As his hand pressed against my head, I closed my eyes.
I pictured my mother, young and strong. I was six years old and frustrated. Balling my fists, I punched the stone wall of the kitchen.
I felt exhilerating energy, and a part of me I hadn't known took over. Without thinking, I ripped a chunk of the wall out.
Astonished, I looked over at my mother, who was beaming with pride.
"You're an earthbender, Lin."
My mind flashed to another time. I was twelve years old, in the courtyard of my childhood home, and my mother had placed a metal block in front of me.
"Lin, you can do it." Her words her hard, but encouraging.
I went at the block with all of my might, but nothing happened.
Nothing at all.
I tried time and time again, but I couldn't do it.
My eyes were stinging, but I wouldn't let a tear through. I had to be strong.
My mother sighed and shook her hand. "Lin, you have it in you. You just aren't opening up to it." And with that, she walked off, the clank of her metal shoes leading into the house.
My mind flashed again, it was two weeks later.
I was in the kitchen setting the table for tea, when a large crash shook my home to its foundation. I heard my mothers screams and dropped everything and ran to where they were coming from. I went as fast as I could, down the hallway and onto what was left of the top floor.
The metal roof had collapsed, and was twisted and bent over my mother.
"Mom! Mom, are you okay?" I yelled when I saw her trapped underneath.
The only sound that escaped her lips were muffled cries for help.
She would never cry for help. Which meant she must be badly hurt.
Her limbs were twisted and tears streamed down my face.
"Mother! I'm going to get you out of this!" I yelled.
I thought back on everything she had ever taught me, and put it to great use.
I desperately clawed at the metal, but it wouldn't budge.
I can do this.
I placed my hands on the metal, this time I felt it. And I became part of it.
I breathed a slow, faint breath, and pulled at the metal.
It began to give way under my grip, and I tore it slowly to the side. I did that with every slab of metal covering my mother until she was free.
Another flash, and I was in my mother's arms, embracing her before she went on a dangerous mission, knowing she may not return. I was much older then.
"Lin, I love you. Don't ever let anyone change you. You know who you are. Never forget who you are."
I snapped back to the present.
Devastation.
It was like my soul had been ripped out of me.
Mother, I'm so sorry. This change was inevitable.
I let out a cry of defeat, and lay on the wet ground, motionless.
Who am I now? I have lost my identity. I have lost everything I had.
I have lost my connection to my mother.
Tears streamed down my face as I lay still in a fetal position, broken.