Disclaimer: Although there aren't any Avatar: The Last Airbender references, I'm still adding it, just in case.
Thanks guys. Now I have two reviews, which is better than nothing. And I'm glad someone put this on story alert too. But still, REVIEW! I must know...
Oh yeah, and in case you don't get what's been going on in the last two chapters, here's the summary: An earthquake has struck Ellie's town. When some of her closest relatives and friends seemingly die, it triggers the Avatar state (yes, Ellie is the Avatar), but her mom somehow manages to stop it (I don't mention how). Her dad somehow survives (if you think hard enough, you'll probably know), and a volunteer, who has the same negative energy as the earthquake, supposedly rescues them. After that, the story winds up to here - CHAPTER 3!
Chapter 3
A musty old smell flooded my nose the moment the woman wrenched open the car door. My mom instantly plopped into the front seat—probably to chat with the evil volunteer's girlfriend. They really hit it off, most likely because the woman was the mayor, Ms. Mestas.
At first, I hadn't recognized her. She looked too ordinary, like a regular woman just driving a few friends somewhere, nothing like a mayor. I expected a mayor to wear fancy suit clothes all the time. But of course I was wrong—I had stereotyped the Ms. Mestas like any other person would have. Instead, she wore a t-shirt and a pair of jeans, which suited the sweltering hot July weather. Nothing fancy.
She'd played a horribly awkward guessing game with me before we had gotten into the car. It went something like this:
A broad, friendly smile was spread across her face. "Do you recognize me?"
"Um, no. I don't think we've ever met."
"Think hard. Maybe you've seen me in a newspaper, or a magazine. I'm a bit well-known around your town, I guess."
Thinking as hard as I could, I came up with…nothing. "No, I don't know you."
"I'm nothing special, just the mayor of your town."
I had nearly shrieked. She was the mayor of my city? She was dating a bad guy? But then again, she probably didn't know. She could just be an innocent lady going about with her business and not know her boyfriend was evil.
Back to the present. When we had acquired our seats and were just getting comfortable, Ms. Mestas took a deep breath and confidently placed her hands on the steering wheel. "Well, I haven't done this in years, but let's give this a shot."
I suddenly felt sick to the stomach. What kind of person would drive two earthquake survivors if she hadn't driven in years? I quickly latched on my seatbelt—extra tight.
The engine started, sputtering violently, but swiftly changing into a smooth purr. The mayor stepped on the gas pedal and we took off.
We approached a turn. Ms. Mestas made a dangerous swerve and my stomach lurched forward. I resisted the urge to roll up the window and puke onto the road.
And guess what? Ms. Mestas laughed. It was a pleasant chiming noise like bells which fitted her nicely. I didn't really mind. I wasn't in a talkative mood, considering what had happened before this journey.
But all in all, she still apologized. "Sorry. It's just that you looked… funny. And I'm just not used to this."
I nodded briefly to show my appreciation. Then I stared out the window, pretending to observe the changing scenery. In reality, I had left my brain to my thoughts. I just wanted to think.
But sometimes, things can't go our way.
The ride hadn't been long—about ten to fifteen minutes. Ms. Mestas had tried to get me to talk; the way a teacher would try to encourage a student. And finally I gave in after five minutes. You'd be amazed how quickly she could make friends. Pretty soon, I felt like I had someone to replace Wesley. But inside, I knew nothing would change his place in my heart, as my best friend.
When we got to the refuge, I knew right away that it would be a long time before I would feel at home. It was just a bunch of tents crowded together, making it resemble a camp.
"Wait until the rest of the survivors arrive. This place will be swarming with people," the mayor said grimly. I could do nothing but take her word for it.
She led us to a tent just big enough for the two of us: me and my mom. "Unfortunately, these are your living quarters. Sorry we couldn't get you better accommodations. You'll have to live like pioneers—just like the old days."
"I know you did your best. You're very daring to help all these citizens," Mom said.
"Thank you." She turned to face me and put an elegant hand on my shoulder. "Ellie, if you have the time, come visit me. I'll be staying over there." She pointed toward a little run-down shack at the very far end of the campsite. "I have a feeling we'll be the best of friends."
I nodded. "Sure Ms. Mestas. I'll try."
"Don't call me that anymore. Call me Angelica," she told me. Then she paced away, farther and farther, but before she disappeared from view completely, she turned and gave me one last hopeful smile.
Little did I know that that might be one of her last ones.
We hustled inside the tent.
"This isn't too bad…" My mom tried the modest tent look homier, but it didn't help. All there was in the shelter was the floor, if you didn't tally the sleeping bags as furniture. Mom rearranged the dirt-tarnished sleeping bags to separate corners of the tent for privacy.
"Mom, just face it. It won't work. Nothing will work. There's no hope."
She sighed. "Ellie, sometimes we have to abandon hope to get to our goal. But hope is always there inside you, even if you don't know it. It's in your heart."
"If you say so."
Day by day rolled past. Life was uncomfortable, especially in a putrid little tent. Willing to find company, I tried to locate companions, only to find them dead from the earthquake. The ones left—Keitaro and Maia—seemed distant, and soon they vanished from my mind. Mood swings came and went. Once, my anger was so immense, I propelled the tent up into the sky. After that, I had suspicions on what I was.
So I took the mayor's advice and visited her. By then, I had been desperate for a friend. Afterward, things started looking up. The sleepless nights became more bearable and soon, I was visiting every single day.
Ms. Mestas was constantly there, waiting for me. Her evil boyfriend was there too. I learned his name was Kelvin, which wasn't very evil sounding. He always sat by her side with a smirk. He didn't talk—just watched, boring his eyes into me as though he was trying to look into my soul.
Until one fateful afternoon, when everything changed and twisted reality.
I walked up to the door of the hut and knocked. No one answered. I guess no one's home, I thought decisively. But then I heard talking. I tried the door again. Then I realized it was unlocked, like it always was when I came to stop over.
So I nudged the door a little to make a crack big enough for me to see through, but small enough so it wasn't noticeable. What I saw almost made me give myself away.
Kelvin was clutching a knife—aimed at Angelica.
