Chapter One: Air

September, Montana

What was a light wind started to pick up around her as she waited for her brother in law, Steve, to talk to the guy at the ticket counter. She let the wind comfort her, taking a deep breath of the crisp, cold, smog less air. Nothing compared to Montana air. It was just so clean and crisp, something a person could never find in her hometown of the 'Windy City'. Granted, she liked Chicago for its history but something about the open country side awakened something inside her. Whenever she took the weekend trip to her mother's house she always kept the car window down, trying to breathe as much of the beautiful air in as she could. This trip however, she had to take the bus, not something she was used to. As usual her older sister had decided for her and thought she had to 'experience life outside of a car'.

On the other hand, with her sister recently getting laid off, gas was expensive and bus tickets were apparently cheaper. At least with how cold it was people would be slightly less irritated. Then again, when she kept the window open, people on the bus might not like her very much. That suited her just fine; nobody would talk to her that way. Looking down at the ground, a small dirt clot rested by her shoe. Picking up the small clump of dirt, she quickly looked around to see where it came from. Realizing that any place would qualify, she threw the clot in the opposite direction of the line for the ticket counter. She smirked when it went farther than she thought it would, sometimes things like that would happen to her.

Sometimes a book that was out of reach would fall into her hands, or a paper ball carelessly tossed into the trashcan would make it on the first shot, she didn't think much of it. A vague memory of when she was little probed at the back of her head. She remembered standing in a big field, her ball was somewhere in the middle. She had wanted it so badly that she stuck her arms out and called, "Come back ball!" As if by magic, if someone believed in that sort of thing, the ball rose out of the grass. She was so happy when the ball had floated back to her that she ran in to tell her parents, who weren't fighting for once.

Much to her distress, a Dust Devil started to form right by her feet, and brought her back to the present. It kicked up the dust from the cracked ground of the Broadus Montana Greyhound Station. The debris hit her in the face, the tiny rocks stinging her face. Tired of putting up with the crappy soil, she turned, purposefully walking over to her brother in law. Not saying anything by way of greeting, she stood by him in the line. He wasn't hard to pick out; 6' 4", balding, and probably the only black guy in the whole town at the moment. With her sister stuck looking for work, Steve had generously taken the bus with her to the city just outside her mother's house. Unfortunately, he had to go back to work in two days, leaving her to fend for herself the next 7 hours of the bus ride. Looking him over, she realized he was probably as exhausted as she was, especially when he yawned and rubbed his eyes.

"What's up Tobi?" Steve asked through his yawn.

As hard as she tried, she couldn't fight off her own yawn, "Nothing, has the line moved at all?" With the wind picking up even more, Tobi pulled her long dark hair in a ponytail. It took a few tries to gather all her hair together but eventually she got it as Steve spoke.

"Nope, how about you go sit on the benches? Get some rest before your bus comes?" Steve pointed over to the bench next to the ticket counter. From his expression, as much as he tried to hide it, Tobi figured he needed to sit more than she did.

"Trying to get rid of me so soon Steve?" She teased, it was her way of refusing to sit down, knowing she probably would fall asleep if she did. Her plan seemed to work as Steve laughed. Suddenly, a small pellet of rain fell on her face. Touching her cheek, she didn't feel any wetness, but looking up she saw the dark clouds forming above her head, "Does that look normal to you?"

Looking at the sky as well, Steve shrugged his shoulders, "Eh, there was a tornado warning on the radio this morning, but it was for South Dakota." The women in front of him took a step forward as the person who had been arguing with the person behind the ticket counter for the past half hour left in a huff, Steve fallowed suit, taking a step forward in the three person line.

"A tornado warning in fall? That's weird." Tobi commented, not taking her eyes off the sky even as rain droplets started to steadily fall.

"It's in South Dakota, besides it's only the first official day, you're acting like autumn never happens."

"I grew up in Chicago, Steve it went from summer straight to winter with a three week break in between the two." Tobi joked, to take her mind off the freaky weather.

Pulling her hood up over her head, she heard the sound of old breaks begging not to be pushed on again as a bus pulled into the depot. Turning, Tobi couldn't believe her bus was already here. Looking back as Steve she wondered if he would notice. Unfortunately, he noticed the obnoxiously loud sound as well. Looking down at his young sister-in-law, he was curious as to what was going through her head.

Unlike most 17 year olds he knew, Tobi was probably the most mature one he had ever met. At 9 she had taken her parent's divorce like a champ, and now with her mom living in Powderville Montana, she took the two day trip almost every weekend. Of course, if she wasn't as mature as she was, he probably would have an issue with her living with him and his wife. He smirked, knowing even if she was a nervous wreck, he probably wouldn't have said no. Her sister, Courtney, and he had been together for years before they had finally gotten married, thanks to Tobi.

Looking back at the bus he knew he couldn't put off the inevitable, "There's your bus. Do you want me to walk you over?"

Although she laughed, her eyes told him that she didn't want him to leave, "I'm 17, Steven, not 6. Besides, you'll lose your place in line." Looking behind him, Steve noted the one other person that had joined the line. But if she wanted to be Miss Independent like always, he would let her.

"Alright, Tabitha," He laughed at the face she made when he used her real name and not her nick-name, "Here's your bag." He handed her the small overnight bag she practically lived in, "Please remember to this time. Courtney nearly ripped my head off last time."

Rolling her eyes, Tobi excused her brother-in-laws over protectiveness, "I promise to call when I get to Mom's." She turned to him, not sure how to say goodbye.

Without warning, Steve wrapped his arms around her. At first, she stiffened, then remembered that Steve was family, and hugged him back. Scolding herself on the inside, she didn't let go of Steve even after he loosened his grip.

"It's not too late to call it off." He mumbled, hugging her tightly again.

Although he said the words she so desperately wanted to hear, she had to follow through with her promise, "No, it is." Taking a step back, she pretended to scratch a spot on her nose next to her eye. She had already hugged Steve in public; she didn't want to cry in public too. There were some things that would never happen and Tabitha Williams crying in front of people, even family members, was one of those things. "Besides," She continued, walking backwards to her bus, "Mom is going to be excited to see me." I hope… she thought.

Looking at her phone, Tobi counted down the time until she reached her mother's house. There was still another three hours until they reached Powderville and Tobi was getting restless. Because of the rain that dropped like buckets, the driver had refused to let her open a window. The now familiar screech of the breaks made her pull out the head phone of her iPod. Looking up, she realized they had pulled into a tiny bus depot with one person waiting at the terminal. However, this new addition to the rag-tag group on the bus looked like he should have been taking a private jet.

Please don't sit next to me. Please don't sit next to me. Please do not sit next to me, she thought over and over. There were plenty of empty seats on the bus since there were only 9 people on the bus including her. She took comfort in the fact that with so many empty seats, the probability of private jet boy sitting next to her was very low. Bacteria low, like the tiny monsters in her new sci-fi book low.

Although, Tobi had to admit he was pretty attractive. Unlike most guys, that she ignored, she noticed his eyes. Was it possible for someone to have green eyes that bright and yet a pastel color at the same time? It had to be his dark hair, even though it was clumsily spiked, not a look she normally liked. When those eyes darted around the bus she lowered hers. It was better if he didn't notice the nerdy girl on the cross country bus staring at him. It wasn't like she spent her days chasing boys around. Her life was too busy and complicated enough without the added extra drama of boys.

A feeling that someone was watching her made Tobi glance up from her book. To her surprise, private jet boy was standing in the isle next to her seat. With the bus moving, he had a hand on the railing above the seats. Forcing her heart to stay at a normal rhythm, she tried not to shrink away from him. All was doing was leaning on the railing, no big deal, she told herself. Up close, she noticed…nothing. His face was completely free of any acne, clean shaven, and even more handsome. Why is always the rich kids that can afford amazing acne stuff, she thought, knowing exactly where each imaginary pimple was.

"Excuse me," He said, his voice even sounded rich, "is this seat taken?" He was even polite.

Oh boy, I'm in trouble, Tobi thought again, then said aloud, "No…" Before she could finish with something sarcastic he beat her to it.

"Good thing," he sat down next to her, "I thought I wouldn't find a seat anywhere on this bus." He smiled and Tobi felt something inside shift a little.

Whatever had moved, she forced back in place with her words, "There's one next to that lady over there." She pointed over to a woman with a little girl no more than 5. Reopening her book, she hoped he would get the hint. He didn't move. That was when Tobi noticed he didn't have any luggage on him. Although she was terribly tempted to ask, she kept her mouth shut.

"My name is Thadeus by the way, what's yours?" Apparently the guy really couldn't take a hint.

Closing her book again, she realized this was going to be a very long trip, "Tobi, and that has to be fake." She really couldn't help herself, but Thadeus wasn't exactly a name someone ran by every day.

"Mommy, look, there's a big whirl pool in the sky!" A little voice cut through Thadeus' answer, "Like the one at the water park!"

Looking out the windows on the side the little girl was on Tobi suddenly heard the small plink of hail hitting the metal roof of the bus. It was more than a little plink but the sight out the window had Tobi's attention at the moment. A titanic tornado had started to form in the sky, and quickly. In the time it took the driver to stop the bus, the column of wind was almost touching the ground.

"That's not possible…" Tobi thought out loud, "The tornado warning was for South Dakota… This isn't freaking possible!"

For a long minute, 9 people on the bus stared as the largest tornado any of them had ever seen touched down, not 10 miles from them. Thadeus however watched as hail the size of apples fell in place of the rain. In an instant, his simple, easy, first mission from the Agency had turned into a death trap.

"Everybody out of the bus," Thadeus shouted, standing up from his seat and running to the front, "We have to leave now!"

Nodding, with the voice of reason in his ear, the driver turned switched the bus into drive. No one but Thadeus saw the giant ball of ice heading for them. Grabbing the driver of the bus, Thadeus nearly threw him to the back. He didn't really care if a bunch of mortals saw him use his powers, their lives were at stake. Almost as soon as he locked eyes with Tobi, who he half expected to be glued to her seat in fear, the ball of ice collided with the front of the bus. The force on the impact catapulted him forward; he had just enough time to cover his neck from the glass shards of the window. Any other injuries would heal, but if he was decapitated, that was one injury he wouldn't heal from.

As the mother of the 5 year old girl left her daughter to check over Thadeus, Tobi instantly reacted. Jumping out of her seat, she ran to pull open the back doors of the bus. Before her fingers touched the handles a hand grabbed her shoulder.

"Don't we're safest in the bus!" It was a man, in his mid-thirties, with total panic in his eyes, "If we go outside we could be hit by debris!"

Tobi tried to pull her shoulder free but the man held fast, "If we stay in the bus we'll become debris, now let me go!" Tearing free of his grasp she made another grab for the door handle with both hands.

"Don't!" The crazy man grabbed her again before she could get a hold on the handles.

He threw her over his shoulder as the other passengers shouted for him to stop. Kicking and punching, Tobi tried to reach the door. Suddenly, something inside her brain clicked, like a puzzle coming together. Imagining as if her arm was longer, she grabbed onto the door handles and threw them open with a flick of her wrist. Wind buffeted the group on the bus as the door opened. Directly beyond the bus was an abounded sewer drain. Survival instinct kicked into the other 8 people on the bus as they ran out of what would be a slow death. Much to Tobi's relief, the mother of the little girl grabbed her daughter and was the first out the door. With the tornado less than 6 miles away, the group had a hard time keeping their feet as they made their way across the street. Before she left, Tobi had the sneaking suspicion she was forgetting something. Looking at the front of the bus, she saw Thadeus still unconscious in the isle of the bus.

To his surprise, Thadeus felt himself being lifted up by his arm. The daze clearing from his eyes, Thadeus found it was actually Tobi who was dragging him out of the bus. Apparently she thought he was okay because she pushed him down the stairs.

"Move fatty!" She screamed, the wind stealing her words, "I didn't know a rich kid like you would be so heavy." She pushed him forward again, keeping him on his feet.

Realizing the Innocents were still shuffling towards the storm drain, Thadeus started to run, making sure they were going in the right side. Next to him, Tobi kept pace, even though the wind was tearing at her clothes and pushing her this way and that. Behind them, the sound of wood splitting made them stop in their tracks and turn.

"Oh. My. God!" Tobi shouted, drawing Thadeus' attention away from the huge twister headed straight for them and to the little girl who had escaped her mother's grasp was running back for the bus.

The pole that had just split from its base was on a straight course for the girl. Before Tobi knew what she was doing, she flung her arms out. Just like the ball when she had been younger, the little girl was lifted into the air. Instead of floating gently over to Tobi, the girl was like a bullet coming towards them. Just as the girl landed in Tobi's arms the electricity pole crashed into the bus, sending it flying across the empty grassland.

This time Thadeus shouted for Tobi to move. Not letting him have to tell her twice, Tobi took off full speed towards the storm drain. Rocks lodged themselves in her shoes as she ran as best she could across the road. Suddenly, she was weightless, running as if she was made of nothing. Thadeus couldn't believe it. It had taken Theresa years to learn how to levitate and Tobi had learned it in a few short minutes of discovering her powers. Metal scraping against metal made him turn again. Nearly unbearable pain rocked his body. This time, he hadn't been able to duck.

Mindy, she had learned the girl's name was, started to scream and cry. Not looking back, Tobi figured it was tornado that was scaring her. But then she heard, through all the noise of the wind rushing past, the dull thud Thadeus made as the bus smacked into his body. She stopped mid-step as the bus bounced over her and Mindy.

She was less than a quarter of the way to the storm drain but the sight of Thadeus lying in the street made her heart stop as well. Blood started to pool around his body but was soon picked up by the wind as if someone had spit into the wind. Worse, Mindy was suddenly ripped out of her arms. At first she thought the wind had taken her away, but saw that Mindy's mother had grabbed her from Tobi. The pair was now safely deep in the storm drain with the rest of the future survivors.

Looking back at Thadeus' body the thought crossed her mind to drag his body into the drain. She only knew him mere minutes but she knew he was more than just some rich kid taking the bus. He couldn't be older than she was and had equally risked his life to save 9 strangers. The worst decision of her life stared Tobi in the face; run to the storm drain and hopefully live, or grab a hero's body, drag him to the storm drain, and hopefully not die as well on her way there. Reality started to sink into her bones, the adrenaline high wearing off slightly.

Incredibly fast wind pushed her toward the road, and towards the tornado that was practically on top of her. Before Tobi could decide, she felt the same weightless feeling, but this was not of her control. The ground started to shrink below her as the 50 mile an hour winds picked her up into the air. At first, she tried to fight it by grabbing onto the top of one of the only telephone poles still intact. Rocks struck her knuckles, tearing her skin, and forcing her to lose her grip. She wanted to scream, even tried to, but the air was forced out of her lungs.

The worst part was the spinning. Her body was thrown this way and that, with no rhyme or reason as to why. From nowhere a road sign was flung at her but she managed to dodge it by twisting her body. Just as she twisted, a branch slapped her across the face, sending her in a different direction. Panic set in her body when she looked down and saw the storm drain starting to be pulled from its place.

"No!" She screamed and something snapped

Seizing the wind around her she forced it to make her stop spinning. Power surged through her veins. Deep down in her soul she knew the wind was hers to control. Peace trickled into her mind. Even while she was in the middle of a tornado that Montana air still felt crisp. Tobi soaked it in, feeling its power slid over her skin. The wind wasn't a willing participant, it still raged out of control around her. A skin colored blur raced passed on the outside of her control. Holding out her hand, she willed the wind to stop giving her only glimpse of the figure.

Pain started to replace the peace as the body of Thadeus stopped racing past. Behind him, Powderville shone in the distance. Mother… Tobi thought, realizing that this violence was aiming for her. Summoning more wind, she pushed in the opposite direction of her mother's new home. The wind refused, pushing back just as hard. Something warm and wet started to trickle down Tobi's lips as she pushed back harder and she tasted blood. With every mile she moved the twister it moved two more forward, as if an outside force was fighting against Tobi, not just the wind it's self. Looking behind her, Powderville loomed ever closer. Fear fueled her pushing. A voice suddenly whispered in her ear, like the passing of a feather.

"Let go of your thoughts…" It was female, someone Tobi didn't recognize, "You will not be able to control the wind unless you are calm…"

The voice was soothing as it repeated the message, making it easier to believe. She let the outside wind take Thadeus, instead focusing on breathing. As she calmed, the wind began to lessen, however she was taken higher in the sky. Before she realized it, she was high above the clouds, the tornado a distant memory, before a fog started to roll in around her.

"Do not panic Tabitha… I am here to help." The voice spoke again, just as soothing.

"Who are you?" She called out to the voice that had spoken to her.

"I am your new mentor." The voice said and a figure appeared from the fog. She was tall with long dark hair and green eyes that didn't match her voice, "My name is Mrs. Theresa Beauregard. And you, my dear Tabitha Williams, are the new Air Elemental."

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I know it's taken forever but here is Chapter One! I'm sorry for any errors such as spelling or grammer but I seriously finished this at 4 in the mornng, close to five (the life of a writer, can't sleep if you have a good story in your head lol). Anyway, I would love critiques for this story, I want this to be the one I finally finish lol anyway please R&R THANK YOU!