Ella Moore - Elements Of The Earth

Copyright 2022 by Ella Moore

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form, other than some quotes for book reviews and promotional use.

ISBN: 978-1-7778315-0-9

ISBN: 978-1-7778315-1-6 (ebook)

Dedicated to my community that I hold so dear to my heart. I hope in the world that chooses not to see you that you can see yourself in this book.

ELEMENTS OF THE EARTH

Ella Moore

PROLOGUE

Akaya

A kaya! Akaya!

A gentle voice calls to her. Shes in her room. Its a room Ive seen many times, but I still dont know why. Its ancient. I walk by cracked vases carrying dying flowers. The floor is cement, cold. Akayas long, vibrant dresses are thrown to the floor. Beads are scrambled all around. Her mirror is shattered with blood dripping from it. Her room has bloody footprints all around as she paces too. I can smell gunpowder and hear the bullets with yelling outside; there are screams of agony with each popping sound the bullets make. I know this smell, I know these cries; death is outside. I dont flinch from it, but Akaya does. Her agony grows with each cry of a slow death; or the begging for a quick one.

She paces around her room. Her body is drenched in sweat, her breathing is heavy as she tries to stay calm. She stares in her shattered, bloodied mirror with her arms tightly wrapped around a large brown book; she holds it so tight I fear she might break it. Her large gold crown lays a few feet away. I notice there are four diamonds in it: one blue, orange, grey and green. Shes dressed in a light pink silk gown that highlights her dark brown skin, her hair is in braids with beads; she is stunning. But her eyes are puffy and there are circles underneath them. I wish I could wrap my arms around her, tell her its going to be all right, but I cant. I dont even know whats wrong.

Her door bursts open and a woman who shares a strong resemblance to her barges in. The woman wears a crown with the same diamonds. Her eyes are enlarged as she sees Akaya. Her breathing is shallow, and she flinches as well from the noise outside. Her dress is covered in mud and blood, parts of it ripped.

Akaya, we have to do it now. You cant keep running, they will destroy everything, and kill us all. You know they will. The protection that we once had is long gone. I know you dont want to do this. To The Elements, I wish this didnt have to happen, but we need to do it. For the sake of the kingdom, for our people, our family and the future, the woman says; she was the gentle voice who was calling Akayas name earlier.

Akaya turns and stares at me, as if she knows Im watching her. This time I flinch back and walk backwards from her, but she continues to walk closer to me. I hit the wall; I cant move now, my legs are wobbly, my body shaking. I close my eyes shut.

Its just a dream, its just a dream, wake up! Wake up! Please wake up! I say to myself.

But Akaya grabs me.

For the sake of the kingdom, our people, our family and our future, she whispers to me.

Everything goes black. The dream is over.

CHAPTER 1

The Revolutions Rise

M y alarm buzzes and wakes me from the dream. I jolt upright; Im panting and sweat drips throughout my body. That dream has recurred throughout my life many times. My mother says theyre just dreams, but I know theres something more, there has to be. But I keep these thoughts to myself.

I get up and change into my workout clothes. My small room is painted red, the sunset glares off the walls and makes my room appear as if its on fire. I groggily walk to the kitchen to make a coffee and pull a few chunks off of the banana muffin on the counter. After a few sips of my coffee and a small feeling of energy, I head to the basement and start my training. My mom usually trains with me, but shes getting older and its harder on her now. Shes not as consistent as I am. But since Im older now she doesnt need to train me anyway. Unlike her, I dont have a choice, I have to train six days a week.

I train to physically protect myself. I have to be ready at all times. In my life there is too much that is unknown: Ive come to except that. My training is sporadic throughout the week. Monday to Wednesday I work on my sparring with the dummy we have, Thursdays I go for a run no matter the weather, Fridays I practice gymnastics and Saturdays I finish on a light workout. Ive always trained in my house. Im not allowed to practice anywhere else; in order to avoid any attention that comes my way. I love training; Im too focused to think about anything else, it helps me to forget everything going on in my life. For a short amount of time, at least.

Two hours and a shower later, Im wearing jeans and an oversized grey sweater. I tie my tight curls into a ponytail and head back into the kitchen where my mother is making breakfast. This is normal, having breakfast to spend as much time together as we can. We never know how much time we have left together, which is why we do it. But shell never admit that, and I dont want her to.

Good morning, sweetheart! How was training? she asks, smiling at me.

Shes always happy, even with everything shes been through. Her long braids sway every time she moves. But she doesnt have as much enthusiasm in her voice as she normally does, she keeps rubbing her face, too. I dont think she slept at all last night and I know why, but I dont want to ask.

It was great, thanks.

We then opt for silence as we both dread whats to come. She finishes the omelette and accidentally touches the pan when she moves it to the side of the stove to cool off and shouts in pain. She then turns to pour her coffee into her mug and continues to spill it as her hands shake. My mom mumbles, but I hear her swear.

I walk over to her. Mom, sit down, I got it.

She sits down, chewing at her lip; it looks raw. I clean up the kitchen and bring over our omelettes and coffee. I sit down across from her, not making eye contact.

We both know what day it is, she says, touching my hand.

I look at my plate, not wanting to make eye contact still.

Raya, honey, its been ten years. This is longer than we anticipated. I was getting calls all night from Hideaway, its time for us to go. Its been thirteen years, sweetheart, todays the exact date. Staying makes us targets. Im sorry, honey, I wish you didnt have to go through this, but

But this is our life and wishing it wasnt makes it worse. We have to be grateful for every day, and hope theres another one tomorrow, I say.

Every time my mother and I complain she says that. She smiles weakly at me as I repeat her life motto, then we both continue to go back to silence. I dont think she has anything else to say. Or she just doesnt know what to say. Theres really nothing else to say. Tears start to well and I silently curse. I shouldnt be crying, I dont cry. Crying makes you weak. It gives them power over me, and they already have too much of that. I blink so the tears dont fall down my cheeks. I knew this day was going to happen, but I ignored it to pretend I was normal. Wishing that the day wouldnt come. But thats my own fault, to be so foolish.

When do we leave? I ask.

In a couple hours, my mother says.

She doesnt meet my gaze. I know she feels guilty, I feel the same. I dont ask any more questions about it, I dont want to talk about it anymore, and from the look on my mothers face she doesnt either.

Is it all right if I go to my room to start packing, then? I ask quietly.

Of course.

I rush to my room and close the door abruptly. I lean against it and sit with my hands on my face. I cant leave, I just cant. How can I leave Elena and Drew? I hate running, running lets them win. Theyve taken everything from me. I want to pretend Im normal once more, even for the slightest moment. I start pounding my fist on my carpeted floor in frustration.