Hey guys! I decided to re-write this story because in my opinion, the first one was moving too quickly. And I'm going to be adding some of the other Elemental Masters, but as background characters. Either way, I hope you guys enjoy the re-write.
Sighing, I let my little brother, Samuel, drag me to the playground a few streets from our house. Sam and I lived with our mother in a small- tightly-packed town on the edge of a large forest. Within five minutes of walking, the two of us were at the playground. The playground was next to the only elementary school in town, and was made of wood. The most dangerous thing in town was probably the risk of getting a splinter on the old equipment. I fingered the small LEGO figure in my pocket.
There were a few teenagers on the swings, and they seemed to be around my age, probably ranging from fifteen to eighteen. I had seen a couple of them at the high school from time-to-time, but didn't know any of their names off the top of my head. Samuel let go of my hand, running towards the oddly-shaped climber in the center of the playground. I sat down on one of the newer benches, which was still pretty old.
"Alex!" Samuel yelled from the top of the wooden structure. "C'mon!" His blonde hair was hanging slightly in front of his eye. I shook my head, my black hair covered my right eye, while the rest was tied back into a ponytail, the red, yellow and blue streaks running down the left side. Sam pouted, looking at me, his eyes pleading with me.
I sighed. It was impossible for me to say no to him. I stood up, walking over to the structure. "'Kay Sammy, you win," The little boy grinned, and it spread to me. "But I hope you know that you're a little twerp." His smile faltered for a second, but then returned when he realized that I was joking. I climbed one of the creaky staircases, wincing at the groaning of the wood that threatened to snap beneath my feet. I sat down next to my little brother.
"I bet I could win in a race down this." He said, the grin still stuck to his face. I looked down at the obviously dangerous climber.
"Sammy... I don't think it's really safe..." I tried to say.
"Ready, set, GO!"
"Samuel!" He began to quickly move down the structure, cracking some of the beams of wood.
"I win!" Biting my lip, the smile from my face now gone, I slowly began to inch my way down. I paused when I heard a creak or slight snap. But just as I stepped on one of the steps, the wood gave way, and I fell the three feet to the ground.
"Alex!" I could hear Samuel scream, just before I blacked out.
"Get up! Hurry!" Someone yelled, probably a boy, while he tried to pull me to my feet. I groaned, swatting at the person.
"Screw you..." I muttered. "I'm sleeping here." He ignored my protests, continuing to try and make me stand.
"You really shouldn't be!" He yelled. I heard glass crash near me, and my eyes snapped open. The person was dressed in a dark black jacket, a hood flipped up over his head, covering his hair and shadowing his eyes. "Move!" I complied with his order this time, turning and sprinting in the opposite direction. I ducked behind what at first I thought was a boulder, but then realized was a large chunk of cement from a building. I looked around me.
"Oh my god..." I was in the middle of a war-ravaged city. I could hear fighting going on behind me, but was too afraid to look. Then the same boy came barreling around the corner, his right arm cut up and bleeding through holes in his jacket. He collapsed on the ground in front of me, breathing heavily. I slowly inched towards him. "Are you okay?" I asked. He used his left arm to sit up.
"I'm... not sure." He said, taking off his hood. I quickly bit my lip to hide my gasp. He had reddish-brown hair and blue eyes, which looked dull and tired.
"Jay?" I asked quietly. His head snapped towards me.
"How do you know my name?" I could feel my face pale and my hand slipped in my pocket.
"You... I think I've seen you before." He glanced over at me.
"Where's your home?" Jay asked. "It's not safe for anyone to be on their own." I had to think quickly again.
"I don't have a home. I go from place-to-place." He looked at me, as if he was trying to determine if I was telling the truth.
"Then, it's not safe in this city." Jay sat there for a minute, thinking. "You can come back to the base with me."
"What? What base?" I asked. Jay looked around nervously.
"Quiet!" Jay stood up swiftly, grabbing my wrist with his left hand. "Not so loud! At least, not here. I'll explain on the way."
"Explain what?"
"Everything!" We began to run through the destroyed city, Jay still gripping my wrist tightly.
Okay! Here's the first chapter of the re-write of If Only. I know, the title is SOOO origional. *sigh* CameronNinjaDragons, signing off.
