The Lost Waterbender (Avatar: The Last Airbender Fanfiction)

Under Protection

We didn't speak the rest of the night. In the morning all of us met in the hallway to discuss the plan.

"Kuzira and I are going to ask around the adults and see what we can learn about the kidnappings," Qui told us. "Koza is going to stay here and watch for any military people coming and going."

"What about Raiko and I?" I asked as I strapped my sword onto my back.

"You two are going to do the same as Koza and Qui, just with kids," Koza answered. Raiko cast his eyes downward and didn't look at me.

"We meet back at sundown. If anyone sees anything, get us before approaching them," Kuzira added. Raiko and I nodded and took off outside.

Merchants were opening up their stands and proceeding to sell theirs goods to the few people who could afford it. I bought a mushy apple from one, but gave it to a kid who was staring at it with huge eyes. Raiko's gaze softened when I did that, but hardened as we continued moving.

"Over there." I pointed towards a group of about six kids playing some sort of game. They threw old scraps of metal and other materials into the air and attempted to hit them with firebending as they fell. Raiko and I approached, and they glanced at is with apprehensive looks.

"Who're you two?" One asked. She had short, ragged hair that was littered with tangles and knots. Her teeth were dirty and some chipped when she spoke. Her eyes had a haunted, scared look to them, and her face was skinny and malnourished, just like the rest of her.

"I'm Badger," I said. "This is Raiko."

"We're new around here," Raiko added.

The girl snorted. "Welcome to prison. Hope you enjoy your stay."

"Prison?"

"Once you come to this place, you don't leave. It's the rules," one of the boys playing the game said as he shot a stream of fire at a piece of wood. It came back to the ground smoking and charred.

"What rules?" I asked.

"You sure like questions," the girls said suspiciously. "Why so curious?"

I shrugged. "I was forced to move here, I'd like to know what I'm getting in here."

"Yeah, what's all this stuff about people disappearing?" Raiko said, crossing his arms.

The boy who had spoken earlier came to stand with the girl. "It's part of the rules. If you leave this town, you get kidnapped."

"Sometimes you get kidnapped anyway. even if you don't leave." the girl said. The monotone way they were talking sent chills up my spine.

"By who?"

She shrugged. "Don't know. They wear masks and take people who don't have anywhere to go."

"How often do they do this?" Raiko asked. His eyes were darting around nervously. I didn't blame him. These kids were starting to close in on us. They were all older and bigger, and didn't look friendly.

"'Bout once every two weeks," one of the boys who hadn't spoken said. He had a long scar over his eye that gave him an unsettling look. "Should be coming any day now."

"Yeah, stay indoors."

I jumped and I spun around. The fourth kid was standing right behind me. "They only take people on the streets?"

"Sometimes they break into houses," said the girl.

Raiko grabbed my wrist. "We should go."

I nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Our...parents say we need to get home."