A little visit
Liam had no idea what to do with 2 elementals, he couldn’t possibly manage 2 alone. He recited the prophecy, “In five hundred years, seven children shall be born. Each will carry a gift, and each will be bound to a spirit of the wild. Together, they shall rise in a time of great peril, for darkness will seek to consume the world.” Liam decided he must fulfill the prophecy.
He glanced at the fire elemental, cooing in its little basket. Liam stood up and walked over from where he sat on the couch.
He muttered under his breath, “I swear that wasn’t there before…” Coral looked up, eyes wide. Liam searched her eyes, a mix of curiosity and something Liam couldn’t quite understand.
He approached the basket, with some slight regret. His breaths slowed by each step closer to the basket where the baby lay. Liam's steps grew heavier and heavier till… He reached the basket. Liam bent over and looked at the tag, Ember, Sorry to whoever Ember is given to. I couldn’t take care of my wife and myself neither could I take care of a child. - Ember’s Father Liam breathed. Glancing at the note, Liam didn’t know how to react.
“Ember…” He whispered. Coral stood from the couch, tilting her head. Liam looked where she was looking, the tag.
“What is that?” Coral said. Not in her normal cheery voice. She tilted her head to the other side. Trying to figure out what it is. She got closer as she bent over too. She immediately jumped back.
“Ow! That's hot! Ow..” Coral was holding her hand as if it were injured. “I don’t like that.” Liam glanced at her, Weird. He thought, I mean I guess I do feel a bit of heat.
“She’s not a that Coral.” Liam scolded. “Her name is Ember, it says so here.” Liam ripped off the tag, handing it to Coral. Even though she can’t read. “It says ‘Ember, Sorry to whoever Ember is given to. I couldn’t take care of my wife and myself neither could I take care of a child.’” Coral looked at the tag, staring as if it was a priceless paper.
“Huh.” She said, “It looks like someone was in a hurry, that they forgot Ember was a fire elemental. Look.” Coral pointed to the tag. The paper had a chunk missing on the bottom right corner. On the edges of where the chunk was missing there were burn marks. Liam reached for her outstretched hand with the tag, he grabbed the piece of paper and flipped it over.
To have all 7 Elements you must find the others in orphanages and adoption centers… Liam stared in disbelief. How am I going to do this? All alone? He thought.
The next morning, the sun arose, birds chirping, rays shining, but something was off. Liam sniffed the air. Smoke! Liam rushed to Coral and Ember’s room, shaking Coral awake. Coral’s eyes fluttered open, smelling the smoke. She got up and blasted water at the wicker basket where Ember lays.
“Coral! No!” Liam rushed over to where Ember was sleeping in the basket. He stopped dead in his tracks as Ember was laying in the basket. It looked like Ember rolled over and accidentally caught the side of the basket on fire. Liam lifted the basket as the water dripped, quenching the fire.
Coral looked up, “Would you like me to blast it so then…” Coral gagged, “Ember, won’t set it on fire again?” Liam nodded in agreement, but he didn’t catch the gag.
By the afternoon, Liam called the girls to get ready for some errands. He followed the sounds of two bickering voices echoing from the halls. Left, no right, no actually left, Liam pressed his ear to the wall. He heard crying and screaming from the other room, a huge shriek filled the air. Coral’s, Liam thought immediately. Liam dashed where the shriek was echoing from.
Liam walked into the girl’s room. He saw that Ember had partially evaporated Coral.
“Coral!” Liam yelled, “Come with me,” Liam rushed out quickly as he pulled Coral along.
Liam went by the sink with Coral nearby. The water flowed straight towards Coral repairing the evaporated area. Coral saw the water flow gracefully towards her and she let it get near her. Coral closed her eyes and concentrated. Water circled around her, creating hearts, triangles, even a smiley face.
“Are you ok?” Liam asked worriedly. Liam gasped, he forgot to breathe. His breaths steadied.
“Yes, I’m ok now,” Coral replied, as the water flowed around her hands.
As they all got into the car, Liam made a separator to protect both elementals from harming each other. (A pillow). And so the long journey began.
Liam went miles and miles checking every orphanage and adoption center hoping to find a new element to stop the two from fighting all the time. He was coming up onto the freeway when he noticed an old building on the side of the road.
He drove towards the strange flickering sign. An abandoned building I’ve never seen before? Well maybe it has a chance to hold one. Liam thought to himself as approached the old, almost torn down building.
They hopped out of the car, Coral stuck close to Liam. They walked into the building to see an old woman typing on the computer.
“Um excuse me, do you work here?” Liam asked confused, he glanced around, his eyes darting at the run down look.
“Why yes I do. Do you need something?” She asked calmly, staring at Coral and Ember.
“We’re looking to adopt another child,” Liam quietly peeped out staring at the sealed doors.
“Oh! of course follow me,” The lady said, rushing to the sealed doors. She paused for a minute “Are you sure you want to do this?” She looked into his eyes.
“Yes,” Liam replied firmly.
She opened the doors to only one child. She lay there with her hair flowing. It seemed like the bedding was made of clouds of how soft it looked.
“Hey, hey, her hair looks like mine,” Coral chimed as she came through the doors. Liam set Ember down with her basket, as soon as Ember saw the air child. Her eyes narrowed in envy.
The lady walked in, glancing at Liam, Coral, and Ember, “Her name is Audra,” Liam jumped in surprise. She continued, “Are you 100% sure you want her?”
“Ye-” Liam was cut off by Coral, she walked up to Audra. Coral stuck her hand into the crib. Audra giggled, as Coral covered her face with her hands and then said,
”Peekaboo!” Audra erupted in laughter.
“Hmmm..” Liam glanced at Coral and Audra continuing playing, Coral looked up, “We’ll take her.” Coral smiled, and started stacking blocks with her. Liam lifted up Ember out of the basket and set her near Audra. Ember crawled near Coral, Audra glared at Ember as she got closer to Coral. Audra blasted Ember with a burst of air. Ember flew from the floor. Coral jumped up and caught Ember mid-air. Her hands swiftly lowered Ember down.
Liam was in the middle of talking about adoption when a gust of air knocked off his hat and he heard the little baby laugh. He picked up his hat giving Coral a sharp look, knowing that she made the little elemental use her powers.
“Alright, now if you sign here you’re good to go” The old lady calmly asked Liam.
“Ok, now do this and be done!” Liam mumbled to himself. Liam picked up the pen and swiftly signed his name.
“Alright just wait out here while I get here ready.” The lady said, hurrying to the doors.
As the lady hurried off Liam held Ember close just in case a fight was going to happen. Coral lay on the couch singing the most random song she could. Ember lay motionless as she had fallen asleep during the adoption process.
The lady came back with Audra all dressed with extra baby supplies that came with her. Liam took the little elemental and called Coral over and told hold her. Liam waved goodbye to the lady as he walked out of the door.
As Liam drove away the old building disappeared as if it had never existed.