- As I thought, locked
Shortly after they made their presentations, something grumbled. It was their stomachs. They were both hungry.
Logan chuckled. Loudly at that.
- Oi! Logan..... - Locus pouted as she turned red with embarrassment.
- So.. Hahah!! So.... Hahaha -Logan tried hard not to laugh but it was just too funny of an event for him not to - Sorry. Haiii. I thought spirits didn't feel hunger.
- Buhhhhh...Humph! - Locus tried to avoid Logan's gaze.
- Sorry Locus, my fault. I will not do it again. - Logan turned his gaze towards the backdoor of the orphanage - I'll make it up to you by bringing you some good food.
This returns us to the beginning.
- Locked.....
That's when Logan suddenly remembered that one of the windows connecting to the second floor needed its lock repaired.
"How do I get up there?"
- Any problems Logan?
- The door is locked so we cannot get inside from here, but I do remember that that window over there has its lock broken so I was thinking of a way to get up there. Any ideas Locus?
- Hummmm..... - Locus put her right hand on her chin - Yes! That will work!.
She extended her right arm towards the ground and then twisted it slightly. Something began weaving itself on the ground. It was a colourless step.
She then proceeded by turning her arm towards the second floor's window. Wherever her arm pointed, the steps would follow. One by one they weaved themselves until the last one arrived in front of the window.
- Amazing.... - His other peers's spirits never did any of the like. At most, they would materialise and who would perform the spell would be the one who've they contracted with. He'd never seen any of the like.
Logan was mesmerised. 1...2....3 seconds, the excitement didn't wash down.
- *Chiiiiiiii*
Feeling a stare on him, Logan turned around just to be greeted by Locus's silent stare.
-....
- *Chiiiiiiii*
-....
- *Chiiiiiiii*
- Oh!! Yes! I apologise - they were doing this to get food. He'd been standing admiring Locus's work for too long. The sooner Logan went up the stairs, the better.
Logan rapidly went up the flight of stairs. They did not feel any different from your conventional ones. Then through the window.
Once up there, he looked back from where he came from but then, something even more amazing was happening
The flight of stairs were nowhere to be seen but there she was, outside. Locus was floating like a fairy but unaided of any kind of wings.
Logan was once again dumbfounded. What kind of spirit had he contracted with?
*Grumble*
- Logan. Are we there yet? I'm hungry. - Locus asked Logan whilst looking downcast.
- Oh! Yes, this way. This way.
They walked through the dark corridors of the chapel, passing through the orphan's rooms, the different sister's chambers and more.
The chapel which was so vibrant and boisterous in the morning gave such a different atmosphere at night.
Logan couldn't help but get shivers as he walked down such dimly lit corridors.
He revised every corner and every single sound bolted his body upright.
Seeing what was happening in front of her, Locus was so amused that she forgot about her hunger.
She slowly approached Logan. Step by step. As if she was stepping on a trap filled maze and then:
- Buu.. - she whispered on his ear as she tried to change her voice.
Logan froze on spot.
Then he ran like a gazelle straight down the corridors with his eyes closed.
- ..... - Locus was trying her hardest not to laugh loudly. She might wake up any unwanted guests.
Locus's laughter stopped though when she saw what Logan was about to do. Logan had his eyes closed and.....
This was bad...he was about to collide with a wall at full speed.
"That's gonna hurt...." - Locus was not evil enough to leave Logan to suffer so she created a current of air in front of the wall for Logan to safely break his stampede.
Logan kept running, but then, he felt a current of air. This current was not letting him advance onward. Puzzled by the situation, he opened his eyes only to be greeted by....a wooden wall.
There was nothing there, but he felt air pushing him backwards.
"Such an interesting phenomena.... is this a spirit's doing?"
Thinking back, the ghost did sound oddly familiar.
There was no one but him and Locus there so he looked backwards. His gaze demanding an explanation.
Locus rapidly avoided his gaze.
- Shuu. Shuuu. Fuuuu (Locus)
"What is she trying to do? Is she trying to whistle?" Logan didn't know if to laugh or to cry for this crude demonstration of trying to act innocent.
- Locus.... - Logan gazed at Locus. He was smiling and his eyes were kind but when Locus observed in more detail....
Veins were popping out on his head. The face of a horned dangerous looking creature started materialising behind Logan.
He'd started cracking his fingers in his right hand.
Seeing this, Locus though she ought to apologise rapidly or she'd be going through hell.
She put her arms by her sides like a soldier. Then she bowed down. Her torso making a 90 degree angle with her thighs. Her head looking towards the floor
- Sorry. Logan..... I admit I might have taken it too far.... - Locus implored.
.....
.....
.....
But no matter how much she waited, she received no response.
Feeling that it was strange, she turned his head forward to see what Logan was doing. But instead, she was greeted by... a wooden wall.
Logan was nowhere to be seen. Locus looked around her, she still couldn't find him. She started panicking.
Up.
Back.
Right.
Then she looked left. She spotted Logan far, far, far away. He was walking away without her.
Suddenly, a sense of loss struck her heart and tears started forming in her eyes.
- Log... Don't leave me alone...
Locus ran after Logan.
Unaware of the situation he caused, Logan was smiling from ear to ear; pleased with his vengeance.
- An eye for an eye - He murmured.
Hearing Locus's footsteps, Logan turned around with a smile still plastered on his face just to be greeted by a pitiful image of Locus crying.
- Don't....leave me.....alone
Before seeing her like this, Logan, was thinking on repeating the same words he just murmured but seeing her like this, the words wouldn't just come out.
With the smile on his face replaced with guilt, he profusely apologised to Locus and said that he was not going to do it again (he emphasised this) as they were already even.
Still, Locus did not stop crying as she kept repeating the words "Don't leave me alone".
- Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere.
Hearing those words, Locus suddenly stopped crying. Still, she did not look directly at Logan but at the floor instead, her body trembling.
- Do you....promise? - murmured Locus between sniffs.
- I promise.
- How can I trust you?
- What can I do for you to trust me?
- ....
Locus, still didn't look up. She was thinking about something and Logan waited for her to finish. She was still trembling as if she was afraid of something.
Suddenly:
- Hold my hand.... - murmured Locus in almost inaudible voice.
- Could you repeat that?
Locus looked up, directly at Logan's eyes, but still she murmured.
- Hold my hand.....and never let go...
Logan was shocked but still, he agreed to her request.
He took her right hand gently with his left.
Locus's body stopped trembling. She looked at the space where their hands had intertwined and a small smile suddenly bloomed on her face.
*Grumble* Locus's tummy growled.
This time, Logan didn't laugh. Only a small smile appeared on his face. He was genuinely happy that Locus was fine now.
He wanted to ask what made her tremble so much, but he knew that it was not the right moment.
"She'll tell me when she's ready"
- C'mon, the kitchen's not far. I'm also hungry so let's hurry up.
********
After getting food from the kitchen, Locus and Logan returned to their previous spot below the tree.
Sandwiches filled with salad and cooked chicken, apples, pears, bananas, and fresh water surrounded them.
Locus was in a better mood now. She heartily devoured the food (which is a strange thing to say considering that she still maintained elegance and sophistication in her every movement). All whilst she maintained a good grip on Logan's right hand.
It was then that Logan noticed something strange with his body.
"Wait a second. Wasn't my left arm broken? Wait, how am I breathing so well, wasn't my rib cage damaged? And I can feel my legs!?"
There was no other explanation but the person beside him so he went straight to business and asked her.
- Ahhmm... Loc?
They had gotten close in journey back whilst holding hands. Calling each other with nicknames was now a given.
- Yes Log? - answered Locus without turning her eyes away from the sandwich she was eating.
- Is it alright if I ask you a question?
- Yes why not. - Locus gulped down what she had on her mouth and focused her attention on Logan.
- I remember that when we first met, my body was made a mess. A couple of bones broken here and there....but they are cured now. Is this your doing?
Locus took another bite and gulped down.
- Ahhh! That. You were in a lot of pain so I looked into your body for you. I realigned your bones to their rightful place and replenished any blood you might have lost with my powers. Am I not incredible? Praise me. Praise me
- You are incredible Loc. - repeated Logan as he caressed Locus's head.
But then another question surfaced on his mind.
- So, what kind of spirit are you Locus? - asked Logan as he still caressed Locus's head.
- What do you mean by that?
- I mean, what do you specialise in? When you created the steps and formed that wall from before, you used wind elementals. When you cured me, you used sacred elementals. The tree behind us which is so full of life is also a good representation of that. And, if I remember correctly, you were regulating the temperature before so that must have been the use of fire elementals. The sisters in the chapel taught us that there were no spirits that controlled more than one element for that would go against the law of the natural world. So, what do you specialise in?
- I..... don't know. My body just seems to remember how to do it, but in truth.... - Locus was having trouble saying the next words. She started fidgeting. - I think you ought to know something Log....I..... do not remember anything from before I met you....Sorry....you must be feeling disgusted at the fact that your contracted spirit does not even know how to control her own powers.....
Locus looked towards the ground. A shadow cast on her face.
Seeing this, Logan stuffed Locus's mouth with his own sandwich.
- Idiot. What do you think I am here for? If you do not know something, do not dwell on it to much. It's just a waste of energy. Just let it be for now. We're gonna be together from here on out! Like companions, like friends...no, besties! We are best friends now! We have lots of time to discover your speciality.
For a reason Logan could not understand, Locus blushed and then she smiled.
- Yes!
- Ok. For now, let's finish eating and after that. Would you teach me how to control the elements?
- Yes...bestie!
*********
- What you were doing until now, wasn't all that bad.
Locus was now in the process of teaching Logan how to exercise basic control over the elements. They were sitting facing one another. Locus's right hand still gripping Logan's left.
- If you want to control the elements, you must first command them to enter your body. That's how I
normally do it. C'mon, try it.
Logan was puzzled.
"Wait, what?....How do I command the elements again?" - Logan thought.
- Stop Loc! Stop! The basics, you have to go through the basics first!
- The basics? That's as basic as it can get. - Locus displayed a nonchalant face.
Logan exhaled a mouthful of air. He looked at her with a face full of agony.
"That's the basics? Nonononono, it can't be right."
- C'mon Locus, there's gotta be something more basic than that. Yes! In the first place, would you be so kind as to tell me what elements are?
Logan had been taught that elements permeated the air around them but he was never told what they were. Now that he was talking with a spirit, he wouldn't want to miss on this piece of valuable knowledge.
- Elements? Aren't those these tiny particles of varied colours that surround us? Can't you see them?
At least, you must be able to feel them.
This was the problem, Logan practised long and hard to feel them but it led him nowhere. The other kids could feel traces of elements. He knew as he heard his peers comment about it.
- I.....cannot feel them - Logan face-palmed. This was the root of his pains.
Locus put her right hand on her chin and thought about something.
After some seconds of the birds chirping and the leaves rustling, Locus broke the silence.
- Give me your other hand - said Locus as she offered her free hand.
- What do you need it for.
- There is a way for you to feel the elements. Trust me, place your right hand on top of mine.
-.....ok - Logan still didn't get what Locus wanted to do.
- Now, I'm gonna absorb some elements and force feed them towards your body. I never tried this before, so if it hurts just tell me. Ready?
- Nothing comes without sacrifice. I'm ready - Logan did not hesitate for he had complete trust on Locus.
- Here I go. Close your eyes and feel the elements entering from your right hand and coming out from your left. This one's a fire elemental one.
A jolt of pain travelled across Logan's body but it was still supportable. It was as if something was being forced open inside him. The pain also allowed him to feel the elements with much more clearance. The pain could have been described as a blessing in disguise.
When the fire elemental entered his body, a soothing warmth inundated his body.
- This is a wind elemental one.
When this element entered his body, a tingling breeze covered his skin. The pain was still there but he was certainly enjoying the different feelings the elements gave him.
- This is a light elemental one.
- This is a water elemental one.
- This is a space elemental one.
Even with the heart wrenching pain assaulting him, soon Logan entered into a trance aided by the different sensations the elements gave him.
It was his first time entering the wonderful world of elementals.