The Elemental: Rise of the Shade

By Charlotte Gehle

The Shade is patient. It has no need to hurry or rush because it does not need to work that hard. It knows the darker nature of people. Their terror and anguish, their hate and pain, radiate off of them and The Shade soaks it in, growing stronger as humanity descends further into despair. The Shade does not fear what it can so easily crush. It has amassed evil creatures called Changelings that follow it blindly.
Only one thing can stop the Shade—and that is the Elemental. As the Shade’s power grows, so does the need for the Elemental, the person who has the ability to control all of the elements and keep the Shade at bay. Except, there hasn’t been an Elemental for a hundred years—until fourteen year old Georgia Bunn is chosen.
Georgia has always taken pride in being normal. In a town filled with people with magical abilities (The Gifted), Georgia hopes to someday leave this crazy life and never look back. That is until she is chosen as The Elemental. Now, she is in a race against the clock to become the person everyone says she is meant to be. In a few short months she has to find her first teacher and master the first Element. Can she do it in time and defeat the Shade?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Charlotte Gehle
• Release date: Mar 12, 2013
• ISBN: 9780988848900

Charlotte Gehle

My favorite things in the world are books. I grew up reading and devoured every book I came across. My favorite books have always been children's books, specifically series and fantasy books full of magic and wonder. It was in high school that I started writing and figured out what I wanted to do with my life- write children's books- so I could share some of the magic I loved when I was younger with others. The Elemental Rise of the Shade is the first book in The Elemental series. I live in Michigan with my husband Ben, and our Dog Sonny, who happens to be the best writing parter a person could ask for!

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About ELEMENTAL

The Shade is patient. It has no need to hurry or rush because it does not need to work that hard. It knows the darker nature of people. Their terror and anguish, their hate and pain, radiate off of them and The Shade soaks it in, growing stronger as humanity descends further into despair. The Shade does not fear what it can so easily crush. It has amassed evil creatures called Changelings that follow it blindly.

Only one thing can stop the Shade—and that is the Elemental. As the Shade’s power grows, so does the need for the Elemental, the person who has the ability to control all of the elements and keep the Shade at bay. Except, there hasn’t been an Elemental for a hundred years—until fourteen year old Georgia Bunn is chosen.

Georgia has always taken pride in being normal. In a town filled with people with magical abilities (The Gifted), Georgia hopes to someday leave this crazy life and never look back. That is until she is chosen as The Elemental. Now, she is in a race against the clock to become the person everyone says she is meant to be. In a few short months she has to find her first teacher and master the first Element. Can she do it in time and defeat the Shade?

For my family, whose love for me is unconditional and never ending, for my friend Andrea Weir for reading every word I write, no matter what, and, most especially for my Ben for believing in me when I lack the courage to believe in myself. You have my heart.

Chapter One: Julie Bunn

Julie pumped her ten year old legs fast and hard as vivid colors rushed past her eyes. She counted the number of times the swing moved front, then back. It was on the forty-second pass that the old woman appeared for the first time. Julie remembered this clearly because it was the woman’s appearance that made her loose count, which she hated to do. The lady was dressed oddly in old-fashioned gray garments that looked a bit worse for the wear, tattered, and torn in spots. The clothes hung limply on her frame, though she filled them out well enough. Their odd fit made her look rather dumpy and sloppy. Julie watched curiously as she sat in the swing beside her and began pumping her legs fast and hard, surprisingly so for a woman of her advanced years. Swinging was something Julie considered herself an expert in, so she was very impressed at the height the old lady reached in a very short time.

You’re not bad, lady! Julie told her.

The woman laughed kindly, and thanked her.

What’s your name? The woman asked after they had been swinging for a time.

Julie.

Ah! Is your mother at parent teacher conferences, Julie? My Grandson is in there now with his mother. She is a very good mother, but a bit overbearing and I had to leave the room. She didn’t like what I had to say. Her blue eyes twinkled as she swayed front, then back.

Julie didn’t often speak to adults, but she found she liked this strange lady and answered, Some moms are like that. My mom has all sorts of rules and ideas about me. She wants me to be a dentist like my Dad, but I want to be an artist.

Oh, yeah? What kind of artist? She asked curiously.

Julie hesitated for a moment to see if the woman’s interest was sincere, decided it was, and then answered.

The kind that draws and paints. Good stuff like people, or scenery or animals. Not dumb things like apples. I’m really good too, want to see? Julie asked.

I would love to! Stop swinging and show me, dear!

The rusted chains of the swing set groaned in protest as Julie dragged her black Mary Jane shoes in the dirt and came to a stop. The old woman followed suit. Julie reached in the pocket of her blue dress and withdrew several rumpled pictures she had done of her house, her dog Marvin, and a picture of her brother. They were very well done for such a young child, remarkable even.

Wonderful! the old woman gushed, I cannot understand why your mother wouldn’t just adore these!

Julie rolled her eyes, I know. . .mother’s are the worst.

Someday you’ll be a mother! What sort-of mother would you be? The old woman asked.

The kind who lets kids have peach pies on their birthday and lets them be whatever they want when they grow-up!

The old woman smiled as if she knew something that Julie did not, "You should become an artist. I have a feeling you will be very successful. You may even meet the man of your dreams. It is important to do what we love, what makes us happy, otherwise life can feel empty. Some day Julie, you will do what you love and work for a big ad agency. Your parents will be glad on that day when they see how successful you are."

Abruptly, the woman stood and said good-bye, claiming that her family was waiting for her. But, before she left, she handed Julie a daisy. It was strange because Julie had not seen that daisy in her hand before, but there it was.

Julie stared at the daisy; certain what the old woman had said had been very important even if she couldn’t quite figure out why. She made a decision that day to become an artist, no matter what her parents said.

Many years passed and Julie grew older, but she never forgot the woman’s words, and went to Art College in Boston. While she was there, she met several men, but none she liked well enough to marry. She returned home after four years of college and took a job at an ad agency in Michigan. One day, when she was on her lunch break she was about to get up and cross the street to get a coffee, but stopped abruptly when she recognized that old woman from her childhood sitting on a bench. She hesitated worried it wasn’t the same woman because she hardly appeared to have changed at all. She approached her cautiously and said hello. The old woman stood and embraced her, as old friends so often do. After exchanging pleasantries, they sat happily for a time.

You know, Julie told her, You had a big influence on me the last time we met. I went to art school because you told me we should always do what we love most if we can. We owe it to ourselves.

The kind old woman smiled, I knew you would.

She patted Julie’s hand in a motherly way and for a moment, they sat there in silence.

You’ve come to tell me something else, haven’t you? Julie asked.

The old woman’s blue eyes danced and she nodded, Remember when I told you you’d meet the man of your dreams if you did what you loved? Julie nodded, and she continued, Today is that day. You will love this man from the moment you lay eyes on him. He will have a past that frightens you—but do not lose heart. His oddities will be things you grow to love in him over time. Be brave Julie, be fearless! For with a brave heart, you will know what great love is.

Her heart beat a bit faster and Julie was wildly excited.

She glanced around expectantly, Is he here now?

But when she looked back, the old woman had gone and in her place sat a daisy.

Later that day she met John Bunn. He was handsome, mysterious, and wonderful in every way. She fell in love with him on the spot, for never had she seen a more handsome man. When she found out he was one of the Gifted, and one of The Watchers, she thought he was lying, playing a horrible joke, but then she remembered what the old woman had said and decided to trust her heart. After all, her friend had been right before, so why not now?

The more she learned about the strange people in John’s world, the more she marveled at their talents. In fact, the more she came to realize what it meant to help people with such a gift. Imagine, being able to change someone’s fate, to guide them towards a good decision that could make their lives better. What a rewarding job that must be!

It wasn’t long before she realized the old woman was her Watcher, a thought that both excited and terrified her.

Julie and John were married six months later, and Julie moved to Echo Veil, the small town where John grew up. The city was filled with people with mysterious gifts, and Julie fit in right away. She found she loved Echo Veil—and working with John who was a consultant with local police departments as a ‘psychic.’ Of course, John wasn’t really a psychic, he was really a Watcher, but the police didn’t know that. Together the couple found people and changed their lives and that work was rewarding. Julie continued working at the ad agency, because John’s job was not always steady. The hours were long, but she was happy.

Years passed and still, she never told her husband about her old woman and their past meetings. She kept them a secret, fearing what they would mean if she spoke about them aloud to anyone.

Julie’s daughter was born on November eleventh. It was a typical Michigan fall day, the air was crisp and cool, and the magic could be felt by everyone in Echo Veil. The trees were speckled with crimson and carroty leaves; all was right with the world.

On the day she was born, Julie knew her daughter would be special. She was at the local farmer’s market when a cloaked woman approached and asked when she was due. It was the same woman who had seen her two times before and changed her life for the better.

Ah! Julie said with a smile, My old friend. And what news do you have for me?

The old woman looked at Julie Bunn sadly and shook her head, I’m afraid this news, is not good news. Your daughter will change the course of history. . .but you will not see it.

Her heart plunged; she grew unsteady on her feet and sank down shakily onto a nearby bench.

Wh-what do you mean? she whispered.

You will die before she is grown. Like your husband, I too am a Watcher so you know that what I say is true.

Julie inhaled deeply and sighed. Tears gathered in her eyes, but she did not deny what the woman said, for she had suspected as much for years, And there is nothing to be done?

The old woman sighed, and shook her head, You know even a Watcher cannot change death—only delay it two times before it comes. Death cannot be avoided forever. Eventually, it finds us all.

Julie hesitated, When?

You have some time left. The old woman said, I will come to you one final time at the end.

Julie nodded and accepted her fate, You kept me from dying two times before then?

The old woman smiled. She took Julie’s face in her wrinkly hands. Her touch was gentle.

You were supposed to break your neck on the playground that day when you were just a girl—and be hit by a car that day on your lunch break. I kept you talking and saved your life. But death never misses on his third try. He is coming for you—but not yet. Relish each day with your child from now on, for it may be your last. She will be special, your little girl, more special than you realize.

They said their goodbyes, but before the old woman left, she handed her a daisy.

Julie sat down on a bench in that market place and stared at the flower for hours. Then she squared her shoulders and went home. That night, she and John had a beautiful girl they called Georgia, because while she was pregnant, Julie couldn’t get enough of Georgia peaches.

For five years the family lived happily. Julie and John watched their daughter grow into a beautiful little girl who loved to climb trees and swing as high as she could, pumping her legs hard and fast in the process, just as Julie had when she was a girl.

She watched Georgia and John together and relished in every moment. They were as close as any daughter and father ever were. They loved watching old movies and went fishing every weekend in the summer. He took Georgia everywhere-no father and daughter could have been closer—and Julie loved it. She lived each day as if it were her last and pushed back the old woman’s words.

Yet at night, sometimes, she would close her eyes and fear would win. At times she could think of nothing else but her impending death. The fear was overwhelming, crushing. It stole her breath and made her heart ache.

On Georgia’s fifth birthday, Julie and her daughter were at the farm market again. The same farm market that Julie had been at on the day Georgia was born. While Georgia was over looking at the peaches nearby and picking a few out for the birthday pie, the old woman approached Julie. She was wearing the same clothes as before, her face and countenance grim.

Oh! Julie said, Hello again!

Are you pleased to see me?

Julie forced a smile and swallowed, suddenly afraid.

It sounded like someone else when she replied, Of course, but I can’t help but be afraid, you predicted my death. . .is it time?

The woman smiled a sad, apologetic smile that sent chills down Julie’s spine, It will happen tonight. Say good-bye to your daughter. It will be your last chance. I will come to be with you at the end.

Julie Bunn was shaken to the core. She pleadingly asked a question to which she already knew the answer.

Is there nothing I can do?

The old woman sadly shook her head, pain etched on her worn face.

Julie’s eyes watered with tears.

Will she be alright? she asked, gesturing to her daughter.

The old woman rested a comforting hand on her arm, Yes. I told you child. Your girl will change the world.

Julie nodded, How much time. . .?

I’ll come for you at the last possible moment. The old woman promised.

Julie once again squared her shoulders and collected Georgia. They went home and had a wonderful dinner for Georgia’s birthday, peach pie a la mode, homemade pizza and salad, all of Georgia’s favorites. For her birthday, Georgia got a doll, a doll house and a fishing pole. It was a perfect evening.

When Julie and John tucked her in bed, Julie kissed her daughter and hugged her tight. She told her how much she loved her and lovingly stroked her hair. While Georgia fell into peaceful sleep, Julie kissed her husband and said she loved him more than he could ever know.

When everyone had gone to bed Julie stood staring out the front window until the old woman appeared, and then quietly stepped outside, ready to meet her fate. The old woman smiled at her.

I’m sorry time has gone so quickly. Funny thing time, when we are sad and lonely, the day’s move slowly, trickling away second by second, each tick of the clock an eternity. But the times we relish in, the times we are happiest in, slip away like leaves caught in a breeze and disappear before we know it.

Julie smiled, My time has been the way I wished it to be. I love my husband, I love my daughter, and I am ready to go now. I want to thank you for all the extra time you brought to me. I do not know if I deserved it, but I appreciated it.

The old woman smiled and extended her hand. Julie took it, and together they walked into the back yard.

Please, before it is too late—you told me my Georgia would be important, special. Please, what will she be? Julie asked desperately.