The Elemental Book

Chapter Nineteen

I stopped cursing myself for letting this happen a while ago. Now I was trying to get my sword that fell to the forest floor so I could cut myself free.

Blood was quickly rushing to my head and the vine's hold on me tightened when I made the slightest movement.

Could things get any worse?

"Harls?!" A voice I'm pretty sure belonged to George called from above me. Maybe he's flying... or floating. I don't really know what to call it.

Great. Now I'm in last place.

"Yeah. It's me." I sighed.

"How you holding up?" I swear I heard him laugh a little.

"Don't you have a race to get to?" I snapped.

He was so getting on my nerves right now.

"Actually I do." He said, not at all bothered by my attitude. "But I just saw my best friend in the entire world having a little trouble and said to myself, 'why not help her?' "

I remained quiet. I admit George really had his moments. Although he's competitive and all, he still stopped by just to help me.

"Just use the levitation spell to get your sword." He said. Why hadn't I thought of that?

I was sure he started to fly off so I shouted out to him, smiling "Thanks Geo."

He always hated that nickname. Jenny and I used to call him that every time as kids cause he loved that kiddies show Team Umizoomi.

"Don't call me that." He yelled back at me. He was far away now so time to put my game face on.

I used the levitation spell and slowly but surely my sword came to me. I cut the vines off my leg with one slash and landed —not so gracefully— face-first, roughly on the ground. I think I got some grass in my mouth.

Groaning I stood up and stretched. I wasn't going to loose that easily. If I hurry I still had a chance cause the finish line was so far away. At least that's what the guardians told us.

I cracked my knuckles and picked my stone map from the ground. It still shone a bright green. I sped forward through the trees, with determination.

I will win this... Somehow.

Tom

I heard footsteps ahead of me. I knew I was closing in on her but I still couldn't see her.

Isabel.

That girl was going to be the death of me.

Her and her crazy friends.

I usually avoid any human contact except for that of my best friend Jacky. We've been together for four years now and it's still a wonder how he still puts up with me. I'm rude, moody and as sour as a lemon.

My life this past weeks have been fucking weird. I still think I'm in one big messed up dream most of the time. Who would come to terms in believing they could create and control fire?

Don't get me wrong. I love this power but sometimes I think of what would've happened if Jacky didn't pick interest in Isabel that faithful night.

I usually had a feeling about this sort of things. I knew Isabel and her friends were trouble and didn't want anything to do with them ever again after that meet up in her room, no matter how much Jacky was attracted to Harley and I found Isabel intriguing. But fate had twisted plans that night and 'ghosts' chased us up upon the deck.

It still surprises me why I didn't throw them overboard at first sight.

The new company was changing me. Not just in being able to control fire. I'm becoming more approachable. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing.

I was constantly checking my stone map to see if I was on the right path, not that the thudding of footsteps ahead of me needed anymore reassurance.

I neared a cave up ahead and looking at it I could tell there were gonna be bats, spiders and other disturbing insects from this world in it. Great.

We're we even on earth anymore?

I flicked my hands to bring forth fire as I entered the cave cautiously staying at the walls. The footsteps ahead of me had stopped. Did she make a wrong turn? I was really worried and my anxiety levels were at it's peak. The warm glow of the fire in my hands were somewhat comforting as I moved on slowly.

I heard a branch snap and I tensed. I was on full alert mode now. I waited a few minutes and nothing happened. Maybe I was being paranoid. It might be a small lizard or small snake.

I'm just using the adjective small to cool my nerves. They were really all over the place. I was still worried about Isabel. Is she okay? Did she hurt herself in the dark.

"Isabel?" I called out in the darkness ahead of me. "Are you alive?" I couldn't help myself.

I didn't expect an answer and what I got in reply was a shocker.

I had been pushed to the wall and pinned down arms apart while a pair of soft lips were on mine. My fire had gone out in surprise so it was completely dark when I was being kissed.

I'd recognize that scent anywhere. The smell of lemons and jasmines.

Isabel.

It took a moment for me to respond but I did. Never did anything feel so right as it did now as our lips moved against each other. We fit perfectly I realized.

This girl was surprising me more and more. She was bold, cunning, witty and I've never felt the way I feel around her with any other girl before. I knew I was attracted to her but I didn't know if she felt the same. I had cold feet then and I still have cold feet now.

I'm aware I'm good looking, girls can't seem to get enough of me but I purposely push them away with my attitude. I didn't want to push Isabel away though, in fact I needed more of her.

I kissed her more demandingly and she tried to keep up. Cute how she always likes to compete with me. I tried to bring my hands down to her waist but she didn't let them go. I felt a slight cold on my forearms and I could tell she was smiling against my lips. She came up for air and kissed me on my cheeks.

She let go of me and... I couldn't move?

My arms were frozen solid to the walls and my feet were also frozen solid. I was stunned to silence.

That cheeky little-

"You're not too bad of a kisser Thomas." I couldn't see her but I was sure she was smirking.

"I would love to keep you company but I've got a race to win." She said and then she pecked me on the lips.

This time I'm sure I was red with the amount of blood that rushed to my neck and cheeks. Thank goodness it's dark.

Isabel laughed as she raced forward in the dark. Leaving me.

See what I mean? Fucking surprising.

I'm going to get out of this things and I'll get her back, somehow.