Havi of the Earth Kingdom

Chapter 43: Lake Laogai

Sorry I didn't post Monday!!! I'm so busy with end of semester coming and very very stressed out.

Havi's pov

After our initial run in with Jet, he led us to a large, empty barn, "This is the place I heard about."

"There's nothing here," I commented.

Katara threatens, "If this is a trap-"

"I told you, I work nearby," Jet cut her off, "Two guys were talking about some giant furry creature they had. I figured it must be Appa."

"He was here!" Toph calls out, holding tuffs of white fur.

We all gather around as Aang dejectedly snatches the hair from her hands, "We missed him."

"They took that big thing yesterday," A sweeping man pipes in, where did he even come from? "Shipped him out to some island. About time. I've been cleaning up fur and various, uh, leavings all day."

"What island? Where's Appa?" Aang gets excited over the new possible information.

"Foreman said some rich royal type on Whaletail island bought him up. Guess for a zoo or such, though could be the meat'd be good." When we got the location Sokka started searching for it on his map.

"We've gotta get to Whaletail island," Aang orders but I'm not so sure. This just doesn't feel right, "where's Whaletail island?"

"Far, very far." Sokka sadly reveals.

He puts the map down and I point to the location, "Here it is. It's near the South Pole."

"Almost all the way back home," Sokka adds.

"Aang, it'll take us weeks just to get to the tip of the Earth Kingdom and then we'll need to find a boat to get to the island," Katara explains.

"I don't care," Aang states, "we have a chance to find Appa, we have to try."

The old man interjects, "must be nice to visit an island. I haven't had a vacation for years."

"Don't you have some more hair to clean up!" Katara snaps.

"Shuffle on. I get ya. No more need for old sweepy."

As he walks away I lean in a little closer to my friends so they could hear me whisper, "Guys, I know this may sound crazy, but I've just got a feeling this guy isn't telling the whole truth."

Sokka locks eyes with me after I voice my thoughts. Pretty sure he was trying to mentally ask me a question but I don't have the time nor effort to answer.

"No, Toph would've detected it like she did to Jet," Aang insists.

"Yeah," Toph agrees, "I didn't feel anything at least."

Katara brushed it off as well, "Right now our first concern has to be finding Appa. We should take whatever lead we can get."

"Alright then.. let's get moving," Sokka lead us outside but not before making sure to grab my hand first. He gave a small squeeze and then we were off.

Katara plans, "we can take the train out of the wall but then we'll have to walk."

"Don't worry, on the way back we'll be flying," Aang says positively. He hasn't looked this happy in a long time. I just hope it isn't in vain.

"We're finally leaving Ba Sing Se. Worst city ever!" Toph says happily as well.

But nothing is so easy.

"Jet!" We turn around and see two freedom fighters calling out for him.

Katara instantly blew up, "I thought you said you didn't have your gang anymore."