Chapter Four:
Lone Cries
The next few days seem colder-even for mid-summer. I stood out on the bow at dawn the next morning. The mist of ocean blew up on my face, dampening it. I stared absentmindedly into the dimly lit sky. I thought about what she had said, and what had happened in my life. What was I supposed to do? Capture the Avatar and let my father win? Or leave the Avatar and be lost for the rest of my life? I wish I could go back…to before everything happened…to before I was banished…before he killed them…before he killed Avalar…
"Is everything okay, Prince Zuko? You seem kind of distracted," Uncle said from behind me. By this time, the sun had risen. My guess was it was eleven or noon or so.
"What should I do Uncle?" I asked. He gave a mere confused look. "Should I capture the Avatar? I don't want him to win, Uncle. But if I leave the Avatar then…I'll be here for the rest of my life. What do I do, Uncle? I'm so lost…"
"Do what you think is right, Zuko. I can't tell you what to do. You can only tell yourself what to do," he replied, putting a hand on my shoulder.
How was I supposed to know what to do? Soon enough, I heard my Uncle walk below. I thought for hours more, just watching the sky. I slowly began to remember some of the things that I had done in my life.
--Flashback--
"Kill her!" Zhao yelled over the pleading cries of the child.
"I can't, Zhao! I can't do it!" I replied.
The small child-I believe she was about nine-had been attempting to free herself from Zhao's grip. I looked into the eyes of the waterbender. I raised my sword to stab her, though I knew I wouldn't be able to. The child escaped from Zhao's grasp for a moment. He grabbed her by the forearm, burning it in the impression of a hand.
"Kill her, Zuko!" Zhao ordered one last time. Finally I did it. I thrust my sword into the woman's chest. Zhao pushed the child to the icy ground. She could only weep at her mother's feet. Her sobs grew dimmer as we faded into a distant dark.
--End Flashback--
I regret everything I did that day. I never wanted to. My father always told me that people have to do things, even if you don't want to, but that's how life goes.
Throughout the day I heard my Uncle coming up every now and then to check on me. Other than that, I was alone. And I felt alone.
Soon enough the sun set and another music night began. I subconsciously listened to the music and the laughter. Remembering the horrors of the previous music night I left for my room. I laid down in my bed. I glanced over at the tapestry then rolled to turn away from it. I never want to go back, I thought. But what other way is there? That is the only way to kill him the way he killed Avalar and my mom. And as soon as he is dead, I will become Fire Lord. Then I can end this pathetic war. But I need the Avatar in order to return to get to him. Why hadn't he come yet? He should've been here by now. Maybe they won't come… Maybe…I will never get to return. Or get revenge.
I closed my eyes, but no sleep would come. I could only hear the screams of my sister and mom, and the weeps of the people I had killed. I could only see the blood that had been shed, and all of the tears that had been cried.
-Author's note:
Okay, I have been working on the cover for this story and it looks awesome so far! My sister Tina (MySilverWound) has been working on editing it onto the background so it may take a little while longer. Hope you like this chapter, and more is coming soon! Review please!
Peace
-Niobe D. Rosevelt