Bonds That Hold || A LOK Fanfiction

Chapter 5

Anika's POV

"How can you believe in that movement, Anika?" Mizu frowns, shaking her head. Together, we had taken our lunch breaks, and was heading back to the Sato Mansion. Mizu suggested cutting through the main park in the city, stating that we both needed some more fresh air.

"Nonbenders are treated unfairly" I sigh. "You have no control over if you can bend or not, yet some people still make you feel like it's your fault you can't bend. Spirits, Mizu there's an entire sport dedicated to benders."

Mizu shakes her head. "I get that, but the Equalists are just as bad, cursing benders for something they had no control over. Hate will not stop hate."

"Join the Revolution" a voice calls out, catching our attention. An older man stands on a soapbox, holding up posters. On the front was the leader of the Equalist movement; Amon. The man looks to us, a smile forming on his lips. "You two seem like nice enough young ladies, surely you don't want to live under the oppression of benders."

Mizu goes to say something, but I speak over her. "Yes, do you have any information that could be useful to us?"

"Of course, anything for my fellow sisters" the man nods, handing us both a sheet of paper. "Down in the factory district is where the revelation will be held. I hope to see you there."

Walking away, Mizu and I look at the posters. "This Amon guy doesn't seem like much" Mizu states with distaste as we exit the park, walking along the streets of the city.

"I might go. It would be good to see someone who is in power and a nonbender" I smile fondly, folding both posters into my pocket. "I'm assuming you don't want to come?"

She sighs, pinning her long hair back. "It's not like that, Anika. I support nonbenders trying to rise above the oppression set on them, but I've heard some rumors about the Equalists kidnapping benders."

"Come on Mizu, that's insane" I smile, a familiar red car pulling over, window down. My smile instantly falters.

"Ani I've been looking for you everywhere" Shin calls from the drivers seat.

"I don't want to hear it, Shady Shin" I growl, hooking my arms with Mizu's and marching down the street, my steps fast.

Mizu glances back at the car, which jerks forward to follow us. "Who is that?"

"No one to be concerned about" I huff, hurrying our pace as we approach a crosswalk. Just as we step into the street, the red car breaks in front of us. Cursing under my breath, I clench my fists. "Leave me alone. I have to get back to work."

"Ani, please" Shin begs, pushing open the door. "Just get in the car."

I look to Mizu, who clutches her side, a small waterskin attached under her clothes. Letting out a breath, I glare at Shin. "No. I have nothing to say to you" I sneer, walking around his car with Mizu. The door pops open and Shin takes my wrist.

"Let go of her!" Mizu shouts, water shooting from her waterskin and freezing around his arm.

Pulling from his grip, I take off with Mizu. "Excuse us!" I cry, pushing through people. The growl of Shin's motor echoes behind us, tires squeaking on the street. Mizu yanks me down a narrow alleyway, quickly leading us a few streets down. "Mizu, if he grabs me, I want you to go."

"Are you insane?" She hisses.

We pop out on the other side of the street, and we attempt to blend in with the crowd. "I know him. He's an old friend of Haydn and I. I want you to run back to your house if he finds us, okay? Don't tell Haydn where I am, just say I took a longer lunch. I'll try to meet up with you as soon as I can."

"Are you sure? I don't want you to get hurt, even if you know him" Mizu frowns, slowing her pace.

"Trust me Mizu" I smile, turning back to look ahead but instead being met with Shin. A scream bubbles in my throat but it never releases.

He grabs my arm, his rings curling into my skin. "Come on, Anika."

Mizu moves to fight, but I shake my head, mouthing "I'll be okay."

Sighing, I follow Shin to his car, sitting down in the passenger seat. Shin lets out a sigh, rubbing his temples. "Listen, we can talk about what happened the other day later, somethings happened."

I perk up, raising a brow. "What do you mean?"

"Something is brewing with the gangs. Zolt wants extra security thinking something bad is gonna happen" he frowns, gripping my wheel. "You and your brother need to find somewhere else to stay tonight. The gangs are gonna be knocking up on doors and something might go down. You and Haydn need to be safe."

"What about you?" I breathe. "You can't tell us to stay out of the crossfire but turn around and walk right into it."

Shin shakes his head, keeping his eyes on the road. "It's not that simple, Anika. The gang is my family and I have to stand by them, no matter what."

I fall back into my seat, heart pounding. The last time the gangs fought, Haydn and I has just joined the gang, and over a dozen people in the triad ended up dead, even more civilians were caught in between. I had just gotten my friend back, I couldn't lose him. "I can come with you-"

"No" he replies harshly, gripping the gear shift. "You will sit at your friends house and treat yourself to a night in."

"You can't expect me to sit on the sidelines and braid my hair while you and the other members of the triad are hurt" I huff, reaching over and resting my hand on his. "I want you to be safe, Shin."

The car stops in front of my house, Shin quickly getting out of the car. Opening my door, he waits, looking around. Already people were home, word spreading like fire. "I'll help you pack and I'll drop you off at your little friends house."

"Shin" I growl.

"Spirits we need to be fast, Ani. We'll have to tell your brother and pick him up. I'll just say this is the first time I've talked to you since you left."

"Shin" I try again

He plucks personal items scattered throughout the house, stuffing them into bags. "Why are you just standing there? Take a bag."

Groaning in frustration, I wrap my arms around him, hugging him tightly. He stiffens, surprised at first before melting into it. "I appreciate this, but you need to stay safe. Just drop me off at Mizu's to drop off the stuff then take me to the Sato Mansion and I'll deal with Haydn."

"Don't worry about me" he chuckles, stroking my hair. "After tonight we can talk." Pulling back, he presses his lips to my forehead. "Come on, lets go."