Elements

Chapter Twenty-Three

Brooke

"Slowly," Megan says. "You shouldn't go deeper than you feel comfortable with."

"Yeah, well I'm gonna have to at some point anyway," I retort.

Her condescending smile falters. "Well," she struggles. "Not at this point."

I nod, sort of in triumph, and wade further into the water. I stop once it's up to my waist. I'm not going further than that. I stand and look at the sky for a minute or so, before turning and coming out of the blue liquid.

I wish I had a swimming costume or something.

I shake my hands dry, and pick up the Elvan device. Flicking through the options of elves to message, I tap on Narada, and type out a message asking for at least a towel.

Minutes later, the device buzzes and a message of a delivery flashes up. A package shoots out, smacking me in the face. Ow. It contains three towels, a swimming costume and a note.

Skye has been asking to contact you and your other sisters, here are the numbers you will need. There are three different five digit numbers on the back. I message all three, wishing them all safety.

Megan looks at me. "I think maybe you should try go back in?"

"No. Not yet." I reply.

Hazel

"Just jump, Matt!" I shout. I've been stood here at least an hour, saying the same thing over and over.

"No, it's too high!" Matt shouts back.

"It's literally three feet!"

"I could trip!"

I sigh, and roll my eyes. I walk over and offer my hand. Warily, Matt jumps off. He loses his footing, and slides down the slope behind the tree. I shriek a little, but hear him land not too far down. I look over the ledge.

"I told you I would." he says, standing up and attempting to brush mud away.

"How you got to be an ANGEL will never fail to amaze me," I mutter, as the Elvan device buzzes.

87294:

Hey, it's Brooke, I was given this number by the elves. Hope everything's going well so far, message this number if you need anything xx

I grin. After quickly tapping out a reply wishing the same to her and asking if she knows Skye and Ashley's numbers, I look up to see Matt scrambling over the ledge.

He sees my face. "I'm a short guy, okay!" he says, defensively.

"Yup, I know," I laugh. The device buzzes again, another message from Brooke and one from an unknown number saying they're Skye.

As I go to open them, the ground beneath me shakes. I stop. Slowly lowering the device, I take a step forward. The ground shudders again, more violently this time. Me and Matt exchange a look. I step back. The ground vibrates, and doesn't stop. Things begin to fall from the trees. I curse, and begin to run. The shaking only gets more violent. My heart pounds. The falling objects are getting larger, heavier. Large branches are coming loose and tumbling towards the ground. I dodge as many as I can, but it's difficult.

I glance back to check on Matt. He's attempting to catch up with me, but I run too fast for him. I slow, and head in his direction. He gives me a thankful smile.

Neither of us notice the branch plummeting down to our heads.