Elemental

Chapter 1

It's that moment when you realize that you don't accept who you are. I'm just starting to take my anger out on this tree, thinking it can just stand in my way. I feel my sweaty hard-like hands gip the handle of the hatchet. I swing another whack just to prove I can do it. But I'm not chopping the tree to prove others wrong- I'm doing it because I'm bored. So very bored.

I guess its peaceful out- with the beautiful sound of the wind blowing through the leaves. But what loses me on the calming nature around me is this tree. I've given it about ten good whacks...

Gosh this is hard. I place my right foot behind me in a stance. Throwing out all my strength I grasp the handle swinging toward the barely scratched tree.

Before the edge of the weapon could make contact, I slide down onto the ground. I try to grab anything I can, but instead I just feel the harsh ground burning against me. Following my landing, my legs hang off the end of a bottomless pit.

The pit, great name I know. It's only about 5 feet apart but it's been here even since I can remember. It feels strangely cool as the air blows through my legs.

I reach behind me to place my now scratched hands onto the ground but a warm hand startles me as it grips tight on mine. I turn my head gasping to see my only brother Inmal.

"Gosh Inmal, you nearly sc-"

"Why are you near that wretched cliff?!" He interrupts me. "Corella you know so much better-"

"Shut up you!" I snap "Get lost I-"

"Totally wasn't about to fall?!"

"Will you stop interrupting me!?" I growl.

His hand is still on mine. He pulls me up in a brutal manor nearly sending me stumbling to the ground again. I look down; he's got a basket of some sort in his left hand.

"What's in the basket, douche?"

He stares at me- obviously full of annoyance. His green eyes shimmer in the sunlight. His hair is all shades of blonde with hints of brown. He's got the prefect features. Nothing to explain really. Perfect, just perfect. Then there's me. Quite plain and simple. Well except from a few freckles I may have, I'm just a brown spec. Nothing else to be said about it.

"I decided to pick some berries with Miss Frances." Inmal states flatly.

"Well that's lovely-" I hesitate. He must know deep in his heart that I love him. But I've also had been jealous of his own beauty... though he is smart, he must know I couldn't give him an anywhere near kind response. I quickly reach out, taking the hatchet and basket from him.

Before any moments could be made by him, I throw the basket- which stays shut as it hits the other side of the pit. In advance came the releasing hatchet from my hand followed by a clean slick sound as it stuck into the stone, effectively holding the basket of berries to the solid wall.

"Well how about that?" I say in awe.

"Why... you-..." He trails off.

"Guess I'll go and get them for you." I say. Without another thought I pass him, his mouth gaping in disbelief.

I slowly walk up to the pit. The top parts of my boots hang freely on the edge. Everything rests; the birds chirping, the winds gentle breeze, the heat from the sun, and the cooling shade all disappears.

I can only hear the beating of my heart, the thumping in my head. I jump. I bend my knees, pouncing off the ground I fall. I can only see darkness and the farther I fall the cooler it gets. I guess I'l die now. Mentally I shrug, my mind empty. I look down but it's hard to with my hair all over the place. I can only see scattered light then hit the bottom with a thump. I see myself watching my bones crush, my insides spilling into the earth. Blood and guts included.

"Hey! Earth to Corella!"

"What?..." I manage. I lift my eyes from the ground to see Inmal glaring at me with annoyance, but a bit of concern pokes through.

He reaches for my hand- I take his. That was a horrible thought.. to have to die like that...

"Come on, we gotta go." He says. The last known memory of me for my brother is me jumping to my death. How could I possibly do that to him? Thank goodness it was only a thought, a dream... I breathe a sigh of relief and follow Inmal back home.

It must be near late evening. The sun begins to set. We are now stepping through branches and stones.

"So..." I awkwardly start.

"I have nothing to say to you. I just- want you to be safe, and the only way to be safe is to stay safe. So... don't leave the fields... . or the house." Overprotective much?

"If anyone came to hurt me I'll-"

"You're what? Stab them? Beat them? Knock them out? Trust me you couldn't! You wouldn't even have to worry about that if you stayed home!" Inmal repeats the same annoying answer I've gotten my whole life.

"Really, it's a forest what could possibly happen? I've got an axe, and my knives!"

"Corella..." he growls.

"Well if I was a bender-"

"Shut up! You want to be some pycho murder, is that it?" he ends the cyclic conversation by walking away ahead of me.

"See you don't care about me! You do trust me! I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself!" I shout as he stomps away.

I melt in anger, pulling on my hideous hair. I slide against a tree falling to the ground. I will not cry, I will not cry... I want a different life. I burry my sobbing face into my knees. A bender, just imagine. I refuse to let another tear fall. I raise my head in denial. I'm only a minuets walk from the fields- which leads to the horrid village.

I never liked our village; especially because it's for own kind- our kind which chooses to live separately from the bending world and of course... the benders. They can control any of the four elements at their fingertips.

Since we are required to know about the world outside of our reach, I'm sure we know more than they would ever learn. The elements Water, Earth, Fire, Air. I never understood the point of Air- or the Avatar. Why couldn't every bender master all the elements? I once asked that. Never ask it in a schoolroom...I learned from experience; Especially from an older twat who's a walking prejudice of hatred.

Our previous Avatar- Shaunwha, was said to help the elemental world restore order so everyone may be safe from war and poverty. Ha, that happens to be a lie. I know that everyone who's the Avatar must get all caught up in the moment. Well now she's passed. And the new Avatar is yet to be discovered this upcoming, or at least soon hopefully somehow.

Winter is coming soon and autumn is nearly over. The sun has set and I have spent the rest of the evening here daydreaming... not that it's unusual. I slowly stand up stiffing out my back. It may be dark, but the sky is lit with a full moon.. Bet water benders are happy. The moon guides me home.

There are lanterns hanging on ropes attached to the houses of fellow neighbors. Some are outside. Above we all look up seeing what seems like a wave of fog coming towards us, but it's just the chilling rain. The children scram inside to fetch their coats while parents scold them not to due to the depressing sickness going around.

"Marenik my son, come inside and stay inside!"

"Girls come inside now!"

"Everyone come on, the rains com'n!"

While everyone evacuates inside I continue walking in a fast pace with my head down. Inmal took my hatchet, saved that blasted tree, and really worked up a storm, literally... but maybe, just maybe saved my life. It's not like I'll ever know anyway. It begins to cool down with every step I take. I can hear the white noise grow louder. It finally hits. It makes the lantern fire and torches flicker, soon to burn out. It also drenches me instantly, which is okay I guess.

I finally made it to the end of the path that leads through houses. The wind starts to pick up. The shaking and snapping of branches distract me. There hasn't been rainfall this year at all. Which makes me wonder, how could the crops possibly grow? The fields are miles away from any stream. And it's not like we have trucks or even wagons to haul it up there. Well I honestly don't care as long as we have food. Ive never been the thinking... or caring type. I'll figure it out later or something, I shrug.

The woods are freezing cold. I pass by the time daydreaming. There I am, with reporters getting all the information on my discovery of being a bender... Or even the Avatar. "How did you do it? Please tell the crowd! Miss Eaon! Miss Eaon! If I may have you opinion on- Please tell us-"

"Ahh!" a gigantic leaf hit my face. I brush it off as it sticks to my cheek from the rain. I come across a trench with no water but with weeds and mush. The plank leading across the trench leads to yet another dirt path that eventually leads back home. I can finally make out the silhouette of our house.

The wind picks up followed by heavier downpour. It bangs off our roof shimmering in the moonlight. I run around to the back of the house, careful not to slip in mud. When I reach our damp wooden door I realize- I have no key. I'd rather not wake my parents. I back up- the moon is still up lighting the sky.

There's a small window in my room that I plan to somehow fit though. I used to do it all the time...when I was a kid. Well... Grabbing the bottom of the window I push up. Maybe I could fit my head in? I stick my head through, beads of water drip off strands of dark hair. Although this hurts at least there's no more rain pounding against my face.

The cracks in the walls are lit with moonlight but I don't see much that is until Inmal grabs my face yelling "Boo!" like a child. Gasping I pull back banging the back of my head. And I thought Inmal couldn't get any more childish.

I would laugh because I must look so dumb with my head in the window and the rest of me outside but I don't, too pissed off at the moment.

"See I told you, she's always sneaking out and late and going everywhere." Inmal sneers. A light comes closer revealing my parents. Great.

"Look it's no big deal but... you know I'm safe." I blurt.

"Oh Corella look at yourself! You're stuck in the window, I think we have other things to worry about." my mother declares in all honesty, ha, take that Inmal!

We all let out a chuckle or two all except Inmal with his brotherly ways who can't share an-oh-so deserving laugh with his family.

"Come on Inmal, least you're not stuck in a window." I'm not so great at saying anything clever or even remotely funny.

My father had to break the window a bit in order for me to get out. When I finally get inside it's damp and cold. I never expect it to be warm; it will never really be warm. Everyone heads off to bed. My mother kisses me on my forehead. "Goodnight and get cleaned up."

Father leaves for work. It's only an hour or so after midnight but he must leave early. We say goodbye to him. Inmal follows him outside. Meanwhile I dry off and change my clothes. I slip on a dark, but thick patched cloak and stitched pants. I check on my mother who is sleeping, I look outside to find my father has left, and Inmal is nowhere in or near the house. I swing the door open with a loud thump.

"Inmal, get your pretty face in here!"

No one answers.

"Inmal?"

"Inmal!"

I honestly don't care at this point. I slam the door shut and stomp to my room. Before I fall on the bed I find myself already dozing off. Dreaming would be nice.

—

I scatter out of bed from hearing the dreadful noise I hoped I'd never hear. The roar and howling of an animal rumbles through the air. There's nothing positive about this. Out of the kitchen window is a coati tearing about a hound dog. I watch in terror as it takes another bite, pulling the hound's insides out. Then the ear and the other. The coati raises its head to me then runs towards the door. This is surely a nightmare come true.

I turn my head in fear to see only worse. The doors open revealing the huge moon. I peek outside. The wind blows my hair in my face, completely blurring my vision. Drat.

"Mother!"

"Anyone?"

I run through the hall barefooted, opening every door until I open the door to my room. Inmal and my father lay on the bed dead as stone. But I don't stare too long. The screaming from outside rushes me to see.

This time it's a bear dragging my mother by her legs. Before I do anything words form inside my head: Anything that happens next is a dream. My own words. This time I'm dreaming. I don't care for nightmares... I don't think anyone does. Goodbye I think, I must wake now.

"Corella wake up!"

I pry my eyes open only to be blinded by the sun peering through the window. My mom's shaking me almost out of the bed.

"What is it?" I mumble

"No one can find Inmal anywhere... . and- and..." she just stops.

"Mom what is it?" I sit up.

"It's Inmal."

lf things couldn't get any worse.