The Book of Elements - Chapter One

I felt the cool breeze lift my chestnut brown hair. I heard the birds tweet and chirp their sweet calls. I saw the river snaking between the forests from up here on the cliff.1

I felt the grass tickle my bare toes. I heard the sway of grass as the wind blew it softly. I saw the fluffy white clouds scattered across the beautiful blue sky, and the silhouette of birds swooping and soaring in the air.2

I don't know what led me here. One minute I was swinging on the tree swing, next minute my legs were itching to walk this gravel path. Before I knew it I was here.3

The sun beat down rays of heat. It was mid-spring. Christmas was only a couple of months or so away. This year would be our first proper Christmas holiday, to visit Gran in Scotland. We'd be having our first white Christmas, and I couldn't wait. I hadn't seen snow in all my thirteen years.4

The leaves of a nearly apple tree shook, making a rustling noise. I swivelled around on my heels to face whoever was there. No one. I could hear someone thump own on the ground, and wipe their hands together, probably to shake off any dirt, but I couldn't see them. I wondered if they could see me. After a few minutes, it was obvious they could not.5

I lay down on the ground, the soft blades of grass swaying around me. I could hear someone pacing around, wondering what was going on. Footsteps sounded, coming closer and closer to me. I felt a weight on my body, and screamed.6

Someone else screamed, and yelled, and screamed some more.7

"WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?!" they shouted.8

"ARGH!!!" was all I could say, scream, really. I yelped as someone, or something, touched my shoulder, and all became clear.9

The other person, who had been invisible to me, was the most beautiful Japanese girl. She had silky black hair that flowed to her back and a heavy fringe that came near to her almond-shaped warm brown eyes, framed by thick, black lashes. Her skin was an even, slightly tanned, Asian tone. She spoke without an accent.10

"Who are you? What's going on?" she demanded. She was looking straight at a tall, dark-haired man.11

"My name is Christopher Bull," he said, solemnly. "And I am here to tell you your Quest."12

"Quest?" I echoed.13

"Quest," Christopher repeated. "Your Quest to save us all."14

"It's Christopher, right?" the Japanese girl asked. She continued without waiting for a reply. "Yes, well, I'm not the video game type. Nor am I the reality TV for dorks type. So you can stop playing your stupid prank."15

"My name IS Christopher, but you shall call me Bull. And this is not a game, prank, trick, or whatever. This is serious." He looked at both of us in turn.16

"Caitlin Rice," he addressed me. "You are the Element of Water. I can tell by your eyes. Blue symbolizes water, and you have the Elemental Symbol tattooed on your ankle, have you not?"17

I shook my head. I didn’t have any tattoos!18

"Check," Bull ordered, his voice no louder than a whisper. I rolled up my skinnies, and just as he had said, there was a tattoo. An E inside a crest of water, fire, ice and Earth.19

"Whoa..." I murmured. Then, "Oh my gosh! Mum's gonna kill me! I'm not allowed a tattoo until I'm eighteen! I'm barely over thirteen!"20

"Only an Elemental or other magical creatures can see it," Bull reassured me. He then turned to the Japanese Girl.21

"Amanda Sakura Cheung-"22

"Wait!" the girl interrupted. "Wait, wait, wait!" She held up her hand, palm facing Bull. "I'm not going to believe this rubbish. So I'm an Elemental, am I?"23

"Well, yes, you are," Bull replied. "Amanda-"24

"It's Mandy," Amanda said. "Anyway, I don't want to part of this. I'm leaving." And with that, she stalked away.25

Not for long though. Bull held up his hand, and Amanda stopped in her tracks.26

"What's happening?" she questioned, sharply. She looked around, blindly. "Why is it all black? What have you done?"27

"Calm down," Bull said. "I'm an illusionist. It's all an illusion. You just need to turn around and head back to Caitlin and me."28

Amanda huffed a sigh and reluctantly came back to us, a scowl on her face. She crossed her arms as I saw her eyes go back into focus.29

"Now was that so hard?" Bull asked her, as though talking to a stubborn toddler.30

Amanda rolled her eyes. "Just explain what's going on."31

"Okay, thank you," Bull said. "Amanda-"32

"Mandy," she corrected.33

"Mandy, then. Mandy Sakura Cheung, you are the Element of-"34

"What? Caitlin's water because of her blue eyes? What am I? Dirt? Cuz I'd rather not," Mandy said.35

"If you'd let me explain without interrupting then may be able to tell you!" Bull said, exasperated. He paused. Mandy was silent. "Thank you. Mandy, you are the Element of Fire. Your brown eyes symbolize the dirty smoke that comes off a flame."36

"I knew I'd symbolize dirt somehow," muttered Mandy, annoyed.37

Suddenly, there was a crackle and snap of twigs, and an "Ouch!" from a boy. Bull looked away from us, expectantly.38

"Ah," he said. "Our Earth and ice have arrived."