The Elemental Anomaly

By Sammi Bee Gonzalez

Humanity wasn't done yet. The will to survive burned brighter in bones than in flame. After years of war and destruction, the world crumbled and burned. Out of the ashes, some members of the human race developed the ability to control the elements and rose up to save the world from near apocalypse.

But with that power, they were also feared.

Years later, citizens are held under the thumb of a power-hungry, corrupt government organization, the Purgatio, whose primary mission is to track down the remaining people with the Elemental Anomaly.

Piper Eden is a simple girl, orphaned from the Burning, making the most of her circumstances. Everything changes when they take away the only thing that matters to her—her sister, Natalia.

After Natalia is taken as one of the suspected Elementals, Piper Eden's life is turned upside down as she is hurtled into a world of secrets, discovering not only the dark side of the world she lives in, but the darkness within herself.

Will she be able to tunnel through all the secrets in time, or will her world go up in flames once more?

The Elemental Anomaly is the first novel in the author's dystopian YA trilogy featuring a broken world and a new race the Elementals.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Aug 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098381318

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

The crumbling city was never so loud as when Piper Eden’s boots crunched and crackled against the broken glass at a running speed. Loud, but not nearly as loud as her pursuers’ rougher footfalls against the pavement as they raced behind her.

But no one knew the city in quite the same way as Piper, so when she turned a corner that was meant to be a dead-end, anyone else might have sighed and leaned against the wall, giving up the chase. Not Piper. She ran to the end of the path, resting for only long enough to take three gulps of stale air before she burst into action again.

Placing two hands against a dumpster, she hoisted herself onto the top of it just as two men dressed in navy suits curved their way into the dead-end alleyway. They approached her slower now like they were afraid that one false move might cause the girl to burst into the air where she would fly away, never to be seen again.

If only.

The men got closer, but Piper wasn’t looking at them. From her perch on the dumpster, she gazed around. All that was around her was crumbled brick and rusted metal left behind from the days of the Burning. It was enough to make one feel trapped and caged. Rusted bars were still enough to keep you contained. She took a few gulps of the sharp air, a thousand plans rustling through her brain at once.

She only needed one plan to go right.

Alright, now get down from there! the taller of the two called out to her.

You know, Piper said, breathing returning to normal, I don’t think I will, thanks.

The shorter man sighed, still struggling to catch his breath. We just want to take you home.

I don’t have a home, she said, pacing the length of the dumpster on her tiptoes like it was a balance beam and not a rusty old piece of metal that may give way at any moment.

You’re one of them orphans from the Nightingale Home.

Details— Piper murmured, eyes scanning above her head in a casual sort of way.

C’mon now, kid. You don’t got anywhere else to go, the tall one said, approaching the dumpster.

I guess you’re right, Piper said, crossing her arms over her chest, a frown pulling down her lips as she looked down at her captors.

Good, one of them said. Now, come down nice and easy and, HEY—

Piper reared back, kicking against the wall behind the dumpster and launching herself towards a rusted escape ladder set high against a window with smashed glass.

The ladder sunk several feet, and old flakes of paint rained down on her cheeks and the pavement below. Adjusting her grip, she was able to pull herself up further onto the ladder where she started to climb.

The two men clamored after her, but they were too late. They were too heavy for the ladder to support their weight, and by the time they ran around to the building entrance, she would be long gone.

A small laugh escaped her as they swore below her and made to run around the block to try to reach her. Her hands ached as the crusted grime cut into her palms, but she kept moving.

The Crescent was one of only a few cities left in the world. After the Burning, the survivors were forced to relocate to the areas that sustained the least damage. And while her city had plenty of damage, at least it hadn’t been reduced to complete rubble like some of the larger cities of the world.

Piper wasn’t sure what they’d called her city before the Burning, but they called it the Crescent now because of the way it curved over to hug a patch of forest. Ironically, the forest was partially created by a handful of Earth Elementals who were hunted down for their powers just a little while after.

And, because Elementals were so feared nowadays, the forest remained mostly untouched, as though people were afraid they’d catch the Elemental anomaly just by taking a stroll through a wood they had created. Or maybe they were scared of any kind of association with the Elementals.

When she finally reached the window, she climbed through it, scattering more broken glass in her wake. The moonlight didn’t do much to light her path, but she was in some sort of bedroom, the skeleton of a bedframe in one corner and a raggedy dresser pinched into the other.

She knew that the place would be unoccupied. All that was left was the grime and dust that invaded Piper’s lungs, the stale scent lingering in her nostrils as she tried not to breathe too much in. Too many buildings were left abandoned. There weren’t enough people left to keep up with them.

What else did they expect in a city whose people had turned against one another, pointing fingers and figuring if they did the pointing, they wouldn’t be the ones to disappear?

And so many people just disappeared.

Like Piper’s own sister.

Her missing flesh and blood was enough to draw her out at night to search, despite the risk. One day it might be to her own destruction, but she couldn’t waste her time worrying about the consequences of it. Even if she sat there and carefully considered the risks, she would be compelled to leave her bed anyway for any trace of information.

Creeping forward, she listened carefully for signs of the men, but they must have still been making their way around because an eerie silence spilled over the place. Each footstep gave a quiet creak of floorboard as if the building was releasing a long-held sigh.

When she reached the bedroom door, she held her breath and gave another long listen. Nothing. Knowing those two, they’d probably entered the wrong building altogether. Still, it wouldn’t do to stand around until they figured it out.

The door pushed open with a stagnant silence that she wasn’t expecting. Everything else about the building was so rickety, and she expected it to howl in protest. But there it swung, easy and simple like it had been opened a thousand times in just the last few moments.

Piper glanced at the grimy copper handle and stepped forward into the hallway, a frown on her face.

And then a hand clamped down on her arm and swung her around.

Hello, Miss Eden, a woman’s voice said sweetly. Let’s have a little chat before we get you home, hmm?

CHAPTER TWO

The woman pulled Piper down the hallway, nails pinching into her skin, finally releasing her when they got to the stairs. Now, there’s no point in running off.

Piper sighed, rubbing her arm. It was true. Blanche Porter knew precisely where to find her. So she followed the woman down the stairs, stomping to pull up as much of the cobweb into the air as she could.

Piper had gotten to know Blanche Porter quite well over the last half dozen years. Blanche had the kind of ambition that rotted your insides. She filled herself with poison that rose her to the top quickly, but it hadn’t been without its downsides. Blanche Porter was so afraid of the Elementals and so fierce about finding them that she hardly realized her search was taking away any bits of humanity she had left.

Porter even helped discover a way to draw the anomaly out of people early so that she could catch them before they even knew they had it. She used her tactics against children. She set up in the schools, poised as a counselor who only wanted to help. Her detection system was called the Interview, and it gained her a lot of fame within the Purgatio.

Of course, the woman had been stuck in place for years, desperate to move up in the ranks even further. Each passing year, she grew more and more bitter. And anytime someone was cleared of the Elemental anomaly in her Interview, it ate her up a little inside. Which was crazy for someone who wanted to rid the world of the powerful creatures. Maybe she thought that one good catch would gain her one step closer to Commander Rowel.

Piper watched the back of Porter’s head. The woman wasn’t that old. Maybe close to 40. A look of perpetual smug made her features too sharp to be considered anything but Goblin like. And ever since Piper had had the displeasure of meeting the woman five years prior, she’d thought of her as the Goblin Lady.

I didn’t think you performed lowly acts like patrols, Miss Porter, Piper mused as they reached the bottom of the staircase.

Porter gave a squinty-eyed glance over her shoulder and led Piper into a small sitting room. I don’t. I was out on business, and you happened to cross my path.

And you figured those two goons after me weren’t up for the job.

Mind your mouth, the Goblin Lady said, striking a match to light a dusty candle stub at the table they settled at. They may not be senior members of the Purgatio, but they’re still members, and you’ll do well to show them respect.

The Purgatio had started as a small research group within the government. They were meant to figure out why some people were changed during the Burning and discover more about their powers. But as time went on, they changed, too.

They still had their scientists, but they also rose in prestige, holding high-powered ranks. When they held that power, they created a militia of well-trained soldiers who helped to keep their version of order.

Of course, there were lower-level members like the two who had chased her through the city, who were likely just members of the Purgatio, to give them a sense of power to make them feel better about their lack of talent.

Piper focused on the layer of grime on the chair she was supposed to sit on to help control the gentle roll of her eyes. Those two from the alley seemed more like Purgatio dropouts than anything else. It was a sad fact that the Purgatio would take anyone on. Not everyone would go terribly far, but they were happy to pad their lower membership. The more eyes they had scattered throughout the city, the better for them. And worse for Piper and others who had something to search for. Worse for anyone that wanted a peaceful life devoid of Elemental hunting.

As though on cue, a huffing and puffing drew her attention to the front door that was kicked open in an instant. Which was silly because the thing had been unlocked anyway.

Found ‘er. One of them huffed.

Piper raised her eyebrows, looking from the two men to Blanche Porter.

You two are going to wake up the entire city at this rate, Porter said.

When they noticed Porter, they stood up straighter, chests still heaving, a delicate trickle of sweat dripping down their flushed faces.

Ah! Miss Porter. We thought you were heading home for the night! the short one said.

I was. And then I heard you two stampeding through the place and decided to see what all the fuss was about. All of that for this one girl?

Yes, miss. But this one’s sneaky, she is—

So sneak after her, you idiots! You’re retaking your stealth training first thing tomorrow morning! Now go wait outside and call us a car.

After several apologies, they slowly backed out of the room, stumbling over an old throw rug on the way.

Aw, Piper said after the front door clicked to a close. You know, those may not be senior members of the Purgatio, but they still deserve some resp—

Enough, Piper! the Goblin Lady snarled and then composed herself, They were right about one thing, of course. You’re sneaky. And you’re very slippery, Miss Eden.

Thank you? Piper said when the woman didn’t go on.

Porter sighed. Now, what were you doing out? It’s hours after curfew.

I fancied some fresh air.

You were seen lurking near the school. Any ideas about that?

I forgot one of my books.

And you thought you’d just go pick it up? All by yourself in the middle of the night?

Yes.

Porter pursed her lips. We’re only looking out for you, you know. It’s dangerous out there. Especially for a sixteen-year-old girl. All on her own.

Like you said, Miss. I’m slippery. I can handle myself.

Either way, the woman said, clearing her throat, you’re out after curfew. And this is your last warning. Do it again, and we’re going to have to involve the Enforcers. And they’re not going to just drop you off at home. Am I clear?

The Purgatio Enforcers were the highest-ranking members of the militia branch of the Purge. They were also the cruelest.

Crystal, Piper said, leaning forward on her elbows.

Porter raised her eyebrows, nose wrinkled in distaste as she rose from her seat. Good. Then let’s get you home. Get that candle, will you?

Piper got to her feet. She gazed at the dancing flame for a moment before pinching the light out between her fingertips.

CHAPTER THREE

They sat in a car with intact windows and plush leather seats. It was indeed a luxury in a city where most people depended on trollies and shuttles, or else their own two feet to get from here to there. Even those who did own vehicles had ones that were half rusted away with at least one or two of the windows smashed out. They were quicker than walking, but they weren’t very comfortable.

Piper sat in the back, between the two Purge officers, both of whom leaned away from her as though she was a disease. She crossed her arms and fidgeted as she looked out the tinted windows. At least every other streetlight needed some form of repair, so there were stretches of deep dark in between the orangey flickers of light that illuminated the city’s disrepair.

It was a little depressing to look at, but it was all they had. Too much of the city’s budget had gone to the Purgatio, and what did they care if half the buildings were on the brink of collapse? They had one goal: to protect the citizens from the Elementals. Who cared if they got squashed by their own ceilings in the process?

They were soon driving through a dusty little path through a tiny wood and pulling up to the Nightingale Home. It wasn’t much to look at during nighttime, but it was in much better shape than buildings closer to the central city. A flickering little bulb on the porch winked at them and shined its light on an old, faded porch swing that swung in the light breeze.

Piper remembered being amazed by the place when she’d first arrived, her twin sister at her side. They were orphans for as long as they could remember and had very few memories of their life before. Only small flashes that could all be dreams. A joyful boom of laughter. A tiny fist wrapped around a lock of curly hair. The tickle of a beard against the soft skin of a neck. Lines blurred between reality and dreams of their family.

But Piper remembered every single Home they’d lived at. They were often transferred due to a lack of space in their age grouping. It wasn’t uncommon. After the Burning and its aftermath, there was a large influx of orphaned children and not a lot of space to put them.

Until they turned five, they lived in a large ward set up for misplaced children. And while it was a safe space for them, it lacked the feeling of home. As a result, they attempted to limit the amount of time the children had to spend there, opting to transfer them to smaller group homes or foster families.

Not that the Homes were much better. For a year, the twins lived with the Wilsons. They were nice enough, though they were struggling to get by on Mr. Wilson’s teaching salary. But what they did have was time and attention for the girls. However, when they had a child of their own, they could no longer support any foster children.

So off they went to Deimos Home for Misplaced Children. The place was overcrowded and run down. The children were expected to do chores and pitch in. Which would be fine if the chores were reasonable. Expecting a seven-year-old to prepare dinner for fifteen was certainly not appropriate. Their punishments were severe, going as far as locking the children in the basement for days at a time. Eventually, the place was shut down but not before the twins spent a solid two years there.

For the next several years, the girls were shifted between three families, all eventually needing to send them on for one reason or another. The girls refused to be split up, and many families couldn’t support both of them.

Finally, the girls found a home that stuck: The Nightingale Home for Children. It was run by Alice and Jeremy Hunter, a young couple who didn’t have children of their own. They were strict but kind. And well off enough to have a large home, fit for twelve children at a time and a small support staff.

Six years earlier, Piper and her sister had arrived with no more than a pair of backpacks strapped to their backs and a scarcely filled duffel bag each. The house was bigger than anything they’d ever laid eyes on, with a huge wraparound porch painted the same shade of blue as a robin’s egg. The rest of the house was made of rich brown wood, except for the door and shutters, which were painted in a creamy ivory. The lawn was grown out a little, littered with wildflowers. It was well maintained without seeming too stuffy, and it was better than either of them expected. Not many places in the city were so well maintained. Piper could claim to not have a home all she wanted, but the Nightingale Home certainly provided that feeling a lot of the time. At least it had when her sister was there too.

Piper jerked out of her hazy memory when the car came to a stop, and Blanche Porter twisted in her seat to look at Piper in the dim light.

Remember what I said, Porter said, reaching to pat the girl on the hand, though Piper whipped her hand away as quickly as she could. Porter gave a nasty little sniff through her nose and nodded to the Purgatio officers in the back seat. Take her all the way to the door and make sure she gets in. We wouldn’t want her wandering off again, would we?

No, ma’am, the one on the left grunted and then pushed his way out of the door. Piper and the second officer exited, and they turned towards the Home.

But Blanche rolled her window down and leaned out it. Oh, she said, and you two can walk back to Headquarters. Try to use that time to think about what you could have done differently tonight.

But— one of them started, but it was too late. The window was already rolling up, and the driver was spinning the car around and peeling off down the drive.

Piper didn’t care if they’d gotten into trouble, and she started making her way up the path when they jogged to her sides and clamped down on her arms and started to drag her onward. Ouch! What are you—

Shut up! one of them snapped, tightening his grip. I’m tired of getting into trouble with that woman just because a few idiot children break curfew!

Whoa! Ease up, Mikey. She’s just a kid,