The Missing Necklace (on editing/revision)

Chapter 13: Death Revisited Today

"There is no need to have your men pointing their guns at us, Raiko."

"Well, there was no need to backstab me and try and flee the city... and you still tried to do it. Do you really think I'm this stupid, Hiroshi?"

"That is not what happened. This is just a big misunderstanding."

I squeezed my mom's shaky hand as my dad spoke to Captain Raiko from the police department. Apparently, he had gotten some misinformation about my father trying to backstab their deals and flee the city with both their money. Of course, that wasn't the case. We were on our way out for a vacation in the southern water tribes to see the new infrastructure and changes on it. We were stopped in our driveway by several police cars, their lights illuminating this cold December night. My father's men were pointing their guns at the police and the police had theirs pointed at us. My mom and I stood next to our car, while my dad was closer to the police side with Raiko. I had to stay strong, but I can't help but wonder if this was the end of the line for me. Just as I was thinking of leaving the organization, I was about to die at the hands of it. In the hands of my father's corruption and thirst for money.

"They've seemed to come to an agreement." My mother's soft voice spoke and I saw my dad and Raiko about to shake hands. I looked up at her and gave her a warm smile, feeling her hands lovingly cupping my cheeks. "This isn't the life I want for you, Asami. After this, promise me you'll get out now that you can." I put my hands over hers and I was about to reply when a gunshot rang in the air. My eyes widened immediately and shooting quickly followed. I heard my mom scream and started to run towards my dad and I tried to follow but someone's arms wrapped around my waist and dragged me to cover behind the car. I looked up to see Zaheer, scared out of his mind and firing shots back. He looked down at me, with apologetic eyes and said the words that will forever haunt me.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save her as well." My heart pumped loud in my chest. What did he mean by that?

The fire ceased after a few moments when my dad and Raiko both yelled for their men to stand down. I peeked around the corner of the car and saw a familiar body lying in the driveway. I felt myself getting pale and quickly ran towards my mom. I kneeled next to her and held her in my arms.

"Mom! You can't leave me." I ran my eyes around her body and saw three gunshots total. My breathing became uneven and my eyes became crystal. I felt her hand softly cup my cheek and turned my face to look at her. She gave me a small smile, which I lightly returned. Hope grew within me at that moment, she was probably going to be okay. I felt my dad run to us and kneel across from me to see her, but as he did my hope died. I saw her roll her eyes back, her hand falling from my cheek to the floor, and felt her dead weight.

"Mom...we barely had any time..." I looked at her neck and saw her favorite necklace covered in blood. I unclasped it from her neck and held onto it tightly. I gritted my teeth, closed my eyes, and cried out. I felt my dad's handgrip on my shoulder and I looked up at him. I saw him break down, then watched his face turn to pure rage. He stood up and walked off, leaving Zaheer in my view. He almost looked as destroyed as my father, but his emotions were full of guilt. He stepped closer to me as I pulled my mother's body against my chest, her blood getting all over me. I knew he was about to apologize but before he could speak I helped my hand up.

"Zaheer..."

****

"I owed you my life." I pulled myself out of my memory when I said these words. I stood over his body and sobbed quietly, biting my thumb. Korra gently took my shoulders and dragged me away from the body. "I owed him my life, Korra, and he put his on the line for me again." We were outside the club, letting the authorities work around the body, and ignoring the passersby. Kuvira was inside getting something, Jinora was speaking to one of the policemen, and I had phoned Mako to tell him a few minutes ago. He already knew something was wrong because the men he had assigned to spy on the Fire Ferrets showed up all beaten up roughly but he didn't know it was this bad. He told me he would be here as soon as possible. Korra leaned me against a tree and stared at me worryingly. I was really shaken up, filled with the guilt Zaheer once had. Death came to revisit and I wasn't ready for it at all.