Chapter Three: The three day countdown
Day one of getting my head around stuff… I grabbed an apple and a moon peach and put them in my bag as I left the house and went over to where we kept our boat. Throwing my bag and the big basket inside the boat I began to Waterbend my way out to the open sea. Once I was in the middle of the ocean I took off my jacket, fur top and trousers and dived into the icy waters. I felt the water numb my whole body as I pushed myself to the surface and then gasped for the breath I needed. Treading water above the surface I looked around and saw nothing but water… I smiled as I took a deep breath and dove in deeper to catch some fish… it was a kind of waterbending trick I had made up; I would dive down and gather fish in a bubble and then take it with me to the surface and put it in the basket I had. Many of the male Waterbenders had used the idea to provide new types of fish on our plates since they could dive down deeper than me. I found a school of plaice and began to waterbend the bubble around them as I kicked myself up to the surface. Moving my hands with grace I put the fish that were in the water in the basket and I created a water spout which lifted me up and put me back on the boat. I moved my hands again as I removed the water from my clothes and hair and quickly put my top and trousers back on, along with my jacket. I waved at the boats that went past with fishermen and Waterbenders as they waved at me and I looked down into the ocean.
"How can something so big entrap me?" I asked it… stupid question I know but I think that there was something that drew me to the sea and I don't think it is my waterbending skills. Taking out my apple I lay down in the boat and began to eat as I looked up to the clear blue sky.
I felt something rock the boat and looked over the edge to see the Koalaotters swimming around me; Ren jumped out of the water and came up to me and licked me as I laughed. I took a fish out of the basket and gave it to her as she began to eat; I continued to eat my apple and then reached into my bags and grabbed the scrolls that my teacher had given me and I began to read. Ren barked at me as I looked at her and smiled.
"Things are changing Ren; I am not sure how long I am going to be able to stay here." I said as I began to stroke her. She barked a few times as I assumed she was giving me her answer. "I guess you are right as always Ren, now off with you before your family gets worried." I said as I picked her up and put her back in the water. I returned to reading my scroll; it was about the history of the tribe and also the reason why we had so many traditions and stuff like that. After I finished I checked the fish in the basket which were still swimming and let out a sigh. I went over to the edge of the boat and looked at my reflection in the water.
"Avatar huh? Yeah right what a joke she can't bend her way out of a bag if she was given the chance!" I said to the reflection as I tried to smile: I failed… I let out another sigh as the words from Feng ran through my ears. "Can't run from my destiny… but I can delay it… is it really something I should do? Isn't that being selfish?" I said as I lay on my back in the boat and looked up at the sky. I squinted as the sun blinded me but that was not what I was trying to look at; there was a person flying around in the sky! I let out a gasp as I saw that it must have been Feng as he began to lose height and come crashing into the ocean. I stood up as I began to move my hands and legs and threw the water out of the ocean and over to him freezing it in the process, helping him land on the ice as he slid down the slide I made and to the flat platform I created on the ocean. I went over to him as quickly as I could and helped him stand up.
"Are you crazy doing something like that?" I asked him.
"Nope, I was looking to see where you were… I just didn't expect you to be out so far… it has been a while since I flew." He said as I took hold of his arm and checked him over; there was a scratch on his arm as I gathered water from my waterskin and healed it quickly.
"Sorry about that." I muttered as the skin healed and I put the water away. I knew that he was lying, he was a master Airbender, and there were no such things as a long time with people like us. I smiled at him as I helped him stand up and looked at his glider. I reached out and touched it; it was an amazing piece of handcraft there was no doubt about that… I looked at Feng who appeared to be nervous as the ice began to melt around us. I laughed as I made an ice path back to the boat and began to walk along it; Feng following behind me.
"No matter that I grew up at the South Pole I can still not get used to frozen water." He said as he sat down in the boat and grabbed my scrolls. I reached into my bag and offered him my moon peach that he took with gratitude.
"You didn't really lose height; that was something you did on purpose." I said to him as I grabbed the other scroll in my bag and looked at him; his cheeks had gone a slight tinge of red.
"I went to see where you lived and no one was there so I decided to look for you." He said as I looked at him and snorted.
"More than likely make sure I didn't run off!" I said as I put my scroll down in frustration and stood up; walking towards him I began to poke him. "Look just because it happened in a previous life does not mean that it will happen in this one!" I said to him as I lost my temper and began to Waterbend causing huge waves behind us and cracking the ice… yes I still hadn't controlled my emotions and my Waterbending regardless of how I tried. I looked at the destruction behind me as an ice berg split into two and let out a deep breath and closed my eyes. "I mean no disrespect to Avatar Aang; I can understand what he did and I will admit I have thought about doing the same but if the problems of the Four Nations are supposed to be my responsibility then so be it." I said as I sat back down and picked up my scroll and began to read again. Feng looked at me secretly as he read about the Northern Water tribe traditions and smiled… little did I know this was all part of his plan.
"Chailyn help us please!" One of the people on the boats said as it came past me.
"What has happened?" I asked as it came closer.
"One of the fishermen has fallen in and I can not get to him." The Waterbender said, I let out a sigh as I threw my arms up and pushed the boat to the location they were fishing. Stripping off my clothes I dived into the water and went down… stupid amateur Waterbender I thought to myself as I dived down into the water as the coldness threatened to bring me into the darkness I fought it; pushing it to the side I dove down deeper as I saw the outline for the person… why the hell was an amateur Waterbender with them! My lungs burned for oxygen that I knew I could not give in as I dove deeper and reached out; grabbing the man's arm I began to push the water beneath me to the surface; once I saw the sun and pushed harder. As we reached the surface I began to gasp in as much air as I could as the other tribesmen began to resuscitate the person. He began to cough as I lay on the bottom of my boat and began to hug myself, I was took weak to Waterbend the water away from me and I began to shiver as the younger Waterbender came up to me in his boat.
"What were you thinking? You let a fisherman nearly drown due to your stupidity!" I said as I yelled at the younger Waterbender.
"I just wanted to help. He fell out of the boat and hit his head…" He said in a low voice.
"Why did you not Waterbend him out when you could see him?" I asked the student.
"I panicked." He said as I looked at him; he was on the brink of crying. This was normally an exercise for Waterbending students to gain confidence in vast waters. I looked up at him and smiled.
"I am sorry for snapping, look I was nearby so everything was okay!" I said to him as he looked down and smiled at me. "Do you want me to go through the moves with you?" I asked him and he nodded and smiled. I stood up and went over into the fisherman's boat and checked to see if he was okay, asides from shivering he appeared to be not hurt. Checking his head I felt a bump as I reached out for the water around me and began to heal the bruise.
"You are going to have a headache for a few days I fear." I said as I pulled away and put the water back in the ocean.
"Thank you Chailyn for saving my life." He said as I smiled at him and I went back into my boat and sat down. I began to shiver again as Feng came over and put my coat around me and hugged me; transferring body heat. I closed my eyes as the water began to leave my clothes and I looked up briefly and saw the young bender removing it for me.
"What is your name?" I asked him as my undergarments began to feel dry.
"Keiji Sifu Chailyn." He said as he bowed to me and I smiled at him. Feng pulled away from me as he handed me my clothes and I put them on as I began to waver, he came and supported me.
"Well Keiji; the move you needed to have done should have gone something like this." I said to him as I began to take my stance and showed him the moves; he watched in fascination and then copied me.
Hours must have passed, the boat with the fisherman has long since gone back to the tribe as Kenji and I practiced our bending; smiling after he had successfully been able to do it. Feng was reading the scrolls I had in my bag and I felt exhausted.
"I think that it is time we headed back; you are getting pale." Feng said as I felt his hand on my shoulder. I nodded as I sat down and Kenji waterbended his way back to the village. I began to stand up as Feng looked at me. "Are you sure you can do this?" He asked me and I nodded as I began to bend the water and head back to the village.
"Chailyn there you are! We heard what happened you rescued that fisherman's life!" My mom said as she ran over and hugged me.
"Mom no big deal I had to right?" I as she pulled away and Quan began to check me over.
"I couldn't make it; I had Waterbending lessons." He said and I nodded; I knew his timetable more than likely better than he did. Feng must have left since when I turned to thank him: he was gone. My father went into the boat and got out the basket of fish I had caught and also my bag with my scrolls in it. Quan picked me up as I began to shiver again. "Let's get you home and in a warm bath." He said as I sneezed; closing my eyes I leaned into his chest and allowed him to take me home.
Day two came and I prayed to the spirits for a less eventful day this time; to be on the safe side I decided to stay on firm ice today. I got dressed and made my way to the palace… I was invited to breakfast with the princes and the tribal leaders and council… so much for leaving me alone. I walked up the stairs as a guard came up to me.
"Avatar Chailyn we have been expecting you." He said as he bowed down to me. "Please follow me to the dining hall." He said as he began to walk and I followed him. Quan and I decided last night to meet up for the afternoon to spend time together. He opened the door as he spoke to another person and I was announced into the room.
"Presenting Avatar Chailyn." The announcer said and I let out a sigh; walking in I bowed before all of the people present as the rose for me.
"If this is the way to make me accept my destiny you know it isn't going to work." I said as I sat down in the empty chair in between Hanku and Feng. There was different dishes served on the table from the different nations; there was roast duck, stewed sea prunes, rice, nuts, various fruits and drinks as everyone began to reach over and help themselves so did I.
"Feng has been enlightening us in telling us about your rescues yesterday." Kun said to the table as they all nodded in agreement.
"I could not let the man drown." I said as I began to try some roast duck… oh man it was amazing!
"Regardless it must have taken great determination; Feng said you were under the water for over a minute." Huojin said and I laughed.
"There is no way I could have held my breath for that long; Feng must have been exaggerating… it must have felt that long to him." I said as I reached over and took a cup of melon juice and began to drink it. Silence fell upon the table; I knew they all wanted to ask me one question; was I ready to accept my duties as the Avatar… the answer was that I was still not sure but I hoped that with the rest of the time I would know.
"The bending show that was put on at my party was amazing; I would like to meet the benders if I may?" I asked the princes who smiled.
"It would be an honor for us to introduce them to you." Kun said to me and I smiled as silence came once again.
"Feng how are things at the Southern Air Temple?" Arlen asked… the discussion turned into different locations and how they were doing… I could feel the tension in the room building… I know that they wanted to talk to me about the threat which held the Four Nations in a vice but respected me enough to avoid it. Once everyone had finished eating the servants came and took the plates away. Huojin stood up and signaled for me to follow him. I bowed at the people as we left the room.
"Chailyn wait a moment please." A voice called to me. I turned to address Hanku who had called to me. "We would like to call a meeting with you tomorrow evening to discuss events in the Four Nations." He said and I nodded in agreement as he smiled. "I will ask one of the guards to come and get you." He said and again I nodded.
"There will be no need; I can go and collect Chailyn." A voice said and I turned to see Kun looking at me, the chief looked at me and I nodded once again as did he to Kun and I left to go and see the Firebender.
Huojin took me to the newly built wing of the palace and knocked on the door of one of the rooms. A voice bide us entry as we walked in; the room was covered in red bedding and also of the Fire Nation insignia hanging from the wall. I looked around at the simplicity of the room and gasped… the Waterbenders had also carved the insignia into the ice. The person in the room bowed before us as I looked at the other items in the room.
"Tatsuo this is Avatar Chailyn who wanted to meet you." Huojin said as I went up to him.
"The show you put on for my birthday was amazing; can you show me some more Firebending?" I asked him and he smiled as he looked at me.
"Anything for you Avatar; may we go outside?" He asked me and I nodded eagerly as we left the room and went outside. Tatsuo spent the next half an hour showing me different Firebending moves as I sat back and watched in amazement. I took off my jacket as I began to get warm and clapped when he stopped and bowed before me.
"Whoa Firebending is impressive!" I said to him and he smiled.
"Thank you for your kind words Avatar." He said as he bowed again.
"Please just call me Chailyn." I said to him and again he smiled.
"Can you please show me some Waterbending?" He asked and I nodded as he took my pace and I went into the middle of the practice area. Closing my eyes I began to raise my arms, melting the floor around me as I pulled the water to me and began to stream it; making it into different shapes and designs I created a statue of the Fire Nation insignia and then bowed at him.
"Waterbending is pretty enough but I can not really show you much without having a Waterbending duel." I said as he clapped at me.
"We have something similar in the Fire Nation; it is called an Agni Kai." He said and I nodded.
"I have read about them but have never seen one." I said as I sat down next to him.
"Allow me to tell you the story of the most life changing Agni Kai ever to take place in the Fire Nation… it all happened ninety years ago…" As he told me the story of Fire Lord Ozai and the Agni Kai with his son Prince Zuko. The sun was high in the sky as he finished his story.
"Wow that was amazing." I said as I looked at him with my face rested in my hands.
"It was said to be one of the most brutal Agni Kai in the Fire Nation; but it was to change the path that the prince was to follow and to help the Avatar end the hundred year war." He said as I heard footsteps come and looked up to see Kun looking at us. I stood up and bowed before Tatsuo and thanked him for his time as I walked up to Kun.
"There is someone who is looking for you." Kun said as I realized I was late for meeting Quan.
"Thank you Kun; I must have forgotten all time." I said as I bowed to him and ran out of the palace.
Quan was sitting on the steps and I smiled as he looked at me, his face automatically lit up. "Quan, I have just seen the most amazing Firebending ever and I was told the story of the Agni Kai between Prince Zuko and Fire Lord Ozai!" I said as he hugged me.
"It sounds like you have had an interesting morning." He said as he pulled me away and looked me in the eyes. "You ready to go meet some of the new Waterbending students?" He asked and I smiled; it was the time where our Sifu would begin to measure the Waterbending skills of the other tribes-people and something we watched every year.
"May I join you?" A voice said behind us and I turned to see the blind Earthbender who has given me the flower. "I mean I know I can't see much but it is kind of boring in the palace being one of the youngest Earthbenders here." He said and I looked at Quan who smiled.
"Of course you can come Enki." I said as he smiled and came up towards us. He took hold of my arm as Quan took my other hand in his and we began to walk down the steps and to the Waterbending School.
"I hope you don't mind Avatar Chailyn; there is too much ice around." Enki said and I smiled at him.
"Of course not Enki; don't worry about it!" I said as he smiled at me again. We began to walk to the school and we saw the other students waiting and we sat down on the ice bench that Quan made for us.
"So if you are blind how can you see?" Quan asked and I hit him as I sent him an evil look.
"Quan how can you be so rude?" I said as I turned to Enki "you don't have to answer that." I said and he smiled at me.
"Its okay; I am not completely blind I can see shadows of people but the main way I see is through Earthbending. However since coming here it has been harder for me to get around so I kept myself in my room until I ventured out today." He said and I nodded; it was amazing how he used his bending to see where he was going. "Not only that but I can tell other stuff like when people are lying and other emotions." He continued to say as our Sifu came and stood in the middle of the training area.
"Welcome one and all to our open day." He said and I giggled as I remembered the first one I had seen. "Now may the first bender come forward?" He said as a male no older than 12 as he stood in the middle of the area. Sifu looked at me and I smiled; he wanted me to see how much he could bend. Letting go of Quan's hand I went into the area and stood in front of him. I showed him a simple waterbending move and signaled for him to copy me. He tried three times and failed; shaking my head I looked at our Sifu who smiled.
"Show him once more Chailyn, take him through the move." He said and I nodded as I went behind the student and took his arms, raising them and lowering them in the bending motion a few times and I looked at Enki who was smiling; he must know something that I didn't. I let go of the student's arms and began to show him the move once again and this time he copied and got it right.
"Thank you Chailyn." Sifu said to me as I went and sat down and he went up to the student. "You may join your friends." He said as the student bowed before him and left.
It continued like this for an hour, sometimes Sifu would call on me or Quan to demonstrate some moves and other times he would show them himself. Once the last student was done Sifu smiled and looked at them all.
"I will decide who to make your waterbending teacher in the course of the week. Please come back in three days time for your information." He said as the students stood up and bowed. Our Sifu went up to us and we stood and bowed at him. "Quan will you be taking students this year?" He asked.
"I am sorry Sifu but I would like to be by Chailyn's side should she leave the tribe." He said and he nodded as he looked at Chailyn.
"You made a fine choice on your betrothal. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow in the meeting." He said and I nodded as I bowed before him once more and we left the school. We walked Enki around the tribe showing him different locations and also describing landmarks to him as we went around the corner a group of girls were sitting around the fountain.
"Oh look Quan must have changed his mind about the little girl." Li Mei's voice sounded through the whole quad area as I turned the corner with Enki on my arm. "And she has found someone worthy of her status." She said as I began to clench. I felt Enki squeeze my arm in reassurance as she walked up and put her arm around Quan. "So Quan have you decided that it is time for a real woman?" She said in his ear but still loud enough for me to hear. I had a trick up my sleeve; Enki had been telling me about Earthbending and showed me a basic move, the only problem is that there was no Earth around… well as far as I was aware. "Still claiming to be the Avatar?" She said as Quan felt uneasy, Enki looked at her and Li Mei gasped as she saw his milky eyes.
"She is the Avatar; I was there when she was told!" Enki said as he stuck up for me.
"Do you really think I am going to believe a kid?" She said.
"No maybe not but how about a member of the Earth Kingdom Bei Fong family?" He said and I gasped… he had never talked about his family and know I knew why, he was related to Toph Bei Fong who trained Avatar Aang. Li Mei's face also hit the ground as he smiled at me and I bent down to him.
"You came to be my Earthbending teacher?" I asked him and he nodded.
"No way!" Quan said as he looked at Enki.
"Regardless of being in an icy location it would be my honor to train you Avatar Chailyn; once we travel to the Earth Kingdom it will be easier of course." He said as he turned and bowed to me.
"The honor would be mine Sifu Enki." I said as I bowed before him and he smiled.
"Great now are we done playing with these admirers of Quan's?" He asked and I nodded as he took my arm and we began to walk away, leaving the group of girls in shock.
Day three; I had left the morning free so that I could go to the spirit oasis and meditate in peace. Sneaking past the guards I walked in and took off my jacket as I bowed to the fish swimming their never-ending circle dance as I sat under the spirit gate and closed my eyes.
"This is supposed to be the gateway between this world and the spirit world and if I am supposed to be the Avatar then I should somehow cross over." I said to myself as I began to let out a deep breath through my mouth, inhaling through my nose as my heart beat began to relax. The rushing water from the waterfall in the background helped me to relax further as I began to feel warm inside. A smile crept upon my face and things began to be clearer to me, this history of the Four Nations, the reason the Avatar existed and also things that I had to do, had to be continued. I opened my eyes and looked down at the two fish. "Tonight is the night of the full moon and when my bending is at it's strongest. I wish to thank you both for allowing me to be here but I must leave, my journey continues into parts of the Four Nations I have never dreamed of." I said as I stood up and put on my jacket. Bowing before the pond once again I left the spirit oasis feeling somewhat happy and calm with my destiny.
I walked down the steps from the palace and saw Feng sitting on the steps.
"Are you ready to learn some things about being the Avatar?" He asked me and I nodded as he stood up, picking up his staff and stood beside me as we began to walk along the canal routes. "Being the Avatar means that you have to learn not only the four elements but also how to enter and exit the spirit world and the Avatar State." He said as I listened intently. "However there are other kinds of bending that normally an Avatar does not learn, the one that we are aware of is Energybending, but there is nothing saying that there are other forms of bending out there that you may need to master, but for now we will stick to the four basic elements." He said as we walked into the town square; the market stalls were opening and I went over to get a melon juice and a pear for me as Quan got himself a moon peach and some ging sang tea, thanking the stall seller we continued our walk. "The first element you need to master is earth as you know. Once you are done with earth you need to master fire and then air. Since my sister and I are the only true Airbenders left I would hope that you chose one of us to be your teacher." He said as I looked up to him from drinking my juice.
"True Airbenders?" I asked him as he nodded at me and took a bite out of his moon peach. As he faced the path we were on it gave me the chance to study his profile. Feng was bald like all Air Nomads and had on monk robes in the color of orange and blue. He was ten years my senior and had grey eyes. He appeared to be very at peace with himself and the rest of the world no matter what troubles were going on… troubles that I would have to take care of now.
"My father had mastered Energybending and learnt that not only could it take away people's bending but also give them the power to bend. He selected a few people from the Four Nations who were like us in spirit and granted the power to them to Airbend. These people now live in the four Air Temples and are helping with the re-populating of the Airbenders. My sister is currently pregnant with twins who we know will be Airbenders when they are born." He said as he took another bite out of his moon peach. "So technically we are the last true Airbenders left." He said and I nodded as I understood what he was saying. We sat on an ice bench I had created and watched the boats go by on the canals.
"So what will you do now?" I asked him as I watched people come and go.
"That depends on you, I would like to accompany you on your journey, but you will of course have an Earthbending teacher and I assume Quan with you." He said and I nodded. "Even though I can not teach you Airbending until last of all I can advise you and help you on the journey." He said and again I nodded.
"I have read that in the past all of the Avatars except Avatar Aang had time to go to one nation to the other to learn how to bend however this will not be the case with me will it?" I asked him and he shook his head. "How big is the treat that grips the Four Nations?" I asked him and he let out a sigh.
"I would rather not tell you that without the others around young Avatar." He said and I nodded.
"Please, my name is Chailyn and you are more than welcome to use it." I said and he nodded. A group of girls came past giggling and I knew them right away… why could I not go at least a week without seeing them!
"Chailyn where is your fiancée?" Li Mei asked me.
"He is currently training his students at the Waterbending School if you want to go and drool over him." I said as I crossed my arms.
"Oh really!" She said as she raised and eye brow. "Trouble in paradise?" She asked.
"You wish Li Mei, better go and see him, he leaves with me tomorrow to go on our journey so better get used to not seeing him. Come on Feng, all of a sudden the temperature dropped a few degrees." I said as I grabbed Feng's arm and we walked to the direction of my house.
My mom was happy to see that I had brought a friend home and began to fuzz over him and made him and me something to eat.
"Mom Feng doesn't eat meat or fish before you say fish isn't a meat so something simple!" I shouted in the kitchen as I took Feng up to my room. "Help me pack so I can get out of here as soon as we know where we are going." I said and he nodded. I went into my cupboard and grabbed a bag I had. Throwing warm clothes out and some small personal items like my whale comb, my waterbending master insignia, the vile of water from the spirit oasis and my second waterskin he began to put them in the bag.
"Chailyn I have made you both some tea." My mom said as she came in and saw what I was doing. "Do you have to leave so soon?" She asked and Feng nodded.
"We leave either in the morning or evening of tomorrow." He said and she nodded as she wiped away a tear. She nodded as she went into her room to get something as I grabbed my sleeping pouch at the bottom of my cupboard and packed it; my mom came back in with a pouch and handed it to me.
"I knew this day would be come so my and your father had set aside some money for you on your travels." She said as I opened the pouch and gasped, there was a lot in here.
"Mom I can not take this." I said and she shook her head.
"This is your present Chailyn from us to you; we knew about you and Quan and we arranged your marriage two years ago but we did not tell anyone of your destiny to be Avatar; that was reveled three days ago." She said as she cried, I went over to her and hugged her as I allowed the tears to fall.
"Chailyn!" I heard someone screaming downstairs… uh-oh Quan was mad at me for some reason. I pulled away from my mom as I looked out at the door and at him, he had water nearby… well he knew he can't beat me in a duel. "Did you tell Li Mei that I was leaving and where I was?" He said and I nodded. My mom came out of the room and looked at Quan.
"No Waterbending in my house; if you two are going to battle it out then go outside!" She said as she walked past Quan and went downstairs.
"Quan go home and pack; we leave in the morning." I said as I went back into my room to finish my packing.
"I will get my payback Chai-Chai!" He said using my nickname he made for me when we were kids and I shrugged it off as his footsteps can be heard in the distance.
"You knew he hates her and yet told her where he was?" Feng asked as he sat on my bed and drank his tea, I turned to him and nodded. "Why?" He asked.
"Because he knows I can beat him in a Waterbending match but I also like to play games with him." I said as I went to my window and raised my hands as I saw Quan coming out, freezing his feet to the ground I quickly moved my arms and soaked him with the snow on the roof. He looked up at me as he screamed and I giggled and ducked out of the window… that was going to be so worth anything he does to me. "I forget you are a kid and want to have fun." Feng said as he let out a sigh and drunk his tea.
"You wanna go penguin sledding tonight? Oh that would be so cool under the Northern lights with the penguins and going through the rapids… please?" I asked him as I pouted and he let out a laugh and another sigh before nodding in agreement. I finished packing and then sat next to him and drunk my tea that was now cold.
"Wish I could Firebend so I could warm up my tea." I said as I pulled a face from the coldness of it. Putting my cup down I double checked my pack and made sure I have everything.
"Chailyn there is someone here for you." My father said as he opened the door and Kun stood there.
"It is time Avatar." He said and I nodded as Feng and Kun left as I walked past my dad who took me in his arms.
"Gonna miss you Chailyn." He whispered as I held back the tears.
"Dad I have to go to the meeting; after that I am going penguin sledding one last time and then will be home I promise." I said as he pulled away and nodded. I left my dad looking in my room as I went downstairs and out of my home.