The Secrets of the Elements

Planning and Plotting

Maya entered the library carrying a sling bag with her. "I'm sorry, bags are not allowed inside," said Rutuja politely. "Oh, I'll keep it here then," said Maya and kept her bag on the desk near the entrance of the library. Maya glanced at her friends and then at the staircase leading to the second floor. 

"Didn't know the library has two floors," she said more to herself than to Rutuja. "That's close," said Rutuja and pursed her thin lips. She tied her long hair into a high bun and fanned herself. "May I ask why?" questioned Maya. "Maintenance," said Rutuja and dug her head into the desktop kept on the desk.

Have to break in here too, Maya thought and headed towards the Occult section.

                                                                        ~~~~~

"I can take care of myself," said Rutuja and turned to face the mirror. She brushed her long black hair and braided them. 

Rutuja was fair, had an average height, and had brown eyes. 

"I'm just saying you need to be careful with the werewolves," said Daksh and crossed his arms.

I'm trained, Daksh," she said and turned to face him crossing her arms. "So am I, Rutu," he said, leaning towards her. Rutuja slightly pushed him back with her hand. "You, Mister, are crossing your limits."

"Master Daksh," said Dai Ma as she stepped in Rutuja's room.

"I came to see if Rutu... I mean if Rutuja was fine. Dad told me about the werewolves attack," he said.

"The evil master of the werewolves, Azazel, knows about the book," Dai Ma revealed. 

Rutuja walked up to Dai Ma and held her hand. "Do they know where the book is?" she asked, concerned. "Fortunately, no," answered Dai Ma. 

"But they don't know about-" Daksh stopped mid-sentence. Rutuja and Dai Ma glanced at him. "I don't think they have any idea about the five elements enclosed in the book," he covered up. 

"We don't know what they know about the book," began Dai Ma. "Azazel knows that the book is the key to incredible powers."

"So he's behind it now," added Rutuja.

"We should stay alert and find the book as soon as possible," said Dai Ma and left the room.

                                                                                ~~~~~~

"We should sneak there, like how did in case of the temple," said Maya and sipped the green tea. "Bad idea," opposed Advika and took a bite of the burger. 

"The pictures I took didn't help much," said Ray and stuffed some fries in his mouth.

"I agree that we shouldn't trespass the library's second floor," said Tej. "But it's locked for a reason, and that girl was lying, it is not locked for maintenance."

"Sorry, I'm late," said Zarna as she sat on the chair next to Advika.

They were sitting in their favorite cafe, The Coffee House.

"Where have you been?" asked Ray. 

"Oh, college project, plus had some work pending," said Zarna and took a sip of the hot coffee. "How's the internship going?" asked Advika and checked her phone. "Great! I've learned a lot about Law," replied Zarna. 

"Well guys, I think we should go once again to the temple," said Tej. "But this time, with a foolproof plan," said Advika and sipped her cold coffee. "How do we sneak in?" wondered Ray. "Not from the front gate this time," said Maya and gulped the green tea. 

"I agree," said Tej. 

"I think we should go in the daylight, and hide till it is dark and the old man leaves," suggested Zarna. 

"Or," said Maya. "Pretend to leave, but stay inside until its night," said Maya.

"Of course, the caretaker, as in the old man will welcome us with open arms," said Advika, her eyes glued to the phone. "Whom are you talking to?" asked Tej irritated. "My boss, she wants the articles by next week," replied Advika. 

"Oh ya, you're interning with Devanshi Sinha, the best-selling author, right?" asked Zarna. Advika nodded her head in a yes and smiled. "Advika is going to be the next star author," said Ray. Tej smiled, "absolutely," he said.

"Coming back to the topic, we need to get in somehow, into the temple or library," said Maya playing with the fries kept in the tray. 

"I think we should first go to the library," said Tej. "I agree," said Ray. "Ray," said Maya, "we need to go to the second floor, will require your expertise."

"Of course, I'll unlock the door somehow, but Advika, you'll have to take the lead with the books," said Ray and sipped his coke. "Yes, we're good with books," added Zarna. "Sure," said Advika and sipped her cold coffee.

Maya hid her face with her hair and looked to her right. "What's the matter?" asked Tej. "To the left," she whispered. "s**t!" said Ray and hide his face with his hands. "Act normal guys," muttered Advika and put her face in the menu card. Tej turned his chair towards Zarna. Zarna turned to face Advika, who pretended to read the menu card.

"Thank you," said the girl sitting on the table opposite to theirs. The waiter placed a tray which had two cups of cold coffee and two burgers.

"What is she doing here?" wondered Maya. "What did she say was her name?" quizzed Ray. "That's not important," said Advika. "We need to get out of here asap."

Maya quietly picked her sling bag and walked towards the stairs, which lead to the entrance of the cafe. The others quickly gathered their belongings and sped downstairs.

"Sorry," said Tej as he bumped into a boy. Maya glanced at him and ran towards the gate. The others followed.

"Careful you-" said the boy, but Tej was long gone.