Part 2

Interesting thing about this book but mostly this chapter, I wrote the descriptions and the way we meet most of my characters before I ever started the book. It's fun to read them now and see how they fit.

If truth be told, I was nervous for the evaluation that coming Saturday despite what I told everyone else. It was only Wednesday but all ready I had stopped enjoying my classes and started worrying about the impending trial. And, no matter what anyone else said, that was how I saw it, a trial. My worst fear was that I would end up like Carly, stuck without knowing her power. I'm sure she had questioned more then once whether she really had one at all.

I didn't know how the five divisions really treated each other. I knew there was a lot of competitions once the school year got into full swing, but I wasn't sure how far they would take it. Carly told me the kickball tournaments were a big part of the year but they didn’t really have any other sports here.

I finally felt like I belonged in this group of misfits. Emty was the glue to all the divisions. He never stayed with one group for longer then another. I learned that that was how he had gotten the name the Loop.

There were many traditions I still didn't understand. Like the battle training, I still had a hard time believing in monsters. And the way the 'karaoke night' was talked about with almost reverence. I liked singing, but ever since one of my best friends in sixth grade told me she needed to put in earplugs before I started to sing, I had never sang in public again. "I was worried at first that this school was for kids with special needs." I confided to Carly during our lunch break.

"It is," she said offhandedly. "Just not in the way you'd think," I nodded.

"So what's your favorite class?" She asked me "now that you've had them all."

I thought about it for a minuet "probably magical beasts studies."

Carly nodded "Mrs. Larson's the nicest teacher here."

It was true, she had a soft voice that seemed to put everyone into a kind of focused trance. She was also extremely pretty with long honey brown hair and brown eyes that seemed green half the time.

I stood up and stretched my back out on the chair. My back popped in three different places.

"That is so gross!" Complained Jen. Everyone at the table immediately started cracking their knuckles or other joints while Jen covered her ears.

"Stop it!" She said half angry half laughing.

I swung around my chair laughing heartily and crashed strait into someone. My tray and hers went crashing to the ground. I tried to clean up the mess blushing and apologizing profusely.

"No it's fine don't worry about it!" Said the girl forcefully trying to stop me from making things worse rather then helping.

She waved her hand a little and a wind sprang up, strong and controlled it lifted the mess of trays and utensils and dumped them in the nearby trashcan. I started at her in surprise. The girl was a little shorter than me; she was stocky and looked like she played sports. She had light skin and her white-blond hair was short and had darker blond streaks in it. Her light eyes had a very subtle change in color, green and blue; her uniform was distinctly more white.

She seemed to be assessing me as well.

"Drew Larson," she said shortly. "You're Jessica?" I nodded wondering how she remembered my name.

She smiled slightly "your evaluation's only three days away," she said.

"Tell me about it, I've haven't been thinking about anything else!"

"Don't, it wont help anything." She walked away, "hope to see you in wind."

I waved and thanked her.

"Who was that?" Asked Carly when I came back to the table waiting for the bell to signal the end of lunch.

"Drew Larson," I said, "I thought you were supposed to be the wise guy here."

She shrugged "I don't know everything."

"You give the impression," said a boy at our table named Wayne.

He often had comments like this.

"What's up with those two anyway?" he added pointing to Kevin and Trevor Whitmore. "Why are there only two kids in the water division?"

Carly smirked "they say the water division is cursed," she said. "There's never been over five kids there at a time, and they all seem to have bad things happen to them."

We all looked at her severely.

"What?" she said innocently "it's just a superstition, I'm sure if you add up all the injuries in the other division it would equal the same."

"Injuries? From what?" I asked disconcerted.

"What do you think the only thing we do here is sit in classrooms?"

Just then the bell rang and we scrambled to get our books together. I couldn't stop thinking about what Carly had said. What else was there to do but learn? Sure battle training was fun, but what was it really for? 

Chapter 3 part 1

Finally we've made it to chapter 3. I wouldn't call it the best but it's when things start to happen!

Chapter Three

 Out of the night

            As far as I know, she doesn't have any powers."

"What? Then why is she even at the school?"

"Probably because of her mad fighting skills, you should know that most of all seeing as how she creamed you today."

"She didn't cream me, she just pinned me to the ground."

Carly rolled her eyes "whatever you want to call it."

We were in the dinner hall eating a delicious meal of spaghetti and meatballs. The news that a greenie had taken on Alex, no one seemed to know her last name, spread quickly and was all anyone could talk about. I hoped no one would find out that it had been me. "She lives at the base, but acts just like a student, with a big ego," continued Carly. "She's not always mean either, a lot of kids just except that she has a temper and sick fighting skills."

I thought about this, maybe I had been wrong to insult her.

"I also suspect she has a crush on Collin," said Carly mischievously. "She's always trying to get into that friend group, and talking to him and stuff."

She paused to shove more meatballs into her mouth.

"Just don't tell anyone I said that," she said off handedly "It'd probably break Meredith’s heart."

She gestured to the wind table were a pretty girl with strawberry blond hair sat chatting with some friends.

"I think everyone in the school but Collin knows she's head over heals for him."

"And does he like her?" Carly shrugged "who knows who he likes, why?" She raised an eyebrow at me.

"Oh no," I said defensively "I've only been here a day remember?"

"And he seemed awful nice to you," Carly said in a teasing voice.

"You said so yourself, he flirts with all the girls."

Carly shrugged "have it your way, but you do think he's good looking?"

I waved my hand in the air as if to say 'so so'.

"Well you'd be stupid if you didn't".

Right then she grew silent as he came to our table just then. Flanked by two friends I knew only by sight.

"Alright," he said directly behind me, (the tables in the dinner room were round). "Who's the smart alack that beat up Alex?"

I turned in my seat, remembering what Carly had told me about Alex having friends. "Why?" I asked before anyone else could say anything.

"Cause I think that's the greatest story I've ever heard!" He grinned at me "it was you?"

I shrugged, a half smile on my face.

"What happened?"

Half of the people at the table had witnessed the incident so I didn't embellish.

"She was being rude, and when she told me I couldn't have a bow... I guess I just sort of lost it," I said shrugging.

Collin laughed heartily with his friends.

"But she ended up with the upper hand?" He said when he calmed.

I threw up my hands "What can you do against a professional?"

"Nothing," Collin said wisely "but you say she wouldn't let you have a bow?" I nodded "you don't know why do you?" I asked.

Collin caulked his head slightly, "she's the only one here that's really good at archery, heck I only know of four other kids that use a bow. There's some story about it being bad luck."

"Interesting," I said it to myself more then everyone else.

Collin started twisting his finger in Carly's honey brown hair. She looked up at him,

"What are you doing?" She said each word with deliberation.

Collin looked innocently at her "what? I've always wanted to know what it feels like having long hair."

"Yours is getting there," she said testily.

He patted his head as if he had never noticed he had hair.

"Your right! A little more time and I'll be able to braid it."

Many of the girls at the table rolled their eyes. I was trying hard not to laugh.

"Buzz off Collin, can't you see you're going to make Jessie have a melt down?" Carly gestured toward me and I quickly composed myself.

Collin leaned over so his face was sideways to mine. I tried to suppress a grin; he looked so comical.

"See, at least one girl thinks I'm funny!" He said triumphantly patting me on the back. "I'm glad you don't have to loose anymore sleep about it," said Carly. 

"Whatever," he said starting to leave, "but at least Jessica is friendly." He called that last bit from farther away. The girls around the table started giggling. 

Memory

Some people say that being inside a memory is like a dream. To me, this could not be further from the truth. Being in a state of memory is so close to real life that only someone who has experienced it as often as I have can tell the difference. Navigating through a memory is like trying to find your way in a foreign city with no maps and where no one speaks your language. Escaping a memory is the most difficult part. Every memory will catch up to the present time eventually but for those living inside it, time moves at the same pace as the time you just left. Once you have caught up you find yourself exactly where you started. Getting lost in a memory so distant it might take you weeks to catch up is the most terrifying experience anyone could have. Very quickly you forget where reality really is and where you are. Your entire life could be changed by one different experience. I’m the only one I know of that has ever been able to delve not only into my own memories, but into others as well.

Part 7

Here's the concluding part of chapter 2!

The rest of my classes were equally interesting with the exception of math. Science was a study of the four main elements, how each power would work and the way they affected other things. After learning so much about these powers I was eager to be evaluated. I secretly wanted the fire power. It was the 'offensive' power as they called it. Water was 'defensive' wind was the 'aiding' power and earth was 'protective'.

At lunch I sat with the yellow table once again, but others, including Collin, came to welcome us and introduce themselves. Overall the atmosphere was pleasant and very welcoming. I was to learn just who the Loop was talking about when he mentioned that some kids would take advantage of us 'greenies' as we were called. The last class of the day was the one I was looking forward to most: Battle training.

We had needed to walk a ways down to a field not unlike a football field. Weapons of all kind were set up at different locations. Our instructor, master Stansfield had given us a pep talk before beginning.

"New comers," he said in his British accent.

I had noticed that many of the teachers were of different nationalities.

"The first thing you must know about the use of weapons is by far the most important: We do not kill if we can help it. You are all young and to kill a human would be extremely traumatic. In battle you may find you have no choice, but defending is your first priority, not attacking needlessly. Now element workers are of course not entirely human, but since you share the same powers as the enemy, I exact you to use your powers against them. You all know of Feren?"

We murmured yes, a little cowed by this big man who had a tendency to talk louder then was necessary.

"Feren has gathered an army composed not only of Element Workers, but largely of magical beasts."

I could see the surprise on most of my colleague’s faces.

"Wyverns, salamanders and knuckers along with some basilisks. Griffins often support the opposing side as well. You'll learn all about them in your magical beast class tomorrow. Right first thing's first. Choosing the weapon that best suits you..."

He trailed off as a girl walked up to him. She wasn't from our division; she was tall and powerfully built. She said something to master Stansfield who nodded.

"Class let me introduce you to my assistant Alex."

She stood to attention with her hands behind her back and her head forward. She was most definitely not a greenie, I thought, as I looked her up and down. Her bare arms bore a number of scars I could only imagine where she had gotten them. Her deep red hair seemed to shimmer in the afternoon light, but her gaze was that of a trained soldier. She had discarded the school uniform for jeans and a heavy brown shirt that looked like a type of leather.

"Now split up, I want half of you to come with me, the other half will be working with Alex."

We all jostled around, trying to be in master Stansfield's half. I was bumped back with Alex's group. She led us over to a rack of weapons and training gear.

"Alright," she said looking us up and down.

I wished she wouldn't look so severely at us, as if judging our worth.

She put her hands on her hip "well, you're not as good as the last group I had but you'll do".

Everyone was too nervous to say anything to that.

"You're each going to try a weapon I choose for you, I'll be able to tell which one works best. Which ever I decide you will have, that's it."

She motioned a scared looking boy forward. Looking through the racks she finally decided on a short sword and handed it to him. Alex showed him how to swing it and after a little practice he tried it out on a dummy standing near by. Alex nodded and told him to step back, reminding him that it was not a real short sword but that he would receive a real one once he had learned to use it. One by one she chose weapons for the students, had them try it out then either let them try another or let them keep it.

Finally it was my turn. I had watched how Alex had treated my fellow students and wasn't sure I liked her very much. She was curt and acted like they were total idiots. When I came forward she raised her eyebrows.

"A late comer now is it?"

I didn't respond, I've always been tall for my age.

"Well I'm sure we can do something with the barbie."

Oh great, now I was categorized as a barbie! I had never considered myself as one of the high maintenance girls who end up as cheerleaders and prom queens. Sure I took care of myself, and I had often been told by my friends that I was ‘way too pretty for my own good’ but, they’re my friends, they’re supposed to say things like that. Right?
Alex returned to the rack and pulled out a long thin sword. I waved it experimentally, but we could both tell that the long sword for my tall body wasn't quite right. She handed me a curved sword but took it out of my hands before I had a change to try it, muttering. Next came a pair of silver daggers both of which I missed the target with completely.

"Why do we use such old-fashioned weapons anyway?" I asked finally as Alex searched through the rack.

She looked up at me "the art of fighting magical creatures is hundreds of years old. Your pathetic modern weaponry is no match for magic."

I still didn't understand but she didn't elaborate. Something on the rack caught my eye. It was a bow, fashioned like a traditional hunting bow but black and plastic like the rest of the weapons. I pulled it out before Alex could stop me.

"Can I try this?" I said drawing back the string experimentally.

Alex tried to take it from me "no," she said.

I held it away from her grasp, we were almost the same height.

"Why not, let me at least try it."

I had always loved watching archery during the Olympics but had never shot an arrow before.

"No, you can't use that."

I stepped away from her grabbing an arrow and pulling it back, facing a target about twenty feet away. Alex tried to stop me but I was too fast and let the arrow fly. It was an exhilarating feeling watching my arrow soar straight to the target's second ring from the middle. Everyone was silent. Alex was fuming. She stomped up to me and grabbed the bow from my hands. I was so giddy with my success that I didn't try to stop her.

"When have you done that before?" She said in a deadly whisper. "Never, I've never shot a bow before."

Alex gripped my arm hard, "liar!" She spat at me.

I twisted my arm out of her grip, something Andy had taught me, so that her arm was the worse off for it. She surveyed me with amusement.

"You think you're clever don't you?" Now I was angry, she wasn't going to make a fool out of me.

"Just cleverer then you," I shot back.

She threw the bow aside and tossed her short, red hair back. We were both still and silent. "So now your afraid?" I raised my eyebrow for emphasis. "You must have used weapons a thousand times but, you don't like it when someone uses a bow?"
I shouldn't have provoked her, but after the way she had treated us I found my self restraint weaken.

She lunged at me but I grabbed her wrist with reflexes I didn't know I had. She kicked my shins to make me release her. Now she was in her element. I tried to counter her lightning fast strikes but could barley see where she was. First she came around to my back and shoved me hard. I got back up on my feet and turned to face her, but she wasn't there anymore. She pushed my down from the other side and held me there my shoulders and back pinned to the ground. She snarled in my face,

"I'm trained in every weapon you could imagine and my skills in hand-to-hand fighting are unmatched, no one has ever beaten me in either."

She now put her arm across my neck and shoulders making it hard for me to speak. "There's always... a first time... for... everything," I gasped.

"Alex!" Master Stansfield's voice rang out. Alex released me and I got to my feet, brushing my clothes off.

"Alex how could you, taking advantage of a new student like that. I'm surprised at you!" Master Stansfield ranted at her. I could tell that Alex felt no remorse for what she had done, I had very little myself.

"And Jessica, you should know better then to engage in conflict when you know so little".

After making both me and Alex apologize, we registered our weapons and ended the lesson for the day. I was extremely proud when master Stansfield exclaimed with delight at the arrow sticking out of the target and insisting I register for bow and arrow. He also told us that hand-to-hand fighting would be taught in his class. Alex would be his co teacher. That put a damper on my exhilaration.

Part 6

We've reached an important part in the story, hope you like it!
P.S Don't forget to vote on the weekly poll!

"By way of announcements," continued professor Mason. "There will be a orientation party Saturday evening beginning at six and ending at ten".

There were collected groans at this pronouncement.

Professor Mason smiled "remember to be considerate of our younger students. Thank you all, you are now dismissed to go to your classes."

There were more cheers and shouts of "yeah Mason!"

"Need any help finding your class?" I jumped at Collin's question "Jessica right?" "Yeah,"

I didn't really know what to say, he was so good looking with his dark eyes smiling like that.

"That's my stepsisters name, cutest little girl you've ever seen."

I didn't know what to say to that either.

Luckily Carly saved me, "Come on Jessie, can I call you Jessie?"

She didn't wait for a response, but took my arm and began steering me out of the row.

"Hey Carl," said Collin winking at Carly. "How've ya been?"

Carly made a mock scowl.

"Better since I didn't have to see you over the summer."

Collin responded with false indignation "what? You and me, we had so much fun last year!"

"If you can call it that,"

"Come on you know no one's more fun then me!"

"Don't flatter yourself,"

"Only one month till your birthday. Fifteen is when you stop being snippy."

Carly rolled her eyes.

“You know all about that right Jess?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re fifteen, you turn sixteen in six months.”

“How do you know that?”

“I read your form, I know all about you now.”

I found this comment as creepy as he had intended it.

"Come on girls," said Carly shoving Kelsey and me forward.

"Watch out for that one Jess, she's trouble." Collin shouted after us laughing.

Carly shook her head smiling. "Ugh Collin, most immature sixteen-year-old I've ever met!"

"He seems pretty popular," I said.

"Oh he is, don't get me wrong, he's a good kid and I love him to death. Him and Slice, they're like the nicest, coolest boys ever! But he flirts with all the girls, even if they're way to young like me."

Kelsey grinned, "You sure act old though."

Carly dismissed this comment but I agreed. It wasn't like she tried to be, but you could tell she was a natural leader.

We came to a classroom marked History and I groaned. I guess I didn't really think I would just be learning magic tricks.

"What's so great about the Academy," Carly said "is that we work on a four period schedule, so you have four classes one day and four different ones the next."

I nodded, that was how my Jr. high had worked as well.

"But that's not all, we do the normal stuff: Math, Science, History and Music. But PE is battle training and when you learn your power you get trained with that too."

We took seats at the front and waited for our teacher to arrive. She did right as the bell rang. She looked as tired as Pat as she put down her books and sat behind her desk. "Welcome new students my name is Mrs. Kent," she said it very fast not looking at us. The lesson wasn't as dull as I thought it would be. It was a history I had never learned, all about the first Element Workers and the battles of the 15 1/2 century. There was a lot more to that time then I had first thought. There had been witches, elves, fairies, speaking animals all of which were now extinct, although wizards and witches did pop up every now and then.

Mrs. Kent explained that most of the time they didn't know their powers existed. A few of them, however, did. David Copperfield, Marie Curie, Napoleon Bonaparte, and to my surprise Walt Disney were all proved wizards.

I raised my hand "so Disney's greatest idea's and successes were just his magical powers?"

"No of course not," explained Mrs. Kent. "Disney had an amazing imagination. He was one of the few wizards who did know of his power. He simply chose to use them only for good. It helped him realize his goals and inspire many of his character's traits. Napoleon on the other hand, was a little too clever for his own good, and the rest of the world's."