Chapter 3
When I wake up, my vision’s blurry. I look out the window and almost puke. I see a sight I’ve never seen in my life and it scares me half to death. Down below, I see mountains, lots of them. My grip suddenly tightens on my seat. The girl sitting next to me sits forward and talks to me.
“So, what’s your name?” She asks me in a nice voice. I don’t feel in danger like I’ve been my entire life when I’m next to her. My grip loosens a little, but then I remember how high up in the air I am and my grip doubles.
“Ah, afraid of heights. You get used to it. It’s safe, I promise. My name’s Irina. Who are you?” She asks me again.
“Name’s Mao. Fire bender extraordinaire. Please don’t kill me for being a bender, it’s not my choice.” I try to raise my hand but it sends a pain down my back and I slightly yell out in pain.
“I’m sorry, I totally forgot about your back. When we land, I can heal you. And you’re with friends. I’m a water bender. Relax.” She tells me as she places her hand on top of mine.
“Where are we going?” I ask her. My grip loosens up and I relax in my seat.
“Up to the north. You said you were a fire bender?”
“Yeah. From Republic City.”
“That’s weird. I don’t see any fire in you. You either extinguished yourself, which is impossible; or someone took your bending. The question is, which is it?”
“The guy that captured me, he called himself Strange, and I think he took my bending.”
“Ok, when we reach the north, I know someone who can help.”
“Great. I hate being cold, how do you live in it?”
“I was born in it. Really boring story, what’s yours?”
“Nothing much, born on the streets of Republic City and when I was 5 I watched my family get murdered before my eyes. I then killed my family’s murderers and I have been a fugitive for 11 years now. That simple.”
“How did you survive?”
“My uncle took me in for a few years, taught me simple stuff then he died of natural causes.”
“Wow. Why did Strange want you?”
“The real question here is why are you asking so many questions and why did you rescue me and nobody else?”
“Reasons. I was told by my teacher to find you, that she saw you in her dreams and thought you were special.”
“Ok. Well, now I guess I’m not anymore that I can’t do anything. And can I get a jacket or something, I’m freezing in here.” She leans forward to a cabinet across from the seats and she pulls out a black hoodie.
“I got this from your place, you might need it.” She informs me.
“Wait, were you watching me?” I ask her.
“It was my mission, nothing more.” She tells me with her arms crossed. I slowly lean forward and put the hoodie on. It’s definitely mine. I can see the scorch marks on the edges of the sleeves. We then sit in silence for another half hour before we land on an ice shelf, with a man about my age with headphones in and a lady in an orange and yellow monk robe on waiting to greet us.