Elemental: Chapter Five, Part 2

Halfway through the night, we came upon a worn dirt path and Drei confirmed this six-mile road led straight to our final destination: a lake and campground. We moved onward, unable to decide on anything to discuss; I didn’t wish to bring up his conversation, and he didn’t want to let on anything was wrong.

The awkwardness was expelled as the trees thinned enough to reveal waters sparkling under an orange and pink sun. Nestled in the falling shadows were rundown cabins, small two-room shacks lucky to be standing.

“Are you sure this is it?” It didn’t seem inhabited, or even suitable for habitation.

“Do not fret. They are all asleep. We are merely early.” He started ahead of me, continuing his introductory speech of my new, hopefully temporary, home. “You will notice, when you meet the children, they are mostly between the ages of five and fourteen. Most leave when they turn fifteen, confident they are able to conceal themselves, and most are. Those who are still here often enjoy playing games, exercising the extent of their powers;” he looked over his shoulder at me as if accusing me of such a game. “One of your main occupations here will be ensuring those who are more powerful do not lower the esteem of those with a weaker elemental gift.”

“What if my own gift is weak?” I questioned aloud, suddenly concerned with my own power, never before realizing it might be a concern. It didn’t seem likely, but it still concerned me. It was almost like realizing drinking diet soda could give you cancer.

Drei stopped a moment and smiled kindly at me. “You have no need to worry. Air elemental gifts are rare enough, those who possess them, rarely are weak in their ability.” His glance disappeared over his shoulder again as I withheld my sigh of relief. I really was comforted to know I wasn’t defective or anything. “There is nothing to worry about. Even if their gift is weak, their influence remains strong.”

I allowed his words to stew a little in my mind. Then something odd struck me about the whole situation. “Don’t the parents ever worry?” I inquired, my brow furrowing. “About the children, that is?”

His head nodded slightly, as though he were teaching and a student had just made a point he was about to disprove. “The non-elemental parents are led to believe the children are attending a highly exclusive, entirely charitably funded, boarding school. It is not a complete lie. But you understand we could not just admit this was a ten year camp. The elemental parents are fully aware of our purpose.”

I nodded, breathing deeply and trying not to feel self-conscious about possibly being the only runaway; besides, I had another question screaming for attention. I shoved it aside; Drei didn’t want any more conversation. I could tell by the way his long strides quickened, his hands burrowed in his coat pockets, and his face hid, bowed, from the sparkling morning light. He was closing himself off, very possibly from me.

We were just breaking through to the clearing when Drei stopped and said, “I cannot explain why the government hunts you, other than they want to completely remove miracles from life.”

His reply to my unasked inquiry was startling. The one thing I wanted more than anything else to truly understand and he didn’t have a definite answer. I wasn’t sure how this news was supposed to make me feel. I knew, however, I felt increasingly distraught; I never meant to be a burden on anyone. And yet, though I hadn’t entered the camp, it felt as though I already was—if the night’s visitor was any insinuation. Now, I had runaway—probably the sole person at the camp to have done so—and because the government wanted to erase miracles? It was disconcerting to say the least.

Just as the thought of running away—again—came to mind, Drei gazed at me, a soft smile playing across his lips; the kind I only saw when he spoke about his sisters.

“Do not fret about a thing, Abriel. I shall protect you so long as you desire it so.”

With that smile, all of my doubts and worries were washed away. If I were a burden, Drei would have left me miles ago. But he hadn’t. He was standing here, a few paces away.

“Now, come. They should be waking shortly.”

I followed a step behind Drei, shy at the thought of meeting children who had known who they were longer than I had. It was humbling and nerve-wracking. What if they hated me? Or, worse yet, knew about my shallow history? That was one thing I wanted to leave behind me forever. It hadn’t brought me happiness and I wanted to lead a life that did.

Tall figures exited some of the shelters, a few carrying baskets full of something I couldn’t make out. Most of the figures with baskets moved towards a level, grassy area not far from the lake; one of them, however, made a beeline for Drei and me.

“Good morning,” she greeted cheerfully. Her long black hair curled at the ends, falling to her slim waist; her skin was waxy in a way not many could pull off. Even her eyes were gorgeously dark and mysterious, hiding her emotions in their raven depths. The dress she wore—for she did wear it and not vice versa—was long and flowing in an onyx hue that complimented her skin tone immaculately. In general, she was inhumanly stunning. She was also the visitor from earlier in the woods. “Welcome back, Drei,” she said, a smile on her thin, ashen lips. “And welcome, Abriel,” she added, offering the basket of breads and fruit to me.

I was at a loss for words. Here she was, the perfect image of vampire queen, and I was crushing on her guy. No wonder she was so distressed earlier.

“No thank you,” I replied to her unsaid offer, feeling my stomach disappear in a flurry of guilt. “I’m not hungry.”

My gaze cast downward, I felt the impulse to run more urgently than before. I was inadequate, and couldn’t compete against someone like her. Why hadn’t he said anything and just crushed my imaginings then? It would have saved me looking like the fool I was.

“Thank you, Valetta,” Drei said, reaching for something in the basket. “I’ll show Abriel to her cabin.”

“Very well, then,” she responded, still cheerily, though there was a hint of disapproval.

She sashayed elegantly away, tossing a flow of dark hair over her shoulder. There was no doubt in my mind she claimed him; short of shoving her tongue down his throat, she couldn’t have made it more clear.