Elements Of The Earth

By Ella Moore

Elements Of the Earth

After years in hiding, eighteen-year-old Raya Stravou is going back to her father, Alexander, and to The Revolution: back to a life of death. Working undercover this time for Hideaway, with her best friends at her side, Raya must learn Alexander's secrets in order to tear the world from his violent vision

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ella Moore
• Release date: Jan 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9781777831516

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ELEMENTS OF THE EARTH

Ella Moore

Copyright © 2022 by Ella Moore

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form, other than some quotes for book reviews and promotional use.

ISBN: 978-1-7778315-0-9

ISBN: 978-1-7778315-1-6 (ebook)

Dedicated to my community that I hold so dear to my heart. I hope in the world that chooses not to see you that you can see yourself in this book.

CONTENTS

PROLOGUE: Akaya

CHAPTER 1: The Revolution’s Rise

CHAPTER 2: The Rage Is Back

CHAPTER 3: Hideaway Headquarters

CHAPTER 4: Raya’s Nightmares

CHAPTER 5: Trust No One

CHAPTER 6: Home

CHAPTER 7: Confronting Your Demons

CHAPTER 8: The Rage Continues

CHAPTER 9: It Begins

CHAPTER 10: A Sister’s Love

CHAPTER 11: Childhood Friends

CHAPTER 12: The Plan For Escape

CHAPTER 13: Old Friends And Foes

CHAPTER 14: Testing Trust

CHAPTER 15: The Four Siblings

CHAPTER 16: The Truth Of Akaya

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PROLOGUE

Akaya

A kaya! Akaya!

A gentle voice calls to her. She’s in her room. It’s a room I’ve seen many times, but I still don’t know why. It’s ancient. I walk by cracked vases carrying dying flowers. The floor is cement, cold. Akaya’s long, vibrant dresses are thrown to the floor. Beads are scrambled all around. Her mirror is shattered with blood dripping from it. Her room has bloody footprints all around as she paces too. I can smell gunpowder and hear the bullets with yelling outside; there are screams of agony with each popping sound the bullets make. I know this smell, I know these cries; death is outside. I don’t flinch from it, but Akaya does. Her agony grows with each cry of a slow death; or the begging for a quick one.

She paces around her room. Her body is drenched in sweat, her breathing is heavy as she tries to stay calm. She stares in her shattered, bloodied mirror with her arms tightly wrapped around a large brown book; she holds it so tight I fear she might break it. Her large gold crown lays a few feet away. I notice there are four diamonds in it: one blue, orange, grey and green. She’s dressed in a light pink silk gown that highlights her dark brown skin, her hair is in braids with beads; she is stunning. But her eyes are puffy and there are circles underneath them. I wish I could wrap my arms around her, tell her it’s going to be all right, but I can’t. I don’t even know what’s wrong.

Her door bursts open and a woman who shares a strong resemblance to her barges in. The woman wears a crown with the same diamonds. Her eyes are enlarged as she sees Akaya. Her breathing is shallow, and she flinches as well from the noise outside. Her dress is covered in mud and blood, parts of it ripped.

Akaya, we have to do it now. You can’t keep running, they will destroy everything, and kill us all. You know they will. The protection that we once had is long gone. I know you don’t want to do this. To The Elements, I wish this didn’t have to happen, but we need to do it. For the sake of the kingdom, for our people, our family and the future, the woman says; she was the gentle voice who was calling Akaya’s name earlier.

Akaya turns and stares at me, as if she knows I’m watching her. This time I flinch back and walk backwards from her, but she continues to walk closer to me. I hit the wall; I can’t move now, my legs are wobbly, my body shaking. I close my eyes shut.

It’s just a dream, it’s just a dream, wake up! Wake up! Please wake up! I say to myself.

But Akaya grabs me.

For the sake of the kingdom, our people, our family and our future, she whispers to me.

Everything goes black. The dream is over.

CHAPTER 1

The Revolution’s Rise

My alarm buzzes and wakes me from the dream. I jolt upright; I’m panting and sweat drips throughout my body. That dream has recurred throughout my life many times. My mother says they’re just dreams, but I know there’s something more, there has to be. But I keep these thoughts to myself.

I get up and change into my workout clothes. My small room is painted red, the sunset glares off the walls and makes my room appear as if it’s on fire. I groggily walk to the kitchen to make a coffee and pull a few chunks off of the banana muffin on the counter. After a few sips of my coffee and a small feeling of energy, I head to the basement and start my training. My mom usually trains with me, but she’s getting older and it’s harder on her now. She’s not as consistent as I am. But since I’m older now she doesn’t need to train me anyway. Unlike her, I don’t have a choice, I have to train six days a week.

I train to physically protect myself. I have to be ready at all times. In my life there is too much that is unknown: I’ve come to except that. My training is sporadic throughout the week. Monday to Wednesday I work on my sparring with the dummy we have, Thursdays I go for a run no matter the weather, Fridays I practice gymnastics and Saturdays I finish on a light workout. I‘ve always trained in my house. I’m not allowed to practice anywhere else; in order to avoid any attention that comes my way. I love training; I’m too focused to think about anything else, it helps me to forget everything going on in my life. For a short amount of time, at least.

Two hours and a shower later, I’m wearing jeans and an oversized grey sweater. I tie my tight curls into a ponytail and head back into the kitchen where my mother is making breakfast. This is normal, having breakfast to spend as much time together as we can. We never know how much time we have left together, which is why we do it. But she’ll never admit that, and I don’t want her to.

Good morning, sweetheart! How was training? she asks, smiling at me.

She’s always happy, even with everything she’s been through. Her long braids sway every time she moves. But she doesn’t have as much enthusiasm in her voice as she normally does, she keeps rubbing her face, too. I don’t think she slept at all last night and I know why, but I don’t want to ask.

It was great, thanks.

We then opt for silence as we both dread what’s to come. She finishes the omelette and accidentally touches the pan when she moves it to the side of the stove to cool off and shouts in pain. She then turns to pour her coffee into her mug and continues to spill it as her hands shake. My mom mumbles, but I hear her swear.

I walk over to her. Mom, sit down, I got it.

She sits down, chewing at her lip; it looks raw. I clean up the kitchen and bring over our omelettes and coffee. I sit down across from her, not making eye contact.

We both know what day it is, she says, touching my hand.

I look at my plate, not wanting to make eye contact still.

Raya, honey, it’s been ten years. This is longer than we anticipated. I was getting calls all night from Hideaway, it’s time for us to go. It’s been thirteen years, sweetheart, today’s the exact date. Staying makes us targets. I’m sorry, honey, I wish you didn’t have to go through this, but—

But this is our life and wishing it wasn’t makes it worse. We have to be grateful for every day, and hope there’s another one tomorrow, I say.

Every time my mother and I complain she says that. She smiles weakly at me as I repeat her life motto, then we both continue to go back to silence. I don’t think she has anything else to say. Or she just doesn’t know what to say. There’s really nothing else to say. Tears start to well and I silently curse. I shouldn’t be crying, I don’t cry. Crying makes you weak. It gives them power over me, and they already have too much of that. I blink so the tears don’t fall down my cheeks. I knew this day was going to happen, but I ignored it to pretend I was normal. Wishing that the day wouldn’t come. But that’s my own fault, to be so foolish.

When do we leave? I ask.

"In a couple hours,’’ my mother says.

She doesn’t meet my gaze. I know she feels guilty, I feel the same. I don’t ask any more questions about it, I don’t want to talk about it anymore, and from the look on my mother’s face she doesn’t either.

Is it all right if I go to my room to start packing, then? I ask quietly.

Of course.

I rush to my room and close the door abruptly. I lean against it and sit with my hands on my face. I can’t leave, I just can’t. How can I leave Elena and Drew? I hate running, running lets them win. They’ve taken everything from me. I want to pretend I’m normal once more, even for the slightest moment. I start pounding my fist on my carpeted floor in frustration.

I think of how all my life I’ve done everything for everyone but myself, just trying to be perfect. That’s when I think the thought that will change everything. I know I shouldn’t; it could jeopardize my safety. But just this once, I don’t care. Just this once I want to be selfish, to stop running. To say goodbye this time. I’ll only be gone for a few minutes and then I’ll come straight back home.

My mom never bothers me when I want to be alone, so she won’t notice. My room is on the main floor, so I open my window and climb through with my backpack on and land in the garden. I close the window and stare at my room. I know I shouldn’t do it. But the feeling of never seeing my friends again takes over the guilt. I bend down in the garden so my mom won’t see me run away. For once in my life I run to where I want to, towards a sense of freedom, towards my own choices.

During the run I try to take in the scenery all around me: the smell of the fresh morning crisp air, the birds chirping, the large trees that tower over the whole neighbourhood leaving their leaves all over the road, the parents that walk their kids to school knowing what each day will bring, knowing that they’re safe. Knowing that they have their own choices and their kids will be able to make them too. I run faster as those thoughts form in my head, it’s too painful for me to bear now. The closer I get to the school the more my nerves set in. I’ve never done anything like this before; I’ve never disobeyed or betrayed my mother, ever. But I need a sense of goodbye.

I walk through the doors into my high school that is crowded by dozens of students. The familiarity comforts me, it makes me feel safe, but the feeling doesn’t last long. I push past everyone and make it to the cafeteria; Elena sits there with a book in her freckled face. Light caramel skin with dark brown curls that spill over her shoulders; she has no care for others, just her book. Elena has been my best friend since I first moved to our neighbourhood ten years ago. Being a shy, isolated kid it wasn’t the easiest way to make friends. None of the other kids in school really cared for me, but Elena did. I sit across from her and drop my backpack on the table.

Elena! I say, cheery.

She finishes her last sentence in her book then answers me.

Hey Ray, you seem more cheerful than usual this morning. Did you run here? Elena asks. Her dark green eyes are filled with curiosity as she asks her question.

Yes, how did you know that? I ask.

You’re breathing a bit fast, you also look sweaty, she says.

Thanks. Nothing passes by you.

What’s wrong? she asks, with a worried look now.

She knows me too well.

Nothing, I say quickly, too quickly.

Mmmhhh. I know you Raya. What’s going on?

I just found out some sad news this morning, I say.

Do you want to talk about it?

No, not really.

Okay. Let me know if you change your mind.

I hate lying to her, especially when she gives me space. It’s another thing I’m grateful for about Elena.

Hello ladies, a familiar voice behind us says.

I turn to see a small afro with chocolate eyes and dark complexion, tall, and a smile that can charm anyone, it can be no one but Drew. He walks in every room with ease, everyone stares at him. Drew moved into town right after I did and quickly became friends with me and Elena. And the three of us have been inseparable since. Drew became popular throughout high school, which is the opposite of us. But he never left our side, he’s not like most people. Which is why the three of us are good friends. None of us are like most people.

Hey, Elena and I say at the same time.

I can see Elena out of the corner of my eye still watching me curiously, not believing that I’m all right.

Are you guys watching my game tonight? Drew asks as he takes a seat beside me, putting his arm around my shoulder as he gives me his charming smile.

I throw his arm away with a scrunched-up face. Ugh, you stink! I say.

Of course, I wouldn’t miss it, Elena replies, ignoring my remark at Drew.

Elena doesn’t care for football, but it gets her out of her house. She lives alone and I know it gets lonely for her, even though she denies it.

Drew smiles at Elena then sticks my face under his arm. I hear Elena laughing at the two of us.

I had practice this morning, I put on deodorant once I was done. Is it not enough?

I shove his arm away once more. Ever heard of a shower? I ask.

Drew repeats the words I just said to him in a mocking voice. It’s all good, the ladies still love me, he says.

That will always be something I don’t understand. Especially if you don’t know what hygiene is, I say.

It must be my charming personality.

I doubt that.

I look over at Elena, she’s back to reading her book. She normally does this when Drew and I bicker or tease one another.

Anyway, you never answered my question. Are you coming tonight, too, Raya? Drew asks me.

Of course, why would you even ask? I lie, trying to keep a genuine smile. Maybe seeing them again wasn’t a good idea. My smile fades.

You all right, Ray? Drew asks.

Elena puts down her book and stares at me, waiting for a response.

Do I always have to look happy? I snap.

I never raise my voice or snap at them; they both look at me, alarmed. I shouldn’t take out my frustrations on them. I can’t stay with them any longer, I have to go. Coming here wasn’t a good idea; I hate lying to them.

Sorry guys, I’m just in a mood this morning, I’ll see you later, I say.

I pick up my backpack and walk out of the cafeteria, not looking back. I want to say more, but I can’t. This is the last time I will see them, and they’ll remember me being in a mood.

Raya! Drew calls, running after me. We’re in the foyer now and the school becomes quiet as class is starting soon.

I’m sorry Drew, it’s just been a bad morning. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you guys.

That’s fine, me putting my sweaty arms on you probably didn’t make that any better. Sorry about that, he says, grinning.

It’s all right, I say.

Make an excuse to sneak out of class so we can talk.

I don’t…I don’t know.

I hate seeing you upset, I always know how to cheer you up.

I think of a lie, but the bell rings. Drew starts walking up the stairs to leave for his class.

Shoot! I have to get to class so I’ll text you and we’ll meet up, he says, and he’s gone.

My heart aches. This is it, this is the last time I’ll see them and that memory will be ruined with lies. But hasn’t everything been filled with lies? When Drew’s gone I look back into the cafeteria to make sure that Elena is too, and she is. I slowly make my way to the doors to head home, feeling worse than I did before. Just as I’m about to push the doors open, a hand catches my wrist.

What the hell do you think you’re doing, child! hisses my English teacher, Mr. Smith.

He talks with a Canadian accent to blend in with everyone else in this country, but I hear his real Tanzanian voice seeping through his words. He’s always been a man who doesn’t carry much emotion, some say he’s miserable, others say he’s angry. But I think he’s resentful and regretful. I’ve never seen him look like this before in my life, his body is tense, he’s too aware of his surroundings, his dark eyes bore into mine screaming fury.

I just wanted to see them one last time. I’m going home now, I say.

He lets go of my wrist. Raya, what is going on with you, you’ve never acted like this before, why are you being so reckless? You’re risking your life being here. I know they’re your friends, but you shouldn’t have come. He’s been spotted in Europe, you know he’s coming for you. I assume your mother doesn’t know you’re here?

My eyes widen. I thought we were leaving because we had been here too long, not because he’s been spotted. At least that’s what my mother told me.

They found him? I ask.

He rolls his eyes. Oh, to The Elements, Raya, your mother didn’t tell you?

No. She just said we’ve stayed too long. Why would she lie?

Well I guess she wasn’t ready to tell you the truth, or she didn’t want to freak you out. It doesn’t matter now, you need to get out of here and go straight home. They’re coming for you.

Come with me, I plead.

He places his rough hands on my cheeks and closes his eyes tight as if he’s in pain. I look at him warily, he’s not one for affection. He then drops his hand.

They’re coming here, Raya, I need to protect the school when they do.

I’m about to protest, but he cuts me off.

Give me your backpack. Put your hoodie on and run home to make it look like you’re on a jog.

I give him my backpack and hug him fiercely. He hates goodbyes, but this could be the last time I see him.

Thank you, Uncle, I say.

He hugs me back.

When is Hideaway going to get you? I ask.

Later this evening.

Elena and Drew—

I’ll protect them, Hideaway is coming to get them, too. Now go! He warns.

I pull my hoodie up and run towards my house. My heart races the closer I get. I try to take it all in and keep the mental picture of this city: my home. This will be the last time I’m here. As I’m running I notice the difference in the city now then from this morning, it’s too quiet. Eerily quiet. Once I enter my neighbourhood and realize why: I can smell gunpowder and hear the bullets that cause the yelling. There are screams of agony with each popping sound the bullets make. I know this smell, I know these cries; death is here. My heart rate increases and it pounds so hard that my chest hurts. I know why death is here—because The Revolution is here.

They found me.

CHAPTER 2

The Rage Is Back

The Revolution walks in all directions and their faces show no mercy. They travel with army trucks and SUV’s. I hear multiple planes through the sky and look up to see that they travel in sync; those are theirs, too. The people from my neighbourhood run in all directions, screaming in horror.

Faces I’ve seen for ten years living in this quiet neighbourhood that have always been content, their expressions of terror I have never seen. And I play a part in it. I jump into the nearest backyard and hide in a bush, watching The Revolution through the space between the fences.

The gear is the same as I remember. They wear black long-sleeved shirts, grey cargo pants, work boots and green army safety vests. Their pockets and belts are filled with knives and guns, some of them have brass knuckles on their hands. I see some have rifles strapped onto their backs. They’re symmetrical in their moves.

I start to notice familiar faces within The Revolution. The disgust and fear roams throughout my body. I need to get out of here before they see me. I climb the fence out of the backyard and land on the ground, running in the opposite direction of where The Revolution is coming from. I have to take the long way back to my house now. I sprint and pray to The Elements that my mother is safe. They’re coming for her, too. As I run this time, I hear The Revolution’s message roaring throughout the city.

We are The Revolution, we are not here to harm you, but to help you! Join us and there will be no violence your way! Refuse to, and receive death. We have no use for those who are not with us! We have no use for those who disrupt our cause! We have no use for you if you will not join us on the journey of rebuilding our world!

Sirens blare; blue and red flash in the distance. The streets are crowded with so many people I can’t even see the end of it. Some people just stand outside of their homes confused by what’s happening. I have to shove my way through the streets to get home, there are too many people and I need to find my mother before The Revolution does. A few times I fall, there being so many people shoving all around. At one point I trip over a body and someone shoves me away, hard.

My husband! Get off my husband! Get off of him! They killed him! They shot him! Who are these people? A woman screams at me. I don’t have time to console her or answer her questions, I just keep running. I start to see more dead bodies and loved ones mourning them.

Gunshots continue all around me, I start to hear grenades too. I think of my mother, Elena, Drew, and my uncle, hoping that they are all still safe. But I know my uncle will protect Elena and Drew. I’ll find them after I get my mom. I just have to make a left and my house is at the end of the street. I’m almost there.

I’m about to make my left turn when faces I never wanted to see again appear. The twins, Lana and Victor. Lana is thin and slender and has an afro, she wears the expression of a panther ready to pounce, she shows no mercy just a sly grin. Her twin brother, Victor, has dreads that reach his broad shoulders. He’s quite muscular: from what I remember, he used to be lanky. His expression is serious, determined, but not confident like his sister’s. I notice his eyes soften at the sight of me.

I don’t show my fear to either of them, I can’t. But my heart races again. From what I remember, Lana excelled in training and would send people into the infirmary with a smirk on her face. Victor was shy, but you never crossed him. He had the same skill as Lana, but never enjoyed it as much as she did. Victor wasn’t cut out for violence, he was thrown into it like the rest of us. But that was thirteen years ago, I don’t know who they are now. Lana and I never liked each other much when we were children and, looking at her now, I see that the feeling is still mutual.

Raya, it’s been so long. We’ve missed you, Lana sneers.

I doubt that, I say.

Smoke enters the air. People continue to scream and die all around us. But we still stand apart from each other, not moving. I don’t trust them and they don’t trust me.

You can walk away with us, or fight us. Two against one, Raya: you know we will win, Lana says.

Come home, Victor says.

Lana glares at him. I remember Victor being kind and patient, unlike his sister. But I say nothing. If they’re this close to my house and have stopped me now, then they know where I live; and my mother is alone. I need to get to her, my uncle, Drew and Elena. And these two are in my way.

Have it your way, Lana says.

She smiles as she lunges at me. Lana digs her nails into my skin as she attacks me. I fall back onto the sidewalk and grit my teeth in pain. Lana’s on top of me now. Before she attacks again, I hit her head with mine. She falls to the side, but regains herself quickly, more quickly than I thought she would. We both stand up and keep a distance from each other, continuing to circle one another.

Smoke appears more heavily now and it smells as if it’s coming from fire. It starts to block my vision and enter my lungs with how thick it gets. I look all around and don’t see Victor anymore, where did he go? I see Lana’s worried look, she tries to hide it as she looks around, too, for her twin brother. The screams from civilians get louder as The Revolution gets closer. The police fight back, but I know they will be no use—they won’t win a fight