Second Wave/Crossover

It's is on their thirteenth birthday that children born of the elements will experience their second wave of power.


Calla leads the boys deep into the woods trying desperately but completely failing to hide the smile on her face. Not only is this to celebrate their birthday, but the fact that by a very small margin the council decided against binding the them. The reasoning was that Adam and Evan would be their greatest protection against the eventual attack of the revolutionists. It was decided that they would come for the boys whether they were bound or not. Binding doesn't destroy power, only locks it away. Leaving them defenseless left everyone defenseless. It was clearly the lesser of the two evils. Calla knew her grandfather was the driving force behind this decision.

Adam is holding her hand while Evan trails slightly behind. Although Evan is still not back to his old self, he has slowly become more interactive with others and returned back to school. Calla is glad to have at least part of him back in her life again. As much as he frustrates and infuriates her, she missed their playful banter. If only Layla were here with them, but she is still fighting an uphill battle to get better.

They stand in front of the large oak tree. Calla turns around to face the boys. Her large brown eyes are glowing. "So I asked myself what could I get the boys who have everything?"

Adam smiled at her, "You didn't have to get us anything. Your friendship is enough."

Evan rolled his eyes, "Seriously Adam? What is this Calla, firewood for me or are we making it into a canoe for Adam?"

She shook her head, "I should have known you wouldn't get it. You fail to see the forest despite the trees."

Evan laughed, "You know that metaphor makes no sense since we're in a forest standing in front of a giant tree. Maybe it's you who doesn't quite get it."

Adam interrupts, "It's knowledge. Is this the tree you were telling me about?"

Calla anxiously nods, "I wanted to share it with both of you. This tree knows everything about the prophecy from the very beginning. The problem is that I haven't been able to find out anything more recent, specifically involving the two of you. But I figured if all three of us came then maybe together we could find out more. Maybe that's what the tree was waiting for."

"It's a tree. The only things it's waiting for is to get chopped down and built into something more useful. Calla this has to be one of your dumbest ideas yet. I'm going back home." Evan began to walk away.

Adam shouts, "Don't take your anger with yourself out on her."

Evan whipped around, "What the hell are you talking about?"

Calla tried to intervene. "Guys I didn't mean to cause any trouble. Maybe this was silly of me. We can go do something else."

Adam shook his head, "No, this tree could be very useful to us. Evan's still bitter about what happened with Layla. It was an accident, she'll be okay. Forgive yourself and go visit her already. Stop being some sad version of your former self."

Shock washed all over Evan's face. Adam had never spoken to him this way before and he didn't like it. Who did he think he was? Evan was burdened with horrible secrets about their mother. He chose to keep them to himself to spare Adam's feelings, yet Adam chose to hit him below the belt about what happened with Layla. What was even worse was he did it in front of Calla.

Evan shot back, "I get that this whole new tough act is some pathetic way to impress your new girlfriend, but don't use me as a tool to get into her pants." He knew better than anyone how to play with fire. Bring it on Adam.

"She is not my girlfriend. It's not like that, we're just friends."

"Right I run off into the woods every day and sing songs in trees with girls I have absolutely no feelings for. And don't think all the hand holding has gone unnoticed."

"At least I could get a girl. Imagine you in a relationship. I'm your own brother and I can't even stand you most of the time. But I keep my mouth shut afraid you'll lose your temper and try to torch me. You're just like mom."

Evan's heart broke at those words. He would not let them see him be weak. He stormed off without saying another word. He sprinted all the way home, past grandma and Allan sitting on the front porch, upstairs to his room and slammed the door.

Adam spoke out loud the words to Evan's greatest fears about himself. For the past few months he had felt this hollowness inside him after what he did to Layla. He refused to go visit her because he just couldn't face what he had done. There were times she drove him so crazy he had the impulse to hurt her, but he never thought he would actually do it. Is he a monster just like his mom? Is Evan capable of doing the same horrible things he's seen her do.

A single tear fell down Evan's cheek. Oddly enough he can't remember the last time he cried or if in fact he has ever cried in his life. He needed to just let it all out. All the times he should have cried, but didn't. Feel the pain, be the pain. His mother. His father. Layla. The mean things he said to Calla and Adam.

The room began to shake. Evan braced the post of his bed with his right arm. He left hand gripped the sheets. Water came pouring in from the walls quickly flooding the room. He jumped up on the bed unsure what was happening.

Allan and Sarah burst into the room. Evan pleaded, "Grandma make it stop."

She rushed over to him, "I can't sweetheart. This is all you."

Allan said in a very soothing voice, "Panicking will only make it worse. Find your inner calm. Breath in, breath out. Know that you are completely safe."

Evan shut his eyes while deep breathing. He gently squeezed his grandma's hand. The water slowly began to recede through the walls. When it was completely gone he opened his eyes. "What happened?"

Sarah whispered, "The crossover."

Allan responded, "We need to find Adam. He'll be just as out of control with his fire. Do you know where he is?"

Evan's eyes widened, "By some big tree with Calla."