Prologue

Bending is the ability to manipulate the four natural elements. The four elemental bending arts are water, earth, fire, and air. Each element is passed down through generations, but it will sometimes skip a generation, like in the case of Carsen and Gwen. Their grandparent’s, Sharon and Jr. had two sons. Sharon is a waterbender and Jr. is an earthbender, but neither of the sons got any bending. Sharon and Jr. did not introduce their sons to the world of bending because it is an unwritten law that nonbenders must never know certain secrets that lay within their world. Sharon and Jr.’s sons grew up with normal lives, they went to school, fell in love, got jobs, and had children of their own. The two sons’ names are Brian and Ricky, and each had one kid. Ricky had Carsen, and Brian had Gwen.

 

One afternoon, when Carsen and Gwen were visiting their grandparents’ house, they went to the pool in the backyard. Gwen and Carsen were playing in the pool while Sharon and Jr. were sitting in chairs watching. Carsen was standing outside the pool by the edge and Gwen ran by and knocked Carsen into the pool. As Carsen fell backwards he raised both his arms and a small stream of water lifted from the pool and shot backwards at his grandparents. While Carsen was getting up from being knocked down in the pool Sharon and Jr. looked at each other realizing Carsen had just waterbent. After this, Sharon, being a waterbender, started training in the art of waterbending. Once Carsen’s waterbending was discovered, Sharon and Jr. kept a close watch on Gwen.

About 6 months later, while Carsen was having his training over their grandparents’ house, Gwen was playing in the gravel driveway in the front yard. Jr. called for Gwen to come inside because it was time for dinner, but Gwen did not want to come inside. Jr. told her to put down the rocks and hurry up, but Gwen got even more mad at this and stomped her foot, but when she stomped her foot about 10 rocks flew into the air behind her and went higher than the house. Jr. saw what Gwen did and, after dinner, Jr. started training Gwen in earthbending while Sharon trained Carsen. Ever since then, every weekend, Gwen and Carsen started coming over to their grandparents’ house to secretly train.

           

            Ten years has passed since the discovery of Carsen and Gwen’s abilities to manipulate certain natural elements. They have kept their bending a secret from everyone, their friends, family, and even their own parents. Only their grandparents, Jr. and Sharon know about their bending. Carsen has become quite the skilled waterbender, and Gwen has likewise become a very skilled earthbender, as they have been training for ten years under the teachings of their grandparents. 

Chapter One

Carsen sat in his car waiting for Gwen to come out of her house so they could go to their grandparents’ for Winter Break. Gwen’s house door opened up and Gwen came outside pulling two suitcases behind her and a backpack swung across her back. She staggered to the trunk of the car, which Carsen had just hit the button from inside the car to open it, and Gwen placed all her luggage into the trunk. Gwen closed the trunk and came to the passenger side of the car and got in the front seat.

            “I can’t wait for this break. Grandpa said he’s going to teach me to levitate a slab of rock under me so I can be lifted into the air! I literally can’t even!” Gwen said as Carsen began to pull away from her house. They’ve gone to their grandparents’ house so many times that they don’t bother saying bye to their parents.

            “I’m sure you can even, Gwen. I’m exited too though! Grandma and I are supposed to learn the octopus move. I tried last weekend, but I could only get three arms of the octopus when I should have at least eight” Carsen said back to Gwen.

            “That’s cool” Gwen said laughing, “I’m going to take a nap though, I barely got any sleep last night. Let me know when we get to the mountains” Jr. and Sharon, their grandparent’s, live in the Appalachian Mountains in western Virginia. It takes about six or seven hours for Gwen and Carsen to get there.

            “Alright” Carsen said

 

 

            “Get up Gwen” Gwen moved a little and made a small grunt noise to go away, “We’re here, wake up” Carsen said again. Gwen opened her eyes to see them on a small dirt road in the mountains. She looked over towards Carsen and looked through his window and recognized the trees and the landscape. They are a few minutes away from their grandparents’ house. She sat up and yawned then put her fingers together and cracked her knuckles.

            “Do you really have to do that, you know I hate that noise” Carsen told Gwen.

            “Do you want me to open up the mountain or not?” Gwen asked sarcastically. The road took a sharp left turn at the side of a mountain, but Carsen stopped the car instead of turning with the road. Gwen got out of the vehicle and stepped in front of the car, facing the side of the mountain. She spread her feet apart to line up with her shoulders, then she raised her left leg and stomped. At the same time she stomped, she also punched her right hand forward and large amount of rock from the mountain pushed back. Gwen took a step sideways this time and pushed both her hands to her left. As she did this the same portion of the mountain moved to the left and a tunnel through the mountain became revealed. Gwen got out of her stance and stepped to the side to let Carsen drive into the tunnel. Once he got the car into the tunnel, Gwen got behind the car and pushed the mountain back to the way it was in order to prevent anyone from thinking someone just moved a chunk of the mountain in order to go inside a secret tunnel that would open up on the other side. Gwen got back in the car and they continued to drive to their grandparents’ house.

        A few minutes later Gwen and Carsen came out of the mountain, they arrived shortly after, at a two-story log cabin. As they pulled up to the front of the house, their grandparents were waiting on the porch for them.

            “Come here and give your Grandma some hugs and kisses.” Sharon said as soon as Carsen and Gwen stepped out of the car.

            “Leave the poor children alone, you just saw them last weekend, and I’m sure they’re starving.” Jr. told Sharon as she flashed everyone a smile and went inside to go make some food.

            Carsen and Gwen took their suitcases and headed up to their individual rooms. As Gwen walked into her room she saw a balcony connecting to Carsen’s room. She immediately dropped everything on the floor and ran to it stopping in front of Carsen’s window and tapping on the glass. He looked up and flashed her smile before shooing her away with his hand waving in the air. She ran back into her room and jumped onto the bed thinking this was going to be a really great week. After that she unpacked and put everything into the drawers, as did Carsen. They finished around the same time and went downstairs to see what Sharon was cooking.

            “Yummmmm, hamburgers!” Gwen said while running to the kitchen.

            Carsen wasn’t as excited as her because he was a vegetarian and didn’t know what he was having. As soon as he reached the kitchen he came to find that he was having a veggie burger.

            “Gwen set the table, and Carsen if you could get the drinks for everyone.” Sharon stated, as she was finishing up the cooking.

           

            Everyone put their plates away at around the same time and then watched television for the rest of the night. One by one they each went to bed.

            It was the next morning and everyone got up to take showers, put clothes on, eat breakfast, and watch some more TV.

            “Carsen it’s time for your training!” Sharon screamed from outside.

            Carsen hadn’t had much time to look around but as soon as he went to the backyard his jaw dropped. There was a river running straight through the back yard, it was so fresh and clean you could see all the fish in it and how beautiful they looked.

            “Isn’t it gorgeous?” Sharon said, snapping Carsen back to reality.

            While Carsen was training with his grandma, Gwen went to go find her grandpa so they could start training. She found him outside already waiting for her as if he knew she was eager to learn new moves. She stepped out to the side of the log cabin and saw a forest. They both walked into the forest and as she looked up, she saw mountains, they weren’t that high, or even that big, but they were still mountains, and she was determined to learn how to move them in new ways.

            After training Carsen, Gwen, and their grandparents went inside to make sandwiches.

            “You want to head into town with me for awhile so I can buy some more clothes?” Gwen asked Carsen.

            “You have enough clothes already, why do you need more?” Carsen replied annoyed.

            “A girl can never have too many clothes!” Gwen said getting defensive, “I’ll buy you a new outfit too.” She said with a wink.

            “Alright, alright, let me just tell Grandma.” Carsen said.

            Carsen got into the driver’s seat and Gwen in the passenger seat. It was Carsen’s car so he always drove; only occasionally did Gwen drive. She only had her permit while Carsen had his license. They got to town and parked at the first parking lot they saw. They both got out of the car and Gwen saw Carsen lift up an eyebrow, “How much do have?” He asked, knowing that she shouldn’t have that much.

            “That’s for me to know and you to find out.” She said sarcastically.

            They started walking and saw all the stores they could go into. The place was one of those towns with tourists everywhere, shops right next to each other, and a major vacation spot. Sort of like an outlet mall. Just then Gwen got a phone call, “Hello?” She asked.

            “Hello, Gwen can you hear me?” Sharon asked.

            “Yes I can here you.” She replied a little annoyed.

            “Well I just wanted to check up on you, have fun and don’t stay out too late.” She said before hanging up the phone.

            Gwen put her phone away and told Carsen it was their grandma and to not be out too late. They both walked for a little until they both saw a store they liked. Gwen went to the hoodies while Carsen headed to the men’s’ shirts. After about two hours of looking at all types of clothes and trying all of them on, they finally paid and left. After that Gwen was craving some ice cream so they went to the closest ice cream shop. As they walked inside, the coldness sent shivers down their arms. They got into line as Gwen got mint chocolate chip, and Carsen got vanilla ice cream. They went to go pay and just as Gwen went to pay Carsen handed the cashier a twenty-dollar bill. Gwen flashed him a smile that said thank you and they both headed to the car. They got in and Carsen started driving back to the log cabin. Gwen took out her phone and started calling her grandma and to tell her they were on their way back but she didn’t answer. Gwen didn’t think anything of it because she never really answers when you call. Carsen and Gwen sat in silence enjoying their ice cream until they got to the cabin. As soon as they pulled up to the driveway they gave each other concerned looks.

            Carsen got out of the car as fast as he could and so did Gwen. They ran up to the door to find it left open. Gwen went straight to the stairs to check upstairs as Carsen checked the downstairs for anything odd. Just as Carsen was about to yell the word clear Gwen let out a horrible scream. Just then Carsen knew what had happened. He went upstairs as fast as he could and started to hold Gwen and told her everything was going to be all right. She just sat there sobbing, too shocked to do anything else. Gwen looked up to see how Carsen was but he was just staring, and she knew what he was staring at. He was staring and the blood on the walls, and the little droplets of blood everywhere that led straight to their grandparents’ dead bodies. 

 

 

 

            After the initial shock, Carsen and Gwen could actually see what lie in front of them. There were tiny pieces of rock, broken glass, puddles of water, and a piece of paper on the floor. Gwen got up to go look at it, and on it read: Dear Carsen and Gwen, I wrote this letter when you first started training with us. Your grandpa and I both knew that one day someone find us, and maybe even kill us. If that day ever came I would have this letter telling you everything you need to know. The people who killed us are going to come after you next and these people are trained assassins. You can go to my friend, Jane for more information. Her address is 21648 Violet Lane, Smithville Oregon. Don’t be afraid to talk to her and ask her anything you want. While Gwen was reading the letter out loud to Carsen he was also cleaning up the room. Not the blood, but the rocks and water so when he did call the police, they wouldn’t suspect anything out of the ordinary.

            When they finished everything they called 911. Soon after, the police arrived and started questioning us. They also notified us that our parents were told about this tragedy and that we weren’t going to be a suspect in the murder because witnesses saw us at the mall at the time of their death. They both stood there and watched the paramedics walk by with their grandparent’s dead bodies. Gwen started crying again so Carsen comforted her until she went to her room so Carsen could deal with all the paper work and statements that the cops needed.

            Carsen and Gwen stayed in the log cabin for the rest of winter break. When that was over, they drove home back to Virginia Beach, Virginia. They each went to their separate families and finished the school year.

 

 

~6 months later~

            It was now summer break and Gwen could drive. She drove to Carsen’s house where he was already waiting for her.

“Hey Carsen!” Gwen shouted.

            “Hey, are you ready to go to Oregon?” Carsen asked as he got into his car.

            “Yes!” Gwen said with excitement, “But I could really do without the long plane ride.”

            “They aren’t that bad, you can sleep the entire time, plus we are staying a night in Nevada since we have a layover there.” He said with an attitude.

            “Okay fine.”

            After about an hour of driving they reached the airport and got on the plane. After about another seven hours they reached Nevada.

            “Wow, there is like nothing here.” Gwen said.

            “Well according to this map, there is a mall about 15 minutes away, and another 10 minutes is our hotel. Our flight isn’t until tomorrow at around 5:00pm so we have plenty of time to rest.” Carsen said.

            “How are we going to get-“Just then a taxi arrived at the front of the airport where Gwen and Carsen were standing having their conversation.

 

            “To the hotel please.” Carsen said.

           

 

            Carsen and Gwen waited for approximately 25 minutes until they got there. It was a decent hotel. And a one-night stay was about 200 dollars. Since Gwen and Carsen were both only children they got 1,000 dollars each for the trip. They had this trip planned for about 6 months and saved up any money they could get. They told their parents they wanted to travel throughout the United States of America all summer. Basically, they could afford the one night at the hotel and because they both loved to manage their money (especially Carsen who had a whole journal dedicated to his money budget). Gwen paid 100 dollars and Carsen did the same. They stayed the night there and decided to sleep in since their flight didn’t leave until later.

            “Carsen, which looks better?” Gwen asked, holding up two different dresses to her petite figure.

            “I think the blue, shorter dress looks better, and you can wear your black heels with it.” Carsen replied.

            It was about noon when they got done. Gwen wearing the short blue dress, with black heels, and her natural wavy brown hair going a bit passed her shoulders with matching brown eyes. Carsen had on his blue shorts, with a matching buttoned up blue shirt that a lighter shade than his shorts and tannish vans to top it off. Carsen had short blonde hair that he styles with matching bright blue eyes.    

            They walked out of the hotel and walked to the mall, since Carsen insisted that he needed the exercise, when he really didn’t. They got to the mall and entered almost every store.

            “Omg! It’s Pac Sun!” Gwen said.

            “We only have about an hour and half until our flight leaves and we still need to get our luggage and drive there.” Carsen said insisting that we go.

            “Just 20 minutes, I won’t even try anything on.”

            “Alright.”

           

            Gwen went over to where the shorts were and found a pair she really liked. She then looked at the price and made a shocked face.

            “Lovely face you just made” said a random voice from beside Gwen.

            She turned to face the voice that was talking and couldn’t help but stare at him. It was a guy around her age, maybe two years older. He had short blonde hair that was layered, with bluish-green eyes with a yellow in the middle. As she was looking down she saw that he was wearing a tank top to show off his broad shoulders and muscular arms, followed by shorts, and topped off with grayish vans. She then looked back up to his eyes and realized that he was smiling. Gwen felt her knees go weak because that guy was basically the definition of hot.

            “You like what you see?” He asked.

            Just then Carsen walked up and introduced himself.

            “Hi, my names Carsen, and this is my cousin Gwen.” Carsen said.

            “Well nice to meet you Gwen, my name is Michael.” He said while smirking.

            “Gwen we have to go get ready for our plane ride.” Carsen said.

            “No, you can’t go!” Michael said with a saddened face, “I just met you.”

            “Well maybe I can give you my number and we can talk more.” Gwen said.

            Michael had the biggest smile on his face and took out his phone while Gwen typed in her number.

            “Bye Michael.” Carsen and Gwen both said together while fast walking out of the store.

            Carsen and Gwen hurried to their room, changed into comfy clothes, packed the rest, paid for the hotel room, and walked outside to find a taxi. Carsen checked his watch and told Gwen they had two hours left, and by time they would get to the airport they would have an hour and a half to get on the plane. They got out of the taxi, paid and thanked the driver, and walked into the airport.

            The flight was about two hours long, but they had finally arrived in Oregon.

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 26.08.2014

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