EleMENTAL

Prolouge

"Sammi!" my mother's voice called out from around the house. "Yes, Mom?" I yelled. I was busy playing in our garden, picking out ripe, cherry red tomatoes. "Find any good ones?" my mother's voice said from behind me. I turned and smiled at her. "Yep. They look good!" I said and stood up to hug my mom. She smelled like herbs mixed with hibiscus, a common and comforting scent. Her wild, caramel colored hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail and her kind green eyes smiled down at me. "Ready for dinner?" she asked me. I nodded and picked up the woven basket containing the tomatoes. Together, we walked into the brick house and started to cook dinner. Dad was already frying up some chicken when we entered the kitchen. "Who are these good looking ladies?" he asked in a teasing tone. I giggled and looked up at my dad. He smiled down at my mom and I and said, "Would you lovely ladies like to stay for dinner?" he asked and laughed. "You know what, I think we will," my mom said and laughed. Dad put his arm around Mom and kissed her forehead. "Ew, Daaaaad," I giggled. Both of my parents laughed and started to plate up dinner. Soon, I had a plate full of chicken, tomatoes, and mashed potatoes set before me. Suddenly, there was a bang at the door. "Open up!" a loud, strong voice called. My dad stood up and opened the door. Three large men barged in and flipped over one of our tables. My mother instantly stood and threw a punch at one of the men. The man flipped Mom over his shoulder and she landed on the ground with a thud. "MOM!" I screamed and ran to her side. "This is the house of elemental controllers, am I correct?" one of the men boomed. "No," my mother cried out weakly. "Don't lie to me!" he yelled. My father turned to face the man, his face red. "Leave her alone," he said, his voice low. The man punched my father, sending him backwards. "NO!" I screamed. Then, I felt two big arms around me. I screamed and kicked, trying to get him to drop me. "Offspring of yours?" a different man asked my father. "Let her go!" my mom cried. "Fine,"the man holding me said. His arms let go of me and I hit the floor. Everything went black.

PART TWO - PROLOUGE

I woke up beside my parents. Mom was leaning against a brick wall, her eyes wide. "Wha-" I started. Mom interrupted me and whispered, "Stay still and stay quiet." I nodded, my heart pounding. I looked at my surroundings, a cold, brick cell with a firm mattress in the corner. Dad shifted and sat up next to me. "Marissa, tell her," he said. "Are you sure, David?" Mom asked, her eyes concerned. "Tell her before it's too late," he said. Mom nodded and turned to face me. "Tell me what?" I asked. "You control something very powerful. You come from the bloodline of

a controller of the element earth. Your father and I both have this power too," she said and stopped short. Tears filled her once joyful, green eyes. "Your father and I wi-will be executed soon," she continued, tears streamimg down her face. "Hide from these men. They are called elemental hunters. They want to capture you and steal your power, then kill you," she choked out. Dad put his arm around Mom and said, "Use your powers wisely. Use them for good and if you ever encounter an elemental hunter, do not use your abilities." Just then, two men opened the cell door. "Let's get this over with, " one of them said. They both grabbed my parents and led them out of the cell. A skinnier man took me by the hand and offered a weak smile. "What's going to happen to Momma and Daddy?" I asked him. The man kneeled beside me and looked me in the eyes. "Don't tell anyone this, but I know your parents. They are my dear friends. This was not my decision, remember that." He took a deep breath. "They are going to die, Sammi," he said, holding back his sobs. "What? No! Daddy won't let them," I protested. He nodded and said, "There's nothing he can do," the man said. He stood up and walked me to my parents. They were strapped into chairs, screaming, "DON'T HURT HER!" "Is she elemental?" one of the men asked. "NO!" Dad yelled. The man strode over to me. "Hello, little one," he said and gave me a sly smile. "Do you have a special power?" he asked. I shook my head, looking him in the eye. He lifted my chin, then stood up. "Fine. Let her go," he said. The skinny man who led me here took me towards the door. "REMEMBER, SAMMI, I LOVE YOU!" my mother screamed after me. I whipped my head around just as they pulled the trigger, ending both of my parents' lifes.