Elemental

by Debbie Kump

  Tessa’s car.

  Don’t worry, Jordan, I convinced myself. She didn’t see a thing. And a large part of me thrilled in the fact I wouldn’t have to worry about enduring her verbal abuse at school ever again. I’d be gone. Micah could patch things up with her afterward.

  A small part of me wished she actually had something to witness besides Micah holding my hand. And that afterward, Micah wouldn’t want to fix his relationship. Though the thought seemed selfish, I couldn’t stop it from existing in my mind.

  Suddenly, I heard a different car pull to a stop as more footsteps came running up the driveway. My heart leapt up my throat again and stole my breath. Oh, God. The Elementals!

  Only the footprints sounded soft, too small for The Three. I pulled away from Micah to watch Cameron dash up the sidewalk. “I’m home,” he declared. “Did you miss me?”

  I couldn’t help but smile. With everything troubling my soul, Cam’s sunny disposition always brightened my mood.

  Micah managed to squelch it. “Why don’t you tell him?”

  “Tell me what?” Cam chirped.

  I frowned, unable to verbalize the truth. So Micah helped me along. “Jordan’s leaving.”

  “What?” Cam exclaimed. His head turned sideways and his voice reached an impossibly high pitch. Tears instantly filled his big eyes. “But you promised you’d watch me play in my first game. It’s tomorrow, right, Micah?”

  Nodding his head, Micah said, “See?” He stepped away and gave me a meaningful glance that might signify, How can you say no to a face like that? Or maybe it meant, Promise me you won’t leave without saying good-bye. I couldn’t be sure of his exact intent.

  I looked into Cam’s innocent, brown eyes, hating Micah for using him to get to me. I found it extremely difficult to say no to a six-year-old, especially a sweet one like Cam.

  “Promise,” Micah whispered so only I could hear. He squeezed my hand tighter.

  I closed my eyes, the strain and burden of my curse growing impossible to bear. When I opened them again, he still stared at me, refusing to let go.

  So that confirmed it. He wanted me to say good-bye to him. Alone. “Fine,” I mouthed back with reluctance and forced a small smile.

  His eyes kept a wary look. Finally, he released my fingers from his grip.

  I’d give him one more day. One day to find a way to say good-bye, then I’d take off for good. With no looking back.

  Micah turned to follow Cam into the house. It’s better this way, I reminded myself, even if I must sacrifice everything I care about. Besides, he still had Tessa. He didn’t have room for me in his life.

  On the doorstep I looked upward. A darkening storm front of low-lying clouds advanced from the south. A chill hung in the air. I rubbed my hands up and down my arms to keep warm, hoping I could escape their wrath in time.

  That night I volunteered to read Cam his favorite bedtime story, Fox in Socks, though I didn’t tell him this marked the last time my tongue would twist in such ridiculous knots. I didn’t mind helping Celia a little, especially since she looked so frazzled from work today. I also felt glad for one last chance to spend with Cam who slipped from wired to tired in 3.9 seconds flat. I pulled his blankets over his shoulders and planted a small kiss on his forehead, whispering, “Good-bye, Cam.” Deep inside, I’d miss him more than he’d ever know.

  Closing his door on my way out, I sniffled, kicking myself again for getting too involved. From this day forward, I needed to stick to myself.

  I didn’t see Micah the rest of the night, though I suspected he hid in his room. I wanted to knock on his door and get this over with, but knew that wouldn’t solve anything. Micah purposefully avoided me so I’d make it to Cam’s game. I crawled into bed early, unsure of when I’d get another chance at a decent night’s sleep once I hit the road. Exhausted and emotionally drained from the day’s events, I tucked myself deeper under the covers. I squeezed my eyes shut, willing a peaceful sleep to find me, if only for one night.

  I tried to forget the past, but nightmares continually resurfaced, grim reminders of the awesome power The Three wielded in shaping the fate of humanity.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Saturday morning, the phone rang early. Celia’s office called and needed her to come in to work.

  “But you’ll miss my first game!” Cam protested.

  “I know, I know. Oh, Cam, I’m so, so sorry. But I’ll make it up to you. I promise. And Micah’s agreed to take video of the whole thing for me so I can watch it when I get home.”

  I looked at Micah, murmuring, “You did?” Since when did Micah volunteer to do anything that didn’t directly benefit himself?

  He gave me a nonchalant shrug, then jammed his hands into his pockets and looked away. Fine, avoid me again. I still planned to leave right after the game.

  I tried to appear happy and lighthearted when I pulled Cam’s high black socks over his shin guards and tied his cleats. But I had a hard time masking the fear and uncertainty that shrouded my every thought.

  Then Sully walked in, carrying Cam’s soccer ball from the porch. “Who’s ready for a hat trick?” he grinned, giving Cam a high-five. When Sully saw me, his grin quickly faded.

  My stomach instantly turned into a knotted wreck, worse than my tongue had when reading Fox in Socks last night. Why did Micah have to invite Sully to come, too? Did he purposefully try to make this more difficult for me? And what about our “private” good-bye?

  Forget it. It didn’t matter anymore. I’d go to the game, and then get out of here. Who cared about that silly little promise I made to Micah?

  Not me, I thought, watching Micah repeatedly check his phone throughout the first half of Cam’s game, his face looking more and more disappointed each time. I finally snatched Celia’s camera from him. Not only did he mess up the footage by digging in his pocket for his phone, it gave me a reason to avoid talking to both of them.

  “Something wrong?” Sully wagered after Micah checked his phone for perhaps the twentieth time.

  “I thought she said she’d be here,” Micah mumbled.

  “Who?”

  “Tessa. At least she told me she would.”

  “So?” Sully muttered. “She’s probably just busy. Maybe she forgot she had to work or something.”

  Micah frowned. “Yeah. Or something.”

  Suddenly, I felt bad for both of them.

  I turned my attention to the game instead, noting that kindergarten soccer appeared more like Swarm Ball. Repeatedly, one kid pelted the ball while the rest of the players on both teams charged after it. In the first half, the weather held and Cam got an assist, adding to the bunch of goals his team scored. But in the second half, the leaden sky dribbled. Tiny droplets fell first, then fat plunks of rain. I handed Celia’s camera back to Micah to slip inside his jacket pocket.

  The intermittent drops grew in size and frequency, making it difficult to concentrate on the game or Micah or Sully. Though I doubted either one wanted to speak to me, especially when they both looked a little annoyed by my actions.

  I shouldn’t be here. It sounded like the second hand of a clock ticked loudly inside my skull to mark the passage of time until my imminent demise.

  My eyes darted through the crowd huddled along the sidelines beneath the protection of their multicolored umbrellas. I almost expected to spot Hydros, Gaia, or Skye nestled in amongst the spectators. Bent on recognizing one of their evil faces, I failed to notice Cameron dribble the ball down the field on a breakaway until Micah elbowed me in the ribs.

  “Check it out,” he remarked. Cam kicked the ball past the last defender, and then charged after it. Suddenly, only the goalie remained between him and the net. “Go, little bro!” Micah shouted across the field.

  “Go, Cam!” Sully cheered.

  Momentarily forgetting my concerns, I watched Cam regain control of the ball. “Shoot!” I cried, crossing my fingers.

  Cam planted his left foot next to the ball. With a swift kick
, he launched the ball toward the goal. The goalie swooped down to grab it but the wet leather slipped through his fingers and rolled across the painted white goal line.

  “Yeah! Good one, Cam!” I screamed, jumping in the air with jubilation. Cam looked thrilled as he sprinted back to his starting position, giving high-fives to everyone on his team, including his coach. Pride swelled inside me. I turned to Micah, my face beaming. “He did it!”

  Excited, Micah wrapped his arms around me in a spontaneous hug that swept me off the ground. When he finally set me back down, I turned toward Sully. Caught in the moment, I reached out to embrace him, too.

  Only his body stood cold and rigid, his face frozen in a very un-Sully-like scowl. I stepped back with a soft, “Sorry,” too afraid to look him in the eyes.

  Talk about killing the moment.

  For the rest of the game, I silently waited in the rain, squashing my hands deep into my pockets, reflecting on my recent mistakes. I realized that everything came down to the same reason—I let myself get too close. Why else would I feel so conflicted? Proud of Cam and all our practices in the backyard, ecstatic when Micah swept me into a strong hug, and absolutely disgusted with myself for how I hurt Sully. I vowed I’d never let this happen to me again…if I could make it that long.

  I heaved a huge sigh of relief when the ref gave three sharp blows on her whistle to end the game.

  But not when Micah suggested, “Why don’t we take Cameron out for lunch to celebrate his first goal?”

  I shot him a I-thought-it-was-time-for-me-to-go look.

  Micah hurled one back like, And what about that good-bye?

  Then I realized Sully noted our whole exchange, wearing a wounded expression upon his face.

  “Okay,” I succumbed, trying my best not to look at Sully again. “To celebrate.” I tousled Cam’s mop of wet hair. After Sully climbed in the driver’s seat, I caught Micah’s eye and flashed him a determined look, But that’s it. Then I’m outta here.

  Sully started the car, and I slid in the back next to Cam. “I have to go on a trip,” I began, the words getting caught in my throat. I needed to tell him. He had a right to the truth and he deserved to hear it straight from me.

  I sensed Sully lean across the center console to listen. With a heavy sigh, I continued, knowing he also deserved to hear my explanation, especially after all I’d put him through.

  “Oh.” Cam’s face fell. “Will you be back tomorrow?”

  “Tomorrow?” I sighed again. “No, not tomorrow.”

  “Then will you be at my game next weekend?” His big brown eyes studied me expectantly.

  I frowned. I wanted to tell him everything but couldn’t. With Celia called in to the office this morning, the truth might upset him more. So I settled for, “I hope so.”

  Micah fired me a pointed look, like I gave his brother false hopes. I spoke from my heart. I would like to make it, even though I knew it’d never happen. In fact, I’d consider myself lucky to make it through the end of the day.

  A few minutes later, Sully pulled into the Taco Bell situated on the beach. We hustled indoors to get out of the driving rain and selected a table by the window where we could safely watch the ferocity of the storm that brewed outside. The same dismal shade of gray cloaked the sky, water, and clouds. The incessant rain blended one into the next, making the distinction between each layer practically imperceptible. The storm surge pummeled the shore. I hoped this little celebration wouldn’t take long.

  “So what would you like?” I asked Cam.

  “You know.” He grinned back. His curls sagged against his head and his soaked cotton jersey clung to his small frame.

  “Okay. Be right back.” I told him and walked up to the counter, stepping into line behind Sully and Micah.

  Aside from the employees, no other guests visited this Taco Bell on such a miserable day. I should be out of here in no time.

  After they finished, I placed my order. “I’ll have two soft-shelled tacos with only cheese.”

  The cashier asked, “No meat?”

  “Nope.”

  “Heated?”

  I shook my head. “Nope. Just plain.”

  “That’s it?” The cashier’s eyebrows perched high on her brow.

  “That’s it,” I replied with certainty.

  Sure, it seemed a strange request for a six-year-old, but Cameron knew exactly what he liked. You had to respect a kid like that.

  While she explained to the kitchen staff in Spanish the specifics of Cam’s unusual request, I peeked over my shoulder at our table. Then a huge sheet of rain pelted the window, making me jump. I glanced back outside where the ferocious waves ravaged the shore. All of a sudden, I realized it no longer mattered. My heart could take a backseat to everything else. I’d get Cam his food and then leave.

  Really.

  I carried the tray back to the table, ordering nothing for myself. Between the surge outdoors and Sully’s stormy mood indoors, food wouldn’t sit well inside my distraught stomach.

  Celebration or not, I decided it was time for me to go. Setting the food down in front of Cam, I whispered to Micah, “That’s it. I’ve gotta—”

  But Micah held up his index finger for me to wait as Cam asked him, “Can I have a strawberry milk, too?”

  I rolled my eyes. Normally, Micah would flat out ignore me. I sank into a chair next to Cam.

  “Don’t think they’ve got it. How about a Mountain Dew?” Micah suggested.

  Cam’s face soured as he scrunched his nose.

  “Fruit Punch?” Sully asked.

  Cam shook his head resolutely.

  “What about a Pepsi?” said Micah.

  Cam stuck out his tongue with disgust.

  But before Sully could recommend another soft drink from the menu, I offered to get him his milk, knowing this exchange could go on for quite some time. Plus, the empty Taco Bell suddenly seemed cramped.

  Heading across the street, I tucked my head further beneath my hood. The wild wind whisked the raindrops like miniature blades against my face. Completely drenched by the time I reached Safeway, I mopped my face and headed toward the dairy section in the back of the supermarket to make my selection.

  When I returned to the front of the store to wait in line and pay for Cam’s strawberry milk, I spotted someone with unusually bright green eyes. Wearing tight Capri jeans, a surfing Hoodie, and sandals, she pulled her russet hair back in a bun and wedged most of it under a black San Francisco Giants ball cap. Her eyes lit up and she gave me a small smile. Something about her looked vaguely familiar. She appeared happy to recognize me, too, so I guessed I knew her from school. I shook off the feeling of déjà vu as I paid for Cam’s drink and returned to Taco Bell, eager to get out of here.

  Because I certainly hadn’t done a great job of it so far.

  When I returned to the beach, something seemed weird, almost like the tide had pulled away, taking the sea with it. For a brief moment, I stared at the expanse of sandy beach in confusion, noticing how much larger it appeared now than when we had arrived. Then I swallowed hard, realizing why those bright green eyes in Safeway looked so familiar…

  I just saw Gaia.

  I struggled for a breath. They’re here.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  I couldn’t believe I hadn’t made the connection at the store. In an instant, panic gripped my throat and I gasped for air.

  “What’s wrong?” Micah asked when I rushed into the restaurant at breakneck speed.

  I pointed out the window of the Taco Bell. “We’ve gotta leave.”

  “Seriously?” he said, taking a bite of his Taco Grande. “We’re not done with our food.”

  A chill ran up my spine when I noticed the waves breaking further and further from the beach, making the shoreline appear to recede. I’d seen this before. And it could only mean one thing.

  “Leave it. It doesn’t matter,” I told him sharply. How foolish of me to think I could hide in one spot this long! Grabbi
ng Cam by the wrist, I tugged him behind me and sprinted for the door with Sully and Micah in close pursuit.

  “Get outta here now!” I yelled to the cashier and kitchen staff. I gestured out the window with fear. Trying to remember some Spanish I picked up from living here in California, I added, “¡Rápido!”

  Confused, they stared back at me, unmoving. I assumed they’d run soon enough once that wave returned. At least I warned them in advance.

  Leaving our uneaten food at the table, we raced to the car. Micah picked up Cam who kicked in protest because he wanted to finish his cheese taco and strawberry milk.

  “Give me your keys,” I told Sully.

  “What?”

  “Your keys.” I held out my hand.

  He frowned. “But you don’t have your driver’s license. And it’s my sister’s car.”

  I understood why he didn’t trust me, especially after I’d let him down. Hard.

  All our issues would have to wait. “See all that water pulling away? Well, it’ll be back. And then some. Unless I get us out of here now.”

  “It’s always about you,” he grumbled and tossed me the keys.

  Hopping in the driver’s seat, I slammed the door shut and cranked the keys in the ignition, peeling out of the parking lot so fast that Micah barely had a chance to close his door before the first wave crest broke over the sea wall and spilled onto the asphalt. I bit my lip, knowing the subsequent waves would be much worse.

  Sully moaned from the backseat when I squealed the tires, leaving black streaks of rubber. I turned left and accelerated up the hill. Cam continued to cry when we reached the first dip in the road and the water closed in, surging up the touristy side street with incredible speed.

  I felt bad to have him stuck here with me. I doubted Celia ever drove this fast with him in the car. For a fraction of a second, I wondered how she’d feel about me going this speed right now. I knew she’d prefer this pace over letting her sons die.

  Pressing the pedal to the floor, I dodged past the traffic of alarmed motorists and blew through a red light to climb the next hill. Seconds later, the sea covered the intersection, washing the stranded cars into one another.