Walk The Path

Chapter Ten

Saturday had arrived and Aang was feeling confident about his surveillance mission. He woke up and mediated, feeling energized and light. After lunch, he drove to the Nauyak's home to go over the plan for Mission Zhao. Sokka led Aang to their basement, where Katara was sitting on the couch testing the devices Teo's dad had made. Aang shuddered at remembering his afternoon tea scheduled with Teo's Dad next week in exchange for the tech. After he took his seat next to Katara, Sokka sat down on the other side of Aang. The group listening as Sokka gave instructions. Sokka will drive the three of them a block away from Zhao's house and park. The twins would stay behind and be the getaway car. Sokka reminded them that once Aang finishes the task, he will use his glider to fly back to the car as they make their speedy exit.

Sokka, Katara, and Aang suited up in black clothing with black hats to remain hidden. They waited until the sun set for low visibility and to weaken Zhao's firebending power. As Sokka drove, Katara and Aang were seated close in the backseat, dripping with uncertainty. Aang was looking down at his hands and focusing on his breathing. Katara noticed the familiar nervousness in her boyfriend and reached out to squeeze his hand. He noticeably relaxed at this small action. She always knew how to steady him when he felt unstable. She was his constant.

Sokka parked the car and turned the headlights off. He placed an arm on the headrest and whipped his head around with a crooked smile, "Well, here we go. You ready, Aang?" The airbender nodded with a furrowed brow, trying to appear confident. He hoped he could trick himself into feeling confident as well. "Buddy, in all seriousness, you've got this. We'll keep an eye out in case things go bad, which they DEFINITELY won't," Sokka saved at the last second. Katara nodded in agreement with her brother's words, leaning over to kissing Aang gently on the lips. Aang broke away from the kiss and silently exited the car with determination on his face.

Aang opened his glider and jumped to begin his flight to Zhao's house. Aang recognized his home from the pictures given to him, a large red house that looked sleek and modern. Aang flew to his house as he removed a camera device from a compartment in his shirt. He lightly touched down on the roof near the entrance of the house. Working quickly while drying off sweat on his face with his arm, his other arm began to stick the camera into the ledge of the house. Teo's Dad made this device to acquire evidence of anyone coming and going from Zhao's house as well as to document times Zhao arrived and left. The next part would be more tricky. He glided softly around the house to the back. Landing without a sound, Aang was an inch from the ground on the back deck. Aang mustered a gust of wind to open the window as he climbed into the home. Aang didn't get a chance to begin placing the listening device as a very loud dog began barking.

Aang's heart sank into his stomach. "Shit, he didn't have a dog when we researched him this week." Whether Zhao getting a dog was coincidence or intentional, he was unsure and didn't have time to think about it. Before he could quickly place the device, Zhao appeared at the end of the hallway where Aang stood. Zhao threw a fireball at Aang, but being light as a feather, Aang turned his body to narrowly avoid the attack. "I need to get out of here," Aang thought. Amidst Zhao's multiple, sloppy fireballs, Aang was able to escape the way he came in. "He's got no control," he smiled as he thought to himself. Aang rounded the house quickly but was met with Zhao on the front lawn.

In the car, Katara and Sokka saw Aang and Zhao dueling it out in front of the house. "Oh, man, this is not good. We are screwed!", Sokka yelled with a frown and slumped shoulders. His sister was more angry and less dejected. "We have to save him, Sokka! It's our responsibility to protect him. Come on-" Katara was interrupted by Sokka grabbing her wrist. "Absolutely not, Katara! Zhao is a crazy firebender," he briefly looked down the road to see Aang blocking all of Zhao's attacks, "Look, it should be fine now. Aang is handling himself well. And while he's my best friend and I think of him like a brother, you're my sister and I'm not losing you." Katara was raging on the inside and while she wanted to disagree with her brother, she knew he was right. Aang was handling the fight well and she didn't want to distract him or get hurt. She sighed in resignation which prompted her twin to relax. Sokka's eyes were soft and met Katara's concerned face, "It'll be okay, Katara. He's got this."