The Secrets of the Elements

"How are you so sure?" asked Rishi as they stood before a giant grey door. "I just know," replied Daksh and kept his hands on the door. Rishi pressed his ears against it. "I do hear some chatter," he added.

"Do you hear her?" asked Daksh. "I think I do," said Rishi. Daksh turned the doorknob.

"No, wait!" said a voice from behind.

~~~~

"You girls!?" said Rutuja as she threw the steel rod on the floor.

"What are you doing here?" demanded Maya and crossed her arms.

"I'm not answerable to you!" snarled Rutuja and looked around. How did the street lead me here and why? she thought. She glanced at Advika. "Is she fine?"

"No, she's unconscious," replied Zarna.

"As far as I've known," began Rutuja. "You have the element water. Why didn't you-"

"AaaHH!" screamed the girls as the door caught fire and lay flat on the ground; its hinges splintered across the room.

They threw their hands up to shield themselves from the light and dust that now filled the room.

"Advika!" said Tej and rushed towards her. He took her in his arms and hugged her. "Advika! What happened?"

Maya and Zarna shook their head, recovering from the shock. "Panic attack," was all Zarna could say. She was shocked beyond words. She looked at Maya, who gave her an 'I don't know too' look.

on Advika's face and shook her. "Advika!"

and peeped outside. It was just another room with chairs, tables, and other accessories. She marched towards the door in the room outside.

eyes. "Advika, you okay?" said Tej and offered her some water. She coughed and nodded her head. She

tracked you girls,"

failed. She formed a ball of light and directed

will work! We already tried," said Ray. "How

answered

and moved away, getting

did you get here?" she asked as she stepped on the burnt door and advanced towards Rutuja. "What if I ask you the

you?" asked Advika, hoping she

book led me here," replied Rutuja and began pacing across the room, looking for a window or some opening that could get her out of

way out," said Ray. "Tej had to set that window on

quizzed Rutuja and walked towards them into the other room. "I do not see

literally turned into a solid wall

worry. We'll get out of here," assured Tej.

mad," he said and lifted the black bag Ray had kept on the

the glass, didn't you?" said Maya. Ray pursed his

stolen the books and accessories from the temple. And Advika knew that Rutuja was one of the guardians. She could not risk opening the bag in front

~~~~

"Daksh," she whispered. Rishi narrowed his eyes as he observed her. "Are you fine, Rutuja?" asked Daksh and hugged her back. "Yes," she murmured, sobbing. "We should find a way out," she said and lifted her head to look into his eyes. "Yes," said Daksh and glanced at Rishi. Rishi shook his head and

Rutuja. "I don't think it's safe. Let's try

bright blue door far

were finding Rutuja, and now she comes here and acts differently. Plus, Daksh does not follow instructions whatsoever. He stood there contemplating over the last few incidents as