Fate of Elements Read Online Free PDF Page A

door, willing it to stay open as I crept closer. Every horror story I’d ever read rushed through my memory. Someone grabbing my foot through the back of the stairs, tripping me so I’d fall back down them. Or getting to the top just to have someone jump out and scare me.
    As soon as I was able, I went through the door and slammed it behind me, leaned back against it, and quietly laughed at myself. I was alone in the house. I always loved to be alone. Nothing could hurt me here, except it would seem, my own paranoia.
    Taking the back stairs, I went all the way up and stood at the door leading to the attic. The old brass doorknob turned easily in my hand, and I walked through the door into a massive room. The view appeared to go on forever, only broken up by the numerous chimneys. The large windows brought in a lot of light making the flashlight I brought with me unnecessary. Moving across the floor, my footsteps echoed around me. The sun filtered through the windows illuminating the lone object in the attic: a chest. Dust danced in the air around it, mesmerizing me. Crossing the wooden floor, I dropped to my knees in front of it.
    My fingers shook as I traced the same drawing that was on the fireplace and book covers. It took me a couple of tries to flick the clasp and open the lid. Nestled inside deep red velvet was a key, but it wasn’t an ordinary key; it was different. It was made of glass. Hesitantly, I reached out and ran a finger along the cool contours, tracing the skull, down to the two teeth at the other end of the skeleton key. Wrapping my fingers around the key, I lifted it up, surprised by its weight – it was heavy. Bringing it closer, I noticed it looked just like the one carved on the fireplace in the library. I had no idea what it could mean, but I couldn’t deny the thrill that went through me.
    Looking down at the key in my hand, the possibilities overwhelmed me. Between the key, the books, and my dreams, I wondered what adventure this house was going to hold for me. This was the key to my future, but was I brave enough to open the lock? I stood up, searching for what it would open. I turned around and faced the only other door in the room. A cloud passed over the sun, and shadows in the room grew, reaching out toward me. Gripping the key tight in my hand, I strode over to the door. If I didn’t know better, I would say the shadows were pushing me toward the door, chanting, open it, open it, open it . It was dark behind me, but light shone light ahead.
    Without a second thought as to what I was getting into, I slid the key in the lock and turned it, taking a deep breath when the click filled the room. Taking the key out, I put it in the pocket of my jeans to keep it safe, and turned the knob, wondering what was on the other side.
    Involuntarily, I blinked my eyes at the brightness bursting from the other side of the door. Colors so vibrant I had no name for them. As my eyes adjusted to the beautiful scene on the other side of the door, a stark contrast to my normal life, I stepped through the door and closed it behind me without a thought as to what I was leaving behind.

Hallet
    I stood in the shadows watching, my heart racing. First the door swung open, and then she came through it, and closed the door behind her. She was here. It was finally time. Even though I knew I should go to her, I couldn’t. All I could do was stand there in awe of her beauty. Power radiated from her. This was it. She was it. Everything was going to change. No way could something so beautiful come to destroy everything.
    My heart sank as I thought of Dayna. She was beautiful, and there were times she felt happiest destroying things. How many times had I seen her ruin something just to see someone else cry?
    A happy laugh filled the space between us, and I looked at her. She had her hand outstretched and there as a large blue butterfly landed on her palm, it spoke to her. I wondered if she could hear it. We all had creatures