Bonds That Hold || A LOK Fanfiction

Chapter 2

Haydn's POV

Lightning cleanly exits my body, gliding through my finger and deep into the coil in front of me. When I was younger, it enjoyed bouncing around, trying to find another way out. My mentor called me weak, saying that I wasn't powerful enough to guide the electricity, and that I wouldn't be able to protect my sister. He told me that instead of hurting someone bad, I would just hurt myself and Anika, and continued to yell at me.
 
That day, I burned down the entire building, encased in dark blue flames. I can still see the shocked expression on the face of Zolt. Before that, my fire was  an extremely sad shade of red, but this was something that had been only seen a few times in history.  He assumed I was nothing but a weak bender, but that day he attempted to comb me into the prodigy he wanted, alongside another young boy.

Since then, I've made a promise to myself so that I would never hurt anyone again. I swore to train everyday, along with meditating longer and harder than anyone else around me so my emotions wouldn't cause me to lash out. Never again has my fire been that dark. Taking a breath, I swiftly punch a bolt of lightning forward, the white-hot material straight as an arrow.

A strong hand clamps down onto my shoulder. "Atta boy" the shift manager grins. "Your family must be apart of a strong line of benders, eh?"

"Perhaps" I say, pulling up my mask. "I haven't seen them in a long time."

Clicking his tongue, he shakes his head. "What a shame. Say, why don't you head home? You've clearly worked hard enough. Go make yourself a nice dinner or somethin' "

I nod, pulling the mask into my hand, setting it down on a chair before heading out to the Sato mansion. Anika have been working here for well over six months, but I'm still shell-shocked whenever I arrive. The grand staircase is encased with speckles of gold, the heels of the maids tapping loudly.

"Thank goodness you are here" a maid smiles, tugging on my arm. "Miss. Sato needs you to drive her into the city at once."

"Of course" I reply, quickly sliding on my work jacket. Just as I turn, I come face to face with Asami Sato. When I first started here, I found her beauty intoxicating, but as time went on, and I got to know her, I found that she was much more than looks. Who knows why she even wants me to drive her, she's clearly the better driver.

"I haven't seen your sister all day" she frowns, concerned. That's how most people felt about my sister, but then again, most of the staff in the mansion had their fair share of Anika. While she tries to act like it doesn't happen, word spreads fast while cleaning. There are even rumors of Anika spending an awfully long time in Asami's room, but I don't wish to converse with either of them on that.

"You know how she gets, probably running around the city" I grin, taking the keys from the Butler. "But where will I be taking you tonight?"

"My dad wants me to meet with some of the children of his business partners, see if I can get any information. I just need you to drop me off at Barolo's and pick me up in a few hours" Asami explains, climbing into the passenger's seat.

Shutting the door behind her, I jog to the front, climbing in. Slowly we drive off, the sun setting around the city. "I'm guessing by how you're sitting, you can't wait for this dinner to be over?"

She looks to me, brow raised, but eventually lets it settle. A small laugh pops from her lips. "Honestly, the only thing I'm excited for is the meal. Barolo's has amazing shrimp-cod." I turn slowly, watching as the houses and buildings around us seem to get bigger and brighter. "How have things been in the house?" She asks, looking to me. "I know my father isn't always around, but I want to make sure everything is being taken care of."

"Things are good, Asami, no need to worry" I smile, but she continues to talk.

"Okay. It just seems like a lot of the staff have been gone recently. I don't remember the last time I've seen Jai."

"With the Anti-Bender movement starting to take air, I wouldn't be surprised if more benders started leaving. I mean sure, bending is important, but people like you and your father don't need bending to be successful, so the world might decide that it isn't needed" I shrug, pulling into the parking lot.

"My Dad has been mentioning the movement more. I just hope he doesn't do anything stupid enough to hurt the business" she sighs, adjusting her dress. "I guess this is my stop." Nodding, I hop out of the car, opening her door for her. She quickly steps out, a smile on her lips. "Thank you, Haydn." She presses a quick kiss to my cheek.

"I'll see you in a few hours, Miss Sato" I call out as she walks into the shimmering restaurant.

Anika wasn't home when I checked, which meant that she was hopefully at the Sato Mansion. As I pull up to the gates, my fingers clench the wheel, heat pulsing in my hands. Anika smiled brightly into the car, which was painted an unforgettable red. Shady Shin.

I watch as the car speeds off, and she rushes inside. Sighing, I shake my head, readying myself for whatever excuse she would make up now.