EleMENTAL

Chapter One

I woke before the others today. I climbed over Kira Khenthan and out of the tent we slept in. The sun was just starting to rise, casting a bright orange glow over the dark sky. I began to climb up a tall oak tree to look over the grounds our tents were set up on. I sat on a wide branch, gazing over the four multi-colored tents. A rushing stream flowed north of the campground, providing us with fresh water. Long, green grass surrounded our tents and several oak trees provided us with shade. I leaned up against the trunk of the oak tree I perched in and sighed. Just then, a scroll fell in front of me. I grabbed it and unrolled the parchment. It read:

Sammi,

I have reached the ocean and I am searching for the hourglass. Local folks around here claim it is 'deep within the sea's gates' . I'm not sure what that means, but I'm confident I'll find out. Take your group to Kenya and go to the house of Kira Khenthan's mother, Mihrani. Sleep there for a couple of days. I will contact you when I need you. Until then, stay safe.

Best wishes,

~T

I rolled up the scroll and hopped down from the tree. Kira was emerging from our tent just as I got there. "Morning," she yawned. "Get the others up. I just recieved a letted from Tristin. She has arrived at the beach and is looking for the hourglass," I said and handed her the scroll. Kira's honey brown eyes scanned over the paper and she handed it back to me. "Let's go," she said and nodded. "BLEU! CORY! LUKAS!" I yelled. Bleu stumbled out of our tent and looked at us with alarm. "Huh?" she asked and rubbed her eyes. Lukas and Cory unzipped their tent and climbed out of it sleepily. "Whatcha need, tree hugger?" Lukas mumbled and walked over to us. He had always called me 'tree hugger' because of my element: earth. "We're going to Kenya. Wash up and saddle your horses. We leave midday," Kira said without any explanation of why we going.  Bleu pulled her messy, blonde hair into a ponytail and walked towards the river. Cory followed her, close behind.  Kira walked towards the horses and haltered her tall chestnut horse, Chesney. "Want to come with me and find some breakfast?" a voice said behind me. I spun around, seeing Lukas standing there. "Sure," I said and grabbed my wooden bow and leather quiver. "Ready?" I asked. "Yep," Lukas said and tucked a set of throwing knives into his bag. We walked into the woods, staying alert for any signs of deer or birds. "Poisionous or safe?" Lukas asked me, holding up a red colored berry. "Safe," I said and plucked the berry from his palm and popped it into my mouth. Lukas chuckled and ate a berry also. He picked about 30 berries and put them in a woven basket I had brought with us. "Oh, look! Blackberries," I exclaimed and picked one off the bush. I ate it and smiled. "What's so special about blackberries?" Lukas asked and raised an eyebrow. "My mom used to make me blackberry pies. They were the best, " I said and smiled,  thinking back on one of the many good memories with my mom. We were in the backyard on a cool spring morning. Mom and I were picking blackberries to make a pie with. I picked one out of the basket we kept them in and tried to secretly eat it without Mom knowing. I consumed berry after berry and soon, half of the basket was gone! Mom finally noticed and laughed when I tried to tell her I didn't do it. I hadn't known at the time, but, I had blackberry all over my face!

  "Sammi?" Lukas asked. "Yeah?" I said. "Poisonous or safe?" he asked in a light tone. "Sorry, yeah, those are fine," I said and nodded. "You okay?" he asked, his grey blue eyes concerned. "Yeah, I'm okay. I just thought about my mom," I said softly. Lukas put his arm around me and pulled me close to him. Being wrapped in his comforting embrace made me forget about my past and focus on my future. "Thanks," I said and looked up at him. "No problem," he said and smiled. "Don't. Move," I whispered and drew and arrow from my quiver.  I pulled back the string on my bow and released, sending the arrow flying like an eagle. Lukas spun around and we both jogged towards the bird I had just shot down. "Quail," I said and kneeled down to pick up the bird. I placed it in my basket and looked up into the trees. "Whatcha looking at, Sammi?" Lukas asked, tilting his head. "The trees," I said simply. Lukas raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong with the trees?" he asked. "I think they're nearby," I said, panic rising in my voice. "Sammi...," Lukas trailed. His eyes were wide with fear. I turned around slowly and looked up at a man I remebered well. "Well. If it isn't Miss Samantha Evans."

A/N:

Hey guys! I hope you enjoyed Prolouge and Chapter One! I'll publish another chapter tomorrow, so be sure to check back. Thanks for reading!

~ K {keeva123}