Avatar Of Water

Chapter Four

Emiko's Choice

"It's a nice night huh?" Said Selené tugging her red leather jacket tightly around her shoulders. Beside her Emiko nodded fixing her eyes on the stars that twinkled above them. It wasn't often that the sky above them was clear. Usually it hung with thick dark rainclouds but tonight the heavens were on display each star glittering like a diamond framed by the large pearly coloured full moon. Emiko's lips formed a half smile as she watched her breath condensate into mist before her eyes.

The street they were walking down was deserted. Traffic and noises of car could be heard from the top were the street split on to the towns main road. Orange beams from the street lights illuminated Emiko's and Selené's faces as they stepped in and out of their light. Around them cars were parked and a slight hum of chatter could be heard from the houses on either side however the steady beat of newly singles high heels made a rhythmical clomping sound. Emiko tore her gaze away from the stars as she nearly tripped up on a stray pebble causing Selené to smirk.

"Be careful unless you want a full picturesque view of the pavement," Warned Selené playfully. Emiko glared slightly but didn't have the heart to stay annoyed. After-all her friend had just dumped her boyfriend over her. Although Emiko didn't feel that guilty but was in fact touched by the act of loyalty she still felt grateful.

"I'm going to phone my mum...I'll tell her I'm staying over at your house so she doesn't get worried or mad. What about you? What time are you expected home?" Asked Emiko rummaging for her mobile phone out of the contents of her handbag. She clicked on to the menu and her heart jolted. It was half past midnight...but at least her mother wouldn't be too mad. Emiko supposed her mother might not even have noticed the time if she was curled up on the couch watching an old romantic movie.

"Hey mum?" Inquired Emiko after the dialling tone had rang for a few seconds.

"Emiko! Where are you? I phoned your mobile three times!" Snapped Maia Brown. Emiko could hear the mixture of relief and frustration in her mothers voice and a part of her mind nagged with guilt but she pushed it aside. Knowing her mother she knew that given five minutes to vent her rage she would calm down.

"I'm sorry mum but I was having a shower. I sort of staying over at Sel's tonight," Said Emiko apologetically.

"You should have phoned me. I was worried..." Reprimand Maia and after a few lengthily pauses she spoke again in a calmer more down to earth tone, "Are you sure thats alright with Selené's mother? You don't have any pyjamas with you."

"It's fine...I'm borrowing some off Sel," Lied Emiko in a reassuring tone.

"Well thats alright...I suppose but that still doesn't excuse you not phoning. I'm not happy Emiko..." Warned Maia. Emiko felt slightly relieved. At least her mother was starting to give in.

"The truth is mum," At this point Emiko hushed her voice slightly, "Selené broke up with her boyfriend...I was sort of preoccupied with that. She was a bit upset...you do understand don't you? I'm sorry I didn't phone but I was talking to Sel...you know to reassure her."

"Oh right," Maia's voice brightened up slightly as it dawned with comprehension, "That's okay. Is she alright? How did that happen?"

"He was being a jerk and he deserved it. Listen I've got to go now because Dom might hear us. I'll tell you everything in the morning," Said Emiko.

"Alright...love you.

"Love you mum. Bye."

Emiko hung up shoving her phone back into her clutch bag as Selené faced her raising an eyebrow archly. Emiko grinned sheepishly. She knew that lying to her mother was wrong but it was sort of thrilling to be able to manipulate people so well. On the other hand her conscience would probably get the better of her like it always did and she'd confess all. Selené clicked her tongue as a roguish smile lit up on her face.

"You little liar. Emiko Kaia Brown...lying to her mother. I suppose I'm supposed to be sobbing into a hanky right now about Luke?" Suggested Selené in a sarcastic voice as the duo approached the main road. Despite the time there was a steady flow of traffic ranging from lorries to boy racers driving by with their windows down and dance music blaring. Automatically Selené grabbed Emiko's wrist as the two crossed the road.

"I'm fifteen. I can cross a road," Said Emiko reapproachfully as she rubbed the large red mark from Selené tight grip. The former french girl ignored as she always did on such occasions but instead looked thoughtfully from closed shops on her right and the street that lead through the quiet area to more housing estates to her left to the streets that lead past the clubs and pubs of the small town.

"What time where you meant to be in for anyway?" Continued Emiko looked concerned. She didn't want to arrive on the Lucién's doorstep to an angry raving Fleur Lucién. Although Selené would probably wrangle her way out of trouble by pretending to sob on her mothers shoulder about Luke. All the same though, suppose Fleur happened to meet her mother in the supermarket...

"Midnight...I'm slightly late but Mum and Dad won't mind," Said Selené absently, "It's a twenty minute walk that way...if we cut through Crimson Estate we could make it home for twenty to one and save ten minutes." Emiko shook her head straight away. Every single town or city had their rough area's. Crimson Estate was renown for having youths that chucked bricks at cars and who spent their spare time either drinking, smoking, or injecting heroin. It would probably be fairly quiet because the pubs hadn't emptied yet but still it was the area of town her mother would warn her against.

"No way Sel, we'd probably get mugged or something and who knows. Maybe they can use heroin needles as projectile weapons," Joked Emiko. Selené rolled her eyes.

"Pub closing times aren't til half two...anyway we're together. We both have mobiles and any mugger would have to get through yours truly first if they wanted to mug us. Anyway aside from our mobiles we don't exactly have much worth stealing." Pointed out Selené confidently. Emiko stood firm and shook her head. 'Goody goody,' A part of her was berating her for being so goody, goody and boring but still nothing would tempt Emiko down that Estate.

"C'mon Em. Stop being such a wimp," Huffed Selené impatiently as she tapped her heels on the pavement. Emiko shook her head and Selené raised an eyebrow again fixing Emiko with a piercing look from her deep blue eyes, "You owe me Emiko. I dumped a boyfriend for you tonight.

Emiko felt her insides wrench. The last comment had hurt causing a mixture of hurt and anger. 'I never asked Selené to dump him...if he means so much maybe she should just go back to him. She turned her face away trying to digest them, "If he means so much go back to him then," She said bitterly.

"Em..I was only joking. Calm down...," Apologised Selené placing a hand on Emiko's shoulders, "Look all I'm saying is that it would be much quicker. It's getting cold and your not the one wearing a mini-skirt. I just want to get home...being out here is giving me the creeps," Admitted Selené. Emiko sighed. The icy breeze was beginning to nip her skin and the sooner they got home...'On the other hand short cuts make long delays...'

"Fine..." Grumbled Emiko eventually. Selené brightened up instantly at the prospect of getting out of the dark. She grinned and grabbed Emiko's wrist again and Emiko let a grudging smile slip. Somehow it hard to stay angry around Sel for long. She had a way of cheering people.

"Knew you'd see it my way!" She trilled. Emiko rolled her eyes as they walked off to the left path.

"I'm only coming to keep you out of trouble," Said Emiko.

Five minutes later and Emiko's opinion hadn't changed although her stomach was flipping with a nervous sort of thrill as she walked arm in arm with Selené down the long street named Bakers Lane which contrary to it's name was filled with restaurants of Chinese, Indian and Italian origin along with take-away shops. Music flooded in from the pubs which included ranges from disco to slurring karaoke. Various groups of youths moved around from club to club some from as young as thirteen dolled up with heavy make-up. Thankfully Emiko and Selené passed unnoticed apart from a few cat-calls from a group of boys heading into the take-away to get chips.

"It's too bad we don't have any money. I could murder some chips and cheese," Complained Selené as they walked past a chip shop inhaling the warm scent of cooking chips. Emiko nodded inhaling the intoxicating scent. Her stomach gurgled hopefully but they continued walking.

"It's clouding over," Commented Emiko pointing the cloudy sky to the west of them, "It looks like it's going to rain," She said disappointedly.

"We'd better make it in before it comes! I'm not getting soaked with this brand new top on!" Growled Selené determinedly as she trotted faster. Emiko followed tossing her curly hair out of her eyes. The prospect of getting soaked while not wearing a jacket was not inviting. It was pity though...it had looked like such a nice evening even if it was slightly cold. Finally Selené slowed down her pace leaving the busy street behind as they turned on to Andrews Way which was a smaller street with a vet clinic and a few houses. Emiko suppressed a tired yawn.

"I'm getting sleepy..." She murmured.

"Yeah. You me both, your butt better not take up half the bed," Said Selené cheekily causing Emiko to smack her on the arm.

"Ow...that hurt!"

"Good." Said Emiko unsympathetically.

After a few minutes Selené spoke again.

"Look...theres an alley over there. Why don't we cut through it...it leads on to Archers Lane which is right around the corner from my house," Said Selené excitedly pointing to the dark, narrow street in between the vets clinic and somebodys house. Emiko eyed it skeptically and uneasily. It would save cutting through Crimson Estate but on the other hand the idea of going down a dank grimy alley was not appealling. She wasn't afraid of dark...just what lurked in it.

"I'm not sure..." Confessed Emiko doubtfully.

"Neither am I..." Whispered Selené shivering slightly. Emiko gave her friends hand a quick squease. She knew Selené despised and loathed the dark. Right now her mind was probably doing battle on which was worse. Going in the dark or getting soaked in a brand new top.

"Crimson Estate wouldn't be that great either though..." Murmured Emiko aloud. She stood watching the alley for a few moments. Maybe she was being paranoid. It wasn't like the mad axe man was waiting for her there...but on the other hand a violent drunk might be. Then again lots of violent drunks lurked down Crimson Estate and if it got them home quicker. She bit her lip thoughtfully feeling uncertain of the next coarse of action. Finally the temptation of a warm bed and soft pillows was too much.

"We'll cut through...It'll only take a few minutes...thats if you want to. It's up to you." Said Emiko finally.

"Your right...better to get home quick." Agreed Selené.

Both of them darted across the quiet road and entered the alley. Selené took out her mobile from her pocket allowing the small pale stream of blue light to illuminate their surroundings. The alley walls were made of orange brick covered with multi-coloured graffiti. A few gates lead off into gardens and there were a few dustbins. The two walked speedily unwilling to remain any longer than necessary.

Emiko yawned loudly.

"Don't do that...you know those things are," Selené was cut off as she yawned too.

"Contagious?" Suggested Emiko playfully.

"Yeah..." Mumbled Sel tiredly as her blue eyes gazed at the walls with vague interest. Emiko smiled and shook her head continuing onwards a few paces before she turned around. Selené had halted to examine some interesting piece of graffiti on the walls.

"Come on Sel..." Moaned Emiko.

"Look. It says here that-"

What the graffiti said Emiko never found out because at that moment something sailed towards Selené's arm. Selené jerked in surprise and darted aside as an object that looked like earth formulated into a fist smashed into the wall. Emiko's heart began to pound as her stomach began to do back-flips. Selené looked up in surprise but barely had time to recover and another sailed towards her. She ducked and let out a strangled cry.

"Run! Sel!" Shouted Emiko in distress and shock. Selené didn't need told twice as she leaped away from the walls and ran up to her friend.

"What the hell was that?!" She asked in a weak voice.

"No...No idea..." Emiko could feel her stomach churning and nerve bubbling away. Her heart was hammering in her ears and instinct was yelling at her to run. She swallowed anxiously and finally her legs began to move. She could feel Selené grab on to her wrist as her heels bounced off the pavement. Emiko allowed her friend to lead her as Selené was the faster of the two. She had no idea what the thing was but she knew straightaway that she didn't want it coming near her.

"I-I can't keep up!" Panted Emiko releasing her grip on her friends wrist as she doubled over trying to inhale some air. They'd ran got two minutes solid but Emiko could feel her sides aching in protest and her throat burning. She wanted to run...she badly wanted to be able to sprint away but something inside of her was jamming her legs to a halt stopping her from running. Selené had raced ahead a few metres before she realised that Emiko wasn't beside her she stopped.

"Emiko! This isn't the time for a break!" She yelled.

"I-I can't...move..." Said Emiko in a frightened voice. Her heart was beating to fast. It felt like it was going to leap out of her chest. She couldn't inhale properly. What was wrong with her? She wasn't asthmatic...why couldn't she run? She felt something grab onto her leg. She tumbled loosing her footing as she crashed painfully to the ground. She groaned feeling a thumping pain shoot up her right leg. Something had a strong grip on her ankle and it was pinning her leg to the ground. She looked up watching as Selené's mouth widened into an almost comical O but then an instant later something shot over the top of Emiko's head and grabbed on to Selené's wrist. Selené cried out in surprise as it moved slamming her arm into the wall cementing it there.

'What the hell is going on...' Emiko struggled violently against the grip. The more she panicked and struggled the stronger the grip became cutting off her blood circulation in that leg. She felt something similar happen to her wrist until she was kneeling with one ankle stuck to the ground and a wrist stuck to the ground. She looked up to see beads of sweat trickling down Selené's face as two dirty brown things had pinned her wrists to the wall. Her legs, however where kicking out against as hard as possible.

"Now, now. Don't struggle or you'll make the pain even worse," The voice was smooth and soft and male. It sent shivers down Emiko's spine and was not comforting. Millions of possible theories drummed through her head. Emiko lost herself in them. She wasn't there...she couldn't be on the ground. It happened in stories...yes. This was a story...and the person talking was the villain. Nothing bad would happen...if something bad was going to happen Emiko would know. Surely she'd know deep inside if...if something wrong and bad was going to happen. Wouldn't she? She tried clinging to that illusion because the alternative was admitting defeat.

Finally four figures came into her line of view. It was difficult to determine their gender as they all wore identical sweeping robes of black. Their hoods were drawn and their faces were shadowed giving them the look of four Grim Reapers. One stood out from the others and the other three flanked him. The one on the fore-front was holding a wooden box.

"Wh-What do you want?!" Cried Selené in despair and panic.

"Oh...I only want your assistance in a small task. It won't take long," Said the same silky voice. The fore-front one drew back his hood to reveal a pale face and a bald head that gleamed. He had a thin black moustache and his pale green eyes were looking between Selené and Emiko with a hungry expression. His lips curved into a leer.

"L-Let us go...please..." Begged Emiko eyeing the box. What if there was a gun concealed in it. Was this it...was she going to be shot? Was her life going to end bleeding to death in some alley. 'No...it can't end this way. I'm not going to die...' A part of her wanted to beg these people...she'd do anything if she and Selené were allowed to live. She didn't want to die...she wasn't sure what came after death...she was too young. This sort of thing happened on the news. Not to her.

"Oh I'll let you go...I just need something from you first..." Said the man. He snapped his fingers and a black robed figure behind him snapped to attention.

"Captain?"

The voice was female this time.

"Ah Yumi...I'll give you the honour of picking. Which one do you think it is?" Said the man. The female pulled down her hood. This time it was a tanned face with dark brown hair woven into two braids. Her blue eyes darted from Emiko who was lying shaking on the ground to Selené who had tears streaming down her face and was still struggling.

"I think...that one," Said Yumi pointing to Selené, "She looks more Water Tribe..."

Emiko's chest was heaving up and down. She wanted to be sick...she felt physically ill. At least it looked like she was going to live but at the price of seeing Selené die? She watched the sweat pour off her friends frightened and terrified face. 'What do I do...I can't sit here and watch...I can't...' She felt a lump rise in her throat but at the same time the words Water Tribe where troubling her. Was it a code name for something?

"S-Selené!" Cried Emiko desperately, "Please...leave us alone!" She pleaded again.

"Oh don't worry girl. If she fails your next," Said the man coolly stepping towards Selené. The french girl kicked more hurriedly almost hitting the Captain in the groin. However Emiko watching in fascination as the man made a punching movement and more fists of earth bound her feet. 'How is he doing that...'

Emiko could only watch as the man slid the lid off the box. She winced expecting a mask of horror to appear on her friends face at whatever was hidden in the box. Instead Selené's facial expression turned to one of complete confusion. Emiko couldn't see the contents of the box but clearly it was frightening.

"What...a-are you mad?" Gasped Selené in a chocked voice, "Are you completely insane?"

"No my dear. I assure you I am as sane as the next man. Now pick one," Said the Captain impatiently. An increduloud look appeared on Selené's face. It was as though the man had asked her to go and kiss a frog. Selené looked torn between terror and amusement.

"Y-You want me to pick one? You're...barking...mad..." She spat. Emiko watched with curiosity. What was in the box? She felt some strain of relief that at least it wasn't a gun or a knife. On the other hand whatever it was it was proving these people were mentally unstable. Her mind was still wondering to the Earth Fist...how had he managed to do that? She'd read enough books to know that, that sort of thing belonged in the Harry Potter books or something of that cred.

"Hurry up girl!" Barked the Captain restlessly. Finally Selené gulped and nodded her head towards some out of sight object.

"That one. The blue dragonfly..."Murmured Selené. The Captain picked up a small blue-purple object and held it up for his comrades to see. A wheezy voice spoke.

"That is incorrect...it's not her," Wheezed a hooded figure. A smirked appeared on the Captains face as he turned his attention towards Emiko. Emiko could feel herself trembling. It was her now...apparently they needed her. She didn't know what for but four mentally psycho individuals thought she was something. Her body began to tremble and she wished fevrently that she was anywhere else but there. She shut her eyes and gasped for air. She could hear footsteps getting closer. 'Please...let them be wrong...' She prayed silently to whatever God was listening.

"Pick."

The voice was inches away from her face. She could feel his hot breath.

She cracked open her eyes and went numb in shock.

A box...of toys?

'Selené is right...these people are nutters. Insane. Mad. Crazy.' Even in her delicate position she could see the hilarity of the situation. They'd been attacked to identify toys? It was completely ridiculous. Was Toys R Us going bust or were these guys hoping to open up their own emporium? It was insane...yet all the same she wasn't in a position to argue. When a gang of insane psychopaths leer over you pointing out that they were mentally unstable was not the brightest thing to do.

"T-Toys? Your nuts," Blurted out Emiko unable to help herself.

"Look we'll make this nice and simple. Pick a toy or watch your friend get buried alive," Taunted the leader. Emiko met his greeen eyes and knew he was serious. She had no doubt he would be able to carry out such a threat. She glanced at Selené who nodded. Emiko tentatively lifted her right wrist and eyed the toys. Which one was the right one to pick? If she picked the correct one then they would need her. If she didn't Selené and her would become expendable. But what if she picked correct and they killed her because she picked correct? Either way she was dead because she was betting this man wasn't going to let her go prancing off home.

"L-Look...I'll choose...if you promise to let us go..." Stammered Emiko. The man gave out a barking laugh.

"Your in no position to bargain."

"I-I won't choose then...either swear...or I won't choose..." Gulped Emiko amazed at what she was saying. Some part of her that was detached from the situation was astonished at her naivety. They wouldn't keep their promise. She'd be better at least bargaining for Selené's freedom.

"Very clever," Drawled Yumi, "However if you don't choose we kill your friend."

Emiko reached out a shaking hand and looked at the assortment of toys. All were extremely worn and some had chiped paint. She looked and finally a small model turtle caught her eye. It reminded her of the cuddly toy turtle at the Hospital when she was little. When she was five she'd had to go into to get grommets inserted into her ears...she remembered having to spend the whole day on the children's ward and there had been a stuffed turtle that she'd taken an attachment to. When she was little she used to collect stuffed toys...even at the school fate there had been a teddy with only one leg. She'd got it at a reduced price because the girl at the stall said he was broke...and she'd bought him because no one else would. Anyway she'd had to leave the turtle behind...she remembered throwing a tantrum because she wanted it...she'd even called it Ernie.

Why was she remembering being five again at such a time? It was pointless...however she automatically picked up the model turtle. The man seized it from her and held it up. Emiko awaited the wheezing voice's verdict. Instead the robed figure jerked it's head. This time the man looked at Emiko like a fox would look at a particularly juicy plump hare.

"Pick another." He commanded.

Emiko moved her shaking hands until they finally grabbed a toy with a propeller and held it up almost activating the propellar in the process due to how bad she was shaking. The man wore a triumphant smirk and instantly she felt her binding fall loose. Nearby she heard Selené moan she stumbled to her feet her legs wobblying like jelly until she fell into a heap and attempted to struggle to her feet. Emiko rubbed her ankle not knowing if she should feel relieved or even more scared.

"Stand!" Snapped the Captain.

Emiko stood shakily to her feet wobbling for a few moments before standing firmly. Yumi and the Captain drew up their hoods and stood back amongst their fellows.

"What is your name."

"E-Emiko...Emiko Kaia Brown," Stammered Emiko.

"Very nice. Well Emiko Kaia Brown we've been searching for you for a very, very long time. However this just goes to prove that no-one can escape the Order," Said the Captain smoothly. Emiko stared around her nervously backing herself towards Selené. She could feel her blood running cold at the tone of voice and her heart was hammering at her chest.

"Not even the Avatar," Said the Captain. Emiko watched in horror as the two members behind him and Yumi raised their fists in identical sweeping motions.

The next thing Emiko saw made her heart stop beating.

Fire.

Swirls and lasso's of burning flames were rocketing toward Emiko. She stood as her heart stopped beating and watched helplessly. Every single fibre of her being was now crying and yelling for help. A blood curdling scream filled the alley as the flames shot towards their target. Fear...it was racing through her. She wanted to run so fast and far to escape the flames. Any death was better...any fate was better. Not fire.

She shut her eyes.

Everything went dark.

I watched the finale tonight and it inspired me to keep writing this. I'll update tomorrow but right now it's half one in the morning here and if my parents know I'm up then I'm dead. The finale was amazing although I wish it explained what happened to Ursa and the Gang later on...anyway reviews are appreciated as always.