I give you full permission to kill me if you wish. It's been almost a year. I understand. But school will, and always will come first and I have been struggling to keep my grades somewhat decent. Writing, especially my fanfictions, is something I do in my free time which is scarce. So I'm so unbelievably sorry that I made y'all wait so long for the next installment. But on the bright side, this chapter is the longest chapter I have ever written, 16 pages, 10,769 words. That's a lot. And the chapter has some juicy action in it. I'm already halfway complete with the next installment since I have a while week to forget about school and focus on updating my stories. A special thanks to Lexi (JournalistInRed) my beta reader (who has yet to edit this chapter) and my good friend. I love you girl! Also a big thanks to those who ,despite my lack of updating, have stuck with me through this journey. I swear I will finish this story if it the last thing I do!

And since it's been a while, to save you the trouble of re reading anything, I shall provide a recap:

In the last chapter Tarrlock had suggested top the council that he wanted to put together a task force to speed up the process of finding Amon. The council, excluding Tenzin, are in favor for the idea. Meanwhile, Mako, Bolin and Kai have made it into the finals of probending but they don't have the sufficient funds to put money in the pot, so they ask Asami to borrow some money. Then there is our Avatar who is still struggling with her Airbending training. It's all bust smooth sailing for her with everything on her mind, and in a fit of frustration, she destroys the air gates using her fire bending which pisses off Tenzin. The next day at school, Tao Ran, Korra's uncle (not Unalaq), is trying hard to convince Korra that he can be trusted. Can he be trusted? Then later that day at lunch, Korra hears about the missing student, Takashi Sojo, from Bolin but thinks nothing of it. In Korra's sixth period, Mako and Korra get into a scuffle about Mako calling Korra the Avatar. Both are sent from the room and to the principal's office after Korra says a few nasty things to the teacher. As result, Korra is suspended and Mako is stuck after school scrubbing chalk boards in detention. Tenzin and Korra get into another fight. Later that night back in the attic of the arena, Bolin admits to Mako he has a crush on Korra and Mako tells Bolin that getting involved with her isn't a good idea and in turn, offends Bolin. Korra apologizes to Tenzin, back at Air Temple Island, hears over the radio of the second student at Republic High to go missing that week. Korra apologizes to Tenzin asks to continue training. Korra, finally showing improvement in her training, is interrupted by Tarrlock who asks Korra to join his task force. Both Korra and Tenzin say no. Leaving his card with Korra, Tarrlock takes his leave. Later in the night, Korra asks Tenzin to attend the next probending tournament. He agrees. The fire ferrets win the game and advance to the next round. After the game, Mako walks Korra to the dock and she apologizes for getting him in trouble the other day. She also confides in him that it's ok for him to address her as Korra when no one else is around. Then Mako insists that Korra can trust him not to tell anyone about who she is. When Korra arrives back at the island, she is met with a panicked Tenzin who drops the bomb that the two students had been found, but they were not found alive. DUN DUN DUN!

Things are starting to heat up and get intense. So hold onto your seats and your feels and enjoy!

Disclaimer: The Legend of Korra doesn't belong to me, yada, yada, yada. However, the plot is mine and you may not use it without my written permission.


Lin Beifong feels everything but elated as she watches Councilman Tenzin waltz in through the heavy metal doors of the Republic City's Coroners Office. As always, he walks with square shoulders and straight back— unwavering poise that even Lin Beifong dare be jealous of.

Tenzin sees her immediately as he walked into the waiting room that reeks of death She looks the same the last he saw her only a few weeks ago when Korra was arrested. Her salt and pepper hair cropped short, round face with a lean jaw, two individual scars arching down her cheeks. Crows feet bend the skin around her dimming green eyes, and small wrinkles shape the curve of fading laugh lines. She is still dressed in that heavy metal uniform. He cannot help but be impressed that she can wear it with such ease. But who is he kidding? It is Lin Beifong for spirits sake, she could probably carry a small planet in each hand with ease. She is Toph Beifong's daughter after all. Lin has always been that strong―spiritually and physically.

Tenzin looks away from Lin as soon as he caught a glimpse of the sneer that curls her thin lips. He approaches the counter where the receptionist who is biding her time by playing pai sho on the computer. Tenzin clears his throat "Excuse me miss?"

The receptionist's eyes dart away from the monitor and her red painted lips pull into a fake smile. "Can I help you?"

Tenzin nods, his stomach doing uncomfortable flips. He was still on edge under the circumstances of his visit to the coroner's office. But because the majority of the Council members insisted Tenzin should meet with the pathologist who had contacted them insisting one of the members come down to talk to her, it was decided that he should be the one to talk to the pathologist. "Yes, I have a meeting with Dr. Sano."

The receptionist turns her eyes back to the monitor and begins to vigorously type at her keyboard. "Tenzin at three o'clock correct?" She questioned gazing up at him.

"Yes."

"I'll let Dr. Sano know you're here. In the mean time, please take a seat." She informs picking up her pager.

Tenzin nods his head and turns back to the waiting area to find Lin still glaring holes into the top of his head. Great. He thought straightening his air nomad robes and stalking over to a chair. He eases into the chair farthest from Lin, folds his hands in his lap and stares forward at a wall adorned in a diagram of a dissected human body.

Lin's fingers curl in and grasp the material of her trousers, her nails digging into the skin underneath."What are you doing here?" Lin asks, annoyance lacing in her voice.

Tenzin sighs and caught Lin's eyes with his own.

"I am here to see Dr. Sano concerning the two bodies found three nights ago." He answers evenly.

Lin arches a brow. "That is official police business. You don't need to be here."

Tenzin, about to reply to Lin's harsh statement, is interrupted by the receptionist's sickly perky voice.

"Dr. Sano will see you now."

Both Tenzin and Lin rise in unison, their guts uneasy. Tenzin follow behind Lin as they are led by the receptionist down a long straight carpeted hallway. The two halt as the girl knocks lightly on the door before swinging it open and gesturing Tenzin and Lin into a small dim lit office that consists of a metal desk, a old computer, two cushioned chairs and a fluorescent light overhead. The plain white walls are adorned in several framed certificates, diplomas, and degrees from years of medical practice. The room scented with a plug in air freshener, does not smell like death like the rest of the building but instead smells of spring bloom of panda lilies.

Behind the desk sits a middle aged woman dressed head to toe in white—white slacks, white trench coat, and white penny loafers. Probably even wearing white socks. Her thick waves of light brown hair is piled on the top of her hair, pinned with a claw clip and some bobby pins. She smiles faintly. "Good afternoon Chief Lin, Councilman Tenzin." She greets looking up from a pile of paper. "Please, have a seat."

Lin and Tenzin comply, both sitting down in the cushioned chair placed in front of the desk.

"Thank you so for meeting me on such short notice." Dr. Sano grins lacing her hands in front of her.

"You are wel-"

"So what are we dealing with Dr. Sano?" Lin interrupts leaning forward in her chair. Tenzin rolls his eyes.

Dr. Sano frowns and casts her eyes down to a folder in front of her. "I am unsure, which is why I asked the both of you to come down here."

"What is there to be unsure about?" Lin demands, her patience wearing thin.

"The victims causes of death, they are peculiar―unexplainable." Dr. Sano looking disturbed, exhaled a burdened breath, and flipped open the manila folder before her. Picking up a document from the folder, she began to read it aloud. "Takashi Sojo. Sixteen years old. Time of death was roughly thirty two hours ago. Cause of death... I'm not sure how to explain this." Dr. Sano trails off.

"Please try your best." Tenzin urges concerned.

"Ok, well I performed the autopsy on Sojo and his injuries were peculiar. The victim had hemorrhages(1) all over his body." She explains, voice heavy. "It was as if the victim had multiple blood clots and they all ruptured simultaneously. In my thirty years, I have never seen anything like this. Same with the second victim, Akari Sage. She too, had hemorrhages."

Lin could not help it when she found her jaw fell agape in shock, her heart beating fast. "I'm not finished. Both victims were benders according to their health records. I find this imperative. Both of the victims chi flows were ruptured."

Tenzin inhaled a sharp breath, his eyes wide in shock. "That means... Their bending..."

Dr. Sano nods.

"Who―what would have the ability to do something like that?" Lin acquired sitting back in her chair with her brows furrowed in disbelief. Tenzin in the same position as Lin sits disturbed. The only one person he knows who can take away one persons bending is the Avatar. Unless...Oh no.

"Did the victim suffer from any other injuries?" Asks Lin intrigued.

"Yes, quite a few actually.." Dr Sano begins to shuffle through the documents in the folder before pulling out a report. "Takashi Sojo has four broken bones: cracked radius, fractured femur, and shattered clavicle. Akari Sage has sixteen broken ribs, compound fracture to both her radius and tibia, and a cervical fracture."

Lin and Tenzin both cringe. "Was there any sign of foul play?" Lin questions.

"No Chief. Whoever― or whatever did this, knew how to clean up the mess afterwards. No fingerprints, hair, blood that didn't belong to the victim, nothing." Dr. Sano explains estranged. The bags under her eyes shows the fraction of her frustration and the sleepless night she spent dwelling over the missing pieces and lack of evidence from her autopsy.

"Evidence was brought into the station last night." Lin says. "A piece of paper. That's it. Nothing else was found." Lin rubs her her temple with her long slender fingers.

"May we see this parchment?" Tenzin could feel the goose bumps rising on his skin under his robe.

"Yes, of course." Dr. Sano says with a wavering tone. She lifts up the files and slides a piece of paper with a copy of the parchment on it across the desk in front of Lin and Tenzin. They read it silently but carefully in their heads.

It is hard hiding the Avatar is it? Not as hard as finding her. She is here. No need to hide her anymore. Is her life worth more than the value of two, maybe four, maybe hundreds? This could be the simple start of a massacre if The Avatar is not handed over to me. Take this as a threat, but I would warrant this as a promise. I will give seventy two hours. Give her to me, and no more will be killed.

-A

Lin and Tenzin both share horrified glances at one another. Tenzin rips his eyes away from Lin's and rests his unsettling eyes back on the message. "How?" was all he can choke out through the disconcerting shock of the realization. Korra had been found.


The news of the deaths of Akari Sage and Takashi Sojo spread like a plague around Republic City and it seemed ever so slowly the streets were getting emptier and emptier. All around the city, memorials were put up to honor the two deceased teens. Even at Republic City High school, in front of the atrium, students had began to make their own shrine for Sage and Sojo—leaving posters, flowers, trinkets, and candles for the deceased. It was all the news talked about, the journalists published, it was all the rage. Never mind that Amon was front page last week.

The city will be holding a public candlelight vigil, and later in the week, a funeral services will be taking place. Korra remembers Bolin mentioning that he will be attending both the vigil and funeral since he was slightly friends with Takashi. He even asked Korra is she would go with him. She kindly declined his offer. She was never good with death, and considering that she was supposed to be dead, the idea didn't settle right in her stomach.

"I can't believe he's gone." Bolin murmurs grievously. It is lunch time at Republic City High and the cafeteria is pushing vacancy.

"It's going to be okay Bolin." Asami assures with a frown from across the table. Mako sitting beside her leans forward in his seat and sets a gloved hand on Bolin's other shoulder. "Yeah Bolin, everything is going to be alright."

"Are you sure?" He sniffles rubbing his eyes misty.

"Yes Bolin, I'm sure."

"I wish Yuke was here." Bolin whined jutting his lip out.

"Yeah, well Yuke is suspended Bolin." Mako informs pulling his hand away.


Korra has come to the conclusion that suspension sucks. Funny how just a day ago she was cursing the very idea of going to that tedious death trap, and now she was missing it. Mostly because Tenzin is making sure Korra is kept busy during her suspension by adding hours to her training sessions. Spending hours starting at the insides of her eyelids wasn't exactly a fun way to spend her day.

It still isn't clicking—that whole meditating thing. It was more of sit in one place with your eyes shut till your butt gets painfully numb. At this point she had given up on the idea of ever grasping the "art" of meditation. But unlucky for her, Tenzin has not and he was still gravely persistent. So yeah, she misses school.

He can see there was something on her mind. She isn't all the way there, her eyes staring forward blankly as she practices her forms. Her feet were heavy with every graceless spin, bend and turn, and her shoulders tense and lips clenched.

Tenzin approaches Korra, concern furrowing his thick brows. He reaches out to rest his hand on Korra's shoulders, but as his fingers brush her skin, she flinches away.

She jerks around with eyes wide, but as she finds it is only Tenzin, she lets herself relax. "Oh, hi Tenzin." Korra chirps faking an amused chuckle.

"Korra, are you feeling ok?"

Korra shrugs, and wipes the small beads of cold sweat from her brows. "Yeah, I'm fine." She insists, her eyes focused on the scuffed top of her boots.

Tenzin, not believing a word Korra says, walks past Korra and lowers himself down to tiled steps that lead to a cobble stoned platform that overlooks the bay. He pats a spot next to him, and Korra falls to the step beside him. "What's on your mind?"

Korra sighs heavily and sags her shoulder. She looks down to her lap. "What happened to Akari and Takashi?" The question leaves her lips in a stressing breath.

"I can't say…" Tenzin answers flatly. His gray eyes calmly look forward but the webbing of his irises showed horror.

"Tenzin." Korra pleas dragging her eyes up to meet his. "I need to know."

"I'm sorry Korra."

Korra drops her now narrowed eyes. "Of course you are."

"I've been meaning to talk to you about Tarrlock." Tenzin iterates, his name sour on his tongue.

"What about him?" Korra cringed at the mention of his name.

"His offer for you to join his task force. I thought you would jump at the opportunity."

"Yeah, I thought so too." Korra replies dully.

"So why did you decline?"

"I just—there are just other things that I need to focus on right now, like mastering airbending, and y'know, the usual stuff." She shrugs.

"Are you still receiving packages from Tarrlock?" Ever since her decline on Tarrlock's offer, he had been sending Korra extravagant gifts—flowers, gift baskets, and even a check for a decent amount of money— sending his pipsqueak assistant to the island to deliver them.

"Yeah. The guy clearly doesn't know what 'no' means."

"He'll stop eventually." Tenzin knows that's a lie. If Tarrlock did one thing, Tarrlock is persistent and is willing to go to the extremes to get what he wants. It was beyond him to why someone like him could ever get elected onto the council. Lying, conniving little rat weasel. "You have been pushing yourself too hard. Why don't you go take a break?"

"Okay." Korra shrugs rising to her feet and stalking away, wanting to be alone.

"And Korra?" Tenzin calls before she is out of ears reach. She twists around. "I- never mind." Tenzin stalks away with a heavy heart and a tight chest.


She feels the connection. It can't be a coincidence. No way could it be a coincidence. Two dead as soon as he shows up? No, not a coincidence.

Korra draws her knees up and hugs them to her chest. Breathing in the crisp smell of pine trees and jade leaves she exhales a shaky breath. She scans the cityscape, a grey fog swallowing up the tops of skyscrapers and shielding the rippling tides of the bay before her. Her hair, down and swaying slowly in the light breeze was growing longer with each passing day, which meant to Korra, another day of not doing anything about the madness spiraling the city into panic.

She reaches into the pocket of her coat and grabbed the small card between her fingers and pulls it out. The font on the card glimmers in an eye catching gold. She reads the card, her heart hammering. She rips the card in two and discards it, throwing it to the wind.

Half an hour and a ferry ride across Yue Bay later, the Avatar finds herself slamming open the door of Councilman Tarrlock's office. Tarrlock does not looked surprised to see the raged Avatar barging through his doors, actually he is quiet amused. "Hello Avatar Korra. To whom do I owe the pleasure?" Tarrlock pipes. "Have you come to tell me you change your mind about my offer?" He smirks with a golden charm and laces his fingers together on top of his desk.

Korra scoffs. "Your gifts are not persuading me Tarrlock. If anything, they are annoying me."

"Are you sure about that Korra? What I am offering you is a chance to figure out Amon's plans and end his tyranny. Is that not what you want?" Tarrlock'S smirk twisted into a snide grin. He knows that slowly but ever so surely, his words were digging into the Avatar's skin.

"What I want is for you to leave me alone!" Korra barks turning on her heel to leave.

"You're afraid, aren't you Korra?"

That comment stopped Korra halfway to the door. Korra is now in the palm in his hand.

Like reeling a fish on a hook.

Korra turns back around at Tarrlock with a fire in her eyes. Not a fire of strength, but fire of anger, and exasperation. "Afraid? Don't be ridiculous. I'm the Avatar."

Tarrlock chuckles. "Your point being?"

"The Avatar isn't afraid of anything."

This comment sent Tarrlock to his feet. He saunters to Korra and stops in front of her before arching over and getting inches from Korra's face. "But you are not the Avatar." Tarrlock straightens his posture and backs away. "You're still in training, still naive. I think the more appropriate term would be Half Baked Avatar," Tarrlock sauntered back to his desk and sank down back to his seat. He lifted a silver pen and tended back to the pile of paper work on his desk. "wouldn't you think."

Signs of tears burns Korra's eyes. Tarrlock notices this and continues his oral assault on Korra. "You are hopeless Korra, hiding away like a coward as your classmates are getting picked off one by one by Amon. What kind of Avatar does that make you?"

Korra does not hear anything after Amon's name slid off Tarrlock's tongue. "How can you be so sure Amon is behind the murders?" She steps back. " Where is your evidence?!" She demands, a hint of disparity in her tone.

Korra expects a different response from Tarrlock as he throws his head back and lets out a burst of loud snorts. "Clueless, mindless Korra." He chortles before regaining his cool and charming composure. The next words that came from Tarrlock's rather large mouth froze Korra with a sharp fear down to the marrow of her bones. "Amon is trying to lure you out. He knows you're alive, and he knows you're in Republic City. Why don't you ask Tenzin what I am talking about? He knows more than I do."

Korra is stomping out of the office and slamming Tarrlock's office door shut before she could hear Tarrlock's farewell. "Good day, Half-Baked Avatar."


"Make sure nothing of this case is released to the media!" Lin Beifong barks into the telephone. "If I see even a hint of this case on the news, I will take precautions that involve your well being and your job!" Lin slams the phone back on the receiver and sunk into her chair. Her head considerably hurt and her stress and anxiety has just reached an all time high. All afternoon it was phone call after phone call from mainly citizens who were concerned about their families and their own well beings. She ended each phone call with the same rehearsed statement: "My best detectives are on the case. I assure you we are working our hardest to make sure nothing like this happens again."

Lin knew what she was saying was a lie. She read Amon's message and the council and herself sure in the hell were not about to hand over the Avatar so easily. There must be another way to derail Amon from Korra's tracks, and one tactic was to make sure Korra does not find out about who killed Akari Sage and Takashi Sojo. If the Avatar knew that Amon was planning to kill again until Amon got what he asked for, she would turn herself in without hesitation. Korra is just that stupidly hard headed and selfless.

Lin was just hoping Tenzin won't run his bog mouth off to Korra. But against her better judgment and the bitter bile in her throat, she has no choice but to trust him.

Beside the phone calls, was hours beyond hours of meetings with detectives, trying to piece together evidence of where Amon can possibly be hiding. But all they could find were more loose ends with nothing to tie it to.

Lin growls when the phone screams its shrill tone. "What?!" Lin snaps.

"Chief, I just got word that another Republic City High student has been reported missing."

You got to be kidding me. "Send out my best detectives Rinaldi." Lin sighed with a heavy voice. "We have to find that kid." Seventy two hours.


"Spirits!" Mako sneers while adjusting the fastener on his knee pads. "The point of getting a replacement for Hasook was so we aren't late to practice." Mako glares up through his lashes at the small gym vacant of Kai. Bolin sighs from beside him on the bench. "And look who isn't here yet! We were supposed to start twenty minutes ago!" Mako continued angrily whilst shaking his head.

"Mako, chill. He'll be here." Bolin says looking over at Mako who is sporting an annoyed glare.

"We are in the finals Bolin, and I don't know if you fully grasp what that means, but we aren't going to win if we can't even get one practice in with the whole team!" Mako stood up and kicked his duffle bag to the side. He shoots a look over to Bolin who is frowning. "C'mon. Let's spar." Mako exhales and Bolin bounds to his feet.

Kai is still a no-show even after Mako and Bolin are sore and covered in a thin film of sweat. They are kicked out of the gym minutes later, and Mako is not so confident anymore that they will be winning the finals. "Well that was a bust." Mako says lowly flinging his bag over his shoulder.

"Hey, we can win this Mako. Quit being so negative all the time." Bolin says falling into step with his brother. Bolin's statement is met with silence.


"Amon killed Akari and Takashi, didn't he Tenzin?" There was an unsettling edge to Korra's voice like she is fighting the words out of her mouth.

Tenzin gazes up from the meal in front of him, then to Korra, then to his children and his wife whom are all wearing horrified expressions. "Daddy," Ikki, Tenzin's youngest daughter inquires. "what is she talking about?"

Tenzin looks at his daughter's confused expression then feels his heart skip a beat. "Korra, please, this isn't the time or place to be talking about this." Tenzin's voice reeks of anxiety.

"Stop with the excuses!" Korra seethed with rage. "Tell me!"

Tenzin turns to Pema who watches her husband with a frown. "Pema, will you take the children into the other room? I need to talk to Korra in private." Pema nods and rises, holding her bloated belly.

"But I'm not finished eating yet!" Meelo protests. Pema grasps Meelo's small hand in hers. "Come on Meelo, you can finish later." Meelo pouts his lips and lets his mother drag him from the room.

When Pema and the children are gone, Tenzin stands and approaches Korra. "Korra I-"

"Is it true?" Her voice seems quieter now.

" Yes, it is true." Tenzin says disheartened.

Korra's eyes widen and her fingers curl into her palms. "Why?"

"I don't know." He casts his eyes to the side, refusing to look into her eyes as he lies.

"Yes you do, now tell me." She spits the words through gritted teeth.

"I can't." Tenzin's voice is even and stern.

Korra shakes her head. "Is it because of me? Does he know I'm here?!"

Tenzin lowers his eyes down to his dinner plate and says nothing.

"He's-" Korra's voice trails off as the reality of the situation sinks in. Amon is trying to lure you out. He knows you're alive, and he knows you're in Republic city. Tarrlock's ringing voice is intimidating and clear in her head. Korra suddenly has the overwhelming urge to throw up. "Where is Amon?" Korra asks lowly.

Tenzin's eyes widen and he gazes back up at Korra. "Korra I know what I am about to ask of you is unethical but you have to trust me." He rises to his feet. "You have to stay hidden. Do you understand? If Amon finds you―if you find him― he will kill you."

"I can't just stay sheltered away while my peers are being picked off one by one! I won't do it Tenzin!"

"You have to do it Korra!" Tenzin shouted his brows furrowing. "You aren't any good to this world dead!"

"This isn't about me anymore Tenzin!" Korra's nostrils flare and the blood in her veins boil and churn. "You can't ask me to do this! My life―Avatar or not―is not worth the lives of two, and who knows when their will be two more." Having nothing left to say, Korra leaves the dining room biting back angry burning tears.


The Avatar catches word of the other missing student a day later. In response to the radio broadcast, Korra chucks her radio across the room and watches it shatter into pieces against the now dented wall. But the damage to the radio isn't enough. By the end of her enraged meltdown, her room had contacted some damage. Her headboard is splintered, three holes are punched into the drywall of the walls, things are thrown from the nightstand and dresser. Amidst all the damage, Korra sits in the middle of her room sobbing for the thousandth time since she had come to the curse that is Republic City.

She feels torn in two. What Tenzin had told her had been vague yet clear. Amon will continue killing until he has the Avatar, and Korra knows that she is as good as dead if Amon finds her―or as Tenzin put it, if she found Amon.

But who was Korra to sit back and watch as more die innocently? The Avatar was meant to protect and Korra felt a little bit less that the Avatar at that point. There must be something she can do to prevent another death without exploiting her location.

The answer hits her like ice water to the face.

Tarrlock answers his phone on the second ring. "Korra, I have been awaiting your call. Tell me, have you changed your mind now?"

"Yes."


Bolin see's Korra first the next morning and before anyone else can steal the moment; he has her in a bone crushing hug. "Yuke! You're back!" Bolin sings swinging back and forth. "I missed you!"

Korra grunts as all the air is knocked out of her lungs. "Bolin, it's been two days…" Korra gasped.

"Two days without you is like an eternity!" Bolin exaggerates setting Korra back on her feet.

"Alright Bolin, don't get creepy." Asami giggles gently pushing Korra and Bolin apart. "Glad to have you back Yuke." Asami too pulls Korra in for a hug but is met with a stiff pat on the back from Korra in return.

Mako standing behind Asami waves to Korra with a small turn of his lips. "Hey."

Before Korra can respond to the greeting, Bolin interrupts her. "Did you hear about Lani Miko?"

Korra becomes rigid. Yeah, she has heard. The name was in her dream last night. Lani Miko is the latest student at Republic City High to go missing, and Korra felt hopeless given the circumstances. She feels her stomach drop and tears prick her eyes. "Yeah." She says void of emotion. "I got to go." And Korra is walking away from her friends as if a blazing fire was on her heels.

Korra skips all her morning classes and instead spends her hours in her Uncle's rooftop garden. But aside from the beauty of the spring bloom, Korra sits upon the roof ledge, leaning against a post with her legs drawn to her chest. It's a hundred feet down but her mind could care less. She is tangled in her thoughts plagued with guilt and self-resentment.

When Korra hears the lunch bell sound, she doesn't move. But she knows who comes up to the Garden at lunch. She doesn't look when the rooftop doors swing open and softly close.

"Korra, I thought you would be up here." Her uncle says. "I missed you in class."

"I'm sure you did." Is all she says.

"Are you feeling alright?" Tao Ran asks approaching his niece who has her gaze out on the cityscape.

"I'm sure you know the answer to that question." She responds coldly.

"Right…" Tao Ran sighs and sits down on the roof ledge beside Korra. "Look, I think we need to talk."

"Talk then. No promises I'm going to listen."

He ignores her statement and exhales. "Korra, you are my family. Your idea that I am working for Amon is ludicrous. I would never hurt you, and you need to understand that. I know you're scared, and I am too." Tao Ran says wearing a sincere expression. "Everyone is scared, and you're scaring me." Korra turns her head and meets her Uncles modest blue eyes. "Please, trust me."

He's my uncle… I want to trust him, but right now I just can't. Korra turns her head back to the expansive layout of the city. She says nothing.

"I've said what I needed to say." Tao Ran rises to his feet and runs a hand back through his long brown locks of hair. "I'll leave you to your thoughts then."

Once again, Korra is left alone and she embraces the solitude.

Korra decides to attend her afternoon classes and she loathes ever second of every lecture, note and face she has to see. The main talk of the class are those three names that have been engrained in her head. Every single word coming out of her peers mouths had something to do with the murders and the other recent disappearance. Korra felt like screaming. She could feel the air in the room get thin and the walls begin to close in. But she bared it, she had to.

Come the last class of the day, she pretends to pay close attention to the lesson, trying not to think about the glances Mako is stealing in her peripheral vision, and the nausea twisting her gut into knots .

Korra doesn't say a word or even look at Mako the whole entire class and for some peculiar reason, that bothers Mako. Mako nudges Korra's arm. Korra gathering her things flinches at the warm feel of Mako's arm bumping her, but her startled reaction sent her notes and binder slipping through her fingers and clattering to the dusty floor. Korra is on the ground in a second, sprawling to gather her notes. Mako squats down too, picking up papers and other items he caused her to drop.

Korra jumps back up to her seat and stuffs her stuff in her backpack. "Hey, are you alright?" Mako asks handing her back crumpled notes. She snatches them quickly.

"I'm fine." As she says the words, the bell rings. She can't get out of there fast enough.

She avoids Bolin and Asami at all costs after the bell rings. She practically sprints from the school―not bothering to stop and wait for Bolin who usually walks her to the ferry.

She only stops running when she feels that she is far away enough from the claustrophobic feeling that school gives her.

The next day isn't any better. Another kid didn't make it home last night and was reported missing. When Korra hears the news over the school intercom, she loses a bit more of her sanity. She holds back the tears overflowing in her eyes, and asks to leave to get a drink of water. The teacher granting her request, Korra isn't slow to get out of the class and ends up locking herself in a stall in the ladies restroom. She sits on the porcelain toilets and stares forward at the bathroom door, absentmindedly reading the graffiti on the stall. She sheds all but three tears, not tears of sadness, but tears of anger.

She doesn't go back to class. She stays in that stall, listening to girls come and go, talking about their fears of being the next one to go missing― to die. When Korra finally frees herself from her stall, she can't even look in the mirror on her way out.

She begins to find comfort in her uncle's garden―enveloped in the chaos of her thoughts atop the quiet roof.

And that's where Mako found her, well followed her. "I thought I would find you up here."

Korra kept her eyes forward knowing Mako had traced her steps up here. Is it not clear that I just want to be alone? "Maybe because you followed me?" Agitation can be detected in her tone.

Mako takes this as in invitation to stay. "I just wanted to see if you're ok." He takes a seat on the roof's edge next to Korra.

"I just want to be alone." She murmurs scooting as far away as Mako as the space provided can allow.

"Y'know, you could have told Bolin that instead of avoiding him. He is convinced you hate him and want nothing to do with him." Mako explains recalling Bolin's disappointment when Korra didn't eat lunch with him and didn't wait for him after school so they can walk together.

"I don't want anything to do with anyone, including you Mako." Korra exhales an intake of breath. "I'm sorry."

Mako is taking back by the lack of subtlety in her words."I'm lost. Did I- we do something wrong? Something to upset you?" He leans over trying to catch her cerulean eyes with his.

Korra does not think to ponder the words that fly from her mouth. "Amon is in the city because he knows I'm here. He knows I'm alive. He killed Takashi and Akari because of me! Now two more are missing." She explains desperately, her voice breaking and cracking. "He is trying to lure me out. I can't be seen around you guys anymore. Who knows if you or Bolin are the next ones to go missing…" The very thought churns her stomach and sends ice cold shivers lingering down her spine. "I don't need that on my shoulders."

Mako's lips form an "o" from the shock of the information Korra is spewing, but regardless, he keeps his cool composure."Korra, you don't need to worry about me or Bolin. We can take care of ourselves."

Korra turns her head and locks eyes with Mako. "I worry. You guys are the only real friends I have ever had and I can't forgive myself now for Akari or Takashi or even Lani and Sanji…" She bites down on her bottom lip, trying to contain the floodgates inside her. She looks away, not wanting him to see the mist in her eyes. " If anything happens to you or even Bolin, I would never forgive myself. So please, just say away from me."

"You can't blame yourself for those two kids. It isn't your fault." Mako reaches over and places his hand over Korra who recoils at the contact and pulls her hand away.

Enraged, Korra hops up and away from Mako. "The hell it isn't!" She hisses hopping off the edge and back into the garden. Mako stands too and faces Korra, watching the obvious pain in her eyes. "Amon killed them because he wants me, and he'll kill again untill he has me! But I can't give myself up. Not yet anyway." Cause I am a coward. I am a sorry and dried up excuse for the Avatar. Half-Baked

"So what are you going to do?" Mako asks taking a step forward, Korra takes a step back.

"I-I joined a taskforce to find Amon." Korra casts her eyes down and hugs her arms. "It's my best bet." She continues quietly. It's my only bet.

"That's suicide Korra." Mako suggests with a concerned look bending his features. "What if this task force doesn't work and you're captured?" Mako watches as Korra's posture goes rigid. "What makes you think Amon won't kill you?"

"Well what else am I supposed to do? I have to do this. And I'm going to do this, regardless of what you think." Regardless of my better judgment. "Tell Bolin what you want. Let him down easy, but I'm cutting ties with you, with Bolin and Asami." Her voice cracks. "You'll thank me later when you're not found dead in an alleyway." Korra hastens to the steel exit doors. Wrapping her hand around the cool metal of the handle, she prolongs one last glance over her shoulder. Words choke in her throat. She is gone before she can say them. It's better this way. She tells herself. Yet, she is still not convinced.


"Bo, I need to talk to you…" Mako announces dropping his chopsticks to his dinner plate and looking up at Bolin who shovels dumplings into his mouth. "It's about Yuke."

Bolin's face drops at the name. "What about her? Did you talk to her? Is she ok?"

Mako bites down on his tongue. For the past two hours he had been rehearsing in his head about what he was going to tell Bolin. But now on center stage with big emerald eyes as his audience, he has forgotten his lines. "Uh, yeah she is fine." A little less than fine actually. "She's just stress and needs some down time." Actually no Bolin. Your brother is a big stinking liar. Yuke is not Yuke. Turns out she is the Avatar. Ha, funny right? Yeah also she is not ok. Turns out it was Amon who killed your friend and that other girl. He also kidnapped those other two kids. All because Amon wants Yuke―I mean Korra who is Yuke. Yeah it's a mess bro…I'm sorry.

Bolin blinks. "Seems like everyone is stressed right now," A bundle of red fur leaps onto Bolin's lap and nuzzles his thigh. "Even I'm stressed and I'm immune to stress." Bolin twirls his chopsticks in the remaining chicken broth in his bowl and sighs. "What are we going to do Mako? I don't mean to sound like a child, but I'm scared."

Scared. Mako has heard Bolin say that word of multiple of times. A majority of those times, they were on the streets eating out of dumpsters and seeking warmth by makeshift fires crafted in metal tins. Those were the days when they had to call the streets home. Bolin was scared then and now that same fear has clawed through Bolin's tough exterior. The look in Bolin's eyes sank Mako's stomach.

"I don't know Bo."Mako says lowly. "The best we can do now is stay alert and out of harm's way." He doesn't tell Bolin that it's going to be ok. He has lied to Bolin enough today to last then thousand lifetimes.

Bolin gently strokes Pabu's back with his finger tips. "Someone in my third period heard a rumor that the kidnapper―whoever he is―is only going after benders."

Mako tries not to flinch. "I don't know Bolin. Just, try not to think about it." Mako pushes back his chair and rises to his feet. Dropping his half full bowl in the sink, he stalks up the ladder to the loft and lies on his cot. He drapes one hand over his chest and props one behind his head and gazes emptily at the popcorn ceiling. His thoughts focus on nothing in particular.


They gave her a uniform. Tight black pants, a black tee-shirt to wear over a dark blue button-down shirt, black combat boots, and a bullet proof vest. They gave her a plan that she turns over her head over and over again. The plan, discussed at a long table in a wide open room, was dicey but smart. The head of the Task Force, a young man of thirty three had tactfully found out where one of the Equalists camps are located.

Underneath a small takeout restaurant― shrewdly located―a remote area that draws little attention. They would never expect it.

But the remote areas were the first places they sought out.

The plan was simple.

Invade the camp, and take out as many Equalists as possible.

To do that, they gave her a gun―just for persuasion. It was cold to the touch and her heart and stomach sank at the thought of having to use it. She kept her identity as Yuke Shen the non-bender from Ba Sing Se. Oddly, she feels more comfortable not using her bending in public places. A comfort she picked up in the confines of the city.

She has never shot gun, and she never wants to. But she knows she has to if comes down to it.

This isn't about me anymore. I'll do what I must to end this. No more are going to die because of me.

The convoy truck is full of ten task force members; all dressed similar with a gun in a leather holster. Three more trucks drive behind them, and two more in front of them. The other members of the task force chat idly with one another―some nervous and others eager. Half of the recruits are benders, half are not. But it doesn't matter. Yuke is a non-bender, so her only weapons are her martial arts ability, and a gun.

She sits in the corner of the truck bed, her knees drawn up and her eyes looking forward. She feels carsick, the ride bumpy and reeling. To pass the time she tugs at fly away hairs from her ponytail or just thinks about what a failure of an Avatar she is. Half-Baked Tarrlock had called it, and he was right.

The uniform stiffens her, the vest constricting any kind of quick or extensive movement, and the boots hurt her feet. She tries not to think about it. The destination cannot come soon enough.

No one talks to Korra, all but one young man who looks to be in his late teen years with a smile that could light up a small dark room.

He nudges Korra's elbow and she flinches away. "You alright there?" The man asked. "You look as if you're ready to blow chunks." Korra recognizes that voice― low and sharp, soft and smooth. She snaps her head to the man and her eyes widen. She feels her already knotted stomach convulse.

"Mako?" She almost screams, but her voice comes through her chapped lips in a small whisper, as if she was afraid to say his name aloud―like she wants to protect his identity. Then all at once she is angry. So angry she could punch him right in the jaw. He was on the taskforce? Why hadn't she seen him during the briefing? "What are you doing here?" She hissed and Mako, a beam of light skims over his pale face as a headlight passes by the truck.

Mako's small smile vanishes and is replaced with a frown. "Same reason you are," He catches her panicked cerulean eyes. "looking for Amon."

"You shouldn't be here! Do you know how dangerous this is?" Korra begins to walk the line between hysterics and rage.

"Do you?" Mako challenges and Korra's eyes narrow. "I've already weighed my consequences. I know what I'm getting myself into and I know the dangers." Mako leans his face in close, his eyes dark from the lack of light. "But I don't think you do."

Korra scoots away until her shoulder presses against the wall of the convoy. "So what, are you here to make sure I don't get myself killed?" She spits back. "That's sweet Mako. I'm flattered," Her flat tone is slathered in sarcasm.

"Don't be. I'm here for Bolin."

Oh.

"I need to protect my little brother in any way that I can. This is the only way I could think of." Mako explains looking away from Korra. "Bonus that I can make sure you don't get yourself killed." He continues with a small smile.

Korra rolls her eyes. "I can take care of myself just fine."

"I'm sure you can. You are you after all. I won't get in your way. You do your thing and I'll do mine."

She nods, feeling refreshed that someone finally isn't treated her like some damsel in distress.

"So where is this Councilman Tarrlock? Didn't he form this little militia group?" Mako asks scanning the several faces in the convoy.

She shrugs. "I didn't see him during the briefing. I'm going to assume that he wants the hard work done for him." Korra tugs on a loose baby hair. "Y'know politicians―never wanting to get their hands dirty."

Mako turns back to Korra and examines her rigid posture. Her lips are between her teeth, gnawing and chewing. Her fingers pull at little brown hairs that frame her face, and her foot consistently taps the truck bed. Never mind that her troubled face lacks color. "You alright?" He asks. He extends his arm out to touch her leg, but he refrains. She hasn't exactly reacted to physical contact to well lately. He pulls his hand back and rests it on his own leg.

Korra nods, swallowing. Her dry throat aches. "I'm fine." She lies. "Just feeling a little carsick."

"You should really work on you lying. You aren't fooling anyone with those trembling fingers." He sighed and leaned closer to her. She still refuses to look him in the eye. "You can talk to me, you know. I'm not judging you." He says so soft she can almost not hear him over the loud hum of the truck engine, and other conversations going on around them. "Whether you chose to accept it or not, I know you. You can trust me."

Your one of the few people I actually can trust. She wanted to tell him. I am scared and It's such a foreign feeling to me. I just don't want any more to die because of me. She runs the dialogue through her head as if she was saying it, but she keeps silent.

Mako was about to say something more but the convoy lurches to a stop. Mako braces himself, grabbing underneath the bench he sits on while Korra is lurched from the bench, but she catches herself on her palms with a grunt. She quickly rights herself back on the bench and huffs a hair from her eyes.

"We've reached our destination!" A man with a booming voice says from outside the truck. "Get in formation!" Everyone begins spilling out of the back of the trucks and into the night, Mako and Korra included.

The streets are empty and the lights of the restaurant are turned. There is no sign of life anywhere.

The benders line up shoulder to shoulder and take position―water benders whip water from their canteens, earth benders manipulate the ground beneath them, lifting large chunks of cobble from the ground to act as weapons, and fire benders hold balls of flame with their fingers. Korra watches Mako from behind as a fire is sparked to life in his palm.

She takes her own position, shoulder to shoulder, with the non-benders who have their hands on the handle of the glock nestled in the leather holsters on their hips. Her fingers curl just above the handle of the gun and she takes a series of deep breaths to calm her racing heart.

The benders inch forward, edging around the alley between the restaurant before kneeling down to a series of windows that peered into the basement. Mako couldn't help but feel unsettled at what he saw.

Men and women―ordinary men and women sparred, kicked and punched hanging rice bags, or cloth dummies, others had guns pointed at paper targets against the wall―silencers screwed to the barrel. The room is tinted a sickly green from the one light that flickers from the ceiling, and strung across the far wall is a flag with Chinese scripture on it.

Equalize.

Mako curls his fingers around the ball of flame and waits for the cue.

Now.

The water benders fling the river of water forth and it easily breaks through the glass, scales down the wall and mules over several trainees. Then the water freezes, and all hell breaks loose.

Some of the novices scramble to the nearest exit and others stay and draw their weapons and readied to fight.

Mako and the other taskforce members quickly scoot through the window. Mako easily lands on the ball of his feet and lunges for the Equalist closest to him―a young woman who hides a short blade beneath her sleeve. She reels away from Mako with a sneer then throws herself at him with her knife drawn.

Mako side steps out of the way, nearly getting nicked by the blade. He spins on his heel and put his full momentum into the kick that lands on the woman's hands that sends the knife flying from her grasp. She cries out in pain before turning back to her opponent who is sending another lethal kick her way. His foot slams into her chest. She falls, sliding across the hard stone floor. She lies unconscious.

From behind, Mako feels three quick and hard jabs to his shoulders and spine. He turns around to face his attacker and snaps his fist forward, intending to throw a swirling ball of fire at the man's chest. No fire. Not even a puff of smoke. Alarmed, Mako intakes a sharp breath.

My bending?

Distracted, Mako doesn't see the fist that flies towards his jaw.

Korra steps between Mako and his advancer, grabs his fist and twists his arm behind his back. The man cried out in pain, his arm socket popping and cracking. Korra kicks behind his legs and forces him to his knees before grabbing a fistful of his dark hair and slamming his head down to the stone floor. She releases him and he sags to the floor. Stepping back, she looks at Mako. "Thanks." He says breathless, and she nods before twisting away and engaging in a grapple with another Equalists.

He's stronger than her and she can tell as soon as his big meaty fingers snag her shoulder and try to throw her to the ground. But the man who is taller than her by a foot and a half lifts his knee and catches her in the stomach. Korra wheezes as the air is knocked out of her. The man takes this advantage to lift her up and smash her to the ground. He straddles her before she has a chance to recover, trying to jab her stomach―pressure points that will immobile her. But Korra has trained for moments like this. She wraps her legs around the bulky man's torso and uses all her strength to roll them over until she is on top of him. His struggling, aggressive like a wild platypus bear, almost knocks her over, but she locks her knees tight and throws her fist forward. Her knuckles split and bruise as her fist cracks against the man's jaw. The man's eyes roll into the back of his head and he goes limp underneath her.

She leaps to her feet, adrenaline pulsing through her veins. Around her the chaos continues as Equalists and task force members fight, and her eyes scan the turmoil. She finds Mako fighting off two Equalists easily. His kicks are swift and quick, punches lethal and strong, his fire beautiful and deadly, the smooth turns of his feet are graceful. Almost as if he is dancing.

Dancing and winning.

His bending is back. Good.

Korra, distracted by Mako's grace doesn't see the Equalists dart past her, knocking into her shoulder causing her to stumble back a step.

"Don't just stand there and observe Shen!" Shouts on the leader of the task force. "Go after him!"

Korra rips her eyes away from Mako before spinning on the heel of her boot and sprints after the running Equalists. The man throws open a heavy metal door and throws it closed behind him. Korra, nearly running into the door, rips it open and sprints down the hallway, her breath labored and her feet hurting from the hard soles of her boots. She stares forward, looking for the sprinting man, but she hears and sees nothing. Before she can skid to a stop, the toe of her boot catches on something, and then Korra is hurling forward. She squeezes her eyes close before the impact which is hard and unforgiving―stealing all the breath from her body. She rolls to a stop, the stone scratching her bare arms. Dazed and disoriented, a bright fluorescent light flickers above her, blinding her. And she only sees the figure dropping down at her half a second before it's too late. She rolls out of the way and bounds to her feet, shakes her head and takes stance in front of the Equalist whose dark eyes are narrowed into slits.

Korra pounced at the man and before she can even as so much lay a finger on him, he draws a gun from his belt and pulls the trigger.

The scream of the gun reaches her ears before she feels the impact that sends the Avatar sprawling to the ground. A hot pain flares from the center of her chest and webs out, making her body tremble and cold. She cannot breathe. It feels like she took a hammer to the chest. She cries out in pain but her scream comes out choked and broken. She desperately gasps for breath.

The man leans over the whimpering girl and aims the barrel of the gun at the space between her eyes. Before he can pull the trigger, he feels the gun get hot, his body is hot and then he is on fire. The man drops the gun and drops to the floor, his bare skin welting and bubbling under the heat. He screams. But all at once the fire is gone and the man is wrenched up and punched in the eye before he sees nothing at all.

"Korra?" Mako kneels next to Korra who is clutching her chest. Her blue eyes are squeezed closed and her mouth is clamped―she pushes whimpers through her teeth.

Korra, the pain still blossoming in her chest, doesn't stop Mako as he leans over her and starts unbuttoning the first five buttons of her shirt. "What are you doing?" She rasps.

"Making sure the bullet didn't breach your vest." He says out of breath. But as he sees the small bullet lodged in the center of the vest, he breathes a sigh of relief. "You're okay." He breathes as he grabs the bullet with his fingernails from the thick fibers of the vest and holds it up to Korra. The metal is still warm. "The vest caught the bullet. Are you alright?"

Korra sits up and clutches her chest, tears burn her eyes. "I'm fine." She gasps. "I'll live. Thanks."

Mako grabs her by the Bicep and helps her to her feet. She winces and stumbles forward, her hand clutching her chest. "Who knew getting shot could hurt so bad."

"It could have hurt worse. Thank the spirits for bullet proof vests."

Korra started forward, her breath still labored. "It hurts." She wheezes inhaling a strenuous breath.

"I know." He says. "The vest is made to stop the bullet from puncturing skin, but it will cause some bruising. Nothing too life threatening. You'll be okay."

She doesn't protest when she feels Mako's hand on the small of her back, keeping her steady. They walk back to the main room in silence.


Mako was right. The impact of the bullet in the vest caused some somber bruising. In the center of her chest, she can see where the bullet would have hit her. There is a round swollen welt, angry and red. The surrounding areas of her chest are blotched in black, blue and yellow bruises that web up to her clavicle. It still hurt. It hurt to breathe, to walk, to talk, to do much of anything really.

Gazing at her reflection in the mirror, Korra sheds her unbuttoned shirt onto the bathroom floor before twisting on the sink faucet―the water sputtered and struggled out of the rusted faucet head. She waited till the sink bowl was filled to the brim with cold water before dipping her hands in the sink. The water instantly began to glow a bright glittering blue around her hands. The split skin of her knuckles began to mend and the yellow and blue bruises crawling up her fingers lifts away. She raises her hands from the sink, the glowing blue water still gurgling around her hands. Placing both her hands on her chest Korra sighed a breath of relief at the cool sensation that coaxes the pain away. After several minutes, she drops her hands back in the sink and empties the drain.

Korra examined her chest in the mirror. The welt is still there, but it was less noticeable. The dark bruising had lightened to a soft blue and the intense pain that labored her breathing had reduced to nothing but a faint and bearable throb.

Korra turns her head to the folded brown tee shirt lying on the counter. She quickly and carefully pulls it over her head and tucks the hem into her jeans. She smoothes her dark curls back with the flat of her palm and rubs her sore blue eyes.

The mission, despite her injuries, was a success. Thirty six Equalists captured and arrested and the restaurant was shut down and now under the cities eye. She should feel happy but she doesn't. That troubled feeling still claws away at her gut, making her sick to her stomach.

Amon is still out there and he has two more innocents in his possession doing who knows what to them. She can't even stomach the thought.

She lets out the breath she didn't realize she was holding in and presses her palms to the side of the sink.

This suck. She thinks squeezing her eyes close. I need to find Amon. I need to find those kids. I need to.

A subtle knock to the door shakes Korra from her thoughts. "Korra?" Mako says from the other side. "You alright in there?"

Mako had offered Korra to come back to his place after the mission to clean herself up before she goes back to Air Temple island. Tenzin would throw a fit if he saw the bruising on her chest and her split knuckles. He initially wasn't too enthusiastic on the idea of her joining the Task Force, but Korra make it clear that there was no changing her mind. But she would rather avoid his panic attack if he found out she was shot.

Mako had offered her one of his shirts seeing as her button up shirt now sported a small, burning hole in the chest. It smells like him, the shirt. Like smoky wood and something heady and intoxicating. "Yeah." She replies. "I'm fine." She opens the door to find Mako leaning against the wall in a pair of dark jeans and a maroon tee shirt with that tattered red scarf draped across his neck. He looks her up and down and clears his throat. "You feeling better?" He asks.

She nods and notices that his knuckles are bound in white gauze. "Did something happen to your hand?"

"I split my knuckles when I punched that Equalist who had that gun to your head." Korra cringes a little. "It's fine. It'll heal."

"Here, sit down." Korra gestures to the toilet seat. Mako raises a brow but sits down anyway. She refills the sink with water. "Take that gauze off."

"What are you doing?" He asks with a questionable look.

"Just do it." Korra rolls her eyes and dips her hands in the cloudy water. Mako's eyes widen when the water glows blue. She moves her hand and the water from the sink and takes his warm calloused hand in her own as she squats in front of him. Mako hisses then sighs as his pain is soothed.

"How are you doing this?" Mako questions as he watches the bloodied and ripped skin of his knuckles mend.

"I learned it when I was training with Katara, my water bending master."

"I've heard of her. She was Avatar Aang's wife?"

She nods. "She is one of the best healers in the world. The water has special healing properties. It's a handy skill to have, especially if you're as reckless as me."

"It's amazing." He murmurs, his hand now free of cuts and bruises. "It feels amazing."

Korra cracks a small almost non-existent smile. She bends the water back into the sink bowl and rises to her feet. "There." She sighs. "Good as new."

Mako rises to his feet and looks down at Korra. "Thank you." He says. And after several seconds he realizes he's stared to long. He clears his throat and turns around to exit the small bathroom. "C'mon. I'll drive you home."

Korra follows him out and down the ladder of the loft. "You have a car? And you walk everywhere?" She asks scanning the apartment.

"It saves me money for gas. My legs work. I figure I can use them."

"Where is Bolin?" Korra asks noticing Bolin is absent from the apartment.

"Probably down in the gym practicing." He answers flatly.

"Oh."

When they reach the parking lot of the arena, Korra scans the dark lot for a car that isn't there. But what she does see makes her squirm. "Please tell me that's not yours." Korra pointed at the silver Satocycle kicked up on its stand.

Mako, amused, walks over to his cycle and grabs two black helmets from the handle bars. He holds one out to Korra who looks petrified. "C'mon Korra. Don't tell me the Avatar is scared to ride a Satocycle." His tone drips with amusement.

Korra narrows her eyes. "No way." She shoots back."I just… would rather ride Naga."

"Naga?"

"My polar bear dog. She's my best friend."

Mako chuckles. "Your best friend is a polar bear dog?" Mako tosses the helmet to Korra who awkwardly catches it in her hands. "Somehow, that makes perfect sense." He pulls the helmet over his head and throws a leg over the cycle before kicking the stand up. He shoves the key in the ignition and the bike roars to life. He looks over at Korra who still stands in the same spot, eyeing the bike nervously. "Get on." He shouts over the holler of the engine. "I promise it's perfectly safe. I'll get you to the docks in one piece."

Korra huffed and pulled the helmet over her head, walked over to the bike and swung her leg behind Mako. She gripped the side of the leather seat so tight her knuckles pale. "You might want to hold onto something Avatar." Mako says kicking off the parking break with his heel. "These things don't come with seatbelts."

Then the bike starts forward and Korra finds herself falling back. She scrambles to grab into something which is two handfuls of his tee shirt. She pulls herself close and locks her hands around his waist so tight that she can feel the sharp bumpiness of his ribcage.

She keeps her eyes closed the whole ride, her stomach doing flips as the bike glides down the road. When the bike halts to a stop, Korra lifts the helmet from her head and hands it back to Mako. He turns the bike off and swings his leg to the other side of the bike so he is sitting facing Korra. "Korra." He says before she can walk away. "I just wanted to-" He shakes his head. "Never mind. I'll see you at school."

Korra frowns and fidgets her fingers at her side. "Mako, I meant what I said the other day… I want you to stay away from me." She says lowly with a blank face.

"Doesn't mean I have to." He replies with a small smile curving his lips.

"Yes. It does." Korra sighs, her chest aching again. "I don't want anything happening to you because of me. Just trust me, okay?" She bites her lip and turns away and begins to walk down the dock. She looks over her shoulder when Mako calls after her.

"Do you trust me?" He asks, the soft ocean breeze swaying his dark tendrils of hair.

Korra's heart hastens and her palms grow clammy. "I do." Is her answer.

Mako drops his gaze and nods. "Then I trust you too. Be safe, Korra." He's back on his bike and revving the engine. Korra watches as him and the bike disappear up the street.


And that's a wrap for the next installment of Cerulean. I hope you liked this chapter. I spent a lot of time making sure it's exciting since I took 10,000 years to update. I have half of the next chapter complete so the next update won't be that far away!

As always, review and tell me what you think. Criticism is welcomed and appreciated. If there is something wring with my writing, someone pointing out my weaknesses and mistakes can help me improve!

Have a flawless day!

(1)- Hemorrhages:

an escape of blood from a ruptured blood vessel