𝑺𝑬𝑬𝑫 𝑶𝑭 𝑰𝑪𝑯𝑶𝑹 •𝒃𝒙𝒃•

Intro

The feeling of her hands slipping away is something he will never forget. He tried to hold on—he truly did—but he wasn't strong enough, was he?

His protests died out on his lips, muffled by the palm covering them.

It was useless, wasn't it?

He watched her smile. It was the kind of smile he'd never seen her have. Was it a smile meant for goodbye? Was it a smile that meant they would never see each other again?!

She whispered, voice barely audible over his muffled screaming, "I love you," With one step back, she was further away from him, further away from the person holding him back—pulling him back, "I will always love you."

He struggled, thrashing around, but it was no use. He wanted to scream out—to tell her that they didn't need to separate, that he didn't want them to separate! Alas, it wasn't meant to be.

In the dark alley, her figure blended in with the shadows, "Shh, it's all right, my love," she shushed him, sounding so far, far away, "You are going to a safe place, somewhere where nobody can harm you."

Harm him...? If he was going to a safe place, then why was she staying behind?! If she stayed, then she would be the one who was harmed, not him!

He kicked his feet against the ground, trying to do something—anything! It was futile. The iron arms holding him in place just tightened, not allowing him to take one step closer to her—to the person he loved, to the one who took care of him.

"They will take care of you, darling, don't struggle."

How couldn't he?! She was asking for far too much!

Retaliating, he bit into the palm over his mouth and the hand moved away, a hiss leaving the man holding him.

"Mother!" He screamed out, voice cracking all the way through, "I don't want to! Don't make me leave, please!" The tears that had long since started falling blurred everything before him, yet he could clearly see the glistening, grey eyes staring back at him, "Come with me!"

He stared at her in despair.

"I'm sorry-" A single, translucent drop slid down her cheek and she raised her hand to muffle the choked out sob. Her shoulders trembled as she forced herself to stay silent, to not let out a sound.

Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.

She was... sorry?

He had no time to say anything else as the sharp pain in the back of his neck cut off his words.

"I'm so, so sorry..."

Those were her last words to him.

_

The sound of the wind was what he awoke to. There wasn't a cloud in the sky above him, yet he felt like he had gone through the biggest storm of his life.

"You're awake."

In that moment, his mind screamed out for him to get away and that he did. He grabbed hold of the first thing he could and pulled himself to his feet, but before he could fully face the man, the ground beneath his feet shifted and he stumbled forwards, knees harshly slamming against something. His body tipped over the side and that was all it took for him to realise that he wasn't on land.

"Hey!" A hand wrapped around his wrist and he was pulled back to safe ground, "What are you doing?"

In a futile attempt to get away from the man, he pulled his hand back, but he couldn't break out of the iron hold, "Let go of me!" Seeing no other way to successfully do so, he raised his leg and slammed his heel onto the man's toes, making him let go with a hiss. The rocking of the boat and the momentum of ripping his hand away made him stumble backwards. Somehow, he managed to stabilise himself enough so he wouldn't fall.

"You've got to stop being so... so violent!" The man yelled, although his tone lacked any sort of anger.

With grit teeth, he glared up at the man, "Where is my mother and where are you taking me?!"

There was no answer, instead, the man took a few steps back and sat down, a heavy breath leaving him. It was like that for a few moments, neither of them saying anything to the other.

"Look." Slowly raising his hand, the man pointed behind him.

And, when he turned around, he found himself frozen still. Open sea was all around them and the nearest land was far, far away. No... how long was he asleep? How much time passed since he... since... he said his... goodbyes? He didn't even say it—goodbye. He failed to say it. Why? Why was this happening? Why was he so far away from his home and left with a stranger?

Why did she do it? Why did she abandon him? Why did she not... warn him ahead of time?

"Your mother stayed behind and we are on our way to the Northern Water Tribe, per her request," The man explained, "I am Noran, a member of the Northern Water Tribe. Nuera told me your name, but I'd like to hear it from you."

He didn't answer.

"So, boy, might you introduce yourself?"

In a situation such as this, he was asked to introduce himself...?

"Guren," he finally spoke, "My name is Guren."

The wind bit at his exposed skin, yet he did not feel its coldness.

"It's nice to meet you, Guren."

If only he could say the same.

•

"Everyone can be dangerous. Under the right circumstances and when push comes to shove, we take the path that we think leads to the best destination. No matter the destruction left in our wake... or the people we leave hurting."