it's locked, stupid: book three

ch. 10

The next few days were peaceful. Every night, Korra slept in my bed with me or vice versa, and every day she practiced with Wing, Wei, and Su while I helped Opal with her airbending. Opal is a kind person, worthy of airbending for sure. It felt nice teaching someone what I knew and not feeling like I had to follow the traditional guidelines. Opal is willing to learn in whatever way suits her teacher best, as she said. It was nice. Everything felt calm. Even Lin was acting like an actual human which relieved a lot of stress off of Korra.

One night, after dinner, Korra and I were in her room with Naga, sleeping peacefully. I was kept up by a weird energy in my gut. Something felt off for the past few hours, but I didn't want to say anything without reason. So, instead of sleeping peacefully next to my beautiful girlfriend, I was lying in bed, eyes staring up at the ceiling. I couldn't tell what was bugging me so, but something was itching my nerves. Something felt wrong. I decided nothing was happening and I was being paranoid, so I tried to get some sleep. As my eyelids covered my pupils, I heard a scratching at the window in front of the bed. The energy in my gut darkened, making me nauseous. Naga growled and roared before being silenced, slumping back onto the ground. I shot up, grabbing my staff from nearby. Before I could make it very far, icicles pinned me to the wall above the bed, a piece of rock covering my mouth and pining my head straight against the wall.

The bed below shook, waking Korra from her sleep. She looked up at me, then wiped her head to the window, jumping out of bed to firebend at the intruders. A bald man airbent a dart towards Korra, piercing her skin and making her slump against the floor just as Naga did. I struggled against my restraints, wanting to fight back. This must be Zaheer. They are taking Korra and I can't do anything about it. This isn't fair. This can't be happening again. Dammit! Four people stood over Korra, watching her pass out in front of them. I felt tears well in my eyes. I can't let this happen again. I etched the four people into my head, wanting to remember their faces. A man in green Earth Nation attire with long hair to match his mustache and beard. A short woman in Water Tribe clothes using water to replace her missing arms. She had intense bags under her eyes, making them look sunken. A taller woman with what looks like a third eye in Frie Nation attire. And finally, the bald man. Zaheer. He was wearing grey robes as if to mimic the Air Nation. My body seethed at the sight of the long-haired, Earth Nation man picking up Korra and whisking her away right in front of me.

I struggled harshly against the restraint, screaming out into nothing. They took her right in front of me. My body felt like it was on fire as hot tears flowed from my eyes like a waterfall. This was suffocating in every way possible. I couldn't breathe right at the thought of them hurting her. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to her. I need to get out!

"Jay!" Bolin's voice pulled me from my shock. My eyes glided over to the door of the room, seeing him in a state of shock similar to me. He bent the rock off of my mouth, allowing me to stretch my neck and catch my breath. He then used the rock to break the ice bands around my wrists and ankles. I fell onto the bed, shooting up without a second thought. I grabbed my staff, rushing out the door with Bolin in toe.

"Where are they?" I asked, my voice hoarse.

"Wherever the commotion is, I'm sure! Are you okay?"

"Have they made it far?" I ignored his question, not caring for my well-being at the moment. We made it outside, seeing a pool of lava surrounding a platform in the middle. The Red Lotus along with Korra were taking their ground in the middle, fighting off the Zaofu army along with Mako, Asami, Su, and her boys, Lin, and now Bolin and I. I wanted to rush out there, but Mako grabbed me firmly. "Let me go, Mako!"

"You need to calm down! They won't take her!"

"You don't know that!" I cried, feeling overwhelmed.

"You can't be rash," Asami said in an attempt to soothe me. I noticed her Equalist glove on the ground next to her. I had to do something. I can't lose her.