Wandering Firebender
Thirty One: Murderers
"We're gonna miss you so much, Sri." Her mother, Jin, said tearfully, hugging her daughter tightly and stroking her hair. Lao also stepped in to hug his wife and daughter.
"Be safe and stay alert out there in the city. Okay?" He said to Sri. She wiped her tears and nodded.
"I-I will. I love you both. I hope that you can join me there soon. I'll do my best to have a home ready for both of you when you arrive." She promised them.
"I know you'll make us proud out there, sweetheart." Lao said, patting her shoulder.
Fighting back the urge to sob, Sri hugged her parents tightly one more time. She held them for awhile before finally bringing herself to let go. She wiped her tears and turned away from them, making her way towards the ferry.
On the way, she stopped by Elio. She found him packing up his tent and his things. She went up to him and put a hand on his back.
"Hey, Elio. It's time... Are you ready?" She asked softly.
Elio turned to look back at her with a solemn expression. There were dark circles under his eyes and the most serious expression she had ever seen.
He was not okay.
"Oh, Elio... I'm so sorry. T-This is all my fault. If I hadn't-"
"Don't," Elio interrupted her. He sighed and shook his head. "It's not your fault... I'll see you on the ship." He spoke in a low, hoarse voice.
"You're not coming with me?"
"No. We'll meet up." Elio answered before putting his pack on and walking away.
Elio silently stalked his way through the crowd of refugees until he had broken away. He walked away from the beach and from the ferries, passing through the lines leading up to the desks until he had reached the stable. Once there, he freed La from her stall and guided her out by the reins.
"Come on, La. It's time to go." He said, petting the ostrich horse on the snout.
"Hey, Elio." Suki said, approaching him. Elio turned and swallowed.
"Hey, Suki." He nodded to her.
"You know what you did yesterday was a really bad idea. You could've gotten killed out there." She said.
"I know...but Sri was in trouble. I couldn't just..." Elio trailed off and sighed.
"Hey," Suki got his attention, putting a hand on his arm. "It was a brave thing. Don't feel so bad about it."
"Yeah..." He said quietly before clearing his throat. Suki could see that something was wrong with him, but chose to continue the conversation normally for a bit.
"Your ferry's leaving for Ba Sing Se today, right? You got everything you need? You ready to go?" She asked.
"I guess so. As ready as I can be. It's a day's journey, right?"
"Yep. So find a spot on the ship and get comfortable." She advised with a chuckle. Elio nodded.
"Thanks."
"Hey, Elio... What's going on? You don't look so good." She finally brought up. Elio nodded and rubbed his eyes.
"I couldn't sleep... I got some bad news yesterday. A... My best friend just died." He answered her. Suki's eyes widened.
"Oh, Elio, I'm so sorry... It was bad, wasn't it?" She asked.
"He was...killed...by the Fire Nation." He answered slowly, tears welling up in his eyes.
"That's awful," Suki hugged him to comfort him. "Are you gonna be alright?"
"I don't know... Maybe." He answered with a sigh, returning the hug.
"Just get to Ba Sing Se, okay? The rest will work itself out." Suki said, rubbing his arm one more time before stepping back.
"Yeah... Thanks again for everything, Suki. Maybe we'll see each other again one day." Elio said, taking hold of La's reins again.
"If we do, I'll make sure you're doing better by then." She said with a faint smile. Elio nodded and managed a polite smile in return.
Elio turned away from her and guided his ostrich horse to the ferry's loading dock. With the help of some crew members, they got La onto the ship and got her settled in with the supplies below deck. Then Elio was escorted back to the top.
Soon the ferry had left port to begin its slow journey to Ba Sing Se. With a full day of traveling across the water ahead of them, most of the refugees had already picked out places to set up camp and sit down. Wherever passengers were allowed to be, they were there sitting and standing around.
Elio made his way up to the front of the ship. For awhile, he stood and looked out ahead of them. The mainland wasn't in view yet; just some spiky rock formations far off to the side. With nothing for him to look at, Elio eventually decided to just sit down with his back against the guard wall.
In his head, he kept playing yesterday's events over and over again. Was there something, anything he could have done differently? Had he not done what he did, he might not have made it onto the ferry. All of the refugees on Full Moon Bay would have been in serious danger, and that would have been his fault.
But then that image kept coming back to mind: Cassian's shocked expression as he was being hit with lightning. Every time he thought about it, it made him wish he could take his decision back...
"Hey, there you are," Sri said once she found him. She walked over and sat down next to him. "I was looking for you. I started to get worried that maybe something had happened and you...you know, didn't make it."
"Sorry... Didn't mean to worry you." Elio said. Sri looked at him with concern. She reached over and took his hand, holding it.
"You know I'm here for you... If you need to talk about anything." She reminded him.
"I know... I just need some time to think." He said with a sigh.
"Yeah... I can't imagine what you must be going through now, Elio. I'm so sorry." She said sincerely.
"Thank you, Sri...for being here." He said slowly.
"Of course. We're partners now after all," She said, rubbing his hand consolingly. "We look out for each other."
"Right." Elio nodded in agreement, looking down at the ground. There was some silence between them.
"I do have to ask though, Elio... That lightning back there. What was that?" She asked. Elio swallowed.
"I don't know... I don't know how I did that." He admitted.
"Was it a spiritual thing?" She asked.
"Spiritual?"
"I don't know, it just seemed...otherworldly." She commented. Elio shook his head, tears beginning to well up in his eyes again.
"I don't think that's what it was... I need some time alone, Sri." He said, quickly getting up to his feet and leaving her sitting there with their stuff.
With nothing but his staff in hand, Elio decided to go on a walk around the ship. He needed to work himself through these emotions alone, because talking about it was only causing his mind to circle back through the negative things he was feeling...
Elio made a few laps around the ship, keeping his eyes cast downwards. He sighed to himself over and over again. He had the urge to curl up in a ball and lay against the wall, but there were people around. And even if he did that, he didn't think it would help him at all.
"...no. I don't like this, Caub. I don't see any security anywhere on this ship. If we're on our own, there's no way we're gonna make it into Ba Sing Se."
Elio quickly stopped after overhearing this. He turned to his left, peering into an open doorway leading to a set of stairs that went down into a lower level of the ship. He quietly walked towards it, continuing to listen in to the conversation.
"Look, man, you're just being paranoid. There's no way they could have gotten on the ship without tickets. Stop worrying." Another voice said to the first guy.
"Worrying about what?" Elio asked. The two men speaking went silent. They slowly peeked their heads out from either side of the door frame.
"How much of that did you hear?" The guy to the right, apparently Caub, asked.
"Enough to figure something's going on. Care to share?"
"Uhh..." Caub froze up.
"Nothing that concerns you, stranger." Caub's friend spoke up.
"I disagree," Elio argued. "I'm trying to get to Ba Sing Se just like you, just like all of us. If there's some kind of danger on this ship then it definitely is my concern." He spoke firmly. The two men looked at each other.
"If we tell you, will you help us?" Caub asked.
"Depends. Let's hear it." Elio invited them to explain.
"Okay... Ren and I asked these guys to help us get to Full Moon Bay safely," Caub explained. "But, uh, we kinda used all the money for our ferry tickets."
"The men who helped you get to the bay wanted you to pay them?" Elio asked.
"Yeah. They're shady people, but they got us across safely." Ren, Caub's friend, answered.
"Why did you ask them to help you if you couldn't afford to pay them?" Elio asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Look, man, we're just tryna get to where it's safe. If we gotta cross a few people to get there; it is what it is." Ren argued. Elio shook his head.
"Then I guess whatever happens to you; it is what it is." Elio shrugged, turning a cold shoulder to them and beginning to walk away.
"Come on! You look good in a fight! Can't you help us?" Ren asked.
"We don't wanna die." Caub added.
Elio stopped in his tracks. His eyebrows furrowed as a pang of guilt stung in his chest. For one reason or another, now he felt wrong for leaving them to their fate. If they truly believed they were going to die, there was probably something that he could...that he should do about it.
"Do you think they'll kill you if they find you?" Elio asked, turning around to face them. They both looked at each other and nodded.
"For sure. These guys are some serious thugs." Ren answered.
"Then you're stupid for making a deal with them," Elio commented. "But stupidity isn't a capital offense. How can I help?" He asked.
"Oh, thank you!" Caub said with a relieved sigh, "Can we just stick close to you until we get to Ba Sing Se? If we survive this ferry ride, we should be alright in the city. We've got a few buddies that we can stay with."
"Fine. Me and my friend are staying at the very front of the ship. Follow me." He gestured for them to walk behind him. They walked to the front of the ship where Sri was sitting quietly. She looked up strangely when she saw the two guys now with Elio.
"Something going on?" Sri asked.
"Yeah. These guys have some people in for them. They've asked to stay close to us until we reach Ba Sing Se tomorrow." Elio explained the situation simply to her.
"Okay...? Are you sure that's a good idea?" Sri asked.
"We're right here, you know. You don't have to talk about us like we aren't present." Ren interrupted. Elio ignored the comment.
"It'll be fine. It's only until the morning. Get comfortable, guys. We've got a long day ahead of us." Elio said.
So the four of them quietly got settled down, placing small mats or blankets underneath them as cushions. Caub and Ren tried to make conversation, but Sri didn't trust them and was short in her responses. Elio was not in the mood for any conversation at all.
Soon morning melted into afternoon. Then afternoon faded into evening. Everyone was bored. When they weren't lazily laying around resting, they were either eating or getting up to stretch their limbs. Elio was leaning against the edge of the ship staring out into the open water.
Finally, the very tip of land was starting to come into view.
"Hey, Elio," Sri got his attention as she came up next to him. "Just, um...checking in on you." She said awkwardly.
"Take a look, Sri. Land's finally starting to come into view." Elio pointed out. Sri peered forward and eventually was able to see the tip of it.
"Oh yeah, there it is! We're almost there. Finally." Sri said with a sigh of relief.
"We'll be there soon." Elio nodded. Sri glanced over at him.
"How're you doing, Elio? I know you don't want to talk about it yet, but..." Sri trailed off, wanting to say something reassuring but coming up empty. Elio received her sentiment nonetheless.
"I'll be okay," He answered. "I have to focus on building this new life in Ba Sing Se. My feelings will have to stay to the side until then."
"Yeah, I guess so... Still here for you though. Don't forget that." She reminded him.
Elio nodded quietly. Sri rubbed his arm with her hand before standing up fully and beginning to walk away. However, she only took about two steps before Elio spoke up again. He had a question for her.
"Hey, Sri? When we get to Ba Sing Se, do you wanna...stay together?" He asked slowly. She turned back towards him.
"Yeah. Of course... I mean, if you want to... Do you want to?"
"I think that would be best. Between the two of us, we have a better chance of figuring all this out." He explained his thinking. Sri nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, for sure. It'll put me at ease too, knowing you have my back." She said.
"Yeah, you too." Elio said kindly in response before turning his gaze back to the water. Sri nodded again.
"I'll leave you alone now." She said before walking back and sitting down with their stuff again. Caub and Ren were talking to each other when she sat down.
"...I mean hey, a job is a job. At least we won't be starting with nothing when we get there. Oh! Hey! Your name is Sri, right?" Ren asked her.
"Uh, yeah?"
"You're very pretty. You know that right?" He complimented her.
"...thanks." Sri raised an eyebrow at him.
"Yeah... So, uh, what're you gonna do when you get to Ba Sing Se?" Ren asked her curiously.
"Not sure yet... Elio and I have to figure things out when we get there. We don't even know what Ba Sing Se is like." She explained.
"Oh, yeah. Well, if you guys need jobs when we get to the lower ring, I have a buddy that runs a delivery service. I can put in a good word." He offered.
"Thanks...but I think I'll pass." Sri decided.
Finally, nighttime rolled around. Despite nothing going on throughout the day, everyone was tired. Sri was one of the first to turn in for the night. Ren followed suit soon after. Caub stayed up for awhile, putting on a jacket to stay warm.
Elio, however, was unable to sleep. He wasn't even going to try. He knew he would just end up laying there and getting no rest at all. He still had some energy to burn, so he decided to go on a few more laps around the ship. He kept his staff in hand just in case.
"Hey, uh, Elio. Do you mind if I walk with you for a bit?" Caub asked. Elio glanced at him and nodded.
"Yeah, sure, I guess." He reluctantly agreed. Caub fell in step next to him as they went around another lap.
"Can't sleep either, huh?" Caub asked.
"Nope."
"Are you nervous? To get to Ba Sing Se?" Caub asked. Elio sighed.
"Yeah, a little bit. Mostly worried, I guess. Getting there has been my goal for a while now. But I don't know what I'm gonna do when I get there." He admitted.
"Yeah. Pretty much anyone will tell ya: 'Ba Sing Se is a place of new beginnings'." Caub quoted.
"I've only heard it a few dozen times now." Elio commented.
"Yep. And it's true." Caub chuckled.
"Yeah... Got any tips? Any recommendations for when Sri and I touch land tomorrow?" Elio asked.
"Uhh... How much money do you two have on you?"
"Enough to get by for a little while, I'd say." Elio answered.
"Then just worry about finding a place and getting settled in. You two will be in the lower ring, so try and get a place with as few people nearby as possible. Trust me on this." Caub advised.
"Okay...? Where are you getting this information from?"
"I've had friends that have been living in the lower ring for a year and a half now. Believe me, just worry about getting a place, and then afterwards find a job. Do that, and you'll start off better than most." Caub summarized.
"Gotcha... Will do." Elio nodded.
"You'll thank me later," Caub said, tapping him on the arm. "Well, I'm gonna get some rest. You should do the same. See ya tomorrow, Elio. Thanks for letting us stay with you guys." He thanked him before separating from Elio and making his way towards the front of the ship.
"You're welcome." Elio replied quietly as Caub walked away.
Elio took a little time to consider Caub's advice: he placed a high priority on him getting his ducks in a row and settling into a normal way of life. Caub even specified to stay away from people. It made Elio worry about what kind of city he and Sri were about to move into.
He would have to discuss that with her tomorrow morning.
Elio began making his way back to the ship so he could rejoin the others and try to get some rest. However, on his way there, he heard some strange noises coming from the steps leading down to a lower level of the ship: the sounds of someone struggling and something hitting against the wall.
Elio quickly pulled his staff out and quietly scurried down the steps, making as little noise as possible. He followed the sounds of struggling down to the cargo level. He peeked his head around the corner and saw two men were dragging Caub behind a stack of crates.
"Finish him quickly. We still got one more to handle." One of the men said to the other in a low voice. They pushed Caub down and held a hand over his mouth.
"I got it, I got it." The other man said, drawing a knife from the leather belt around his waist. He spun it around in his hand and held it up with the sharp end pointed downwards.
"Let's not do that." Elio quickly interrupted the moment, using his staff to knock the knife out of his hand. He used his foot to kick the second man off of Caub, allowing him to get free and push himself up to his feet.
"Elio, thank you!" Caub exclaimed, still in shock.
"Get back with the others, Caub. I got this." Elio told him. Caub nodded and quickly rushed back up the stairs.
"Urgh, you're gonna pay for making us have to find our prize again." One of the men growled.
"Your little assassination attempt is done. You won't get a second chance." Elio stated firmly, spinning his staff around once.
"You gonna try and stop us, kid? Not a good idea." The other man chuckled.
"What's one more body then, right?" Elio scoffed, getting into a fighting stance. Both men armed themselves with one knife each. Elio took in a breath.
This wouldn't be too hard of a fight, but he needed to take these men out quickly and quietly.
Both men rushed towards Elio at the same time. Elio took a few defensive steps back before turning and jumping onto a nearby crate. He swung it at them to keep them back. When they jumped back, Elio flipped over them and swiped one in the side of the head with a one-handed swing of the staff.
As the first man stumbled to the ground in surprise, the second one threw his knife at Elio. He turned his shoulders to dodge it, spinning around and swinging his staff again. The man caught it with his hand and pulled Elio towards him.
Elio stumbled forward and received an elbow to his head. He slammed onto his back almost immediately after. His head spun in a daze, and he had to blink a few times to regain his focus. He moved to the side to avoid getting his face stomped on.
Elio spun on his shoulders, knocking the man's legs out from under him. The man lost grip of Elio's staff when he fell. Elio took advantage and jumped into a roll to grab it.
The other man, having recovered from being hit in the head, tried to charge at Elio and tackle him. Elio spun to the side and used his staff to trip him. Once he fell to the ground, Elio jabbed him in the back of the head as hard as he could with his staff, knocking him out.
"I'm gonna kill ya for that, kid! Then I'mma kill your friend!" The remaining man growled angrily. Elio's eyes narrowed on him.
"Stronger men than you have tried and failed."
The man charged at him with the knife again. He expected Elio to swing his staff again. This time, Elio sidestepped his attack and quickly tilted the staff upwards, smacking his opponent in the shoulder. Then he spun around and swung the staff into his stomach.
As the man groaned in surprise, Elio kicked him backwards into a crate. The man bounced off of it, and Elio swung the staff like a bat right into the side of the man's head, knocking him out cold.
Elio stood there quietly over the two men that he had just defeated. His blood was still boiling from the adrenaline of the fight, and from the disdain he had for these two men. He couldn't quite place it in the moment.
Why did this fight make him so angry?
Elio tied the two men to a barrel that would float on the water. He tossed them overboard and watched as they drifted away across the ocean, back towards the bay. He could only assume that they would make it back. He didn't really care either way.
By the time he started to regret such a cold decision, it was already too late to take it back.
"Elio's back!" Caub pointed out, sighing in relief upon catching sight of him. Sri stood up and rushed over to him, hugging him tightly.
"Elio! Caub told me what happened! Are you alright? Are you hurt at all?!" She asked, putting her hands on his arms. Elio nodded and looked away.
"Yeah, I'm fine." He answered shortly.
He stepped away from her and walked back to his belongings. He sat down quietly and leaned his head back against the guard wall, closing his eyes. He didn't want to talk anymore tonight. He just wanted to try and get some sleep.
It was a miracle he was able to get any rest at all before the ferry arrived in Ba Sing Se the next morning...
