The CEO & The Avatar

Chapter 16

Korra's P.O.V.

Trees... Bushes... Trees again... I kept running, clearing my way out of the woods. Branches kept me from escaping, but I couldn't go back. Not now. It was my fault. The car incident was on me. Lin was doubting and I pushed the button. I made her commit suicide. Why does everyone keep sacrificing themselves for me? I'm not that special.

The snow was getting deeper and I couldn't see where I was running. I've totally lost feeling in my toes and legs in general. Despite the fact that I was raised in Water tribe where everything's covered with snow, nothing could have prepared me to survive almost naked somewhere in the woods from freezing to death. I hit my right foot on the root under the snow, tripped over it, then hesitated and fell. I rolled down the hill and crushed into a spruce. Snow fell down on me from the tree. I was trapped in an ice coffin. My lungs started to ache as they were getting filled with snow. My whole body was burning but I was freezing. I tried to stand up but couldn't. I only managed to pop my head out of the grave. Snowflakes kept falling down on my face. And I gave up.

***

"Korra, you can't go out during the storm. It's dangerous." Tonraq sat down on the floor in front of me and put his hand on my shoulder.

"But..." I started to sniffle.

"No buts, sweetie. We care about you and don't want you to get hurt." He squeezed his hand. I could have sworn that I've had heard wild dogs howl right past the mountains. I've never seen animals in their natural habitat before and was dying of curiosity. Wild dogs were rare, nearly extinct. Many people have considered that species long gone but they were here, almost here. Just a few steps away. I nodded and followed his commands.

In the middle of the night, I've heard howling again. It was quiet but more anxious. I couldn't help myself, I stood up quietly reaching the door and few minutes later I've been tracking down traces of the wild dogs' pack outside the tribe territory. I was halfway exploring when encountered one of the wild dogs face to face. It was bigger than I expected it to be, it growled and started to circle around me. I was terrified when it started to get closer. I fell on the ground and started yelling. Tears filled my eyes and I couldn't see clear anymore. Wild dog was about to throw itself at me to tear me down, but someone got in the way. I wiped away tears and saw uncle Unalaq fearlessly fight the beast. He took down the dog with bare hands but ended up being seriously injured. Soon after the help arrived and uncle was rescued but he nearly died because of me. Because of my mistakes. I was around five when that happened and don't remember much from that day but I promised myself that I would have never risked someone's life because of me. I failed. I couldn't keep the only promise I made to myself. One year after the accident, Unaqal brought Naga home. Pure blood descendant of the wild dogs as a reminder to always think forward before acting. I wonder how she is doing. Probably with Tenzin and Pema. She will be better off without me. At least she won't have to follow me around streets anymore. Will she miss me? Because I sure do miss her. 

Blood started to freeze with the snow above me. I couldn't shiver anymore. I didn't feel cold anymore. I couldn't feel anything at all anymore. I looked at the sky above me and was sure that was going to be the last thing I was going to see. The world slowed down. My heart started to sync with the environment...

Asami's P.O.V.

My eyes widened when I saw a car crushed around the tree. There was blood all over the place... And traces of other vehicles. Naga was turning around sniffing here and there, trying to figure out the way. "Korra can't be here." I whispered and turned off the motorcycle. I walked towards the car. Nobody was in there. I let out a sigh and fell on the snow. Just because she isn't here doesn't mean that she's alive. No way... I can't afford these kind of thoughts. "Damn you, car!" I yelled and hit the black satomobile. "Damn you, Beifong!" Hit again. "Damn you, Republic City!" Tears ran down my cheeks. "Damn you..." I whispered and hit the car again. "Korra!!!" I shouted and heard the woods echo my voice. Naga put her head on my chest and started sniffling. I looked down to her. How could I mistake her with a monster? Naga was a white hairy giant wild dog but not some creature to be afraid of. She was Korra's best friend. "I'm sorry, Naga..." The dog stared at me and blinked few times. "I'm sorry that I was no help finding Korra... I'm sorry that I wasn't much of a friend of hers... I'm sor..." Naga started to lick my face. A quick smile of relief covered my face. Naga stood up and barked at me. She was right. I had to pull myself together. I explored the car once again. The front side of the van was impossible to recognize but the back side was a bit more intact. I've found chains and handcuffs there. No sign of blood in that area. If this satomobile was carrying Korra, she must have been on the back side. She had to be there. Snowing was thickening and the only chance to find her, was to follow fresh tracks. If Korra wasn't taken by the people who came after the driver, then there was a possibility that she was out here somewhere. Every inch of my body was telling me to not give up yet and I kept looking.