Power of Four

Chapter 2

Maia's P.O.V.

As Brooke showed us the way to her house, I explained to everyone what I would need from them. "Mackenzie, I'm going to need you to draw each of the ruins on Brooke's arm. Get them as close as you can to the actual thing. Iris, you're going to have to translate them from this chart I made. I'm going to navigate the page. And Brooke, I need you to stay as still as you can. "

Everyone muttered their agreements then Brooke pipped in, "hey guys, this is it. Welcome to my house!" Once she gestured for us to turn, she scampered up her flower lined sidewalk. I watched as she fumbled with the dead bolt before walking up the steps myself, Mackenzie and Iris following.

"Follow me. I'll show you to my room. It's like the only box free room. You don't even know the hours I've spent cleaning it!" Brooke grabbed my wrist and practically dragged me up the stairs and into her room. All I managed to see was pale green walls lined with boxes and a burgundy couch set. The living room I guessed.

We burst through her pristine white door and entered what looked to be, the ocean. Someone had painted on the wall. It was a bright coral reef with swimming tropical fish swimming around. The entire mural was so detailed that it gave you the sense that you were actually under water. Also, Brooke's furniture added to her walls. Everything she had was based on the ocean and it's coral reef.

"Wow, this is amazing! Who painted our walls? What gave you the idea to have an ocean themed room?" I asked, examining a wall and her furniture up close.

Smiling Brooke said, "thank you, and actually I painted it myself. Um, as to what gave me the idea? Uh I guess I've always been attracted to water. I've loved it ever since I was little."

Before I could say anything more, Mackenzie and Iris entered the room and asked, almost word for word, the same thing as me. Brooke replied in the same fashion as well.

"Well guys, I guess we should get started," Brooke said as she grabbed her dark blue laptop from her book bag and pressed the power button. "Her's my computer, Maia. I'll get it running and then you'll be free to search up whatever you need."

~~~~~

"Guys? I'm finished. Every letter is translated." Iris shouted happily. It had been several hours before we finally finished deciphering Brooke's birthmark.

"I'll read it." I said, grabbing the paper from Iris and analyzed her delicate writing. "When the four elements can join and become one, no force will be able to stop them. But if one of the elements fall before they can join, evil will take control of the land, forever."

Once I finished reading, my  head snapped up, mouth hanging open. I saw that everyone else had the same expression written on their faces. Wonder, astonishment and confusion.

"What does it mean?" Mackenzie's voice said, snapping my out of my daze.

My gaze passed by everyone's face, looking to see if any of them had an idea. When I layed eyes on Brooke, I saw that her eyes were glazed over, as if an idea was taking shape in her mind. "What are you thinking, Brooke?"

Shaking her head, she smiled at me, "I just have an idea. You up for hearing it?"

"Of course!" The three of us shouted at her. Then I added, "Neither of us have an idea so of course were going to listen to yours!"

Speaking slowly, she told us her idea, "well, I was thinking that there are four elements right? So, since there is four of us, and that well, since this uh, message was written on my arm, maybe, the four elements are us. Like each of us are a different element. But I'm just not sure about this evil stuff. It makes me feel awful nervous."

"Huh," Mackenzie said thoughtfully. "You could be right. I mean we could try. There is only two possible outcomes as well. Either we are the elements as you say, or we aren't."

"But how will we test to see if we are or who is which element?" I asked.

This time Iris pitched in an idea, "I think I know how. We'll just have to get something from each element. Like, a rock for earth, a lit candle for fire, a glass or bowl of water for water of course. I just don't know what we'd do about air."

"OK. I heard Brooke say. "How about this. Tomorrow after school we meet here again and everyone bring something for an element. Um, Iris could you bring the candle? Maia, would it be possible for you to get rock? And then Mackenzie that would leave you with the water. And if it's OK with everyone else, I'll try to think of something for air. I mean, I'm not sure where I'd find everything for anything else."

We all nodded out agreement and wrote down what our responsibility was. When I finally looked at the clock, I realized that it was nearing five, "I think we better get going. It's getting late."

Brooke waited for us all to get up and exit her room before she followed, closing the door behind her.

Just as we were all about to leave Brook's house, there was the sound of a key entering the lock and the dead bolt sliding. Entering the house was Brooke's mother.

"Hi mom." I heard Brook say from behind me. "These are my friends. Met them at school today. Mom, this is Maia, Mackenzie and Iris. Guys, this is my mom."

"Nice to meet you. Um I'm sorry but we all have to go. Our own parents want us home." I said as Brooke's mom made room for us to exit the house. "See you at school tomorrow Brooke. I live relatively close to here. I can pick you up tomorrow if you'd like."

Smiling, Brooke replied, "sure. That's be nice. I'll talk to you later bye."

Waving good-bye, I turned and left with Mackenzie and Iris following.

~~~~~

Authors Note...

So I hoped you enjoyed this chapter. I know there was a lot of talking but I hope I entertained you. My next chapter should be a lot more exciting. At least I hope it is.

Anyways, ta-ta till chapter two!

The image to the side is Brooke's birthmark. The white writing below the pencil is the translation. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->