Element Restraint

Chapter 21: Erik

Acantha gulps and stands up taller.

"But we are not here to talk about that," Acantha says. Her voice comes out powerful and strong. "We are here to plan a rescue mission."

"But how exactly are you guys able to come down here without being suspicious?" I ask confused. I am being considered a criminal and everyone is okay that I am getting five visitors?

"It is two in the morning, Erik," Gale responds.

"Now let's talk business." Amora drops next to Gale's feet and leans against the wall.

"De Vries, take watch," Amora commands Rawr.

Rawr obeys and sits on the stairs. He leans against the wall and crosses his arms.

"So from what I have been told," Amora says to everyone. "Is that Prince Casimir plans to take the throne, and possibly kill the rest of the royal family in the process."

Acantha looks at me for a moment. She goes near the cell and leans on the bars.

"Yes! We are not sure when, but we know he has the Water Realm on his side," she explains to the room.

"So what exactly do you propose we do to get his sister out?" Rawr asks.

"At the Gazania Festival, the royal family goes to the capital to celebrate," Gale says.

"And how do we get to the Air Realm?" Paxon speaks up. He turns a page of his book and continues speaking. "The Air Realm is four miles up in the air."

Acantha bites her lip in deep focus. I watch as everyone begins to think. Gale snaps his fingers and paces in front of Amora.

"The jet!" I recall. Everyone looks up at me. "We came here on a jet and left it on an island. We can use that."

"If it has enough fuel," Paxon adds.

"Well, do we have any other solutions?" Acantha asks. Everyone falls silent. "Then the jet is our best bet."

"Who knows how to fly?" Gale asks.

"I do," Paxon says.

I keep waiting for him to put down his book to look at us.

"You know how to fly?" Rawr asks from the stairs.

"As a matter of fact I do. I was being trained to become a pilot."

"So now our best bet is someone who was learning how to become a pilot with a jet that might have fuel in it?" Amora says.

"Yup!" Gale smiles up at her.

"So if you guys have a boat, how exactly am I getting out of here?" I ask everyone. "I hope you do not think you can leave me here."

"We are not leaving you," Acantha says firmly.

"Tomorrow night, just be ready," Gale says to me. Amora rises next to him and takes his hand. I look at the height difference between the both of them. She must be a few inches taller than him.

Gale gives me a two-finger wave and walks out with her.

They all leave one by one. Slowly. Finally, after Rawr leaves it is just Acantha and me.

"She is going to be okay Erik," Acantha tells me.

"I hope so."

"She will." She says firmer.

"I never should have left her." I drop my hands into my face again.

"I am sorry."

I look up at Acantha in confusion.

"Why are you sorry? You are the one helping me. I should be thanking you." I say.

"You left her for me, and I am sorry."

We stand in silence for a moment. She looks over at the lamp where the fire still burns.

"When we are off the boat I can teach you how to use your abilities." I break the silence. "I am sure it is killing you not being able to use them."

"Kind of yes." She says looking at her hands. Her messy curls fall into her face when she looks down.

"Thank you for everything." She looks back up at me. "You saved my life multiple times a few days ago and I never got to thank you for that."

"I guess I am not a completely crappy person," I say with a laugh.

"No." She simply says.

I study the way her hair falls down her back. She wears the same clothes from the other day. The black shirt shows a small hole in the sleeve now. Her boots, scuffed and dirty.

Even without the makeup, the ballgowns, and the Airling sun, she is still absolutely beautiful.

I watch as she turns to the stairs, and walks away.

"See you soon," I tell her. She waves and disappears up the stairs.