The Next Avatar (On Hold)

Chapter 9

I've been in Zaofu for about a week. Andrew visits daily but by now he's told everyone he's not really my boyfriend. Actually everyone already knew there was nothing romantic between us. As I get dressed and head down for breakfast I think about how I used to be suspicious of him and shake my head.

As I sit down, Kali and Conner come through the dining room doors, laughing and jumping around excitedly. As the rest of the family arrives, Opal sets out a large bowl of cinnamon porridge and a cup of tea for each person. Laughter and chatter quickly fill the room as we begin to eat.

I need to leave soon. It's not that I don't enjoy being here, it's just that I can't stay here forever and burden them. I start to think about where to head next when I feel someone pat my head and laugh. I look up and see Andrew smiling at me. "Hey O. Wanna go somewhere with me?"

Where would he take me? "I-I guess it couldn't hurt to get out of the house. Where are we going?" I reply softly. He smiles brightly and takes my hand. "Let's go!" He says while tugging me out of the front door.

We arrive in front of the police station and I study the place quickly. My eyes land on a large metal statue placed in front of the building. Toph.... I mask my sadness quickly and look over to Andrew. Even after 3 years, the pain still seems almost unbearable. I smile slightly and Andrew leads me into the building.

"S-Sir." A man dressed in a police uniform says as he sees Andrew walk in. "What are you doing here? Your father is out of town for the week. I believed he had told you." The officer says quickly. "Oh, he told me. I was under the impression that I could come into the department anytime I pleased." Andrews tone has deepened and his face has grown serious.

It's almost like he's a different person. "I need to look into some things." Andrew says and walks toward a large door. Stepping through the door, I see a large room filled with shelves and shelves of documents. He locks the door behind us and lets go of my hand.

Rummaging through a few shelves,  he pulls out a tan folder marked "CONFIDENTIAL" in big black letters. "Come here." He says as I stand a few feet away from him. Walking over, I look down at the open folder to see a familiar face. We sit on the cold floor and look through the photos. "This," he says, and points to a photo, "is Toph."

I study the photo and feel the sadness well up inside. A feeling I wish would just go away. The woman has pitch black hair and wears an officers metal uniform. Her gray/white eyes stand out and compliment her pale skin. She's beautiful. "And this..." he continues "is Avatar Aang." He points to a tall man who is next to another woman.

He has a shaved head and a small brown beard. His light blue arrow tattoos are slightly hidden by his red and yellow clothing, and he holds a young woman in his arms. Andrew continues "This is Katara, and this is Sokka." Each time he points to them and I study their features.

Katara is also beautiful and clearly from the water tribe due to her clothing. Her dark brown hair flows down her back and her eyes shine a vibrant blue. Her tanned skin matches that of the tall man who I believe is Sokka. His dark brown hair is put in a small ponytail and he wears similar water tribe clothing with a sword at his side.

In between Sokka and Toph is a man wearing red fire nation clothing with gold trimming. His black hair flows down his back and a red scar stains his pale skin, covering his right eye. Toph's friends. Andrew turns the page and a document is written. Why does it state "Confidential" on the folder?

"The avatar has been gone for 16 years." He states and I look over at him. He looks over the document and turns to me with a serious expression on his face. "Due to the sudden death of our last avatar, crime increased and the world fell into chaos. If the avatar was to ever be discovered alive, people would target him or her. Having the avatar alive would only disturb the corrupt system of trade and drug dealing."

He pauses. "These documents were sealed away after Korra's death. Hatred grew inside those who waited for the avatar to rise and save them from their misfortune. Those who were ruined by the violence and crime believed they would someday be saved. But after 16 long years they gave up hope and turned to crime and violence themselves."

I looked at Andrew confused. Why is he telling me this? "It's not safe for the Avatar to be here. In fact," Andrew paused, his voice becoming low. I felt a sense of danger and the room seemed to suddenly get darker. "It's not safe for the Avatar to be alive at all."

In seconds Andrew had pinned me to the ground with a knife at my throat. My eyes widen in shock and fear. "W-What are you doing?" I ask, my voice shaking slightly.

"You can't be alive Avatar." He says coldly. Avatar? "What are you talking about!" I say, trying to pry his hands away from me. All he does is look down and press the knife against my neck harder.

I see a glint of sadness in his eyes but it's quickly replaced with a blank expression. "You're going to die O." He says, his voice only slightly cracking when he uses the nickname he gave me. My eyes widen and I scream as he raises the knife and brings it crashing down.