A week later, in the wee hours on the morning before the sun had even begun to rise, Korra woke up to a strange sensation. Something sharp was pressing against her throat. Her eyes snapped open, and through her bleary vision she saw a figure looming above her, a knife pressed against her skin.
"Give me all your money," the figure demanded hoarsely, voice muffled by a dirty bandana covering his mouth. His arms shook, and he smelled of alcohol. "Everything. Now!"
Adrenaline coursed through her veins. She felt a flash of anger, and Korra's body reacted before she could even think. She opened her mouth and screamed, letting loose a torrent of flames like a dragon breathing fire.
Korra shot up, just now gaining her senses and assessing the situation. She had blown the mugger back, now rolling on the floor, his alcohol and grease-stained rags ablaze. After a moment, he stopped moving, lying face up for Korra to see as the bandana burned off his face.
...It was not a man. It was a teenager, no more than fifteen years old, his face already charred beyond recognition.
Korra fell to her knees, horrified. She quickly put the flames out, but it was far too late. The boy was dead, his corpse laying limply in her camp, with a look of terror etched across his blackened features.
"No," Korra breathed, tears streaming down her cheeks. She immediately heaved, and emptied the contents of her stomach onto the floor.
Afterward, Korra felt numb, empty. She sat there for what felt like eternity, staring blankly at the lifeless form before. What kind of person was she? The poor kid just wanted a few Yuans, and she had burned him alive. Is that the best the Avatar could do?
This is her future, she thought.
She was supposed to help people. To save lives, not destroy them. How many more would die because of her recklessness? Because of her temper?
Korra buried her face in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably. "I'm sorry," she choked out, unable to look at the body anymore. "I'm so, so sorry." The dark thoughts that she had managed to suppress came flooding back, overwhelming her. Korra was a waste of the Avatar Spirit, and everyone would be better off without her.
Naga nuzzled Korra, but it did nothing to ease the unbearable pain in her chest. Korra pulled her beloved animal close, wrapping her arms around Naga's neck and sobbed until her tears ran dry.
Eventually, she sighed, and stood up. She had an hour or two until morning, and she used the time to gather some driftwood and seaweed. The boy looked like a Fire Nation native, so she decided to give him a traditional funeral pyre.
When the fire reached its peak, Korra knelt beside it. "Rest in peace," she whispered, closing her eyes. "I hope you find whatever you were looking for. And if you have anyone out there, looking for you, I hope they can find peace."
She waited until dawn broke, and the fire had reduced the body to ash and remnant bones. Korra placed the remains in a wooden box she crafted from the driftwood, and dug a shallow grave in the sand.
As the sun rose, casting golden light over Yue Bay, Korra piled rocks atop the small grave. Finally, she carved a simple symbol into one of the stones: a flame, burning eternally.
Korra walked the beach and the streets the rest of the weekend, mired in guilt. She avoided people she knew, especially Phoebe and the other orphans, afraid she might break down if she saw another child she could potentially hurt.
Korra eventually returned to work, all but dragging herself into Ren's shop. She was quiet, sullen, and her usually bright and expressive eyes were dull and lifeless.
"Morning, Korra," Ren said, facing away from her as he scribbled notes onto a piece of paper. "Look at the little scamp I found rummaging around in my pantry."
Korra heart skipped a beat. Phoebe was sitting on a tool bin, greedily eating cookies from a jar. She giggled as Ren tickled her sides playfully.
"Hi Miss Korra!" Phoebe chirped happily, waving at her.
Korra nodded silently with a weak smile, barely able to look at Phoebe in the eyes.
"I had an idea over the weekend, and I've been meaning to ask you-" Ren started, pausing as he turned around to face Korra. He barely even recognized her. "Korra, are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Korra lied unconvincingly, averting her gaze. "Just tired, I guess."
Ren squinted at her skeptically. Phoebe wasn't buying it either. She hopped off the bin, walking over to Korra.
"Miss Korra, is something making you sad?" she asked gently, reaching out to hold her finger
Korra flinched, pulling her hand away instinctively. "Uh, I'm OK, Phoebe," she assured her, trying to force a smile. "I just have a lot on my mind, that's all."
Ren was worried. That light behind her eyes... it was gone. "Is there anything I can do?" he asked softly.
"No," Korra said firmly. "I'll be fine. Really. What were you going to ask?"
Ren sighed heavily. Maybe his offer would make her feel better. "I was thinking... I don't mean to pry, but are you still living in that drainage tunnel? There's not an apartment in the city that will take a polar bear dog."
"Yeah," Korra confirmed quietly. "Why?"
"Well, I live on the second floor of this building," Ren explained. "I finally got around to refurbishing the loft, what used to be an old executive office. If you and Naga are looking for a place to stay, you're welcome to crash there."
Korra blinked, taken aback. "Seriously?"
"Of course," Ren assured her. "I'm in your debt still. Let me repay the favor."
"I... Thank you," Korra stammered. "But I don't think you want me staying with you. I'm not a good person, Ren. Not worth the trouble," she dejectedly said, grabbing her shoulder.
"Don't talk like that," Ren scolded softly. "You've got more kindness in your pinky finger than most people do in their entire bodies."
Korra shook her head. "That's not true."
Ren pulled Korra into another room, away from Phoebe's ears. "Korra, did something happen? Is that why you've been acting so strangely?"
"It's... it's not worth talking about," Korra insisted, her voice cracking slightly.
"Korra, listen to me," Ren said earnestly, kneeling in front of her, placing a hand on her knee. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it isn't as bad as you think. And even if it is, we're friends. You can tell me."
Korra burst out crying. "I killed a kid," she blurted out. "I woke up to someone robbing me, and I... I panicked. I got mad. I killed him on the spot, painfully," she said, shaking her head miserably. "Everyone was right. I can't control my impulses. I'm a monster, a danger to everyone around me."
Ren's eyes widened. "Oh Korra, it's not your fault," he comforted her.
"Yes it is," Korra wailed, burying her face in her hands. "I burned the body. I'm a murderer."
Phoebe poked her head into the room, no doubt hearing Korra's cries. "Miss Korra, what's wrong? Can I help?" she asked, worry creasing her brow.
Korra jumped out of her chair like cat that heard a loud noise. She backed herself into a corner, knees drawn up to her chest and arms wrapped tightly around them, her eyes wide and terrified. "Stay back, Phoebe. I... I might hurt you," she stuttered, her voice breaking. "Please, just stay away."
Phoebe ignored the pleas. She ran over to Korra and hugged her tight. "You won't hurt me, Miss Korra," she insisted. "I trust you. I love you. Please don't cry."
Tears streamed down Korra's face as she clung to Phoebe desperately. "I don't deserve your love," she choked out.
"Yes you do," Phoebe murmured soothingly. "You're always so nice to me, and to Gommu. And to Mr. Ren. You're great, Miss Korra. I'm so happy you're my friend."
Ren kneeled beside them, placing a hand on her shoulder. "She's right," he added. "Korra, you wouldn't be this upset if you were truly the monster you think you are."
"I... I don't know," Korra sobbed, wiping at her face. "You don't even know anything about me, Ren. I lie to you about who I am, every day."
"I don't care," Ren declared emphatically. "Whoever you are, wherever you came from, none of that matters to me. I know you're not a bad person."
Korra leaned into Ren's shoulder, with Phoebe cuddled up against hers. She wasn't sure how long she stayed there, but eventually, her breathing slowed, and she calmed down.
Her friends were still there, waiting patiently. Korra sniffled, wiping away her remaining tears.
"I-" Korra stammered. "I was thinking about leaving Republic City. Going somewhere far away, where I can't hurt anybody."
"You know you don't want to do that," Ren pointed out.
One look at Phoebe's sad face convinced Korra that he was right. "I guess I don't," she admitted reluctantly.
"Good," Ren smiled warmly. "Now, how about you and Phoebe join me upstairs for breakfast? I'll cook up some bacon, eggs... and tea. Lots of tea."
"Sounds amazing," Korra agreed gratefully, allowing Ren to help her stand.
Ren offered her a chair, and Phoebe hopped into her lap. She finally took a moment to take in Ren's living space. The main room had a kitchen, a couch, an electric fireplace, and the dining table she was currently seated at. A door led down a hallway, presumably to bedrooms and bathrooms. Everything was modern and metallic, with exposed steel beams, aluminum furniture, steel countertops, and a high-tech radio and other gadgets scattered around the room.
"Wow," Korra commented, admiring the view. "Nice setup you got here."
"Thanks," Ren replied modestly, pouring cups of steaming black tea. "It's not big, but it works for me. Plus, it's basically free, since I have to work out of here anyway." Eventually, Ren handed Korra and Phoebe a big plate of fruit and bacon, and set out a smaller plate of food for himself.
"Mmm," Korra hummed appreciatively, biting into the candied bacon. It was sweet, caramelized, with a savory spice she couldn't quite place. "This is delicious."
"I took you for a meat lover," Ren teased.
"You have no idea," Korra garbled, gnawing on a big chunk while Phoebe chewed on a slice of pineapple. She was spilling juice all over Korra's lap, and Korra could not care less.
They ate in peaceful silence for a while, listening to jazz music playing on the radio. As they finished, Ren casually asked "So... have you thought about my offer? About moving in here?"
Korra swallowed a big bite of food, and tilted her head. "That still stands? After... what I did?"
"Of course it does," Ren affirmed. "I meant it, Korra. This loft is yours, whenever you want it."
"Does that mean I get to stay with Miss Korra sometimes?" Phoebe piped up excitedly.
"Well, yeah," Ren agreed. "You can sleep over anytime you want, Phoebe."
"Yay!" Phoebe cheered, jumping off Korra and giving Ren a big hug.
Korra couldn't stop smiling. How could she refuse now? "Alright," she agreed, meeting Ren's hopeful gaze. "I accept. Thanks, really."
Relief washed over Ren's features. "Glad to hear it," he said sincerely. "Now come on, let's get you settled in."
Ren led Korra into the hallway. His bedroom door was open, revealing a twin bed and a desk with letters strewn across it. There was a picture of his sister on the desk, but none of his parents, at least not that Korra could see.
She eyed what must have been her room, a similar sized room next to Ren's. There was a single bed, a dresser, a closet, and a few boxes stacked in corners.
"This looks great," Korra enthused.
"What? No, that's just a storage room," Ren corrected. "The loft is just up these stairs."
Korra followed him up the staircase, which wound around the central column of the old factory. At the top, there was a large room with windows overlooking the bay, seamlessly blending into a skylight that covered most of the ceiling. In the center, there was a queen-size bed, a wardrobe, a vanity mirror, a bookshelf, all made of smooth metal. There was even a private shower bathroom combo tucked away in a corner.
The sun shone off of Yue bay, the waves reflecting onto the polished surfaces of the room. An airship flew overhead, casting a shadow is it briefly eclipsed the sun.
"What? No way," Korra breathed. "This is for me?"
"Yeah. Like I said, it's an office I've been meaning to turn into a guest room anyway," Ren shrugged nonchalantly. "What do you think?"
Korra could hardly speak. "I... wow. I don't know what to say. Does my paycheck even cover this?" she asked, gesturing wildly in the room.
"I'm not charging you rent," Ren clarified. "This is my gift to you. Just a small thank you for saving my business... and being a good friend."
Korra felt overwhelmed. "Thank you, Ren," she said simply, embracing him tightly. "I don't deserve this."
"You absolutely do," Ren disagreed, patting her on the back.
By that night, Korra had moved what few things she had into the loft. She showered in the clean bathroom, scrubbing away the dirt and sweat from her body. She washed her hair, and properly shaved her legs for the first time in months.
Korra's most prized possession, Phoebe's Blue Panda Lily, sat proudly on the windowsill, right next to a bracelet someone had given her in the Earth Kingdom, and a hunting knife from her father.
Korra lay awake in her new bed, listening to the waves lapping at the shore, watching the reflected moonlight dance across the wall. Her mind was all but ripping itself in half, with deep grief and guilt battling with the simple joy of having a roof over her head, and people who loved her.
Outside her window, the statue of Avatar Aang stood proud and tall, looking over the city. She used to feel like Aang was judging her, disappointed in her failures and fears as it loomed over her campsite. But maybe he was just watching over her. Korra had never communicated with her past lives, but sometimes she swore she felt Aang's presence nearby.
Naga ruffled all over the bed one last time, laying at Korra's feet, while Phoebe snoozed away in the crook of her arm.
Maybe she was overthinking everything. Tonight, Korra just closed her eyes, and allowed herself to drift off into a deep sleep.