Chapter 2 The Recruiter

• Ava couldn't stop thinking about the wind. It had been three days since the strange event in her room, and ever since, she’d been walking around in a daze, constantly looking over her shoulder, expecting the world to spin out of control again. But it hadn’t. Everything had been oddly quiet.
• Too quiet.
• She couldn’t bring herself to tell anyone, not even Emma. How could she explain something she didn’t understand herself? She didn’t even understand her own feelings about it—was she scared, curious, or something else? All she knew was that something was wrong.
• Every night, she lay awake, waiting for the wind to return, but nothing happened. The stillness in the air only heightened her anticipation.
• ***
• The next day, as Ava left school, a sense of unease settled over her. It wasn’t just because of the strangeness in her life—something about the day felt off. The air was crisp, but heavy with a tension she couldn’t name. Even the autumn leaves swirling in the wind felt like they were moving with too much purpose, as if whispering secrets, she couldn’t quite hear.
• As she approached the narrow, cobblestone path leading to her house, Ava noticed someone standing at the end of the street. At first glance, they blended into the background—just another adult in a long, dark coat. But as she drew closer, a chill crept up her spine. This person was standing unnaturally still, watching her.
• Ava quickened her pace, her eyes darting nervously. The stranger's figure remained motionless, tall and imposing. His coat flapped gently in the breeze, but he made no move to approach her.
• Who was he? And why was he standing there, staring at her?
• "Probably just some random guy," she muttered under her breath, but her instincts screamed otherwise. She had learned not to trust random occurrences lately.
• When she was only a few feet from her front door, she glanced back, expecting him to still be there. But the man was gone—vanished into thin air.
• Ava’s heart pounded in her chest, and she fumbled with her house key as she unlocked the door. The eerie sense of being watched hadn’t faded. In fact, it grew stronger, like a presence hovering just out of sight.
• ***
• Later that evening, Ava sat at the kitchen table, absentmindedly twirling her fork around a plate of untouched spaghetti. Her mother, Claire, had already left for her evening shift at the hospital, and the house felt too big, too quiet. Ava’s mind drifted to the stranger she’d seen and the unnerving events of the past week.
• Was she losing her mind?
• A loud knock on the front door jolted her from her thoughts. She nearly dropped her fork, her pulse quickening again. Who would visit at this hour? It was already past 8 p.m., and they never had unannounced visitors.
• Reluctantly, Ava got up and made her way to the door. The hallway felt longer than usual, her footsteps echoing in the silence. As she approached, she hesitated for a moment, staring at the brass doorknob.
• Another knock, louder this time.
• Ava opened the door just a crack, peering through. Standing on the doorstep was the same man from earlier—tall, pale-skinned, with silver-streaked hair and eyes that seemed to glow faintly in the dim light. He wore the same long, dark coat, and though he should have looked out of place in their quiet suburban neighborhood, he stood there as though he belonged.
• “Good evening, Ava Thorne,” the man said in a smooth, almost melodic voice.
• Ava froze, her hand tightening around the doorknob. How did he know her name?
• “Who—who are you?” she stammered, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.
• The man gave a polite, almost practiced smile. “My name is Professor Arlen. I’ve come to speak with you about your… abilities.”
• The word “abilities” hung in the air between them like a forbidden secret. Ava’s blood ran cold. She hadn’t told anyone about the strange things that had been happening—not a single soul.
• “You must have the wrong person,” she replied, her voice shaking. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
• Professor Arlen’s smile didn’t falter. “I assure you, Ava, I’m not mistaken. You’ve felt it, haven’t you? The wind that moves when you will it. Objects shifting without explanation. You are beginning to awaken, and I’ve come to guide you before it’s too late.”
• Ava’s stomach dropped. How could he possibly know about the wind? Or the strange things that had been happening around her?
• “This isn’t real,” she whispered to herself, shaking her head. “You’re just some crazy guy.”
• But Professor Arlen held out his hand, palm facing upward. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, slowly, a small whirlwind of leaves began to form above his hand, spinning gracefully in the air. Ava’s eyes widened in disbelief as the leaves moved faster, creating a miniature cyclone in his palm before scattering harmlessly to the ground.
• “Do you believe me now?” Arlen asked, his voice calm and assured.
• Ava took a step back, her heart racing. She couldn’t deny what she’d just seen, no matter how much her mind screamed at her that it wasn’t possible. Magic wasn’t real. It couldn’t be.
• But it was.
• “What do you want from me?” she finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
• Professor Arlen stepped forward slightly, his expression softening. “I want to help you, Ava. You’ve been chosen. You have a rare gift, one that very few possess. You are an elemental, someone who can control the forces of nature. But without proper guidance, your powers could spiral out of control. That’s why I’ve come—to bring you to the Elemental Academy.”
• “Elemental… Academy?” Ava repeated, the words foreign and strange on her tongue.
• “Yes,” Arlen continued. “It’s a school for people like you—those who can manipulate the elements. Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. Each person has an affinity for one of the elements, but in your case, there’s something… different.”
• Ava’s head spun as she tried to process the flood of information. An academy for people who could control the elements? It sounded like something out of a fantasy novel, not real life.
• “Why me?” she asked, her voice trembling. “I don’t have powers. I’m just… normal.”
• Arlen shook his head. “No, Ava, you’re far from normal. Your abilities are only just starting to emerge, but they will grow stronger. And soon, others will notice. That’s why it’s crucial you come with me now, before it’s too late.”
• The air seemed to grow heavier around them, and for a moment, Ava felt the familiar pressure in her chest—the same feeling she’d had when the wind had responded to her emotions. It was happening again.
• Arlen glanced around as though sensing her rising panic. “There are those who would take advantage of your power if they knew what you could do,” he warned. “The academy is the only place where you’ll be safe—and where you can learn to control your abilities before they consume you.”
• Ava swallowed hard, her mind racing with a million questions. How was any of this real? How could she trust this man who had shown up out of nowhere, claiming she had magic powers? But deep down, she felt something stir—something that whispered this was the truth she’d been searching for, whether she liked it or not.
• “I know this is overwhelming,” Arlen said gently. “But you don’t have to decide tonight. Take some time, think it over. When you’re ready, I’ll be waiting.”
• Before Ava could say another word, Arlen reached into his coat and pulled out a small, ornate card. He placed it in her hand. The card was cold to the touch and glowed faintly with strange symbols she didn’t recognize.
• “Use this when you’re ready,” Arlen said. “It will bring you to the academy.”
• With that, he stepped back into the shadows. Ava blinked, and when she looked again, he was gone, as if he’d never been there at all.
• ***
• Ava closed the door, her heart pounding. She leaned against it, staring down at the glowing card in her hand.
• Everything she thought she knew had just been turned upside down.
• Magic was real. And she was a part of it.
• But what did that mean for her life? Could she really leave everything behind?
• As the house around her grew quiet again, the same sense of unease from earlier returned, but this time, it felt different. Like a door had been opened—and there was no going back.