Invisible String | Mako

Chapter 8

-Mako-

The smell of freshly brewed coffee and ink was all too familiar as I pushed open the office doors. The station was busy, agents rushing around with papers and photos as I weaved my way through the hustle and bustle and into Chief Beifong's office.

I came in a hurry, my radio buzzing early in the morning. I was told to get to the station as fast as possible, thus my shoes were half tied and my shirt untucked as I plop down in the chair.

"Mako" Chief nods, walking into the room. A few officer's followed, the bags under their eyes telling me it had been a long night. "We have bad news"

I frown, my stomach sinking.

"Elena's mother is missing" Lin frowns, "We got a radio call in the night from a village outside Omashu. Sakura Shen's camp was raided, her and her team are missing"

I sigh, fingers pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration. Elena had been counting on her mother getting here, and now she was missing along with everyone else.

"We don't have any leads?" I say, frustrated.

Chief shakes her head, hands leaning on the desk.

"I'm thinking about going there to investigate, I think it would be best if you came along. I need my best officer's with me"

"I'm in" I announced, standing from my seat. "I can ask Bolin and Asami to stay with Elena"

She nods, dark eyes connecting with mine, "You need to tell her, Mako"

"I know" I sigh, hand running through my hair, "I will"

"We leave in 4 hours"

I nod, exiting the office and making my way back out of the station. This wasn't going to be easy.

After a few minutes I'm met with the outside of my apartment building, my heart pounding as I walk past the doors and up the stairs. I hate this. I hate being the one to deliver bad news.

I open the door, music filling the room as Elena sits at the piano. At first she didn't even see me walk in. Her eyes cast on the wall as her fingers slide up and down the keys. Her hair was down, flowing down her shoulders. A white silk shirt sat on her body, the sleeves long and flowing as she moved her fingers up and down the piano. She looked peaceful, calm. I didn't want to be the thunderstorm to rain on her good mood.

"Elena" I said, watching her fingers halt as the music stopped.

"You're home early" she noted, a small pressed to her lips, "Want some Jasmine tea?"

"N-no, no thank you" I hesitate, stepping forward. "Elena, something happened"

Her smile falls, green eyes widening. I could see the wave of anxiety hit her, and it made me feel sick.

"The station received a radio call from a village outside Omashu, your mother's camp was raided and she and her team are missing" I say, watching her worry turn to sorrow.

Within seconds she is on the ground, knees buckling as sobs echo around my apartment. I rush to her, bending down to place a warm hand on her shoulder. I move my hand steadily up and down her shaking frame, my heart pulling at the sound of her crying.

Watching her in this state made me feel sick. There was no way I could leave her to go with Chief to Omashu. How could I? I need to be here, with her. I could never leave.

After a few minutes she sets up, legs sprawled out on the floor as she sniffs. Her eyes and nose were red, the puffiness of her eyes making me hurt even more. I hated seeing her sad.