The Secrets of the Elements novel Chapter 40

The girls jumped as the door opened, revealing another red door. "The last time," said Zarna and took a step behind, "it was empty. It was just darkness. Where did this door come from?"

"Girls," said Maya. "Lockets on." She produced three similar lockets from the small velvet bag and passed them.

"Wait," said Advika as she wore the locket around her neck. "Are we. . ."

"Yes," said Maya and kept her hand on the doorknob. "Follow me."

~~~~

"These girls," said Tej as they drove past the coffee house. "I know," said Ray, his eyes glued to his phone's screen.

"Tell me what was the need?" he said as he drove at full speed, impatient to reach the destination.

"I'm mad too," said Ray. "Take the next left."

~~~~~

Maya pushed open the door. A gush of liquid blew from an unknown source. The girls closed their eyes at once and threw their hands up, shielding their faces from the liquid.

Advika sniffed her sleeves drenched in the water like substance covering most of her top and jeans. Her heart was hammering inside her chest. She gathered all her courage and stepped forward with her hands trying to find the doorknob. "AAAAA!" was all the girls heard before finding themselves in a dark, murky, cold room.

~~~~

"No way," said Ray as Tej hit the breaks. "I lost them."

"What do you mean?" said Tej and took Ray's phone in his hands. He zoomed in on the screen and the location. "We're almost there. They were just here, right?"

"Yes," replied Ray. "But-"

"Did she know about it by any chance?" asked Tej and looked at the barren land ahead. "No, if it was Advika she would have, but not Zarna."

Tej took a deep breath and pictured the girls. "I hope they are safe."

~~~~~

"Where is Master Indra?" quizzed Rishi as he sat on the floor in front of the mysterious bookshelf they had just discovered. "He said he'll be back soon, didn't say where he's going," replied Rutuja as she sat next to him. "Where is Daksh?"

"Sleeping," said Rishi and picked up a random from the shelf. "Is he okay? Let me go and check."

"No," said Rishi and held her hand. "He's fine. Just you know, coping up with. . . whatever happened."