The Elements Series

“Look, obviously you know the limitation to my ability else you wouldn't be putting on such a show,” the boy said. “What do you mean?” I mumbled through my hand, acting innocently. “You have been following me for weeks now; do you think I haven't noticed?” He had me there. Almost a year ago I had worked for Trendsetter magazine as a reporter for the entertainment column. After five years of service I was laid off, due to the CEO's son disapproving of my picture -perfect views on the dynamic duo Reagane and Reanae; Oracle City's famous socialites and heirs to the seemingly endless De Ja fortune. When I left, I was forced into writing investigative pieces. The Elements, a group of teenagers that exhibited supernatural abilities and prevented my city from being terrorized by crime, were my one true interest. Ever since they were first publicized, at an unveiling at the Oracle City Museum, I had been obsessed with them. Their lives had completely consumed me but they were very rarely documented and their security was too intense, so I gave up on my dream to document the true lives of these real -life superheroes. Just as I had given up all hope, the Elements' identities were made public. Once I discovered that Reagane and Reanae lead the Elements I had to know more. Over my time at Trendsetter I was in awe of the duo and how much power they had, despite their wealth, at such a young age. I tried several times to interview Reanae but unfortunately she was harder to get to than the Pope. She was rarely caught in the spotlight anymore. Her main focus was finding her cousin. After a few months of false leads and dead ends I discovered Reagane at a motel. I tried keeping my distance as much as possible, even losing him several times, before today I found him in this diner. This was my first real chance to approach him and I had to take it. “Well if it's your only chance you better make it count,” Reagane said, blankly staring at me with a bemused expression on his face. This was so out of character for him, and I needed to know why. “It is such an honor to meet you Reagane,” I said, shaking his hand with, likely, too much enthusiasm. “Reagan is fine,” he corrected. “I don't really fit the `Reagane' profile anymore.” He was right - he didn't fit the Reagane profile at all. Though Reagan had, once again, colored his hair, given up on his appearance and seemingly lost all drive, he was the same guy I had studied for years. His eyes seemingly told a million stories of what he had been through, like looking through the eyes of an old war veteran. The only difference being that Reagan was still a teenager. “Can you stop with the inner monologues, please?” He said, blinking slowly at me, likely having read my thoughts. “Are you writing a story in your head or something?” “Well, I'm not sure how well aware of my intentions you are,” I began. “I think it's safe to say I am fully aware Mr. Pearson.” Wow, he knows my name, I thought. He rolled his eyes as I had that thought. “Look, you want a biography of my life and in return you really have nothing to offer, correct?” He said, pointing out the sad reality. “Full creative ownership and half the profits?” I suggested. “If you know who I am, then you know money has no interest for me.” “Look, all I want to do is know about you, ask you some questions and learn about what it has been like for you growing up in a small town, losing your parents, becoming the leader of the Elements and a world -renown celebrity before sitting with me in a diner, off an abandoned highway wearing sweat pants and the feature of a world -wide missing persons alert.” “That's a lot to ask for and a lot to cover,” he answered, nonplussed. Months had passed by and no one had heard a word from him, and yet here he sat seemingly unbothered by the mass manhunt issued to find him. Though there were countless rumors, as to his whereabouts and why he left in the first place, nothing had been publicized. I wanted to be the one to break this story wide open. Not that I believed he owed me anything, however writing about the one person I had been idolizing for the past couple of years would have been the biggest favor he could ever give me. The fact that it would bring my career back to its former glory would be icing on the cake. This was my one and only chance. “We both seemingly have all the time in the world,” I said, trying not to sound desperate but at the same time pleading that he did this for me. He pondered on that statement for a few moments and I thought I had lost him. I didn't know what more I could do to persuade him so I simply kept my fingers and toes crossed as he continued to play with the pie in front of him. It was as if hours were going by, waiting for the response. “Okay, where would you like me to start?” I couldn't believe my ears. “Whenever you would like,” I replied nonchalantly. He paused once more, inhaling a deep breath. “My life was pretty basic, growing up in a small town in the middle of nowhere,” he said matter -of -factly. “Nobody knew who my Grandfather was and nobody knew who I was. I liked it that way. The days dragged on, but it was the only life I had known, so I didn't mind. I suppose my life didn't really kick into overdrive until my parents passed away…”