The Fifth Element: Academy Of Elemental Arts

THE FIFTH ELEMENT 🌊🔥🌪️⛰️☯️

Cassie's POV~~

After standing outside for a while, watching through the window, I gave up and found the courage to open the front door.

The second I did, the room went dead silent.

The two huge men turned their heads in unison. And I could finally see everyone else in our living room.

My mom stood near the couch, wringing her hands. Next to her was a middle-aged woman with jet-black hair, dressed in the same medieval-style leather as the guards, but she had silver medals pinned to both shoulders. Her face was cold. Sharp.

Beside her, a bald man in a gray suit. Next to him, another middle-aged woman with dirty-blonde hair, knitted clothes, and round glasses.

I glanced to the other side of the room. More bodyguards.

Who are all these people? And where did they come from?

Then I saw him.

A boy, maybe my age. Light-blonde hair, almost ash, tired looking eyes. His features were... beautiful. Beautiful in a way that made my stomach gallop. He had that Boyish hairstyle which was strikingly attractive.

He was staring at me, eyebrows drawn together and I looked away fast.

He probably hated me for staring.

"Honey, you're back," Mom said, relief flooding her voice. "I'm so sorry I forgot to pick you up from school."

"It's fine, Mom." I stepped inside, shutting the door behind me. "What's... what's going on?" I looked from one stranger to the next.

"Um. Cassie, I want you to meet some people," Mom said, nervous.

"Cassidy Fairchild." The woman with the glasses came toward me, smiling. "Oh dear, look how much you've grown." She reached for my cheek.

I stepped back before she could touch me. "Sorry. I don't really like it when people touch me. Especially strangers." I tried to sound apologetic.

She just nodded and smiled like she expected it.

"Mel? How much does the child know?" the black-haired woman asked, eyes still locked on me. Something about her felt wrong. Like standing too close to a cliff.

"She has zero knowledge of it all," Mom answered, head bowed.

"Mom. What's going on?" I asked again, walking to her.

"Honey, don't say anything yet. I'll explain everything later. I promise."

I frowned.

"Child, I believe you've had your eighteenth birthday, yes?" the blonde woman asked.

"Yeah. A few weeks ago." I turned to her. She seemed the most approachable. "Who are you people?"

"You'll find out soon enough," the black-haired woman answered instead. "When you follow us home."

I stared at her like she was crazy. "Excuse me? Follow you home? Last time I checked, I am home right now."

"Mel," the black-haired woman said to my mom, ignoring me completely. "Tell the child what she needs to know. Before sunrise. We're out of time. She needs to know who she is so we can begin."

I was lost.

Defend myself against what?

Who am I?

Then, one by one, the guests started leaving.

Each of them gave me a look as they passed. Long. Assessing.

The beautiful boy was last. He held my gaze for a second before shutting the door behind him.

I turned to my mom. "What the hell is going on, Mom?"

~~~

"Mom." It was dinner, hours later, and I couldn't take it anymore. "Are you going to tell me what happened earlier, or are we going to keep pretending it didn't happen?"

She pushed food around her plate. Stalling.

"Okay. I'll talk." She set her fork down and looked at me. Really looked. "Cassie, I think it's time you knew something."

"Yeah, I know. Just tell me. Please."

"Cassie... you're special. You're a special kid."

I rolled my eyes. "You've told me that since I was a baby."

"I mean really special, Cassie. Gifted to do great things."

"Gifted," I repeated. "What do you mean?"

Some part of me already knew. The cafeteria. The nosebleeds. The boys with numb legs.

"Cassie, I'm your mother. You know that." Her voice cracked. "But I'm not... I'm not your biological mother."

The room went quiet.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I was sworn to secrecy until now. But your real mother had a great and unique ability, just like you. But yours... yours is more special."

I stared at her, trying to process it. "Cassie? Are you okay? Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"I'm trying to understand." My throat was tight. "You're not my real mother? What does that even mean? I'm adopted?"

"I'm sorry, Cassie. I'm really sorry for keeping this from you." She looked torn apart.

"If you're not my mother, then who is?" I met her eyes.

"That's something you'll find out soon enough. But Cassie, there's something else."

"Something else?" I laughed, but it came out angry. "After what you just told me, I don't think anything can top that."

"Those people you saw earlier - they're from your real home. They have gifts too, just like you. But each person has a different gift. And yours... yours is unique. Never seen before." She took a breath. "Which is why you have to go with them when they return tomorrow. They'll teach you everything you need to know about yourself."

"You're not serious." I stared at her, disbelieving. "I'm not going anywhere with those people. I don't even know them."

"You have to, Cassie. You don't have a choice."

I scoffed and stood up, my chair scraping hard against the floor. "Yeah, we'll see about that. Have a terrific night, Mother."

I didn't wait for her answer. I ran to my room, heart pounding, chest cracked open.

She's not my real mom.

But at the same time... it made sense.

She had curly blonde hair and blue eyes.

I had dark brunette hair and coffee-brown eyes.

We didn't look anything alike. Not one thing.

This had to be a nightmare.

I just wanted it to be over.

~~~