Vanished

Article

    Zuko nervously looked down at the paper. It was an article. The first thing he noticed about this article was Sokka's face smiling up at him.

Southern Water Tribe shipwreck found in Earth Kingdom waters

Recently, a Southern Water Tribe boat was found crashed in Earth Kingdom waters. This wasn't just any shipwreck, however. This was the boat that was transporting Lord Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe from The Fire Nation back to his homeland. This crash was fatal, however, there was only one body that was found. Authorities have identified this body as Commander Ikiaq of the Southern Water Tribe. We still have no idea where Lord Sokka is, nor if he is still alive. Earth Kingdom authorities are on the search....

    Zuko couldn't read any more of the article.

"Zuko, I..." Suki rested her palms on the Firelord's shaking hands.

"No, no, no, no, no." Zuko shook his head. His hands gripped tightly to the edges of the paper.

Suki was trying to tell him something but he couldn't hear. Zuko was just staring at the article; the words swimming like a school of fish in a tiny bowl. "Boat crash", "fatal", "Sokka". Sokka. Sokka's gone.

No, he's not.

Yes, he is.

No, he's not!

Yes, he is!

NO! There was only one body found! Sokka's not gone!

Zuko's mind was muddled. He needed to leave that room.

Suki snapped her fingers under the Firelord's nose. "ZUKO! Calm down!"

Zuko's mind started clearing.

"Hey, look at me. Focus on me." The Kyoshi Warrior commanded.

Zuko looked up at her. "Suki, I need to go to my room."

"Ah, y-yes! I can do that!"

"No, no. Me. By myself. Everyone needs to leave the Northern Wing. Immediately." Zuko said that in a low, level voice. Well, as level as one's voice can be when they're not trying to snap.

How was Zuko not snapping?

"Zuko, are you sure? I don't think it's wise to-"

"NOW, Suki." There it is.

"Uh- uhm... yes, sir." Suki bowed, then hurried out of the throne room towards the Northern Wing, which held the Firelord's sleeping quarters.

    Zuko counted to thirty, then left the throne room to go to his quarters.

    When Zuko got to the Northern Wing, it was practically empty except for a few Kyoshi Warriors.

    Zuko glared at them and pointed towards the exit. The women exchanged worried glances, but then left, albeit, reluctantly.

    When the Firelord got to his quarters, he rested his hand on the doorknob, and then hesitated.

    Zuko couldn't go into that room.

    He examined the door. Smooth, mahogany wood, polished brass doorknob. It was too perfect. Zuko knew the inside would be the same. Too perfect.

    Zuko let go of the doorknob and walked down the hallway towards the garden.

    In the garden, birds were chirping in emerald green, leafy trees. Turtle-ducks were splashing in the pond. Flowers were in perfect bloom, their scent floating to the Firelord's nose.