The Elementals

Noah woke up with a head ache and a body on top of him.

At first he thought that the shadow girl, Stella, had punched him in the face anyway, but then he realized that the limp form on top of him was Stella. This bothered him. Not because he didn’t like her, but because he did like her. He debated with himself on whether to push her off or wait patiently till she woke up.

He decided to carefully slide out from under her and then he stood, promptly smashing his head on the ceiling. “Ow!” he yelped, the word seeming to come out of his mouth much more often since he met Stella.

Rubbing his head, he looked around the room. It was more of a cell, white-ish clear stuff making a box about six feet by six feet. Not much room for personal space, or his 6’5” height. Noah stretched carefully and then winced at the sore ache in his shoulder. He rolled it a couple of times, deducing that he had probably gotten shot with a dart of some kind.

Sighing, Noah started to sit down just as Stella stood up behind him. He turned quickly, and then smacked his head once again. Stella snickered and he glared at her while she stood perfectly straight, her small figure allowing her to fit without stooping.

Noah leaned on the wall and slid to the floor. “Yeah, it’s funny as long as your head doesn’t hurt.”

Stella stopped laughing and sat down guiltily next to him. “I am sorry. For slapping you as well.”

Noah had momentarily forgotten about that, but he gingerly touched his cheek and felt the sensitive skin, most likely bruised. He sighed again, wishing he would snap at her but knew if he did he would feel bad. “I guess we’re even now. Princess.” he added with forced contempt, trying to put some bite in his statement and failing miserably.

“Stella,” she corrected primly. “Here; I can help with that.”

Noah flinched as she raised her hand towards his face, and then recoiled as her fingers reached to his cheek. “What are you doing?” he backed away before she could touch him.

Stella inched forward after him. “I can heal it. That is my power.”

Noah shook his head. “Nope, no, I think I’m good, no need.”

“It will only take a few seconds –”

“Seconds that are needed for other things,” he said, backing himself into the corner of the cell. “Like…um…doing other things.”

Stella narrowed her eyes and spat out the first thing that came to mind, which was unlike her. “Just shut up, sit still and let me touch your face!”

Noah stopped arguing at the exceedingly strange command and Stella’s doll-like face went red. She huffed angrily and then suddenly electric shocks were making Noah’s entire body prickly and light as Stella set her fingers on his cheek. He didn’t despise the feeling, he despised that he liked the feeling.

There was nowhere to go; his back was pressed against the wall, and it was taking every ounce of strength not to lean forward and kiss –

Noah stuffed the thought down, growling to himself. You just met her, you just met her, you just met her.

Yes, and in that course of time she had managed to hit him and get him locked up somewhere. If anything, he should hate her. He didn’t even know where he was, where he was going, what was happening and – and she hadn’t taken her hand off his cheek, why hadn’t she, couldn’t she understand that Noah’s brain was not functioning properly with her that close?

“It’s been more than a few seconds.” he pointed out hoarsely. “It’s been about nine actually.”

Stella jumped as if startled and then tore her hand away, flushing an even darker shade of red. A confused expression found its way onto Noah’s face and he tilted his head to the side, carefully taking in Stella’s reaction. She wrinkled her nose a little, as flummoxed as he was, and looked at the floor.

Unsure of what that meant, Noah crossed his legs under him. “We should be trying to get out.”

Stella nodded, white streaks bouncing along in her long hair. Noah suddenly felt guilty, something he hated.

“Sorry.” he muttered, glowering off to the side.

“What for?” Stella asked. Her voice changed, now it was composed and carefully spoken, much different from when she was yelling at him.

“Calling you Cruella.” Noah said, still not looking at her. He wasn’t comfortable with this, how much he wanted her to like him. He was invisible. He didn’t care what people thought of him. He didn’t apologize.

“That was a day ago. But thank you.” Stella acknowledged his apology. Noah snuck a glance at her and she offered a small smile which he returned before he could help it. Rapidly he tried to frown, but probably ended up looking like he was about to sneeze.

“Escape.” he said quickly, turning away from Stella’s perceptive gaze. “Let’s bust out this place. And then kick whoever put us here.”

Stella laughed. “We are on a boat.” she stated plainly, observing the roof of the cell.

Noah realized that the swaying motion of the floor was not because Stella had laughed at something he said and instead was the rocking of a boat over the waves. “Okay, so we’ll need a plan.” He thought for a moment, actually observing his surroundings outside the cell more.

They must have been in the bottom of the boat, the storage area, because other crates were stacked next to and under theirs. He spotted guards patrolling along the corridor outside the room they were in. He turned to Stella, who held her round eyes level with his. He swallowed.

“So it might hurt…” he started. “Actually, it will hurt. A lot. But we need to rock this,” he rapped his knuckles on the cell wall. “So it tips over and falls onto the ground.”

Stella stared at him. He shifted uncomfortably. He wasn’t used to having people see him. Like, look at him look at him.

“Alright,” Stella said and then motioned for him to lead.

Noah took a breath and backed up to the opposite wall of the cell, Stella following his lead. A part of him knew this wasn’t going to end well, but the other half was really getting claustrophobic in here, next to Stella, their shoulders almost touching. He had to do something so he leapt forward and slammed his weight against the other side of the cell. Immediately the prison shuddered, and then Stella caught up with him and the box toppled over onto the ground below.

Noah knew it was going to hurt – he had even told Stella so. And it did. It hurt a freaking lot falling almost ten feet inside a large glass crate.

He just didn’t think that when the box flipped over on itself that Stella would end up on top of him, her hands clawing at his shirt for a grip. Their noses bumped together on accident as the cell settled, her lips barely brushing his before she fell forward and then Noah was increasingly conflicted because he absolutely hated the fact that he absolutely loved kissing her, even if it was by accident.

He heard a muffle exclamation and remembered that his plan was not going to stop so he could kiss someone. It didn’t matter anyway because Stella had scrambled off him and was staring at him with eyes the size and color of the moon. But that didn’t matter either both because there was shouting that was growing louder and pounding footsteps approached the cell.

Instantly, Noah felt the slight tingle down his spine that came with going invisible. Stella’s mouth dropped open in surprise and then the door of the cell was torn open by some very angry guards. The one in front peered suspiciously into the cell.

“Hey,” he said. “Weren’t there two of you?”

Noah edged his way around the cell wall, trying to be as quiet as possible.

“Hello,” Stella said nervously. She was in no shape to defend herself; in shock and most likely lots of pain from the fall.

“Who cares?” the other guard said, pushing past the first and reaching a rough hand out at Stella. She flinched away as his fingers dug into her arm. “Just get the girl and bring her –”

That’s as far as he got before Noah launched himself at him.

The guard was slammed against the wall, and Noah felt satisfaction at his utterly bewildered look. Faster than anyone else could move Noah grabbed Stella’s hand and dragged her out. He got around the hallway before Stella resisted.

“Wait!” she said. Noah stopped immediately. “We have to get Rian and Joseph!”

Noah let go of her hand and focused on being visible. It was always harder going back. Stella was giving him a pleading look.

“Where are they?” Noah asked.

She looked surprised that he caved so easily. Noah was surprised himself. They needed to get out, fast. There was no time for rescuing.

“I am not aware of their location.” Stella replied nervously.

Noah closed his eyes briefly, thinking. “Okay,” he started back down the hallway. “Let’s check the rooms down here first.”

Stella nodded gratefully and followed him.

“So,” Noah started, voice reduced to a whisper as they crept along the wall. “Who are Rian and Joseph?”

“Rian,” Stella said after a pause. “She is the wind Elemental.”

“The what?”

“Elemental. It is what we call ourselves.” Stella said. “Joseph is the sound Elemental. It would be judicious for us to find him first.”

Noah narrowed his eyes. “Why?” he asked with hostility that he hadn’t meant to show.

Stella paused her searching. “He is new and on the innocent side. I doubt he could handle himself well in a situation where hand-to-hand combat is necessary.” She peered at Noah, who desperately wished he could go invisible and run away forever. “He is also my friend.” She added carefully, scrutinizing his reaction.

Noah glared at the floor. “Fine. Where would Joseph be?” he asked, spitting out the name harshly, once again more so than he meant.

Stella didn’t answer until finally she sighed, shaking her head. “You are stupid.” She said, then stood on tip-toe and Noah felt the barest graze of lips against his cheek.

In a flash it was gone, but the skin still felt tingly where she had touched it. Noah felt himself smiling uncontrollably before he had to run to catch up with Stella. She held her head in a manner that told him not to mention it, but when she sent a fleeting glance at his smile, he caught her doing the same. Noah could deal with that.

After some close calls with patrol guards, they finally found Joseph. He was in a cell much like theirs, doubled up with Rian. Both looked miserable, until they saw Stella approaching.

“Stella!” Rian cried, unable to stand in the small cell as well. She pressed her hands against the glass, head tilting as she caught sight of Noah. “And…”

“Noah,” he filled in for her. “I’m the light – uh…”

“Elemental.” Stella said.

Noah nodded. “Right. That.”

Everyone jumped as shouting approached the room. He should’ve known the word would get around that they had escaped. Instinctively, he reached out and pulled Stella into his chest as guards raced into the room. It was when they looked around with confusion, eyes skipping right over Noah and Stella that he grinned.

“You’re invisible too.” he whispered, pulling her over to the wall and ducking behind a cell.

She observed her body with awe. Noah still had his hand on her shoulder. Stella turned and after looking at the floor momentarily she grabbed his hand in her soft one. “It must be because we are touching.” She said quietly, curling her fingers around his. “We are on the same light manipulation so others cannot see us.”

Noah smiled. Stella blushed before hiding her face in her curtain of hair. “What are we going to do about Rian and Joseph?” she whispered, watching the guards wander around aimlessly.

“Wait.” Noah murmured. “They’ll open the cell eventually.”

That didn’t happen.

A thunderous boom rocked the boat, causing everyone to stumble. Stella tightened her grip on Noah’s hand, nearly crushing it. Shouts came closer and then four people rounded the corner.

The first one was a woman and her hands were smoking. Another man was right behind her with two teenagers looking like they got into a rainstorm of ash.

“Terra!” Stella hissed loudly. Luckily, none of the guards noticed but the brunette girl turned her head towards them, confused.

All the guards faced the newcomers, guns making an ugly chorus of clicks. Noah saw the recognition and horror in Stella’s eyes and made a snap decision. He shoved her as gently as he could back behind the crate and stepped out into the open, fully visible.

“Hi.” he said loudly.

Now all the barrels were pointed at him, which was a mistake on the guards’ part because with a sharp crackle, fireworks started exploding off of the red-haired woman’s hands. Noah’s eyes widened and he ducked as sparks flew everywhere. Disappearing, he raced through the mass of panicking guards, searching for a key.

It was hard to find in the chaos unfolding, but finally Noah grabbed it off a guard’s belt and scanned the room for white streaked hair.

“Stella!” he shouted, flickering into view and she peered at him over the crate. He hurled the keys in her direction and ducked as a gun swung at his head.

Feeling a bit on the cowardly side, he vanished and raced through the crowd, creating as much turmoil as he could, tripping people, grabbing guns and running into people as he made his way to the lady with the sparking hands. He expected the jump as he appeared next to her.

“Who are you?” she asked warily, never ceasing fighting.

“I’m Noah.” he replied. “The light…um…thingy. I’m on your side. I think.”

“Well that’s good to know.” she growled. Her voice sounded hoarse, like coffee and one too many cigarettes.

The brown haired girl – Terra, it was – rushed up to Noah, eyes wide and bouncing. “Was that Stella with you? Do you turn invisible? Do you know where the others are?” she asked rapidly, the fighting around her not seeming to cause a bother.

Noah nodded vaguely. “Um – yeah. Yeah that was Stella. And I do turn invisible. Wait – did you say others?”

Terra nodded. “Tide and Coal and Audrey and Maple and Sparky!” she listed, making Noah’s head spin. “Oh, and the twins!”

“I can’t say that I’ve seen them.” Noah said, and then jumped forward, grabbing the girl’s arm as a guard raised a gun above her head. A look of confusion twisted the soldier’s features as Noah dragged her away.

“Am I invisible?” Terra asked. “Oh man that is so cool!”

Noah tried a smile, but his gaze flicked around the room with panic. He had lost sight of Stella and basically everyone that had entered the room. All that was there were an opaque cloud of smoke and the smell of sulfur from the pyrotechnics.

Noah tilted his head, confused. He couldn’t hear anything. No fighting, no shouting, nothing. He let go of Terra’s arm and walked forward cautiously. The smoke was clearing. He turned as he heard a gasp from Terra, who was staring over his shoulder with horror.

“Caelum.” she hissed angrily.

Noah swore. “You’re kidding. Another one?” he turned to face whatever had the girl so riled up.

It was a kid with blonde hair and a look that swept the room coldly. Despite the fact that he looked a few years younger, Noah felt a twinge of apprehension that was quickly morphing into fear as the boy’s silver eyes locked onto his.

“Hello?” Noah tried. “Who are –” he trailed off as the smoke cleared completely, revealing a scene out of a sci-fi movie. Everything was floating, including the people, drifting in the air aimlessly ten feet above the floor. Noah started to feel light as well and he curled his toes uncomfortably, as if that would help him stay grounded.

“I’m Caelum.” The kid said icily. “Nice to meet you.”

Noah didn’t like the sound of that. He felt his spine tingling, but stayed visible.

“Where are the others?” Terra demanded, rushing up next to Noah. Her feet shifted nervously as if uncomfortable on the metal floor of the boat. “Where’s Tide?”

Caelum’s remote demeanor faltered for a spit-second before he gave both of them a chilling smile. “Tide?” he looked up casually at the clock on the wall. “It’s been a couple hours at least.”

He paused, shrugging.

“I’d say she’s dead by now.” he said differentially.