Chapter Two: Fallen Angel
Disclaimer: I'll be a hog-monkey's uncle!
And now you're just another fallen angel
And I hope that the fall didn't do you no harm
And now you're just another fallen angel
Falling into somebody else's arms
- Fallen Angel by D. Wagner
Katara's dad had left, on a trip, he had told her. When she asked how long he would be gone, he shrugged and told her he would come back as soon as possible.
That left the teens alone in the house.
From the moment he entered, the poor kid was being tortured.
"Hey, where did you come from? Kangaroo Island?" said Orko, laughing hysterically. He pointed at Aang's clothes. Katara had to admit- his outerwear was a bit outrageous. Such bright hues of orange and red. She was sure that no one had seen someone like this for a century.
"And what about those tattoos? Are you trying to act all tough, huh?" asked Orko. Katara made a face, clearly annoyed at Orko's attitude. She looked around for her brother, but he wasn't around. Her eyes glanced the boy who the taunts were aimed at.
The kid only stared back at Orko, until the point where the teenager stopped laughing, clearly annoyed at the apathy mood of the boy. Katara couldn't help but smirk: someone had shown Orko who was boss, without even trying!
"Come on, I'll show you where you'll stay," she said, placing a hand on Aang's shoulder and guiding him out the back door. In reality, she wasn't really sure where he was to sleep. It was just an excuse to get her away from Orko before she exploded with laughter from his expression.
Katara's dad had said something about a separate house, just a few yards due north. Katara walked along, being careful not to step in the many dents that filled the ground after the two male teens constant wresting games. She had a fleeting thought that Sokka hadn't really seen the sport as a game, but had played it as an excuse to get back at the teenager. Of course she had to pretend she did like Orko, but, secretly, she wished that one day, Sokka could just beat the crap out of the guy.
As Katara neared the woods, she saw a small little house, no, more like a pile of logs. She smiled; pulling back the thin blanket that covered the only opening, obviously meant for a door. Ducking her head so that she would fit under the roof, she led the boy in. His short height made it possible for him to stand up straight without hitting the ceiling, but just barely.
Katara couldn't help but grimace at the surrounding. Although their family wasn't exactly rich, they still had plenty. Well, at least enough to live satisfactorily. Katara squinted to make out the surroundings in the dim light. It was just after sunset- Katara's family ate early. She made out a few small figures- a wooden bed, another blanket, and a small stool. Aang's new house reminded her of a prison cell.
The boy didn't seem to mind too much, and Katara wasn't going to be the first one to ruin the moment.
"So, you like your new home?" she asked. The boy looked at her, and shrugged. Katara resisted sighing. If the boy was really mute, having a conversation could prove to be a real challenge.
"Where'd you come from?" she questioned, not expecting much of an answer. Aang pointed up. At first, Katara though that he had mistaken her question, but after a few moments, she knew that this was his answer. She chuckled a bit, putting her hand over her mouth to avoid laughing outright. Up?
Aang stared at her, confused as to why she found this to be funny. But Katara didn't see the look on the boy's face, and her laughter continued. After a while, she finally gained control over herself, and quieted down. The small boy's expression hadn't changed. She smiled at him sympathetically. He must have been really confused, what with the sudden events of the day. She decided to play along.
"Well, I guess you're a little angel now," she said.
" Hey Aang, you know anything about cooking?" asked Sokka. Katara pouted. Her cooking was just fine!
The boy shook his head. Sokka sighed. For some reason, Sokka and Orko had a sport of making fun of Katara's cooking. Well, at least they agreed on something.
Katara realized that the boy hadn't eaten anything since he arrived. He must have been hungry. She looked at the kitchen table, but to her disappointment, there wasn't even a scrap left. She took the lid of a basket, and found it to be full of leechi nuts. She took a handful, and held it out for Aang.
He stared at it, before realizing it was for him. He gratefully took it in his hands, nodding. Katara smiled.
"So how old are you?" she asked on the way back to Aang's house. Of course the boy didn't need an escort, but Katara had insisted just incase Aang lost his way there in the dark.
The boy turned to her, holding up a one finger, and with the other hand, two. Katara's eyebrows raised, surprised by his young age.
"Only twelve? How come you're all alone now? What happened to your parents?" she asked. A second later, she regretted saying those things. The boy's head had dropped, eyes lowered to the ground to avoid contact. Katara's heart broke for him. She placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I guess your past is your privacy," she said. Aang walked on. Katara followed behind him. After just seeing the house once, he had remembered the exact location. He pulled back the blanket, stepping in, followed by Katara.
She knew that she should have been going now, but she couldn't help but feel sorry for the boy. First Orko, and now she had to drive his spirit down.
"It's a bit dark in here, isn't it?" she asked. "You know what, I'll get a candle for you." Without waiting for his reply, she rushed back into the house.
Sokka said something about going to sleep and that it was really late, but Katara ignored that. Fumbling around with the match, she finally got it to light up, and took out a candle. Using the light, she guided herself back to Aang.
She placed the candle on the stool, after finding no other place to put it. At first, she thought against placing something burning in a wooden house, but decided that it would be safe. The candle stood upright, and Aang wouldn't go and knock it down.
The candle illuminated the boy's eyes for a split second. Katara happened to glance up at that time, and suddenly wished she hadn't. It was just filled with so much pain and anger; she thought that no boy could contain it. But just like that, it was gone in a flash.
Katara got up, checking once again on the boy. He was lying down now, ready to sleep. "Good night," she whispered. She saw him nod, and pulled back the blanket covering the door.
Through the door, Aang saw her disappeared by the moonlight.
Happy New Year everyone!
So, what did you think of this chapter? I want your honest opinion! Any suggestions, comments, flames?