The Secrets of the Elements novel Chapter 42

"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.

Ray sprinkled some water on Advika's face and shook her. "Advika!" said Tej.

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

"It's locked!" said Ray and swivelled as Advika opened her eyes. "Advika, you okay?" said Tej and offered her some water. She coughed and nodded her head. She blinked several times before actually taking in her surroundings. She looked at Ray and Tej in disbelief and glanced at the girls.

"We tracked you girls," revealed Ray.

Rutuja tried every trick she could to open the door but failed. She formed a ball of light and directed it towards the door.

"Nothing will work! We already tried," said Ray. "How did she get here?"

"We don't know," answered Maya. "We're shocked too."

"And stuck too. Great job you guys," said Tej and patted Advika's head. She realized she was leaning on him and moved away, getting to her feet. "You sure you're fine?" he asked again. She nodded her head and took a deep breath.

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

"We came here looking for a woman. And you?" asked Advika, hoping she could get an answer.

"Some 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 here.

Advika walked towards her friends. "There's no way out," said Ray. "Tej had to set that window on fire for us to get in."