1 Chapter 1: Son of Elements (PART1)

Well, how can I start this story? With the simplest may be. People prefer who's talking to them and this is normal. But I'm sure than as when you'll start your reading, your lone wish will be close back this book and throw it away across a window.

My name is Callum, I'm seventeen and I swear to you that all I'm gonna to tell is hundred per cent real... or not, I'll let you judge about that.

When my life has changed, the day was ending. It was six o'clock and I was sitting on the bus which carried me daily from home to high school and vice versa. This long and loaded Friday was ending for leave space for the weekend. I provided training for my next soccer game. Since I was five years old, my aunt forced me to subscribe to many sports for "calm down the fire inside of me" and because I was full of energy.

I sit at the rear of the bus with my earphones, without paying any attention to what was going on around of me. Mainly because I didn't care about that. That's why I winced when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

- You should your face Callum, sneered the boy behind me. Amazing!

I turned around, ready to hit the one who did me that. But when I saw my friend Ezequiel, laughing, I took back my anger.

- Aha, I don't need to see my face, I answered. I see him once every day when I'm in my bathroom and it's enough.

- As you want, answered Ezequiel with his smile.

Ezequiel was my best friend and we stayed together since pre-school. I couldn't see my life without him and Wendy, my other best friend and our friendship is the strongest thing existing on Earth.

He wore black jogging pants, baskets and a white t-shirt. His brown curly hair was hidden under his Chicago bulls' cap.

- You didn't wince me for pleasure, isn't it? asked to him.

- No, not just for that. I would say I do a party tonight for my birthday and I wanted to know if you want to come.

- I will never decline that. Wendy 'll be here?

- Obviously. I also invited some other friends and I want you to meet them.

- Friends from your basket team?

- We can say that he answered after some hesitation.

Suddenly, the bus stopped and seeing the time, I understood I arrived at home. I jumped from the bus, promising to Ezequiel I'll be present at his party. I ran to the door of my building before stopping as soon as I saw M. Herrera, the janitor, was cleaning the entry.

I know what you're gonna say: So what? It's a janitor and so what? It's not the end of the world. Be careful ... . You're wrong! M. Herrera is the scariest janitor ever. With his imposing belly, his gigantic and tattooed arms, his tank top that sweat has made turned yellow, his badly shaved moustache and his greasy hair, he seems to be a boxing coach or a PE teacher. Anyway, an old athletic which been more time on the bench than on the ground.

So preferring to avoid it, I retraced my steps to go to the adjacent lane and take the fire escape.

After going up two floors, I entered my room through the window, and I put my bag on my bed before heading to the living room where my Aunt Sofia was to be.

- Aunt Sofia, I called.

"I'm in the Callum living room," she replied.

I was right. Aunt Sofia had probably just come home from work because she was sitting comfortably on the sofa reading a book. Not having known my family especially, not at all in fact, Aunt Sofia is for me the figure that comes closest to it. She helped me with my homework, consoled me when I had nightmares, and looked after me for almost sixteen years. She had a slender figure, blonde hair, and her blue eyes were protected by prescription glasses.

- How was it in high school today, she asked me.

- As usual, I answered. Nothing to report.

- For good or for bad?

- Neither on one side nor the other.

Aunt Sofia nodded and took a sip of tea before continuing:

- My book club is meeting here tonight.

I turned around, intrigued by this remark. Why tell me that? After all, reading was not my favourite pastime. Anyway, not my aunt's readings. She loved rose water books while I preferred manga or adventure stories.

- So, I ask, already starting to worry about what was to come.

- Well, would you like to take part?

I was sure, I told myself. I hate to disappoint my aunt, but being desperate to escape this torture session, I started to think of an excuse. But Ezequiel's invitation came back to me all at once.

- It would have been a pleasure Aunt Sofia, I said in a toneless disappointed than I would have liked. But Ezequiel invited me to his birthday party, and it's just tonight.

- Oh that's great for you, I hope you have fun. Who else should come?

- Well there will be Wendy and some friends from Ezequiel.

- You know them?

- No. Ezequiel told me they were his basketball teammates.

- It's wonderful, continued my Aunt, smiling. You will make new friends.

- Yeah, I nodded. Great.

You will understand, the prospect of going to a party where I hardly knew anyone did not enchant me. But it was my best friend's birthday and therefore I couldn't miss it. So I decided to focus on the fact that my two best friends would be present and on the crazy evening that was brewing. And for a crazy evening, it was going to be one, you have no idea!

Two hours later, I was in the bathroom and finished getting ready for Ezequiel's party. Not sure what to wear, I opted for jeans and a black long-sleeve T-shirt. I start to comb my hair, but I stop for a moment in front of the mirror which reflects back to me the image of a boy with tired features. I am not very tall for my age, I am rather of average height. I have green eyes, light brown hair cut short and a little reddish-brown. Many tell me that I have a beautiful face, but that's it. Other than that, I have nothing attractive about my physique. Average height and not very muscular, I am actually just me: a common boy and without much attractions. I sigh and lightly scent myself on my neck.

- You're already going, Aunt Sofia asked me once she left.

I answered yes. Since I didn't like to arrive last and wanted to help set everything up if it wasn't already, I preferred to leave early.

- You're sure you don't want me to take you, she asked.

- No thank you, don't worry.

- Okay, she said, raising her hands. Don't forget your gift.

She pointed to the cardboard package covered with orange paper that I had placed on the tiles. Indeed, I would have been able to forget it and for Ezequiel's birthday, it was not the best I could do.

- Thank you, I told him. See you later.

- Have fun, she said. And if you have any problem, don't hesitate to call me.

- Ok thank you.

Once out of the apartment I proceeded cautiously down the stairs, ready to avoid Mr Herrera and arriving in the stairwell, I was able to note with some relief that my terrible concierge was not in the room. surroundings. Perfect, I told myself. I got out of the building before unhooking my bike from the ramp. I then got on it and set off on 23rd Street, lit by the lampposts and heading towards Bayview Street, where Ezequiel lived. The advantage in Seattle is that since the streets are not hard to understand, you can go anywhere without getting lost.

So I reached my friend's building in about ten minutes and I attached my bike to a lamppost. Ezequiel lived with his mother on the third floor, whom I joined in seconds. Through the door and the wall, I heard music, dancing, a sign that the party had already started. Without waiting, I rang and the door opened almost immediately.

- Hey hi, exclaimed Ezequiel. You're right on time.

"Well, it looks like the party has already started though," I pointed out.

- Don't worry, everyone arrived before you, that's all. Between.

Great, I thought. Me, who wanted to come early so as not to arrive last, it was missed. Having nothing better to do, I entered the apartment. The vestibule led to a large living room with a varnished wood table on which were placed numerous assortments of crisps, nachos and other tortillas. A mirror ball had been attached to the ceiling, which helped to enhance the festive atmosphere.

- My madre made the homemade sauces you know, Ezequiel said, winking at me.

- Great, I nodded. What are you planning for the drinks?

- A little bit of everything. Coke, fruit juice and beer for some.

- Your mother is here, by the way, I asked.

- No, it's just us. Go comes. I absolutely must introduce you to my other friends.

I was reluctant, but I didn't want to show it or hurt Ezequiel. So I let him grab me by the arm and lead me into the kitchen. He handed me a red plastic glass in which he had poured coke. Wendy and four other people were gathered around the islet. They all turned to us when we made our entrance.

"People," Ezequiel exclaimed to the assembly. Here is finally the guy I told you so much about. The one and only Callum Ashad.

- Hi everyone, I said, a little embarrassed to draw all the attention to myself.

I felt embarrassed and at the same time shocked gaze to land on me. No, not one look, but several. As if my only arrival had weighed down the atmosphere of the party. Wendy smiled at me and kissed my cheek

- Glad you came.

A boy with blond hair cropped very short and the build of a footballer came up to me.

- Hi, my name is Wes, he shook my hand.

- Glad to know you, I replied without much conviction.

Wes stepped aside to make way for Terence Hartley. I knew him vaguely because I had seen him several times in high school, but I had never spoken to him. As far as I knew he was responsible for the greenhouse and the school garden.

- Yo dude. I'm super happy to finally know you. Ezequiel only talks about you and I couldn't wait to meet you.

- Me too, I replied.

Terence was the same height as Wes, he had messy brown curls, green eyes and a small beard that graced his chin. He was wearing jeans with holes in it, hiking boots and a green T-shirt with "Flower Power" written on it. A girl with slanted eyes and smooth black hair then approached me. She was wearing a navy blue skirt with a white blouse. A small black tie completed this set.

- Good evening, she said, bowing before me. I am Nina, Nina Hakayama.

- Hi, I stammered, disturbed by the strange atmosphere that was spreading.

It was as if they already knew me and weren't thrilled to see me. Terence had been the only one who sympathized with me, besides Wendy of course, but already knew me.

- Hi Callum, another girl told me.

She was wearing dark jeans, a grey t-shirt and sneakers. Her chocolate brown hair cascaded over her shoulders and her blue eyes stared at me intently.

- Hi, I repeated after a few seconds.

- Callum, Ezequiel intervened. This is Hazel. Hazel, this is Callum.

She nodded with a smile.

"Good, now that the introductions are done," Ezequiel said. I suggest we pick up where we left off. Terence, are you giving us the music?

- It's as if it was done, replied the latter, lifting the push.

He jumped over to the computer, hit a key and immediately the music started playing. Gradually, the tension I had previously felt was dissipating and the festive joy returned to its place. Later, while I was drinking my glass of coke, Wendy sat down next to me.

- Good evening, she asked me.

- Yes, I replied. But I'm not really used to parties. Besides, I confess that I don't really feel at home here because apart from you and Ezequiel, I don't know anyone.

- Believe me, for us it's enough for you to be in your place at this party. You are our best friend, to Ezequiel, and me.

- Thanks Wendy. I'm touched.

- You're welcome. I knew you had to need comfort.

I smiled. Wendy was good at reading and deciphering people. I never understood how she did it but since I was a child she had always known what to say to me to cheer me up. Looking at her more closely, I could see a detail that had escaped me until now: her long curly blonde hair was adorned with a discreet purple streak.

- What is it, she asked.

I was quick to tell him that everything was fine and that I needed to wash my hands. I know that's a stupid excuse, but put yourself in my shoes for two minutes. I am clearly not a flirtatious so you can imagine that there is little chance that I can get along with a girl, especially a girl like Wendy. And then, I admit that I had really sweaty hands. I was walking down the hall towards the bathroom when I heard voices coming from Ezequiel's bedroom.

- ... bring Callum? exclaimed a voice that seemed to belong to Wes.

I stealthily approached the door. Usually, I'm not the type to eavesdrop on doors, but I challenge you to refrain from doing so when people are talking about you behind your back! So I crouched down in the doorway, eager to hear more. Through the crack, I saw Wes and Nina standing in front of Ezequiel.

"What does it matter if he's here," Ezequiel asked.

"You know very well we shouldn't meet him," Wes exclaimed. Lambert ordered us not to involve him in the circle for the moment.

- He doesn't know who he is! And he doesn't know who we are!

- And what will you do when he finds out? Nina asked him.

"It won't happen," Ezequiel replied.

- But admitting, insisted the young girl.

- We'll discuss it when that happens.

I didn't understand what they were talking about. I didn't know who I was or who Ezequiel and his friends were? I felt my heart pounding. I stood up abruptly and rushed into the living room when a hand landed on my shoulder, which made me jump (yes, again!). I turned around to see that Wendy was behind me.

- Everything okay, Callum?

- Yes, I nodded without looking at her in the eye. Listen. You will excuse me to Ezequiel and his friends but I ... need to get some fresh air.

So I left the apartment running, struggling not to be overwhelmed by the emotions that assailed me. As I left the building, I continued to run, veering to the right and the alley adjacent to it. At the end of my rope, I stamped my foot on the ground.

"Holy shit," I cried, sobs in my voice.

I didn't understand what had happened at Ezequiel's. His other friends had apparently not wished me to be at this party, but Ezequiel had ignored it. Also, I had detected concern in Wes' voice and I couldn't understand why. He barely knew me after all. My thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of a man in a black raincoat. I couldn't make out her face in the dim light, but her hair was short and covered by a black cap.

- Here, here, he said. What are you doing here kid?

I clenched my fists. I could feel the anger rising in me at lightning speed and I really wanted to share it with someone, no matter who.

"I do what I want," I replied, glaring at him (which was difficult as I couldn't make out this guy's eyes).

Obviously, he did not appreciate this answer because he grabbed me by the collar of my t-shirt.

- Don't play smart, he told me.

- Let go, I growled.

- If you insist.

With these words, he hit me violently in the stomach. I immediately felt my breath catch and the taste of blood invaded my mouth. He then let go of me, but he hit me again.

- Come on, show me who you are, he ordered me.

- What are you talking about?

For all answers, I was kicked in the diaphragm, which made me gasp in pain.

"I'm going to beat you up until you show me what I want to see," he said, hitting me again.

The pain struck my stomach. I tried to stand up, but a heel kick to the back stopped me.

- You won't run away Elemental, he yelled.

- Stop, I begged him.

Suddenly, a wave of anger crept into me. I clenched my fist and tried to stand up to hit him in the face and there you won't believe what you are going to read: flames burst out of my hands. With indescribable speed, they leapt in the face of my attacker.

The man in black jumped back, but his momentum threw him against the wall of the building, screaming in pain. I could not believe my eyes. Did I do that? did I think

"Good," said the man in a black, spat. You finally reveal to me your ... .

He could not finish his sentence because a bolt of lightning struck his chest and pinned him to the ground.

- Hands off my junk mate, cried Ezequiel, his right hand throwing sparks.

I stood up, my legs were shaky. My mouth still tasted like blood and my stomach ached horribly.

- What's going on, I asked.

Ezequiel ran over to me as Wendy knelt beside me before whispering:

- Spiritus! Somnum.

My legs gave way under my feet and I closed my eyes. My last sensation was that of falling before being caught by a pair of arms more muscular than mine.