Wandering Firebender

Fourty Two: To Shape Destiny

"Oh, Elio...my baby. Look at you."

"Mom." Elio realized and sat up, watching his mother enter into his prison cell.

Elio was saddened again now that his mother was here to visit; he wasn't upset because he was seeing her, but because of how tired she looked. He was happy to see her nonetheless, even though he knew that this conversation wasn't going to go well for him.

"How did this happen?! This was never how things were supposed to turn out for you!" Rue exclaimed, shaking her head and trying not tear up. Elio swallowed, his eyebrows furrowing.

"I'm sorry for running away, mom. I really am." Elio said sincerely. She glared at him angrily through teary eyes.

"That makes up for nothing, Elio! All the pain and grief, the restless nights! And now the crimes that you have committed?! You oughta be ashamed of yourself, Elio!" She said harshly. Elio took in a breath, doing his best to remain calm.

"I could've handled things a lot better. I was...I was trying to do the right thing." Elio defended.

"The right thing?! This is not what 'the right thing' looks like! You don't even know how deeply you've hurt us, Elio! How could you do this to us?!" She raised her voice at him, wiping tears from her eyes.

"I never meant to..."

"I'm sure you didn't, but these are the consequences of your actions, Elio! Your father has hardly been able to focus on his very important work! I haven't slept well since you left! And don't even get me started on your sister; that's a whole thing on its own." Rue huffed.

"Taiga?"

"She was devastated when you left. You abandoned her too, Elio. You have any idea what that does to a 12-13 year old girl? She's like me; she's the angriest she's ever been." She described. Elio looked down, feeling even more guilty now.

He'd never even considered how his actions would've affected his younger sister...but his mother was right. He could only imagine how angry she was at him. They would bicker all the time, sure, but he loved his sister deeply. He didn't want her to be hurt or bitter towards him.

"Has father told either of you what I spoke with him about? Anything?" He asked curiously.

"He's been at a loss for words. I don't know what you told him, but does it really matter? There's no excuse for this, Elio, for any of it..." She stood up, "Maybe someday I can bring myself to forgive you for what you've done, but not right now, that's for sure.

"You abandoned your family, Elio. You deserve to pay for what you've done, for all the people that you've hurt. Most of all, you should be ashamed...I thought you were better than this." She sighed sadly. She seemed to want to say more, but she left it at that and exited Elio's cell.

Elio let out a long, pained sigh. He sniffled and brushed away a few tears. Now piling on the words of his mother a week after hearing his father's disapproval, it became very clear to Elio that he was all but excommunicated from his family.

He had brought great shame and reproach to his family's name and reputation.

"I couldn't help but overhear, Elio...I am very sorry. I know that it is hard when your family doesn't understand your actions. You can only hope that in time, they can forgive you and realize that you only did what you thought was right." The old man spoke to him through the wall.

Elio, after hearing this, scooted back against the wall so the old man could hear him easier. He sniffed again, breathing in sharply to compose himself before he gave way to his emotions too strongly again.