Awakening Earth and Fire: Earth and Fire Trilogy Book 1 Read online

  Awakening Earth and Fire

  Earth and Fire Trilogy Book 1

  Jacqueline Edie

  Copyright © 2021 Jacqueline Indrisek

  All rights reserved

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

  ISBN-13: 9781234567890

  ISBN-10: 1477123456

  Cover design by: Art Painter

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2018675309

  Printed in the United States of America

  To my family. You made this possible. Thank you.

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  CHAPTER 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  AURORA

  SAGE

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Epilogue

  About The Author

  Every step sent chills of both fear and excitement through me.

  Fear, because I was leaving the only place I’d ever known.

  Excitement, because maybe now I would have a chance to start over, to leave behind the painful memories once and for all.

  I took a step forward.

  Leaves crunched underfoot. The air was ripe with the smell of autumn.

  Another step forward.

  A passing flock of nondescript black birds flew overhead, their soft caws echoing down to us. A bush nearby rustled, whatever creature hidden inside concealed by its long, tangled branches.

  Another step.

  The blonde boy ahead of me paused, reaching down into his satchel for the water skein he carried. My steps came to a halt.

  Taking advantage of the momentary break to slow my breathing, the increasing altitude causing by breaths to grow more and more shallow, I stared at the path ahead. It continued up, winding and disappearing amongst slate-colored rocks and birch trees that were growing increasingly barer the higher we climbed.

  How much farther would we have to go? How much longer would this journey take?

  Then a more terrifying thought. What would we find when we came to the end of it?

  “Ready?” Rowans’ familiar voice broke me from my thoughts, and I glanced over to see his chocolate eyes locked on my own, the hint of concern crinkling the edges. I shifted the worn leather bag that hung from my shoulder, then wrapped my black sweater closer against the increasingly chilled air.

  Impatient shuffling sounded from behind and Rowan’s eyes tightened as he shifted his gaze past me to our third companion. “Yes,” she huffed, not bothering to hide any of the annoyance she felt at being stuck with the two of us.

  Or, I should say, stuck with me.

  Her black hair whipped back as she stalked ahead. Rowan turned to follow, but only after pausing to roll his eyes at me after she’d passed.

  Normally I’d laugh.

  Normally I’d roll my eyes too.

  It had been the only way to make life bearable.

  But I’d left it all behind now. Left everything I’d known. And I still wasn’t sure whether that was a good or bad thing. Whether the excitement or the fear would end up being the more appropriate emotion.

  As I moved to follow the other two, continuing towards our unknown destination, my mind raced, remembering the last week I’d spent at home. How I’d thought about this very day. And dreaded its approach.

  Taking in a deep breath, I let the chilly air enter my nose and mouth, scatter through my lungs and clear my mind.

  I took another step.

  Chapter 1

  One week earlier

  The sun.

  Its hot rays beat down heavily as I dug my hands into the soft ground, finally ripping out a warty, misshapen potato, along with a spray of dirt. Tossing it into the nearly full basket along with the others, I swiped at the droplets of sweat sliding down my face.

  I despised gathering at mid-day. Even though the relentless heat of summer was slowly fading into the crisp weather of autumn, at this time of day, when the sun was directly overhead, it pounded down until my skin sizzled. I swallowed, the ache of my dry throat causing me to wince. Sighing, I wrapped my arms around my basket, nearly toppling over from the weight as I tried to lift it.

  Damn potatoes.

  Steadying myself, I began tugging, dragging it down the long, narrow rows of crops. My eyes scanned over the others as I passed. The other members of my Society. Watched as they raked their hands through the dirt, crouching in the oppressive heat as they yanked carrots and beets from the wet soil. Never stopping.

  Never lifting their eyes to return my gaze.

  And as I continued to drag my load, I stole a glance at one of the old logs propped at the base at the endless rows of apple and pear trees. And thought how much I’d love to stop and sit on that log. I’d relax there and let my hot skin cool, shaded from the burning sun. Let the lovely breeze chase away the droplets of moisture gathered along my spine, now causing the thin, hole-ridden cotton shirt I wore to stick to me.

  But unscheduled breaks weren’t permitted. And I really didn’t feel like being chastised today.

  Shoving the basket the last few feet, I finally reached the huge collecting container that stood in the very center of the seemingly endless crop fields. Its shiny metal sides reached nearly mid-chest. With a groan, I heaved the basket against the edge precariously, finally tilting it enough so that my haul of potatoes tumbled down, disappearing into the dark void below. Laying the now nearly weightless basket by my feet, I fanned at my flushed cheeks, then retied my long dark hair back into the knot it was currently slipping out of.

  “Sage,” a voice came from behind me.

  I turned around, but there was a smile on my lips before I’d fully twisted. I knew who that voice belonged to.

  “Rowan.”

  Rowan. My only true friend. Tossing his head so that the few stray blonde hairs that had fallen across his face shifted, he gave me a secret wink. Hefting up his heavy basket with ease, he tossed the contents into the container. I watched as the carrots rained down into the chute.

  They told us it led to the Sorting. Told us that all the produce we collected was sent there.

  Not that anyone here had been to or seen the Sorting. But appar
ently items gathered from every Society were sent there. Apparently the other three Societies had collecting systems just like the one I’d sent my potatoes through only moments prior. Or so we were told.

  The only thing I knew, any of us knew, was that the rations we received on a weekly basis at the Distribution Center came from the Sorting. And that was all that mattered.

  “How are you doing today?” I kept my voice casual, the words just common pleasantries, lest any of the guards overheard. Though I didn’t know why I bothered to ask that particular question. I already knew the answer.

  Rowan just gave me a knowing glance, one that clearly said, ‘same as every other day’, his basket now hanging lazily from one hand. A moment later he leaned closer to me.

  “Happy early birthday by the way,” he murmured.

  I bit my lip, slowly nodding. “Thanks.”

  My seventeenth birthday. One week from now. The first of the month.

  And the same day I’d be leaving Earth Society.

  Four times a year, on the first day of the month, all those who’d turned seventeen in the past three left to go to the Training. No one knew what happened there. No one was allowed to speak of it.

  Two months would pass before those who left finally returned home. But not all came back. And if they didn’t return that day with the others, they never did.

  I glanced back up at Rowan who was continuing to watch me carefully, brown eyes wary now. After a moment he glanced around us, making sure there was nobody within earshot, then leaned in closer. “Are you all right?” he murmured, pushing back the sweaty blonde strands that once again fell over his eyes.

  He knew I wasn’t. And neither was he. But the only comfort I had was that he’d be going with me to the Training, having had his own seventeenth birthday just a few weeks prior.

  “I’m fine,” l lied, then thought better of it and added, “Just nervous about next week.” He gave me an understanding nod. Realizing I’d been standing at the container too long, I glanced back and sure enough, saw one of the guards staring at us. Quickly I lowered my head, nonchalantly pretending to pick at my dirt encrusted nails. “We should get back to work,” I muttered quietly.

  Another nod. He understood that as well.

  Stooping, I grasped the handle of my empty basket, leaving Rowan to return to the crops.

  I had learnt my lesson about not testing the guards’ power years ago.

  I didn’t need a reminder.

  ✽✽✽

  After several more hours of mindless gathering, the whistle finally sounded, signaling the end of the days’ work. I sighed with relief and rose, groaning as I stretched out my aching muscles.

  It was so much better when the fruit trees were in season, but that had ended over a month ago now. Instead of being hunched over the muddy ground, I’d be up in their branches, plucking off the ripe apples, imagining myself taking a bite. I’d stand there, feeling the wind rush by, smell its crisp, sweet scent. And at the end of those days, my back didn’t ache as it did now.

  When I was in those trees, I could see everything. Well, everything in our Society that was.

  The main grassy square, the hub of our community. The school was there, along with the meeting hall, the infirmary, and a small park. And surrounding the square were countless homes, each crafted of wooden logs, curving out in arcs, clusters of oaks and elms and maples interspersed between them. Just adjacent to the crop fields I could make out the livestock quarter, chickens clucking and pigs snorting.

  And then, of course, the Distribution Center. A winding dirt road led to the large building that stood at the opposite end of the Society, isolated from everything else.

  But then my eyes would always inevitably be drawn further. To the edge of our Society. To the wall.

  Made of smooth white stone, it extended far into the sky, guards patrolling along the very top. A seamless barrier designed to separate us from the other Societies.

  There was only one path that led away from our Society that wasn’t blocked by it. A path that extended from the main square, leading down through a large field. A path which eventually wound its way into a dense forest, disappearing from view.

  It was the path those going to or returning from the Training took.

  The path everyone else was forbidden to set foot on.

  Slowly trudging my way back through the long rows of crops, my basket dragging through the dirt next to me, I joined the single file line forming at the exit. Exactly as I’d done after each workday for the last two years. I scanned the group for Rowan but couldn’t find his blonde head among the masses. Sighing, I let my thoughts travel back to the Training, slowly moving forward as, one by one, we were cleared.

  “Next!” called one of the guards. His mouth twisted into a sneer as I stepped towards him. But I kept my face blank, laying my empty basket down at his feet, then stood, holding my arms out straight. Despite everything else, this moment was still the worst part of each day. That familiar sneer was reserved for me, and me alone. Ever since he first flashed it at me, four years ago.

  His black hair was so slicked down, it looked as if he’d covered it in shellac, and he stared down at me with hooded eyes. After a quick glance, verifying the basket was empty, he moved closer. A moment later his large meaty hands were on my shoulders, slowly moving and squeezing as he patted me down, trying to detect any concealed food. Ridiculous, as my loose shirt and pants consisted of thin, worn material, impossible to hide anything in.

  I closed my eyes as he turned me around, then felt his hands press along my spine, slowly moving lower down my back. Lingering there.

  Frustration coursed through my veins, yet I had no choice but to stand there and endure it. After what seemed like an eternity, he took a step back, lips curling as his eyes raked up and down once more.

  Finally, giving a brief, dismissive nod in my direction, he shouted, “Clear! Next!”. I moved off, exiting the fields and following the trail of others heading home.

  Another day done.

  Another day closer to leaving.

  Chapter 2

  That evening there was a mandatory gathering at the meeting hall.

  Usually we just sat there and listened to the same laws that we’d all memorized by heart since we were young. But occasionally there were changes. At the last meeting they informed us those assigned to the production of lumber would be working a month longer than last year, due to increased need in the other Societies. I thought of my father and the harsh conditions he would be out in during those four extra weeks. Snow would probably begin to fall by that point, the temperatures dropping rapidly.

  I let out a sigh. These meetings were not known to bring us good news.

  Entering the massive hall with my parents and brother, we wound our way to the very back and took our seats. The hall had been designed to accommodate everyone in Earth Society. Hundreds of seats fanned out in an amphitheater style. The majority of people were already there, their faces worn and tired, clothes dusty from our daily work, muttering in hushed tones, speculating what new decrees would be enacted tonight.

  But this week, everyone who would be leaving for the Training was to be recognized. Usually I tried to remain unnoticed at these gatherings. Typically, it was easy, as most everyone ignored me anyways. But that just wouldn’t be possible tonight.

  Gazing at my mother and father seated on one side of me, my brother Mason on the other, it hit then just how much I would miss them. My mother sat tall in her chair, back ramrod straight, eyes focused towards the front of the hall. We looked so similar. Her deep brunette locks, the same color but shorter than mine, came down in ringlets to her shoulders. She was tall and slender, her skin tanned ever so slightly from the sun. Although she tried to make her face devoid of any emotion, I could see the worry in her bright green eyes and watched as my father, seated next to her, reached out to clutch her hand in his own. He was a large man overall, made strong by his logging work. But when he caught my glance,
giving me his trademark jovial smile, he couldn’t mask the concern etched on his own face.

  Mason, my younger brother, kept fidgeting in his seat and rubbing his short sandy hair, already growing antsy at the wait.

  “Stop it,” my mother said in a clipped voice, her tone crisp. Grimacing, hands clenched, he forced himself to stay still, but it would only last a few minutes. I knew him too well.

  Mason, thirteen, was already longing for the day he’d be finished with school, even though it was still a couple years away. And though I’d told him countless times to stop and focus on his studies, that if he did, and excelled, maybe he’d be one of the select few in our Society who got to do something with their lives other than mind-numbing physical labor, it was no use.

  But as I sat in the rough wooden chair, waiting for the final members of our Society to straggle in, my eyes fell upon the boy seated in front of me.

  Birch Crossner.

  Birch was six months older than me. Which meant he’d come back from the Training recently. And as I stared ahead, my eyes focused on the back of his head. On the back of his neck.

  And on the bright red circular mark.

  That mark hadn’t been there when he left Earth Society. Only when he returned. Everyone who returned from the Training had that same imprint. As time went by, it would fade slightly, becoming a darker crimson, exactly like the ones my mother and father sported. But it would always remain, etched there as a permanent reminder.

  Loud coughing suddenly filled the hall. My gaze shifted toward the front of the hall and the man now standing behind the podium there. Aspen Bantram. He was a short man and needed to stand on a stool just to be seen over the podium. The corners of my lips twitched, and I struggled to hold in my chuckle. He just looked so ridiculous, sporting a long platinum beard while the top of his head lacked a single hair. Maybe I just felt this way, though, because I couldn’t stand him. He acted as if he was above all of us just because he got to recite the decrees. But I highly doubted even he knew who made them up.