerly along the 31 tattoo that marks my own hand. The mark ripples and more ink starts to bloom. It starts off as a swirl that’s black as the number and runs along my hand, then one of the swirls wraps around my pointer finger. Then as it finishes, it becomes the colour of cherries.

“Wow.” I whisper. The red seems to make me feel warm inside. Suddenly, it’s like a have a new connection with my mom. Even after she’s gone. I shiver/

“Here.” Asher says, sliding off his jacket. And he hands it to me. “We should get you some new clothes soon.

He walks to a black SUV in front of the building. He opens the passenger door for me and I buckle up. He slides into the driver’s seat and starts the engine. I admire the interior.

“I always wanted an SUV.” I laugh. He grins and we take off.

**

The drive takes a few hours. Asher is actually extremely likable. He’s like the older brother I never had. It’s been so long since I have been able to talk to a person. He’s becoming something I abandoned hope of having after the virus hit. A friend.

”Alright how about 20 questions?” Asher asks as we sped down the highway.

“Sure, you go first!” I reply and he nods in agreement.

“Favourite music artist?

“Ed Sheeran!” I smile. The red-head was number one on my IPod.

“Oh, I love him. He’s around all the time.” Asher laughs at my awe-struck face. “He just got in to our sector. He was diagnosed last week.”

“Are you kidding?” He winks and I openly giggle (GIGGLE!)

“Next! Book?” He questions in a sing-song way.

“Are you serious? It’s far hard to choose one! The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, and Peter Pan- I could go on forever!” Asher chuckles at my over-excitement.

“You’ll defiantly love the Underground. There’s unlimited access to an extensive library.” He explains. I sigh with happiness. “You do realize you face just lit up like a Christmas tree?”

I stick my tongue out at him and poke him. We go on asking each other everything there is to know. It’s get hotter and hotter as we drive longer so Asher pulls up to a mall. Oh this is going to crazy!

**

“This is the best.”

“Agreed.”

Asher and I are lying on a bed in Sears. We each picked out a dozen outfits, which are now packed away in suitcases at the foot of the bed. I’ve also got my IPod and Phone charged and stalked up on some hygiene supplies.

My hair was brushed and braided by Asher. He told me about Levi and Meg, his little sisters, who had long hair which were his job to style. I have on a pair of purple short-shorts. A white tank and an aqua see-through cover vest. I also got a pair of high-tops.

Asher also discovered a fro-yo store, all the machinery still working so we made mega sundaes. We also found an awesome bakery and ate as much as we possibly could. Life actually was great for once! I sip a chocolate milkshake as I read through Percy Jackson book. A noise suddenly sounds from an aisle over. I’m about the ask Asher about it, but he covers my mouth. ‘Normal’ He mouths.

The underground enforces a no ‘normal’ policy. Apparently they have been attempting to wipe out the elemental and have named them freaks. Could that be what’s in the store with us?