Elemental Gates

By Nicolas Schiebe

During a span of a few years, two young mens lives may change forever. Growing up has challenged them with intellectual parents that have been offered separate opportunities to travel the world. The young men are giving the opportunity to be apart of these excursi

• Language: English
• Publisher: ReadersMagnet LLC
• Release date: Dec 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798890913463

Nicolas Schiebe

Nicolas Schiebe, writes passionately inspired by the creative outlets of his structured pieces of work to be brought together into the story that comes to life through each step of the process. Born and raised in Minnesota, he resides in Albertville, thanking god for the blessing of inspiration that pour out from his creative outlets.As a professional writer, Nicolas spends most of his waking hours working tirelessly to improve his written work. His passion is to immerse in the process of creating a story from his thoughts, and strives to use just his own to do so. He takes tremendous satisfaction in ensuring that whatever he does is done through creative ideas to better his writing.

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Elemental Gates

Copyright © 2023 by Nicolas Alan Schiebe

Published in the United States of America

ISBN Paperback: 979-8-89091-345-6

ISBN eBook: 979-8-89091-346-3

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Chapter One

In an urban area town, the sun rose on a beautiful day in Bloomington, Indiana.

One family had begun their day with their young son. He was born into a family with wealth. They lived where many believed was a prosperous land. Growing up for him was similar to that of other children growing up in the area. He had to go to school, do chores, and find his place in the world. He had just turned ten years old and was beginning to mature and grow as a young boy. He had many friends. He was involved in school. His parents worked full-time jobs as research scientists working to make the world a better place for all. One day, he hoped to grow up to be as great as his parents. But for today, he only had to get up and start one of his long boring days at school.

His parents made sure he was ready for his day at school, awaking him bright, and early to prepare. The father walked into the room of his ten-year-old boy. Rick started to approach his resting son saying, Wake up sunshine for another day of school! It’s another gorgeous day for learning. He started to open the blinds of the room. His son started to wake up, not wanting to prepare for school. As he rolled over in his bed, his eyes were blinded by the light from the window. Elisha started to regain his vision and replied, Do you always have to open up the window? My alarm will go off when I need to start the day. His father, now by the window, brushed off his comment and responded, Don’t complain so much to me son. A little sunshine won’t do you any harm. Get yourself ready for another day. You may be in for a surprise at school.

Elisha started to get up from his bed and said, I’m getting up Dad, don’t you worry about me. I should be downstairs for breakfast in just a couple of minutes. Rick started to walk towards the doorway of the room and replied, Your mother should have breakfast done when you’re ready. She has been working on breakfast for you most of the morning. Elisha started to get dressed for the day. He grabbed a shirt with a tiger in the Amazon on it, skinny black jeans and his dark purple Nikes. He went to the bathroom to start his daily routine of showering, brushing his teeth, and getting dressed. Once he was all done showering, he started to brush his teeth with toothpaste. Elisha brushed his teeth until he spits into the sink. He started to put on his shirt, black pants, and purple shoes on before heading downstairs. He headed down the stairs to see his parents conversing while making breakfast. His mother noticed him coming downstairs and start engaging in a conversation with her son. She turned to face her son coming into the kitchen and said, Good morning my bundle of sunshine! I have breakfast made for you on the table. I made French toast for you to eat before school. There should be plenty of butter, and maple syrup on the table for you. Elisha started to approach the kitchen table and replied, I am so hungry for some French toast. Thanks for making me breakfast this morning, I really appreciate it. Rick was near the table in the kitchen and replied, Don’t eat too much now; you got a long day ahead of you. You don’t want to be walking around with a stomach ache. Elisha knew he wouldn’t overeat for breakfast and responded, I won’t eat too much to make me sick. You know I will stop eating if my stomach gets full enough. Elisha sat down at the table to start eating his French toast while his parents discussed the research they were working on. His father started to ask about how his wife was doing on her research at work.

Rick turned to his wife, How is your research going at work, my sweetheart of a wife? Do you have any news on what will be the result from your volcanic studies from the volcanic rocks your geologists discovered? Martha was nearby in the kitchen and answered, We are progressing in our research. What we have found out about the volcanic rocks should be able to help us predict eruption patterns. We should know more about the volcanoes on the earth for the next decade to be capable to save lives when they do erupt. Rick liked what he heard from his wife and replied, That’s research enough to spark my interests. I hope the research ends up going well for you. Where did you say your co-workers did the research? Martha started to go in-depth about the research and responded, The volcanologists visited a volcano called Mauna Loa in Hawaii. It is one of the largest, well-known volcanoes in the world. Rick listened carefully to where the research was being conducted and said, What you’re describing sounds worth taking the time to learn about in Hawaii. Maybe one day, we will have to take a vacation there as a family. Martha felt that was a good idea and replied, The volcano is something to see, we will have to take a vacation together to show you what I have been studying with my co-workers. Researchers in my organization are digging deep into the volcano. Many believe our research may be worth publishing to the public. I am supporting their research of the volcano with all my heart for hopes they discover what they’re searching for in the state. Rick was interested in her explanation of the geographic studies and responded, Your organization sounds like its research could be worth fighting for as a researching team. His wife knew how important the research of the volcanoes was and said, I agree with you about that as a researcher. But enough about what I am doing at work though. What is going on with your research at work? You have been studying animal behavior recently, if I’m not mistaken, from our conversations? Rick answered, Our researchers have been studying animal behavior. We have been preparing for an excursion to Antarctica. I am not going myself yet, but many of the researchers in the organization are going this year. Studies have been about the migration patterns of penguins to determine the correct location to view the mating season. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I plan to go when our son is old enough to understand my research. Martha listened carefully to him about his research and replied, Your research gets to explore the glorious lands in this world that many don’t get to experience. Your many years of research will pay off for you. One day you will get to travel to witness the wilderness in Antarctica. Just be patient, for your time will come. Rick thought about the opportunity and responded, For the time being as a researcher, I can only dream of the day I will be able to view the snow falling upon on the glaciers. If all goes as planned for me, I should be able to go there in the next fifteen years. Martha knew how to support his set goal and said, I hope you achieve that dream as I complete my own research. For the time being though, we should prepare our boy for the rest of the day. He isn’t looking too hungry anymore after eating. As she looked over to her son, he was sitting down to a heaping plate of French toast. He lathered the French toast in melted butter, and pancake syrup until his food was drenched. Elisha ate until the whole plate of French toast was gone. After he was done eating, he knew he would be full until lunch time.

Elisha started to prepare to get up from his seat to prepare for his school day. After he finished his meal, he got out of his chair to run over to his Dad. Elisha leapt up onto his father’s back. He hung on his body and asked, Are you ready to drop me off at school? His father grinned with a smile and answered, I couldn’t be any more ready. Let me find my keys and let’s head out on to the car. Rick turned to his wife to ask her if she had seen his car keys. He saw she was working in the kitchen and asked, Have you seen my car keys? Martha turned towards him by the counter and answered, Did you check your pants? They’re usually in your pockets. Check the pair of pants you wore yesterday. He started to head upstairs to his bedroom to check the pair of pants she was referring to. As he grabbed them off a chair, his hand reached into the pocket to find his keys. Elisha had run upstairs with him to check for his keys and see if he needed help. As he felt around in the pocket, his head turned towards his son. Rick grinned, gripping the keys saying, She is right as always, they’re right here in my pocket. I guess I am ready then to leave. Let’s go get into the car.

Elisha smiled back ready to leave for school, replying, I will go get my backpack and get my jacket on for school. I’m ready for another great day with my friends. Elisha got his jacket along with his backpack on, opened up the front door, and ran to the car in the driveway. He waited patiently as his father kissed his mother on the cheek before walking out to the car. Rick started to unlock the car so his son could hop in. He started to get into the driver’s seat and prepared to get his son to school. As he started the engine of the vehicle, his son sat patiently in his own seat. Rick started to converse throughout the ride to school, asking a few questions about what was going on in his son’s life. He kept his eyes on the road and asked, Did you sleep well last night? His son thought about it for a second and answered, I slept great without waking up in the middle of the night. Nothing gave me any nightmares about the dark basement last night, so that was a good thing. I’m scared of the laundry room in the basement. His father remembered the nightmares he would have with a laugh and replied, Good to hear that from you. I wouldn’t want you tired for your day at school. I’ve heard you’re doing well in school from your teachers. Elisha knew his teachers appreciated his work and replied, My teachers really like me in class. I have been doing really well in my biology classes. I have been learning a lot about animals. His father became curious with his studies and asked, What is your favorite animal to study? Elisha started to think of his favorites and answered, The leopards are always interesting to me. One time in my class, we were watching a National Geographic show called the ’Eye of the Leopard‘. A wild leopard killed a baboon to eat in the jungle. He almost didn’t even notice there was a baby baboon nearby. Instead of eating the baby baboon, the leopard decided to carry the baby up a tree to guard it from a hyena. It cuddled the baboon through the night. It was really cool to see in class! Rick listened carefully to his son speaking and replied, That does sound really cool. You might have to show me a video about the leopards sometime. I do a lot of work with animals myself, so I love to hear you get all excited about animals. Maybe one day you will grow up to be just like your father. His son liked the idea presented and said, I do want to be just like you someday. You always are talking about cool animals at home. I love to hear you talk about animals at home, especially the penguins you have been talking about recently. Rick became curious about his interests and asked, What do you like about the penguins? His son grinned with a smile and answered, I like how they march waddle. Rick laughed at Elisha’s response to his question and responded, I like how they march waddle as well when I do my research. Penguins are really smart animals to survive the harsh conditions of the brutal weather in Antarctica. Elisha thought of another reason why they were his favorite and said, I also really like that movie ’Happy Feet‘. We watched it at school to see that penguins can surely dance. His father laughed harder from the second response and replied, You’ve always got something funny to say. How are your friends doing at school? Elisha thought about his schoolmates and replied, My friends are doing great; we all play tag outside. My best friend always talks to me at lunch. I’d say he is the greatest friend I could ever have. Rick was glad his son had a close friend and responded, I’m glad to hear that you two will be friends for many more years to come. Elisha turned to his father and said, I can’t wait to see him today; we always have so much fun at school.

Rick continued down the road until he reached the entrance to the school. He pulled into the parking lot to drop off his child. Usually he dropped the boy off at the front door, but today he pulled into a spot to park his car. Elisha did not know what to expect once his dad parked the car. He wondered why his father seemed to want to go into school with him today. Elisha looked out his passenger window and asked, Why did you pull into the parking lot? You always drop me off at the front door? Rick grinned and answered, I can’t tell you yet, it’s a surprise for you today. I will tell you when we get inside the school. Elisha worried in his seat for a second about him going into school. Elisha thought that he was possibly in trouble and responded, Did my teacher tell you I did something wrong? To be honest with you, I could be in trouble for anything! Rick knew that he didn’t do anything wrong and said, Don’t be worried son, you’re not in trouble with a teacher. Let’s get out of the car so you can get to class on time. Rick started to get out of his driver seat to stand on the pavement. As he waited by his door, his son got out of his own seat. Elisha started to lead the way toward the entrance into school. As he was walking ahead, his father followed him into the school. Elisha started to enter the building. He saw kids walking around enjoying their day with all of their friends. Visitors had to check into the office, his father started to open the door for his young man.

Rick walked into the office with his son and started to converse with the front desk school receptionist. He stood at the counter with his son and asked, Could I get a visitor pass from you? She sat in her seat in the office and answered, Just sign your name right there with the current time. I will get you a sticker. Rick started to sign the check-in list as the father of his son. After getting the sheet signed, the front desk receptionist started working on a name tag for him to wear. Rick started to set the pen down saying, I should be good to go after signing-in on the sheet. Can I get my name tag sticker? The front desk receptionist grabbed a penguin sticker and wrote his name on the belly of the penguin. She handed Rick his name tag sticker so he could go into his son’s classroom. She held out the name tag and replied, Take this sticker. I hope you enjoy your day at the school with your son. Rick started to grab the name tag from her at the counter and responded, Thank you for your help. I hope you have yourself a great day. Rick put the sticker on his chest to exit the office. He started to walk down the hallway to the classroom where the teacher of his son was.

Elisha was still confused about what his father was doing at the school and had plenty of questions for him as they walked the hallway. He was still wondering why his dad signed in at the office and asked, Are you going to tell me what you’re still doing at school? I had no idea you were staying with me today. Rick grinned back at his son and replied, I can’t ruin the surprise for you; you will just have to wait until we get into the classroom to see what’s going on for today. Elisha started to become curious and said, I can’t wait to see what the teacher has planned. We better hurry to get into the classroom. Elisha started to jog toward the classroom where he had class. As he started to get ahead of him, his father started to speed-walk down the hallway. Rick started to walk faster, slightly behind his son, trying to catch up as his son jogged to the classroom. After a few turns through the hallways, his son ran up to the front door of the classroom. He waited for his father as he approached the doorway. Rick opened the door holding the door for his son. Elisha looked into the room, noticing all the kids were with their parents. They were happily together. It was going to be a great day.

The teacher was conversing with a few of the parents while the kids found their friends and started to goof around. Elisha knew this could only mean one thing could be happening today, a field trip for the whole class. He looked up to his father and asked, Are we going on a field trip? Rick smiled back down at his son and replied, It was a surprise for your class. We are going on a field trip.

Elisha started to get excited. Walking through the hallways he asked, Do you know where we are going?! His father kept up with him and answered, The teachers with the parents organized a field trip to the zoo today. You’re going to see all the animals you have been learning about in the last few weeks. Elisha thought about his favorite animals and said, I am so ready to see some leopards today! When we get to the zoo, I hope they have some leopards. His father knew they might see a few and said, I am sure we will see many kinds of leopards. When we do get to the zoo, I personally want to see the penguins. My favorite animals tend to be the penguins. Elisha thought of them for a second and responded, I want to see penguins too. Penguins are so adorable to me. They remind me of my toy penguin at home. His father liked to hear his son excited and said, Let’s go find your friends; we should try to group up with them today on the field trip.

Rick started to search for his son’s best friend. He wanted to converse with the boy’s father. After a few minutes of searching, they found Elisha’s best friend. The young boys started to talk about the zoo they were all going to on the field trip. Elisha stood beside his best friend and asked, Are you excited for our field trip? We get to go to the zoo! Nikko was excited for their day at the zoo and answered, I am so ready to see the animals at the zoo! I’m not even sure what I want to see first. Maybe the wolves will be the first animals we will see. Elisha knew the animals he wanted to see first and replied, I want to see the leopards first. Leopards are so fast! They will be running around everywhere! Nikko thought of a few other animals and responded, Monkeys will also be cool to see, always swinging around on trees. Pretty much all the animals will be cool to see today. Elisha felt the same way about the field trip and said, Monkeys will be cool to see on our field trip. My father really wants to see the penguins. He is really into penguins. Nikko turned to see the sticker Rick was wearing and replied, I can see that on his shirt. He has a penguin sticker that is on his chest. My father is just happy to be off work today. He isn’t into animals like your father is. Elisha listened to his best friend and said, My father does study animals. Animals are all he ever talks about with my mom when they discuss work at home. Nikko started to look over at their fathers who were nearby and replied, Let’s go bug them to see what they’re talking about. Elisha grinned and replied, I wouldn’t be opposed to doing that with you.

The fathers did small talked for a few minutes while the boys hung around. Elisha was poking their Dads while they waited for the field trip to start. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, the teacher raised her voice and addressed them about the field trip progression. Could I get your attention parents? We are going to start loading up the buses. Can all the kids get in a single file for me so we can head out to the zoo? The kids started to line up according to how the teacher directed them in the classroom. Parents began to help the kids get into a single file in an organized manner. After all the kids were in line, the parents started to lead the kids down the hall outside to the buses. The class walked out of the school, and walked over to the buses waiting for them to board. Seven buses were waiting for the kids to board. The teachers split the single file into seven separate lines, and got the kids onto the bus. Kids and parents got ready for a nice trip to the zoo. The bus drivers started up the buses, keys in the ignition, and started to leave the parking lot of the school.

The ride to the zoo started to wear the patience of the kids. They became restless and started to monkey around. Elisha turned to his best friend in his seat and asked, I bet you can’t throw this paper ball at the bus driver! Nikko was prepared to accept his dare and answered, Let me see about that with my aim. I bet I can hit him square in the back of the head. Elisha grinned a menacing smile and responded, I would love to see you try. Nikko threw the ball at the bus driver, hitting him squarely at the back of the head. The first one didn’t seem to faze the bus driver, he continued to drive down the road.

Nikko turned to his best friend and said, I got him good on that throw. You should throw something at him this time. Take this tiny nickel, I am sure this will get his attention. Elisha thought of the consequences and replied, I don’t know if this is a good idea. Nikko grinned and asked, What? Are you a chicken? Maybe you do belong at the zoo. Elisha started to take the coin and responded, You sure got my attention by egging me on. I am going to hit him right in the back of the head with this nickel. Nikko handed the silver token over to him and said, Let’s see what you got kid Nichols. Elisha wound up his arm and aimed the nickel at the bus driver’s head. He hit the bus driver right in the back of the head, and you could tell he was about to snap. He turned his head around to shout at the kids, yelling No more of your monkey business. I know were going to the zoo, but quit acting like a bunch of zoo animals! All the kids started to laugh while the parents held back their own laughter out of respect for the bus driver. The bus driver turned back around to focus on the road to get the kids safely to the zoo. The kids started to settle down, and knew they were in some trouble even though they still remained rambunctious. After about fifteen minutes, the bus driver pulled up to the zoo, opening the doors of the bus. He started to turn around from his driver’s seat and said, We are at the zoo kids. Go have some fun, and finish the monkey business you started. The kids chuckled to themselves as they prepared to get off the bus. The students grabbed their backpacks and started to form a line to get off the bus. Many started to get off the bus in an organized manner and found their parents before they entered the zoo.

Elisha and Nikko walked over to Rick who was waiting for them outside of the bus so they could enter the zoo together. He stood on the pavement and asked, Are you boys ready to go see some zoo animals? His son was getting anxious to do so and answered, We are ready whenever you are for the zoo! Let’s go find those wild leopards!

The teacher grabbed her megaphone and proceeded to get the attention of all the students on the field trip. She started to address them by saying, Get into your groups assigned at the school. I placed many of you with the people you associate best with in the classroom. You should all really enjoy your day here at the zoo.

The kids started to get into their groups and prepared to enter the zoo. Elisha got into the same group as his best friend prepared and was raring to start the fun by seeing all of the animals. The parents lead them to the front entrance of the zoo and got them their wrist bands which would grant them admission.

Rick stood at the counter with his group and asked, Could I get my boy a wristband for the zoo? I will need one as well for myself. The receptionist at the counter reached for a few and answered, I will get those wristbands ready for you. Rick appreciated her help at the counter and said, Thank you very much for your help. As you’re doing that for my son, could you get one for his best friend and his father? The receptionist replied, I will get those for you as well. She pulled four wristbands apart from the serrated groupings of bands. He handed them over to everyone in his field trip group. Rick put on his wristband quickly, and then handed the two wristbands he had gotten for Nikko and his father. Rick then turned to his son to give him his own wristband. He held it in his grip and said, I got your wristband for you son; put this around your wrist. Elisha stood beside his father and replied, Can you put it on for me? Rick reached down for his wrist and answered, Give me your wrist so I can wrap it around. He wrapped the bracelet around his son’s wrist. Nikko’s father did the same for his son. After his group was all situated, they headed into the zoo to start their adventure.

As Elisha entered the zoo, he said, Let’s go find the leopards. I’ve been wanting to see them ever since we got off the bus. They’re the first thing I want to see among all the animals we’ve studied in school. His father started to lead the way saying, We will go find those first if that is what you want to see the most. We just have to follow the zoo signs. He led the way for their group on the paths toward the leopards. He followed the arrow signs straight to where the leopards were roaming around. The field trip group walked up to the glass partition where the leopards were and started admiring their beauty in their natural habitat. Elisha put his hands against the glass and said, Those are the leopards I saw in the ’Eye of the Leopard‘ movie in class. I can’t believe we get to see them up so close! His father admired the wild creatures and replied, Aren’t they neat in their own habitat? I have been here a few times, but I still love to see them roaming around. It says on this information board that leopards can run thirty-four miles per hour as they chase their prey to strike them down. Elisha looked up at his father and responded, It would be cool to see that in the wild. I’ve never seen an animal move that fast before. Rick felt the same way and said, I agree with you, son. That would be cool to see. Animals survive solely off of their own instinct. If they feel threatened in the wildlife, they will strike at any moment. All of a sudden out of nowhere, one of the leopards got too close to the territory of another wild beast in the glass exhibit area. The leopard lunged at the other, stirring up a fight between the two amidst some shrubbery. Elisha watched as they fought ferociously until they decided to stop fighting. He stood beside his father by the glass and said, That was cool to see from our side of the glass. I have always wanted to see leopards fight. Why did they stop fighting? As an animal behaviorist researcher, Rick knew why and explained, "They chose to agree to disagree, and went their own separate ways. For many animals their natural instinct is survival of the fittest. In the situation you just saw, they realized their intent was not to hurt one another, but just to assert dominance. The behaviors of animals are solely based on territory. When one animal is in control of a territory, it tries