Osore (Complete)

Nightmare

It was all her fault.

Lin flung the door open and let out a strangled scream that she didn't know she was capable of making. The room was in complete disarray but her eyes couldn't peel away from the body that lay sprawled across the bed.

Their bed.

She ran to her, jumping at how cold her skin was as she felt frantically for a pulse. She was always so warm. Lin liked to push her cold toes between her legs when they first got into bed. Kya would always yelp before pulling Lin closer to her, sometimes whispering in her ear that she could think of some more fun ways to warm the earthbender up.

But now she was cold. Her skin was pale, a greyish tinge to the usual warm brown. And there was blood everywhere. Lin pulled her limp form to her, begging the spirits, the universe to save her even though she knew she was gone.

It was all her fault.

Officers arrived at her apartment after a neighbor reported hearing screaming and feeling tremors throughout the building. After the building collapse from earlier that day everyone was on very high alert.

She wouldn't let them touch her.

It wasn't until Mako arrived and carefully pried her arms off Kya's pale body that she finally gave in. He whispered kind words to her but she didn't hear them. It was as if she was living her worst nightmare. She arrived at the police station where she learned one of the triads had taken credit for the murder. That they wanted to send a message to the police chief.

It was her fault.

Tenzin hugged her but he was stiff and cold in his movementsr. He wouldn't make eye contact and barely spoke to her. Pema and the children were there too. Ikki ran to give her a hug and as soon as she knelt down for the young airbender she whispered in Lin's ear;

"Why did you let them kill Aunt Kya?"

Lin pulled away, a look of shock on her face. Meelo looked at her with uncertainty and she held a welcoming hand out to him. He started to run to her but instead of his usual tackle hug, he pushed her hard. She lost her balance and fell back.

"You should have saved Aunt Kya! You're not my hero anymore!"

"Lin, I'm so sorry. He didn't mean-"

"No, Pema. Meelo's right. She should have saved Kya."

Lin felt a stab in her heart as a new kind of fear and dread hit her at Tenzin's words. They had been through so much, she couldn't lose him too. But could she really blame him? Because they were right. Tenzin picked up Meelo as he looked down at Lin.

"I don't want to see you for a while, Lin. In fact, I'm not sure I ever want to see you again."

Lin didn't say a word as she watched them leave. Only Jinora remained. She looked at Lin curiously but didn't speak. She started to say something but Lin couldn't hear her.

"What?"

"Chief?"

Lin blinked rapidly. Jinora was gone and Mako was sitting in front of her. She must have gotten lost in her memory. She was dazed and felt very disoriented.

"You were just telling me about a new case you wanted me to work?"

"Wha-oh. Yes. Um, do you have everything you needed from me?"

"Yes, I was just waiting for the okay to go check out that abandoned warehouse."

"Right, consider it okay."

"Thanks, Chief!"

Lin still had a feeling of complete confusion as she watched him salute and then leave. She didn't remember any of the previous conversation at all. She couldn't even remember when she got back to her office. She stood up when she heard her radio come to life and Mako's panicked voice came over.

"Ah! Need backup! Quickly... there's too many-"

His voice cut off in a stream of static and Lin immediately ran for the door.