Groaning in frustration, Sokka ended the fourth call once more. "This doesn't make sense," he said, putting the phone back in his pocket. "Aang never not answers. Where could he be?"
they had returned home after about an hour at the beach and gotten cleaned up. The house had been silent, indicating that dad was still at work and Aang was still out. But they have been calling ever since with no results. It was like he had disappeared.
Katara could understand why he was upset. Aang had become the brother he had wanted, despite knowing he had her. The worry was, however, eating away at her guts, too, as if an infectious disease was incinerating them. Suki herself was pacing, typing furiously on her own phone. She was trying to locate the signal in order to find her brother.
Looking down, Katara scanned the texts. Her heart was hurting, her head pounded, and her eyes itched from withholding tears. Something must have happened. Standing up she said, "We have to go out there and find him."
Sokka moved closer to her, frowning. "Katara, I know you're worried. We will go out to look for him." He turned to his girlfriend. "Any luck?" he asked.
Suki huffed, pausing as she looked at them. "I got the general area, but his phone must be dying. I can't pinpoint exactly where he is."
Snatching up her keys, Katara pulled away from her brother as she replied, "That's good enough, Suki. We have to go, now. Come on!"
They rushed out of the house and headed for her car. She jumped in the driver's seat and started the engine. They had to find Aang and fast because there was every chance that he was in trouble. The feeling in her stomach was sour, as if they had a time limit. Looking over at her friend in the passenger seat, she asked, "Where?"
The car started moving as Suki put on the GPS. "His last known location wasn't too far from the ice cream parlor. He should still be in the area." Even she sounded doubtful.
It was then her fear for Aang spiked like vodka-laced punch. "What if that mistress found him?" she asked, barely over a whisper.
Sokka, who was in the back, reached up and grasped her shoulder. "Then we'll fight to get him back. Aang will not be one of hers again as long as we breathe. We can save him, I know it."
Suki placed her hand on top of his, adding her support silently. Though Katara appreciated that, she still couldn't rid herself of the unease that nested on her innards. She would not be at peace until he was found and brought home.
(***)
The GPS did indeed lead them back to shop, but they already knew he wasn't inside. Suki took her phone back and fiddled with it, gazing intently at the screen. "The signal is stronger. He must be close."
Katara, feeling her nerves were about to combust, asked, "Can it lead us to him?"
Suki nodded, beginning to walk. "I think so. Even if his battery is dying, the signal will easily pick up as we get nearer. Too far and we lose it."
Then there was no time to waste. They hurried down the walk, pass shops and eateries. Katara watched the phone, seeing the bars on the screen go up the further they went. It brought hope to her heart; maybe Aang was alright. Once they found him, they would do everything to ensure he stayed safe.
The signal was stronger as walked to an alley and her heart started beating furiously. This had to be it! Aang was there, she knew it. But why would he be in an alley? He once told her that it was one place he feared, where he had gotten kidnapped back in New York.
Suki nodded to the siblings and they all walked in. What they saw made fear and anger spiral out of control.
There was a figure there, standing over the pale form Aang, who was clearly unconscious. The figure was that of a guy, but it was dark and he had his back to them. In his hand was a syringe. He knelt down and was about to puncture Aang with it when Sokka acted. He dove for the figure, knocked the needle out of his hand, and tackled him to the ground.
The glass syringe broke, releasing a clear liquid. As the guys wrestled on the ground, the girls ran to Aang. Katara got to him first, turning him over until he was on his back. He looked sweaty and paler than usual, and his breathing was ragged. Looking over, she saw the guy clearly for the first time as Sokka smashed his face into the ground.
She gasped in shock. "Hahn?" What in the world was going on here?
He grinned at her, despite his face being squished. "Hey, Hotty."
Sokka growled, blue eyes snapping with fire. "Call her one more derogatory word and you'll wish you hadn't." To get the point across he pressed the other boy's face harder on the ground.
Hahn grimaced in pain, but to Katara, he looked triumphant, as if he had accomplished his mission. Feeling guilt gnawing at her mind, she caressed Aang's cold skin, then felt for his pulse. It was there, but thready, as if he hung on by a thread. She looked to Suki, then the boys on the ground. "Sokka, we have to get him out of here."
He must have understood the urgency in her tone because he said to Suki, "Get the cuffs, in the trunk."
Katara stared at him in bewilderment as the other ran to do his bidding. "You put hand cuffs in my car?!" she asked incredulously.
Sokka grimaced as he shrugged. "Dad said to have them in case of an emergency."
She shook her head, though she was slightly grateful for the idea. At least the big bully held on the ground won't be going anywhere anytime soon.
Soon Suki returned. "I called the police as well," she said, handing the cuffs over. "They'll be here in a few minutes."
"Thanks, babe," he replied gratefully, taking them to restrain Hahn. Afterwards he roughly pushed the other boy into the brick wall, scowling. "What were you trying to inject Aang with?" he demanded
He had the nerve to laugh scathingly. "Don't tell me you actually care for that little whore." His blue eyes gleamed maliciously.
Katara wanted to go over there and beat the crap out of the arrogant boy, but her desire to stay with Aang was stronger. He looked so frail, like the wind could pick him up and toss him like paper. Colorless, like a bleached portrait. Breathing shaky but steady. He had to get home so he can recuperate properly.
Luckily Suki took the initiative. Storming closer to Hahn, she slapped him brutally across the face before grabbing shirt front and growling, "Call my brother that again and you will know pain."
He leered at her, lip curling. "I can do whatever the hell I want, girlfriend. In fact, I wouldn't mind having a little fun with you." The lust in his voice was enough to make Katara gag, but Suki smiled coldly.
She said, "Don't worry, I'm sure they have plenty of playmates for you in prison." She backed away and looked over beyond Katara, who could hear sirens in the distance. The police were almost there. Turning back to now pale man on the ground, she asked calmly, "Do you work for this 'mistress'?"
He sneered, trying to look brave but failing. "I'm not telling you anything." In other words, he did, or at least he had before now. He was going to jail, hopefully. But now that Katara thought about it, what could he have done? Spying was only part of the problem; they didn't know if he had done anything else. Looking at the syringe on the ground she could still see the liquid, which might be poison of some kind.
If the police found it, it might lead to Hahn being locked away for a good number of years. No matter what, they had to get this evidence to the right people. The sirens were coming closer. She looked down at Aang, resting on her lap. "Don't worry, love," she whispered as her hand carded gently through his locks. "We'll get you home soon."
Did she really call him 'love'? Man she had it bad for this boy.
The police finally arrived. Two officers and a forensics specialist entered the alley as another put up tape to stop pedestrians from crossing. The man and woman, who introduced themselves as Madison Parker and Jack Wayne, had the forensics person, Taylor, gather the fluid for examination before she left the rest to the officers.
Parker's unusual gold and green gaze was steady as she looked Aang over, feeling his pulse. "Nothing to worry about, I'm sure," she said gently with an Oklahoma twang. "This boy shows signs of a panic attack."
At least they knew he hadn't been injected. "I have to get him home."
Parker nodded before glancing over at Wayne, who had lifted Hahn off the ground and was escorting him out, saying his rights for silence. "I can give you a lift if you prefer."
Though it was nice of her to offer, Katara shook her head. If Aang woke up in a police car, looking like he was caged in, it might trigger another, possibly worse episode. She only said, "I could use a hand getting to my car, though."
The woman smiled. "I'll give you that hand." Gently she wrapped her arms around the boy, who grimaced, as if he didn't want to be moved, let alone be touched by some stranger. But he was so weak at the moment that he didn't seem able to fight as he was carried out of the alley and to Katara's car.
'Don't worry, Aang,' she thought to the unconscious boy as she trailed closely. 'You're safe now.'
Once he was settled and Parker had received all information she could, Katara got in on the other side and sat close to Aang, her need to protect him and love him dominating all other thoughts. Buckled in, she did her best to cuddle him, though it was slightly uncomfortable to do so, but she didn't care. Aang was more important than her comfort.
Suki and Sokka came over on her side and opened the door. Suki popped her head in. "Is he okay?" she asked in concern.
Katara nodded. "Yes. The officer said that he had a panic attack. But he'll be alright." She threw her keys at Suki, who caught them. "Mind driving?"
Smiling she shook her head. "Not at all. Just...keep an eye on him."
"I promise," Katara vowed quietly as Aang settled onto her shoulder.
It wasn't long before they were underway, everyone silent by the recent events. They could have lost Aang right then. He was about to be taken from them, from home, his mother, and the life he was building. His friends were going to take care of him, but they also knew that the demons which haunted him would be around for a very long time.
Katara only prayed that he would be strong enough to stand against them.
Back at the house, Sokka carried him to his room and made certain he was comfortable before leaving, still not saying a word. They had caught someone who worked for this mistress person, yet they still had no clue about who it was.
Perhaps after Aang woke up and they told what had happened while he was out, he could tell them something too. They had to stop this person before she could hurt someone else.
For now, they would all rest. When the time was right, they would talk things out.
(***)
Aang felt like he had been hit by a buffalo. Opening his eyes was hard, but slowly, he managed to do so. Taking a shallow breath, he looked around and realized someone had put him to bed. It was dark out, twilight. The last thing he remembered was his phone going off. After that, nothing, as if his mind had been wiped.
He knew it was the panic attack that had caused it. He couldn't stand them. It had been a while since one occurred, but this one had been tough. He did remember the reason for it. Maybe he should tell his friends that he was scared of water because of...
A knock interrupted his thoughts before the door opened. Katara poked her head in and his heart once again went into overdrive.
She smiled, but she looked exhausted as she walked over to sit on the edge of the bed. "You're awake," she breathed in relief, touching his cheek.
Warmth spread from that spot all the way to his toes, feeling pleasant in his cold hour. "I'm awake," he whispered back before frowning. "You look tired, Katara."
She dropped her hand, but grabbed his, as if to make certain he was with them. "I was up all night. You've been unconscious since yesterday." she admitted in a soft voice.
The air froze, freezing in his lungs. It was a moment before he could take a full breath. "Are you serious?" he whispered in shock.
Katara nodded. "You must have had a panic attack and a bad one."
Wincing, he looked down. He had come so far when it came to managing those attacks, but they still happened from time to time. There had been no stopping the one that had taken him down. The memory of it, even the encroaching darkness of his vision, was a terrifying one. But so bad that it knocked him out until now? That was a first.
Tears stinging his eyes, he looked at her in regret. "I'm sorry."
She brought him into her arms, hugging firmly. "Don't be sorry for something you couldn't control," she murmured. "Right now you're okay. That's what matters." Pausing, she took a deep breath, before saying, "There's something else."
Backing up, Aang looked in her eyes. "What is it?" he asked, wiping his face.
Folding her hands together, she pinched her brows. "There was someone with you in that alley. Someone we know."
He frowned. "Who was it?"
"His name is Hahn." Katara bit her lip, hands turning white from the pressure. "He was about to inject you with something, but Sokka stopped him. The forensics team is still learning what the contents were."
Puzzled he asked, "Why?"
"We don't know, but we think..." She wouldn't meet his eyes.
Unnerved and knowing he was going to hate the answer but wanting to know it all the same, Aang pushed. "Katara? Tell me what's going on."
She met his eyes, sorrow deep in the blue depths. "We think the mistress found you."
Blood drained from his face as he slumped back on the bed. Panic erupted almost instantly and he didn't think his heart could take it. The only thought that was going through his mind was to run, far and fast, to keep moving and not look back. Springing up, he tried to dash to his dresser, but the movement made him dizzy and nauseous. He had to grab his bedside table to keep from falling.
Katara caught him as he was beginning to fall as well. "Slow down, Aang. It's going to be okay."
He felt like he couldn't breathe. "Fuck," he panted, eyes tightly shut. "No, no, no."
The idea of her locating him and trying to drag Aang back to that hellhole was abominable. There was no way he could go back, but he couldn't stay, he couldn't let his friends die because of him. He had to run!
Katara's soothing voice penetrated the stark terror of his mind. "Aang, look at me, please." Slowly he did so, feeling his lungs expand a little easier as he noticed that she wasn't freaking out. Her face was calm, controlled, and soft, as if she understood how hard this was for him. Reaching up, she grabbed his shoulders to rub the tension away. He grabbed her elbows like they were anchors. "Breathe with me."
They both took a breath, though hers was steadier than his own, but over time he was able to beat back the panic that had threatened his mind. His heart slowed right along. The urge to run was still there, but manageable for the time being. "I'm okay," he finally whispered.
She smiled, relieved as they sat down once more. "That's good. Now, I wouldn't worry too much. Hahn is locked up. As far as we know, he's the only spy she had. We can figure this out."
He remained quiet for a long while, thinking. There was only thing he could think of to stop the mistress. They had to find out who it was. And he had to tell them where her location was hidden. Aang wasn't sure if she lived there or if it was only a pleasure palace, but that didn't matter right then.
It was time to stop being scared.
He looked at her. "You know I have a photographic memory." She nodded, looking like she knew where this was going. Going into the drawer of his bedside table, he brought the sketchbook out and flicked to the very last page. Right there on the pristine paper was the mistress, the woman who had haunted him in a bad way for a long time.
Katara took it from his trembling fingers when Aang offered it for examination. Frowning she scanned the drawing. She swallowed nervously, though when she spoke, her voice was firm. "So this is her."
Aang nodded, not looking at the drawing, He remembered all too well what she looked like. "Yep."
She looked at him, holding the book gingerly as if expecting it to burst into flames. "You want Dad to examine it." It was a statement, one he couldn't argue with.
Relieved that she knew his mind, he nodded. "I also want to show where her hideout is." Aang met her gaze, determination and fright intermixing. "It's time I fought back. I can't be afraid of a shadow anymore. One way or another, she has to be stopped."