CHAPTER 2: KIDNAPPED
"Oh no," I whispered, studying the dozen fire bending warrior's sitting before me.
Slowly and carefully I stood up, and, holding my breath, took a few cautious steps backward. Careful, Katara! Remember, not a sound or... I raised a hand to my neck and with my finger slowly slid it across my throat. I shuddered, thinking of how horrible it would be to be tortured. Or killed. Okay, I'm almost out of ear shot. Just a few more...
"Going somewhere, girl?" a rough voice asked in my ear. My eyes widened and my mouth dropped but I recovered quickly. Turning around to face my opponent, I prepared to make a water whip to protect myself. A bald man with a red vest on returned my glare, and raised his hands to a fighting position. Oh it's on, Baldy!
Giving me a crooked smile he said calmly, "Put your hands on the ground and I just might let you live."
"I'd rather kiss a pig, Fire Bender," I replied, equally calmly. I took a small step away from him, so I could get some room.
"Oh, in that case... goodnight, Darling."
I dropped my hands in confusion, "What are you-" A strong, painful punch on my back made me whirl around and whoosh out my water from the pouch on my belt. Not another one!
Before I could even make out my second attackers face, the bald man put a dark sack over my face.
"You're lucky I had this sack, Lee! She would've gotten away!" the bald man yelled as I struggled. Realizing I was done for, I let out a piercing scream, followed by a rock banging my head. That's going to leave a bruise. The black world around me began to spin, as I sank to my knees. No... So painful...I...can't black out...not...now... Too late. My eyes closed and I slowly drifted off into a dreamless sleep...
(AANG'S POINT OF VIEW)
Meanwhile...
For the hundredth time I scanned the forest's edge, looking for Katara. Please, please, please don't be hurt!
I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you! I mentally slapped myself for being such an idiot. Why did I not send Toph with her? Stupid, stupid, stupid!
"Any sign?" Sokka touched my shoulder. Why did I not hear him coming?
"No. Not yet," I sighed, "Where could she be, Sokka? It's been almost two hours."
"Maybe she got lost. Don't worry, we'll find her, Aang," Sokka paused for a moment before saying, "Come on, let's go, Toph is probably freaking out over me being gone for so long."
"Yeah," I grinned, "That's likely. She's probably crying buckets-" a shrill scream interrupted my unfinished sentence.
Sokka frowned, "What on earth...?"
I narrowed his eyes. That sounded a lot like..." Katara!" I yelled, plummeting down the mountain towards the scream.Hearing loud footsteps behind me, I called over my shoulder, "Sokka, she never screams! She has to be in really big trouble!" Katara...
"I know, Aang!" Sokka yelled, "We need to find her! Quick!"
"I know," I whispered. Katara...
"If anyone hurts her, I swear, they can count on being strangled in the next day!" Much better than my choice of punishment. Sokka continued, "I hope she's okay, Aang. I can't live knowing that I let Katara and Mom down!"
"I know," Katara...