Midnight Runaway [4/?] Chapter

𝐻𝑒𝓁𝓁𝑜, 𝓂𝓎 𝒻𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓃𝒹!

« « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » »

Hello everybody!!! I hope you're all having a good day today. I know it's been a while since I wrote this series but I'm trying to get back to starting up this series. I wanted to give you guys an update on this series and my background. The reason why I can't finish the series and put on hiatus hold for a while. What made it harder is that I'm in college so it made it extremely harder for me fo get back to any of my stories. I hope you all understand. I have other reasons why this series was on hold much longer than I attended it to be.

I lost motivation to write this story and went to explore other fandoms. I wrote chapters of Demon Slayer on my AO3 and Wattapd. Than I was always tired and didn't feel like writing that much. I also wanted to better improve my art skills more on digital so that's one of the reasons why this story was on hold for a while. Another thing that it was on hold is that I was doing some planning on where this story was going to go and what characters should I write it. I also wanted to make some development potential with the main characters especially with my ocs. So, lots of planning on the story and the characters. Well, that's all of my reasons on why this story was on hiatus. I hope you guys like this chapter. Please and thank you so much ladies and gentlemen!!!

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🅆🄴🄻🄲🄾🄼🄴!!!

🅜🅘🅓🅝🅘🅖🅗🅣 🅡🅤🅝🅐🅦🅐🅨

🅒🅗🅐🅟🅣🅔🅡 ④: 🅦🅘🅛🅛🅘🅝🅖 🅣🅞 🅑🅔 🅑🅔🅣🅣🅔🅡

Everybody stood in place, they didn't dare to move or speak. They were all still like soldiers ready to go into battle. They heard the boss's question, making themselves question about it. If they're really ready to work in this type of work field. They eventually turned to look at each other. They glanced into each other's eyes. It was like they were speaking but through their minds. None of them didn't want to talk. They wanted to be respectable to the boss. They didn't dare want to make him angry or kick them out just because they were talking without his permission. They wanted him to stay on his good side which they preferred him to be at the moment. They all looked into their eyes before they turned to look at the boss once more. They all had decided what to say and what they want to do for their future in the company.

The boss asked them the same question again. No one wasn't speaking so he gave them permission to speak out. Once they got the permission to speak, all of them gave their answers to the boss. Half of them, which were about 20 of them, said no. While the other half, which were 10 of them, said yes. The 20 people who had decided not to work here, they left without looking back or thinking about it. While the 10 people who stayed, listened for the boss's next demand. One of the 10 people were Keno, he didn't leave with the other 20 people who decided not to work at the moving truck company. For the boss, he wasn't satisfied with the results but he was sort of glad that he at least got 10 people to stay with him. It could've been worse than it was. He could've lost all 30 of them or 25 people leaving and he only got 5 workers to stay. But, the worse would be not having any workers to work for him at all. So, at least he had 10 people who is willing to work for his company.

The boss put his feelings and thoughts aside and attended to the workers who stayed. He turned his attention to them and took a quick look at all of them before he spoke out. Once the boss was finished looking at them all, he came up to them with a forming smile on his face. He stood in front of them and put hid arms behind his back. All the workers were nervous about the boss's smile. It made them feel unease with themselves and uncomfortable of what he was thinking. They didn't know what he was going to say to them or what he was going to do. Whatever the boss was going to do or say, he opened his mouth in order for him to work. The boss informed them all that they ed all his tasks and see who are willing to work for him. That brought down the unease on their backs and listened closely to what the boss needed to say next. The boss sighed before informing them all again that they can all leave and be paid for coming and staying.

All 10 workers looked at each other, confuse on why they'll pay them. They didn't really do anything special but just listen to him. They expected to get some money for doing the tasks but also for staying as well. It brought joy to their heart but confusion in their head. The boss explained himself that they were the only 10 workers to stay. The 10 workers who are willing to work at his company and work hard for him brought a smirk across his face. Once he got his workers on check, he told them to go back home. His assistant will give them their checks to pick up. They all understood, walking away to the main exit. The exit where the assistant was waiting for the 10 workers and give them their checks for the day. They walked out, coming up to the front where the assistant was at. She ed out each other the checks to all 10 workers including Keno and left it as that. She just wanted to give them the checks and go home for the day early. She wanted her peace and quiet until the next day of work.

For each person that ed her by, she gave them their checks. All 10 of them made sure that they got their checks especially that they needed. Keno was the last one to get his check from the assistant. He took the check and thanked her. The assistant sighed, turning her head away from his sight. He found it strange, making him wondering what he did to her. He didn't need to dwell on it. He wanted to go back to the fire nation camp, the place that his staying at. So, he took his check and left her be without bothering her anymore. She looked like she didn't want to start a conversation at the moment so he left her alone. He walked out of the company building and went on going back home. As for right now, the Fire nation camp is his home. He has nowhere else and nobody to turn too. It's the only place that he can go to and the only people he can basically trust is Ayaan and his daughter.

They been kind to him ever since he arrived at the fire nation camp. He doesn't know them that well but maybe overtime, he'll get to be close friends with them. The girl seems really caring and the father seems nice. But than again, he started to think about the little girl. He doesn't even know her name. He knows her father's name but not her own name. He never asked what her name was but maybe the girl should've revealed her name to him or at least her father. It was odd but that wasn't his business to tell. He doesn't know them very well. Maybe they have their own way of introducing themselves. Maybe he'll ask the little girl what he name was just until he gets back to the Fire nation camp. He walked through the street, heading back to the camps. He watched everybody by him, living their own lives. It must've been good to have friends and family. A family that truly trusts you and you trust them as well. Everybody has gotten that life but for him, he never got that life. Everybody is a hit and miss. Unfortunately, he was a miss of that good life.

While he was walking through stores, he looked at the cares and trucks that drove through the streets. He saw some homeless people going to soup places that they can have some food to eat. Keno stood in front of the place, staring through the window. He saw people in there, eating soup and bread sticks including glasses of water. He stared through the glass, imagine himself inside, and eating some food. He was getting hungry, he only had bags of bread back at the fire nation camp. He wasn't even sure if they were still there. He didn't know anybody there, they might've taken his bags of bread and eaten them all. He didn't have any money on himself but just a check. That's when it hit him, he looked down at the check. He had the check that he can cash out and get some money. With that money, he can get some food for himself. He was about to find a bank somewhere before a girl was about to go inside the building. She noticed Keno staring through the glass, looking at people eating. She walks up to him with her hands under her arms. In her gentle soft voice, "Um... excuse sir. You know you can go inside and get free food. They'll offer it to you." The young woman told him. Keno turned, seeing the young woman in front of him. She was about 5'2 and she was wearing baggy clothes. She seemed very sweet and had rosey cheeks with black raven hair.

Keno was embarrassed by just having the thought that he had to pay just to get a plate of food. He looks through the winoow and sees a sign that says "No Pay Necessary" which makes him smirk. He than turned back to the girl again and thanks her for informing him. He didn't know what he was thinking of cashing in his check and trying to get some food that he doesn't need to pay for. The girl offers to come in with him, she can teach him what he to learn about. He thought about it, he wasn't to sure of it but the girl seemed really nice and she wanted to help him. So, he decided for her to help him. They both go inside the building together. Keno thanks her the help which she nods to him with a soft smile. They go through the inside doors and made it inside the building.

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Keno and the young girl were inside the building. Keno took a quick look around, seeing that it was decent looking inside but it didn't smell pleasant. It had a strange old oder that he could barely smell. Keno had cover his nose with his fingers, hoping that the smell will leave anytime soon. The young girl could see the face expression that he was making about the smell but she was use to it. The smell wasn't that bad but it wasn't pleasant either so she understood where he was coming from. They walked through the diner area, seeing each table being filled by homeless people. They both took glimpses of people sitting at their tables. Keno tried to spot an open table where he or they can sit in. But, it seems that every table was filled. Who can blame them? They'll be getting a free meal out of it. It was worth it to get here early and get the best sits while waiting for free food to come to you. It was almost like a dream that was like a miracle to them.

The girl looked for a empty table for them to sat at. It took a while but she eventually found one that was free and empty. She tapped on Keno's shoulder, pointing at the empty table. He turned to see the empty table free for them to take. They both walked over to the empty table. Keno pulled out the chair just for the girl to sit in. She smiled, thanking him for his kindness. He nodded, pulling in the chair with her on it. Keno went over to his chair and sat down across her. He asks her about this place and how can they get free food. Do they come over at their table and ask what they want? Of do they have to come to them and ask what they want to eat? She informs him that they came to them and ask what they want. She also tells Keno that most of the food is leftovers of past cooked food from a couple of days early or maybe a week. Most of the food isn't bad but it does taste old, maybe like days or a week.

Hearing the sound of that didn't sound so appetizing anymore. Having the taste of old food didn't sound like something that he would want to put in his mouth. But not having a proper meal for a while now, it would rather take old food than not eat anything at all. Waiting for the next scrap of food to come alone. He still has his bags of bread back at the Fire Nation camp. But than again, his not sure if somebody already took them and ate them or they been thrown away like garbage. Whatever happens, he needs to make sure that he takes any meal that comes across his path. He's not sure if this could be his last for a while or for a very long time. He couldn't take that risk so but the means of eating old food, he'll take it before he regrets it later on. He just hopes that the food isn't expired or moldy. For sure that would make him sick go his stomach. At that point, he rather go hungry than get himself sick with expired food that can kill you. Keno just hopes that it's not the case.

For the meanwhile, they both wait at the table. They wait for a waiter to come to their table. Soon enough, a female waiter comes to their table and ask what they want. The girl orders first, asking the female waiter for porkchops with some peanut sauce including some grape juice. Meanwhile, Keno looks up at the waiter just to freeze in place. Seeing the female waiter's face, he almost dropped dead. His face went pale, his hands became shaky, and he was sweating from his forehead. He was so confuse, the female waiter's face looked exactly the same to his old nurse back in the terror hospital. The name of his old nurse was Yin. Nurse Yin was a good-hearted and navies young woman. She tried to help Noatak and Tarrlok to escape from the hospital, which were experimenting on Noatak's blood, but she was later killed by the crazy assistant that helped Doctor Koroko. Those days he wish he never ed. He gave him shots, injecting serum that he didn't know what they were. He took most of his blood for who knows what. He wasn't sure what he'll do with Noatak's blood but whatever it was, he knew it wasn't for a good cause. Nothing was for a good cause. He knew that now but was to late to realize it at the right time.

But realizing that he's been staring at her for awhile, he needed to say something before they both think his weird. He simply shakes his head, coming back to reality. He thinks for what he wanted to eat. He was hungry so he'll take anything that he gets to eat. So, he ordered just a bowl of noodles along with a cup of ice water. The waiter understood, writing everything that they asked for. After she wrote down their orders, she left immediately. Seeing her run off was a bit funny to them. She was running like there was no tomorrow which was strange even for just a waiter to have a panic like that. It didn't matter at the moment, the young woman turned her attention to Keno. She wanted to get to know the man a little more so she went ahead asking him some questions about himself. She put on a sweet wide smile and asked him the first question about himself. It was nothing harmless, it was just some questions.

"So, what's your name? My name is Hamuri."

He hesitated but answered her question, "It's nice to meet you Hamuri. My name is Keno."

"Why a wonderful name you have. Hey, what brings you here in the Fire Nation? I can tell you're not from here. I mean, you're not from this nation."

Keno stayed quiet, not daring to say another word to Hamuri. Did she already expect something about him? He started to get scared of the many possibilities of what Hamuri was thinking about. He wasn't sure if she knew who he was. The last time somebody knew who he truly was, they freaked out, ans they wanted to fight him. But due to them being an old man, he couldn't do much to do, not even one punch. But this was a young woman. He didn't know what her skills or strength was. He kept his guard up with her and answered her question, making sure that he doesn't give to much away for her to gather some information about him. He can't afford another person to find out about himself and ruin his new life. Not like this, not with a young woman like her. She already knew he wasn't from this nation. One thought came to mind, how did she know? He thought of anything thay could give away that he wasn't from the Fire Nation.

Before Keno went into deeper thought in his mind about Hamuri, she coughed at him. Catching his attention again. Hamuri sighed before explaining herself of how she might know that he isn't from the Fire Nation. The first thing that she knew was that she hasn't seen him around since the time she's been living in the Fire Nation. She was born and raised in the Fire Nation so she knew everybody. Another thing that she might know is that he didn't have the spark of a Fire Nation citizen even though his wearing the clothes, doesn't mean he has the personality. Lastly, she pointed out the color eyes he has. Both eyes are different colors but they're still both blue. She guessed, at the top of her head, answered that he was from either the South or the North Water Tribe. She didn't mind at all and won't say anything if his uncomfortable. She apologized for the scare and informed him that she's here to make friends, not to make enemies. After hearing that, Keno was now calm and was more relaxed. She smiled, pointing out that there food will be ready very soon. They just need to wait a little longer for it to come.

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After a few moments of them talking, their food finally came. The female waiter placed both their food trays and drinks on the table. She left in a hurry without saying "Enjoy" or "Here's your food" she just simply left. Hamuri smiled, taking the plate by her side. She started to eat her food like there was no tomorrow. Keno watched he felt kind of disgusted by how she was eating her fold. But than again, she was poor and maybe hasn't seen a single food for a while now. So, he gave her that excuse but the chewing was getting on his nerves a bit. He tried his best to ignore the chewing sounds that Harmuri was giving off. He grabbed a nearby spoon for the noodles along with some chopsticks to eat with. He used his spoon to take a little sip from the soup. But when he took a glance at his reflection, he saw the pale lady. Keno gasped, pushing the bowl away from him. Hamuri stared at him with confuse intense eyes, wondering why he pushed his bowl away from him. Was there a big in his soup or maybe it looked funny to him? Whatever it was that he saw, he was freaked out by the sight.

Hamuri moved her chair closer to Keno. She took a closer look at the soup, seeing nothing but noodles. There was no bug or nothing funny looking in the soup. It looked like a pretty normal soup with noodles to her. Hamuri was confuse on why he would freak out and push his bowl of noodles away from him. She put her hand on his own, "Keno, are you okay? Did you see a bug in your soup?" She asked him. She took a quick look at his soup again. Maybe there was a bug in this soup but she can't see it. But all she saw was nothing but noodles in the bowl and no bug of any sort. Keno turned to look at her and shook his head, "I'm fine Hamuri. I thought I saw something behind me through the reflection of the liquid. Nothing to worry about." He laughed it off. He knew what he saw and it haunted him. Whoever it was, she was haunting him. She was crawling underneath is skin and it drives him crazy. He felt like his body wasn't his own and there was nothing he could do anything about. He felt so helpless about the matter. He couldn't figure out a way for him to get rid of this lady. This was eating him up from the inside and out. He noticed that people around him are noticing his behavior and that draws to much attention to him. He can't let anybody know about his past. If they ever found out, they'll turn him in. He's not ready to go let go of his freedom. If he can call it freedom.

Keno grabbed his chopsticks and started to eat his noodles, without saying another word to Hamuri. His behavior wasn’t right and how he sweap the subject away was a secret that Hamuri wanted fo know. She barely knew the man but there was something familiar to her that she knew a while back. She went to eat her food while staring at him with a side-eye. Keno can feel her eye presence. He knew she was staring at him. He could feel her side head staring right back at him. He started to shake while eating his noodles. He knew she was finding out something about him. Once he finishes his noodles, he'll leave her there without saying another word. Not wanting to give her anymore clues of who he is and what he's done in the past. He doesn't want to make anymore enemies that he'll worry about in the future. So after a while, he finished his noodles and was about to leave before Hamuri could say goodbye to him.

Hamuri tried to stop him from walking out of the restaurant but he swirled around her went straight to the door. Hamuri turned to his direction and ran outside after him. She looked left and right but he was nowhere to be found. He was gone the moment he went out the doors. Hamuri called out for Keno but there was no response. She went walking around the block and even some streets that she's never been too before but he wasn't there. He was nowhere at sight which left him feeling alone. Her very first friend, or she considered, had left her without telling her the reason why he had to get up and leave her. She felt that she did something wrong. Like she said something that he didn't like and wanted to leave her without giving her any hints of where he was he going or at least where he was heading too. She wish she knew why he left but she was afraid she'll never know the real reason why he left. So, she went off walking back to the streets where she unfortunately lives. With her head down and her smile dropping, she wish that they'll meet again but that depends on how the future sets up.

Meanwhile, Keno was walking through the dark alleyway where he escaped from being seen from Hamuri. He didn't want her catching up to him and finding him. He didn't want her to follow him to where he was going. He was going back to the Fire Nation camp, which wasn't a place for any poor person to live. It was very common for any low class to be there but still, he didn't want her to know where he was at and what location he was located at in the Fire Nation camp he was living in at the moment. He had nowhere else to go, the Fire Nation can is the only place that hasn't questioned him about his personal background yet so he turned himself away and kept his own personal life a secret, trying to hide it from people who would know him or will turn him in for wealth or fame for his capture. He can't take that risk, he's almost gotten himself caught a couple of times. What made it worse was the reaction from the old man, Lee, back at the hospital. How he reacted when he realized who he was, he wanted to kill him right there without even trying. He knew very well what abilities he had but he had no care who he was facing, he just wanted to end him. If he reacted that way, others will too.

So, he has to make sure that he doesn't make any connections with anybody. That way, he'll be safe and they'll be safe. Whatever is inside of him, it wants to hurt people and he won't allow it to do that. He knew he waa a idealist about equally and how he can achieve it through bloodbending but to hurt people for no reason at all was out of the question. He never attended to hurt others even if they were benders. He just wanted to make them equal to non-benders but knowing something that had power beyond bending was something out of nature. He had to keep this under control or else this force inside of him will start twisting his mind and turning him into a monster that he never wanted to become. Even though of what his done in the past, he doesn't want to became a monster that his father wanted him to be. To hurt people and animals just for his own sick desires. He wanted everybody to live in peace and equal to each other.

As he walked through the dark alleyway, a voice appeared in his head and whispered to him. He thought he was hearing voices in the shadows but there was no movement that he can feel. Whatever it is that is speaking to him is inside of his head, messing with him. He turned in every corner just to see nothing infront of him but the voice getting louder. He covered his ears but the voice inside his head laughed at him. Covering hid ears wasn't going to help him but make it worse for him. He wanted the voice to stop but it kept on laughing at him before he felt dizzy. He was wobbling and tripping over himself. He wanted to out and fall to sleep. He was becoming a hot mess, he almost tripped and fall on his face. He wanted the voice to stop and gain back his strength. But this voice in his head was taking all of his strength from his body, he was getting tired of this. Something inside of him, taking control over him was something that he felt out of control over.

Keno yelled at the top of his lungs for the voice to leave him alone and go away from his head. But, the way how the voice mocked him through their laughing was making him angry at himself for allowing this to happen to him. He just wanted the voice to go away, he didn't want this voice to control him. He knew this voice wanted to cause harm and with his body to do the acts. He knew it's done it before and he hated it every second of it. He didn't when it was and what happened but he knew the voice has taken over his body once to cause harm to some people. He yelled out again but his hand covered his mouth. He didn't move his hand to cover his mouth but the voice did. It controlled his mouth and stopped him from yelling again. He tried to lift his hand away from his mouth but no matter how hard he tried, his hand didn't want to move. He begged the voice to allow him to move his hand again but the voice just laughed at him again before speaking to him again, "I will never leave and will take over your body soon," the voice said before it disappeared. Once the voice left, he had the ability to move his hand again. He stared at his hand and stretched it before falling onto his knees and tears fell out of his eyes. HIs own body and mind was slipping into the hands of the darkness that has laid itself inside of him.

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When the afternoon rolled away and the night was coming around, Keno made it back to the Fire Nation camp which he walked back to the cave that he was living in. He walked slowly back to his cave, holding his arms close to his chest. He felt useless and not in control over his body. This body he had wasn't his own anymore but somebody's else too. He didn't know how it happened but he wish that this darkness never found a way to him and manage to get inside of him, claiming his body and mind as its own. Keno walked to the cave which Ayaan and his daughter were already sleeping in their sleeping bags. He looked over to them with a soft wide smile before walking back to his corner where his own sleeping bag was at. He looked over at the corner which his bags of breads were still there. He crawled over to the bags and opened one of them. He grabbed a piece of bread and took a bite out of it, savoring the flavor of it and ire how it's still good. This was the only food that he brought to the Fire Nation camp.

Just imagine it now, he came here with nothing but three bags of bread. He left everything behind to find himself out in the world and became a better person. He wanted to make up with his sins and be a better person. He wanted to fix his personal problems before he does turn himself in. Even a couple of months have gone by, he knows they won't forget his crimes that his committed upon Republic City and the the people. So if the months turn into years, he wants to make sure that his ready go to jail and face his crimes for what his done. As he sat against the wall, he thought of how much he's gone through his journey. Seeing himself back at the North Water Tribe to here in the Fire Nation camp. He wondered what the future has for hold of him. He hopes that it ends up being good and he gets the justice for himself that he rightfully deserves in his life. At least have inner peace eith his inner demons. That's all he asked for of himself and his future. Anything could happen to him and what will lead him will be coming for him.

But after having a long day of training and running away from Hamuri, he needed to rest. He had to go to work on his first day tomorrow. So, he grabbed his towels and walked out of the cave. He walked to the bathhouse where almost everybody was there. He went inside, looking for a free bathroom that he can use at the moment. Almost every bathroom that he was looking for were all closed. Mostly all of them were basically closed. It took him forever to find a free bathroom for him to use. Keno needed to use the bathroom now before he gets more dirty than he already was right now. But that didn't mean he stopped searching for a bathroom. He kept on looking for a free bathroom and he was determined to find one and take a shower before the bathrooms close on him. It took him over an hour to find a free bathroom for him to use but he had no luck of finding one for himself to bathe in. He hoped and prayed that he'll eventually find one but it seemed hopeless for him to find one.

When Keno thought he wasn’t going to find a bathroom, a man came out of one of them. Thus, leaving Keno available for a bathroom that he can use. The moment the man left the bathroom, he immediately ran to it, and went inside of it. He locked the door and settled himself inside the bathroom. Aftet an hour of looking for a bathroom, he finally found one. Now, he can take a shower and clean himself before he can go to bed and finally go on his first day of work. Once he brought himself to the small pool, he took off his clothes, and placed them on the side table where he laid them to rest. Once he took his clothes off, he dipped himself inside of the small pool and made himself comfortable inside. Keno washed himself very well on every part that he can clean himself with. Keno made sure that every part of his body was clean and shiny. Keno wanted to make sure that he was nice and clean for when he goes to bed and rest his body.

Keno took a while for him bathing in the small pool. The water felt so warm and smooth. He never wanted to leave. He just wanted to stay and float inside the quiet and peaceful water. The water became warmer while his body became calmer. Eventually, he was so calm, he slowly started to slip down under the water. Until he was fully consumed by the depth of the pool water. He went to the bottom without even a struggle. It felt like it wasn't just a pool tub but a full body of water, like the bottom of a river or maybe even an ocean. But it didn't matter to Keno, it was so peaceful. It was like he was drowning all of his sins and crimes away from his body. It was like he was being renewed again. A chance of change and a new rebirth of a new person. The water brought him calmness and peacefulness.

Keno went all the way to the bottom until he touched a hard surface. Even by touching the hard surface, he didn't flitch but just laid there. Keno hoped that he can get a second chance regardless of what his done. He wants to chance, he wants to be better. He wants to change into a better person. He kept his eyes closed and rested there, not moving a muscle. When he thought that he could have a calming rest, he heard movements coming towards him. Even though he was underwater, he can still hear the movements moving in the bath water. He lifted himself up and looked around, trying to see what was coming at him. When he didn't see anything, he thought he was at the clear before he spotted a shadow at the corner of his eye, coming towards him. Keno moved away, watching the shadow getting closer and closer to him. He tried to swim back up but a force was keeping him down.

Keno looked back just to see that the figure has grown larger, resembling as a human being. So he thought it was a human being, it looked to big to be a human and it was swimming faster than anybody he knew. Whatever it was, it was coming towards him and it was coming fast. Keno panicked, trying to swim up but the force still kept him down. He tried to breath but he ed that he was underwater, he can't breath. So this became a bigger struggle for him to escape this doom that he put himself in. The harder he tried to move, the less his body wanted to give up. His body became frozen, like his body didn't want to move. But whatever was getting closer to him, it was already nearby. He can see the figure more clearly than before. It appeared to be a woman, the same woman he's been seeing for a while now. Since he was back at the hospital, his been seeing her. Every corner of his eye, she was there, watching him from a far. He didn't know who this lady was but he greeted his teeth when she reached out for him and placed her cold icy hands on both sides of his cheeks.

Her white flowing hair was floating in the water. She pinned him down on the surface, leaning over him with a wicked smile on her face. He tried to look at her in her eyes but her white flowing snow hair was blocking it. She grinned at him, stroking his cheeks with the tip of her sharp claw fingernails. He panicked, not knowing the unknown. She came closer to his face before she grabbed his shoulders and shot out of the water with him. He flew in the air and hit the ground, hitting his head on the side. His vision was blur, weak from the hard impact. He looked around his surroundings just to see her image walking up to him. He tried his hardest to call out to somebody but when he tried, she blocked his mouth. She looked down at him with the same grin on her face. He begged for her to leave him alone but that wasn't going to happen. She shut his eyes and he eventually fell asleep in the locker bathroom.

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The next morning, Keno woke up from his knockout last night. He barely ed what happened but the last thing that he can make out was that he was taking a bath. He ed how warm and calming it was for him. It was a nice bath for him. But that's all he could at the time. But something was off, something wrong that he couldn't put his finger on. He saw images of white hair and pale skin but that's all he could see. But anything else about her appearance was unknown to him. He couldn't see any other features that could be important for him to for future reference. Whoever she was, he knows that she's been bothering him and wants to take control over him. For what reason that is, it's unknown to him. He doesn't know why she wants to take over him and why she's even inside of him in the first place. But, he knows that's it's important. Its just he doesn't know the reasons behind her evil and cold behavior towards him.

Out of the clear blue, he heard knocking at the door. He looked over at the door, hearing that somebody was knocking at the door. So, Keno lifted himself off the floor and walked over to see who it was. Once Keno opened the door, it was some random fat guy who wanted to use the bathroom. He saw that it was out of order all night so he waited until it opened but after he woke up and waited for 1 hour, he needed to check if there was something off that he didn't know about. By the looks of Keno being in the bathroom and half dazed out of his mind, his hunch was right about the situation. The fat man asked Keno if he was alright or hurt in anyway. Keno was fine, which he responded, but he wondered what time it is. He asked the fat man the time which the man responded to him. It was 8 o'clock in the morning but by hearing that, Keno freaked out by what time it is. He's supposed to be at work at 8:30 am and he's nowhere ready or have the time to get there.

So, in a hurry, he ran out of the bathroom but came back because he realized that he had no clothes and his working clothes were inside the bathroom including the clothes that he was going to wear if he went to sleep last night. While he ran through the hallways, he put on his work clothes and his work boots while grabbing a nearby bag that he cab grab and put his normal clothes inside. That way, he doesn't need to go back to the cave and out them there for the meanwhile. At that time, he left the Fire Nation camp and started to run to the work company. He can't be late on his first day. He won't allow that to happen to him. He ran as fast as he could to thw company but with traffic and people walking in the sidewalks, including how far the workplace is. He had to think of another way to get there faster. He only had 15 minutes to go before it's 8:30 am. He thought fast while running through the streets. He thought of anything that it could help him get there faster.

The only thing that he needed think of is to catch the train cart but he won't make it on his normal speed. So, he thought that maybe he can use his bloodbending abilities to increase his speed and catch up to the train cart. He debated on it but it's better to use it than being late to work especially on the first day. By the matter of seconds, he increased his speed through his leg muscles and ran as fast as he can to the train cart. He jumped on a couple of high fences but he jumped on the train car and grabbed the handle, letting the train pull him in mid air. He held onto the handle until he pulled himself up and landed on the surface floor of the train. After that, he sat down on any chair that was free to sit on. This train cart will only take 5 minutes to get to his job. He looked at the clock that was inside the train car and caught that he only has 15 minutes to get there before his late for work. He has time to get, he just hopes that the boss doesn't write him up for not being there earlier.

As the train cart go, he looked at every building that he ed by. He saw each person being ed by the train cart. Seeing them walking in the streets made him wonder about their lives. Wondering how they live their life and how they achieve their own self-goals. He wondered if he had different life, would he be the same? Would he have a better life than what he had now? Thinking about how others live and maybe if he had their life, he would do better than them or anybody else. All this lead to more theories for himself, the life that he could have had would be better than what he got. But it would make it better if his younger brother would be there beside him if they had another chance to gain a better life for themselves. Better parents and a better life for them to live together. How he wish that it could happen to them but what he knows about life and chances is that they might never or never return back to those people who want it the most. Or so he believed in that way.

When the bell rang, he snapped out of his thoughts and locked back at the clock. It was right on time, he has 10 minutes to walk to his job which only took him 2 minutes to getbto his job. He got up from his chair and he walked off the train cart. As he walked off the train car, he walked on the sidewalk to go to work. It didn't take him to long, he came one minute earlier than he was suppose to be there. He went through the door and opened it, going inside. The door closed behind him, he walked through the hallway. That's when he meant the lady at the front desk again. He was about to ask her where does he need to meet the boss and the others but she pointed at the door, suggesting that he needed to go through there to find his way. He did what she wanted him to do, which was go through the door that she pointed at. He went through the door and went through the area of where the big trucks were at. He looked at each and one of them until he meant up with the 10 other workers that showed up.

Keno stood by them, waiting for their boss to come out. That's what the other workers were doing at the time so why not do the same. They needed their boss to tell them what to do in order for them to start doing their jobs. After 5 minutes later, the boss finally came out of his side office and walked towards the group with his clipper board in his hand and the other had a black color pen. Once everybody say that the boss was here, they all stood in a single line, right next to each other. They were all quiet and respectable, letting the boss say his first command. Keno did the same, he stayed quiet as well, not moving an inch from where he was standing. The boss stood in front of them holding his board in his hand and writing some notes on his paper with his black pen. They all stared at the boss while he was writing down his notes. The boss took his time writing down his notes before he put his black pen away, in his pocket, and looked up at his workers with a stern face expression that he was presenting.

The boss coughed, clearing his throat. He looked at each worker, analyzing them to clear detail from top to bottom. Finally, after what seemed like a whole hour, the boss finally spoke to his 10 workers. The 10 workers that were willing to work at his company. As he spoke, "You guys will be loading up a heavy load of boxes onto the trucks. Once their all in the trucks, you guys drive them to the location and drop them off. Once you drop them off, you come back here, and clean up the mess that you'll leave after clearing the section." He warned them. It alarmed Keno of a great deal but he knew he can handle it. Picking up boxes was easy for him. But the rest, he's not even sure. But this is the only job that can accept him without going into deeper detail of his backstory. So for right now, he'll do whatever he can to make it work for himself and the life that he wants to create, before he gives it up.

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As the 10 workers spread out, they went to the section room where they grabbed the large boxes and lifted them. They brought them to the trucks and loaded them up. They were informed that the boxes were filled with clothes and other accessories. So they have to be careful with the boxes. They can afford to break any of them. One mistake will lead them to getting fired and get kicked out without even a say or an apology to the boss or company. They have to be careful, no matter what. After they were done, no boxes were broken or fallen. No mess was made or no damage to the packages. This brought comfort to the workers hearts so they can do the final parts of doing the job. So, once all the boxes were finally inside the trucks, they all went inside their assigned trucks and they went off to the location that they were too. The locations that they're suppose to go to in order for them to send the boxes.

They all drove to the location. One of the drivers were Keno. He never drove a car or truck before. He grew up in the Northern Water Tribe, in a little village. They didn't have any cars so he never learned how to drive especially with a father or never exposed him to healthy environments. So, he was a little nervous that he'll mess up on this. He never drove before so anything could happen. So far, he was doing great at driving but was making sharp turns on streets that he wasn't suppose to do. But overtime he learned and became less nervous of driving. Eventually, he was getting comfortable of the idea of driving. It was a bit fun for him to do. After a while, they all made it to the location. They outloaded the trucks, dropping off the boxes. Once they were done outloading the trucks, they can go back to the company and sign off that the first job was done.

They all made their way back to the company. It was a successful task. They hope that their second job is easier than the first task. Whatever it was, they have to do it. It was that or being jobless. They all needed the job to pay for themselves and their family. After they made it back to the truck company, they went back to their boss and got the next location of where they're going too. The next place that they were heading too was a small mall that was up the hills. When it comes to malls, it's never a good sign of sending boxes there. Kids are always hanging out and crowds of people always cause trouble especially when they have to to certain stores to give boxes too. It was always a trouble even though this is their first time even loading boxes and unpacking them to others. It's always a hustle and means trouble for the deliverers. The boss told them otherwise, straightening them up and getting them ready to go to the small mall.

None of them weren't thrilled about it but they had to do it. It was them losing their job or going to the next location and delivering. They rather have their jobs than end up being dead broke in the end. So they started to load the trucks with the boxes. They got the list of stores that they'll be going to to deliver. It was only three stores that they needed to go so that won't be trouble for them. Aftet they packed up the trucks and read the list of stores that they'll be going to, they got themselves ready to start driving the trucks. They all gathered together and went inside the trucks, starting them up. They drove out of the company once more and they started to head to the small mall. The small mall was named "Hot Spree" a mall that people always keep the money hot. Which it lived up to the name, there were a lot of people at the mall and they were spending their money left and right in every store that they went too. It was crazy in the workers eyes. Keno was in disbelief on how many people were in Hot Spree mall. It looked really crazy from his perspective and everybody else that were with him.

They drove the parking lot of the mall and went to the first store that they had go too. The store was called "Hot Temper" a sport store that taught people how to play Hot Ball. The game was with firebending players who play with a ball that is on fire. That's all that you need to know about the game and the rest is just simply catch with the ball. Their first stop was Hot Temper, parking in a corner where they offloaded the boxes out of the trucks and delivered them to the owners of the place. After that, they drove around the mall which their next place was Heat Streak, it was a steak dinar. A restaurant that everybody can go too. They needed to deliver meet to them so the boxes were in a special containers that kept them frozen. Once they made it, they gave the meat to the workers. Once they were done, they had one more place to go before they were done with the mall.

The next place was called "Volcano Blast", a place where arcade games were starting to come around. Games have advanced over time but they haven't gotten to advanced for technology to make them outstanding. But, that was besides the point, the games there were pretty fun to play on especially with friends or family . They had to go up the hill to deliver the rest of the boxes to them. The arcade was up the hill, inside the complex of the mall, having all their games underground. So, all the trucks were up the hill, heading to the game place. After 2 minutes, they made it up the hill. Now they needed to find a spit where they can drop off the boxes. Hopefully, the boss or workers are waiting for them to guide them. It took them 5 minutes, driving around the arcade place, trying to find anybody that worked at the arcade place but nobody never showed up for them to drop off the boxes. It was strange, they had at least 20 boxes for them to take but nobody didn't get them.

After another 5 minutes of driving around, they decided to go back to the company and tell their boss that nobody was there to pick up the deliveries. They all started to head back down to the hill but something stopped them. All of their trucks had blown out, leaving the trucks to stop abruptly. They all flitched and flew back by the impact including Keno. It all left them wondering what happened. They didn't expect a thing of what's going to happen next but Keno had a bad feeling of what could be coming for them. Out of nowhere, men in black clothing came out of the blur and they started to drag the workers out of the trucks. This left Keno in shock but knowingly, had a bad feeling that something like this was going to happen. With the tires going out, some bad guys like them were going to pull a trick on them like this. He knew this very well, he had done this in his past when he was Amon so it didn't surprise him.

After they took the workers out of the trucks, they started to move to the truck where Keno was in. Keno sighed, turning to the other worker that was sitting beside him inside the trick. The young boy looked terrified out of his mind. He was shaking in fear. He was praying to whoever he was hoping to save him. His eyes were bugging out and he was just speaking preys theough his own beliefs of spirits and the gods above them. Keno thought it was ridiculous, a boy like him praying like this. It wasn't going to be the end of them. These guys might just take all their belongings or the boxes that they have or maybe take the trucks or maybe all above. It depends on what kind of criminals they were. It didn't matter, they dragged the young boy and Keno out of the last truck they were in. Whatever was going to happen, Keno wasn't going to let them get away with this.

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They dragged Keno and the young boy through the ground and threw them with the others, who were also shaking in fear. He can tell that they were all scared. He was the only one who wasn't scared of the guys. Through those black masks, he can tell that they were just coward children who were just bullying and scaring stupid grown men. It was embarrassing to see. Witnessing men crying in fear, begging for these children boys to let them go. But to be honest, it was really funny to him. Half of these guys were bowing to them and bursting out with real tears. It was a funny sight to witness upon. He almost wanted to burst out laughing and tell them the truth. The truth that these robbers were just children. Maybe no more than 14 years old. But he decided to keep it to himself. Just in case that these children end up being a threat, he can beat them all with one punch and a couple of kicks. It won't be a problem for him. Even if they do have bending abilities, je can still beat them in the matter of seconds.

But it would be the first time that he'll be fighting children younger than 17 years old. These boys were basically still in middle school or just got out of elementary school. How he can tell that they were children? Well, it was the sound of their voice, the height, and how they were speaking to the others. They didn't talk like grown men or robbers but just children playing pretend. As he watched the children, one of them was eyeing on Keno. With eyes that he recognized him from somewhere. This was bad, this kid could know him from somewhere. He can't let the kid notice him and find out who he is. If they all find out who he is, he'll he in deep trouble. So he tried to avoid the kid's eye s as far as possible. But no matter how he tried, the kid still kept on staring at him. At this point, it was already getting uncomfortable with the staring from the kid. He just wished that the kid would stop staring at him already.

Finally, when one of the kid's called out the other, he stopped staring at Keno and went over to the others. As Keno sighed, he observed the situation carefully. Even though these were kids, he doesn't know their skill and strength level yet. Just by little details, he can tell it all from just little information that he can see and hear. It was quick studying them, all the basic information that he needs to know about them. They were bad at hiding their strengths and weaknesses especially when they arrogant and bragging about their bending. He knows now that all of them are benders, all of them were firebenders. Which they bragged about after bad mouthing about waterbenders. As a water bender and an native of the Water Tribe from the north, he was offended by their remarks and racist statements about the native people. As soon as he gets close to him, he'll make sure that he makes them feel sorry.

After these kids were done talking about themselves, they walked up to the workers along with Keno. They stared down at them and showing off that they were firebenders. By flickers of flames coming out from their hands, this brought fear to the workers but Keno wasn't impressed by this. He just saw them as reject firebenders who are just stupid kids that don't want to work to achieve what they want. Instead, they decide to rob people and intimidate them especially non-benders. All the workers there were all non-benders who were born in different parts of the Fire Nation. These kids knew they can’t defend themselves. Which they were right but these workers didn't have skills, speed, or strength to defend themselves and show them otherwise. To show them what non-benders can truly do without bending to help them out of bad situations like this. They were completely helpless.

As the workers shook in fear, one of the firebender kids came up to one of the workers and grabbed him by the shirt. He lifted him up, bringing him off the ground. He carried him with his right hand. He looked at the worker's eyes, seeing the fear that was occurring within the young man. The boy laughed, "What a pathetic worth of nothing man you are." The boy said. The man shed a tear from his eye, hurt by the young boy's words. It was true, he was pathetic and weak. Even though his a non-bender, he should stand up against these punks or at least form a brave face. But he did neither of those two things. He was just a scared man who just wanted to go back to work and later go home. He begged the boy to let him go. He had a wife to feed and a unborn children to keep healthy. His wife was pregnant with twins. He needed life to earn money in order to his family. The young boy on the other young, didn't really care about his reasons.

The young boy just wanted to take the stuff that they had in the trucks and leave them abandoned on the side of the road. He had no empathy or any careness for the man. It was whatever he wanted along with his pack of friends. He doesn't care what the man begged for. No matter how much he cried at him. Crying to let him go. This just made the young boy laugh at him. He eventually dropped the man on the floor, kicking him in the gut. He didn't need to show off his firebending skills, just by one punch, this man was already down. The young boy walked away before Keno wouldn't have it anymore. Keno stood up his grounds and shouted at the young boys. All the young boys, especially the one who kicked the man in the gut, all turned around. They witnessed Keno standing up, taller than the other workers. They stared at Keno with confusion, noticing that he wasn't like the other workers.

The other workers cried on the floor and shaking in fear. But Keno wasn't like them. He was different than them. He acted the opposite from how they reacted around their presence. Keno stared back at them with determination in his eyes. He was taller and bigger than the other workers. Some of the other boys noticed how he was positioned. He was in a fighting pose. Half of the boys know how to fight. Fighting in combat was their own specialty. So, they know when somebody is experienced in combat. But they thought he wasn’t as fast as them or skilled as them. Not even strong as them. They even thought he was a non-bender like the other workers. But soon they'll learn that he isn't like them but so much better than they don't think he is.

One of the boys walked out of the crowd of boys and stood in front. He observed Keno from a far, taking a good and quick look at him. He was studying him out. Something about this guy was special but he couldn't put his finger on what it is. Whatever it is, he has a bad feeling about Keno. His senses were telling him to be careful with him and to be study at his footing. As the boy stared, he commented the group of boys to go beat up Keno. The boys nodded, running at Keno like he was a danger to them. Which they'll learn that he is dangerous and a fighter that will win this battle against weak stupid boys like them. Keno smirked, landing a fast blow on the first boy who came up to him. He knocked him down the moment the boy tried to kick him in the face. The other boys were stunned but that didn't stop them from coming after Keno. It didn't matter if they stop or not, Keno was just started. As this, it was going to a fun fight for him.

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In the midst of the fight, another boy runs from the corner and gets ready to punch Keno on his side face. The boy didn't know that Keno already knew that the boy was coming at him already. When the boy was inches away from punching him, he grabbed the boy's fist. He twisted his hand and pulled him by his arm before he turned him around and double punched in the stomach. The boy fell down on the floor, clutching his stomach with his arms. Two other boys came from behind but Keno turned at the right time and kicked them both in the chest. They fell back on the floor, trying to catch their breath. The impact of his kick made them stop breathing for a while before they finally caught their breath but they were badly hurt so they decided not to get back up. Besides, they crawled away like the cowards they were. But they weren't going to get off that easy. Keno grabbed both the boys by their shirt and threw them at the others. He body slammed them with the two boys that he had in his hands.

The boys fell back on the ground, tripping on their feet and long pants that they had. Once they were done on the ground, Keno ran theough them and gave punches and kicks at every single one of them. He didn't stop until they were knocked out, laying on the floor like pathetic worth of nothing they were. It was funny how they were tossing and turning. Just by looking at them, he wanted to laugh at them. Most of the boys were knocked down. There was only 3 boys up left. The boy who stared at him eariler stayed back. The other boy who kicked the worker in the gut started to blast Keno with fire. Lastly, the other boy who commanded the boys to attack him was running up to Keno at top speed. The boy had incredible speed but it wasn't going to be enough to face Keno. The boy tried to land his punches on Keno's arms and his chest but he blocked every hit that the boy was trying to lay upon him.

For the very first time, the boy felt like that Keno could be the real deal. Eventually, both Keno and the boy landed their hands against each other and tested their strength. Their might was matched against one another. The boy felt the strength that Keno had. This strength Keno had was overpowering the boy's own might. Fear appeared in his eyes, fearing for the worse for himself andbthe remaining boys who were still up. Out of nowhere, the boy who was blasting fireballs at Keno was going to hit Keno with them. But Keno sensed the movement of the boy's arms and the heat that was coming at him. He smiled at the boy and pushed himself, getting himself out of the way of the coming flames that were going to hit Keno. The boy turned sharply at the flames, screaming in horror. The blast of the flames hit him in the face. He fell back on the floor and holding his face in pain. The boy who blasted fire stared in horror. He was stunned at what happened and was to scared to even say anything at the moment. But while he was focused on the situation, he didn't notice that Keno was behind him. Keno straightened out his hand and hit the boy at his pin point of his neck. The boy gasped before falling to the floor, ed out by the hit of Keno's chi-block.

Once Keno was done with the two troublemaker boys, he tuened to the last boy that was still standing up. It was the boy who glared at Keno eariler. Keno signed, walking slowly up to the boy. The boy shook in fear, walking backwards away from Keno. He accidentally tripped on a gap on the ground and fell on his butt. He looked up at Keno, fear appearing in his eyes. He dragged himself away from Keno, hoping for the best. Eventually, his back hit the surface of one of the trucks. He looked back at the truck before turning to look at Keno. He hugged his legs, forming in a ball. He still kept his eyes on Keno. He crossed his fingers on both hands, closing his eyes. He preyed under his voice, hoping that the spirits will save him to be sparred by the beaten from Keno. As Keno walked in front, the more he saw the fear in the boy. He stood in front of the boy, letting his shadow cover the boy.

The more he looked at the boy, the more he felt bad for him. Seeing him preying for anything or anyone to help him. Eventually, he rolled his eyes and decided to let him go. He looked down at the boy, "Go boy and never do this again." He said to the boy. The boy slowly lifted his head, looking back at Keno. He was about to ask what he said before Keno repeated himself again, making sure that the boy heard him this time. The boy was confuse, why would he let him go? He beat up every boy that were here. Why would he give him a chance to run off without any punishment? He wanted to ask him but Keno shot a glare at him, alerting him to leave now. Seeing that look made the boy flitch. He immediately got up from the floor and ran off as fast as he could. He never looked back, he just kept on running away. Running to the safest place that he can get to.

After he saw that the boy was gone, he smiled before walking to the workers. He checked on every single worker that were present. They all thanked him with gratitude and grace. They were happy that they were saved from him. They were still shocked by the experience but they were at ease that Keno saved them all from those terrible punks. They all gathered around Keno and started to hug him. Thanking him that he saved them. Keno smiled, giving them nods at their gesture. It was nothing for him. He just thought it was the right thing to do. Always help the ones who can't save themselves from the strong. That's what he did today, he saved from the non-bender workers from the firebending punks that would've hurt them if they had the chance to do so. He was grateful that he saved them on time before they did any damage to them. Also, he saved the boxes and the trucks from being stolen from them so that's another win on his part.

As he heard the workers cheer for him, a warm feeling in his heart appeared. A warm feeling that he never thought he'll feel again. It made him feel good that he saved those workers from the kids. He did feel bad for the kid who got burned by him. He never meant for that to happen. He hopes that kid will be okay and get the medical attention that he needs. That burn will cause a Scar on his face. While the workers were cheering, Keno caught that the boy who got burnt ran away. He left the one who was knocked out on the floor, the one who burned him. For some strange reason, letting that boy go felt like he'll come back Keno. He wasn't sure why though but his gut feeling was telling him otherwise. As he thought, he was just a boy, therefore, the boy won't bring any real danger to him or so he thought.

The day was won and all the workers including Keno took the trucks and drove back to the company which they reported what happened to the boss. The boss made sure that his workers were fine. Which they were just because of Keno. They told him so much about what happened between Keno and the boys. The boss appreciated Keno for saving them and gave his thanks to him in a form of a boy. Keno smiled, bowing to him as well. He was grateful that everybody was safe and those boys won't cause any damage to anybody again or he thinks. But this feeling in his gut won't go away. But whatever happens, he'll he ready.

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To Be Continued

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Hello everybody!!!!!! Chapter 5 will be coming soon. It's under @toxicflower18. Also, I hope you liked this chapter and will give me ideas for many chapters for this series. I would appreciate it and will award you 2 amino coins. I promise, I will award you for at least an suggestion. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter so far. I know it's only chapter 4 but it's a start. Also, many more chapters will be coming soon. I have you have patience and care for more chapters. Please leave a like and a nice comment down below of this post please. Please and thank you so much ladies and gentlemen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have a wonderful day everybody!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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