The Waterbender's Love and the Mechanic's Passion (Korrasami fanfiction)

Ch 0.37 Trapped Part 3

Catra was in such a rush to get to the roof that she didn't notice a guest already there. She quickly caught her breath from dashing up the stairs two at a time and looked at the person's back. They were sitting towards the city, just like Catra liked to do. She noticed the girl had the same shirt on from two days ago because she recognized the bloody lashes in her back.

The cat-girl quietly approached her as to not startle her. "Hey."

Riko glanced back. "Hey..."

Catra gently sat down beside her. "Riko, right?"

The earthbender nodded. Her small body huddled around her knees as the wind chilled her. "Thanks for earlier..." Riko spoke quietly.

Catra thought back to two days ago when both of them were ordered to the Headmistress's office simultaneously. They didn't know what to expect. Being so young, they hadn't experienced the worst that Weaver had to offer until that day. Riko went in first. It wasn't long before her shrieks filled the hall at the sound of a whip. Catra panicked outside and forced her way in. She was shocked when she saw Riko on her knees with 3 fresh lashes across her back from a shadow coming from Weaver's hands. She had yelled at Weaver, asking why she was doing that, that she was hurting Riko. Weaver apparently didn't like someone interrupting and quickly ordered her shadows to control Catra. Catra was paralyzed and forced to watch Riko take another lash. Weaver had stopped momentarily in thought, then decided that Catra would take the rest of Riko's punishment. Riko was literally thrown out, back hitting the hallway wall, and she could only struggle to move as she listened to Catra's screams.

Catra didn't have the heart to tell her that she had received nearly triple the amount of lashes as a result. "It was no problem. She shouldn't have done that to you."

Riko took a good look at her. "She did it to you too."

"Ah, it wasn't so bad. I've had worse." Catra was lying.

Riko huffed and looked back to the city. "When we get out of here, I want to make this a better place."

Catra followed her gaze. "You mean the city? Or this place?"

Riko growled and lifted her head. "I mean here! This shouldn't be how kids live, in fear of what consequences their actions will have. It's not right."

They sat quietly, listening to the sounds of the city for a moment. "I'm with you on that." They glanced at each other. "And I'm going to hold you to it that you keep your word on that. And I'll do the same."

Catra gave a devilish smirk like always, her mind was made up. Riko smirked, too, and nodded her head in agreement.

Riko thought back to that night 7 years ago. While everyone else was panicking, Riko knew, or at least hoped, that Catra had a plan.

Earlier, Adora had rushed to the cafeteria in a panic, telling the staff that she couldn't find Catra. Staff and kids scoured the whole building for her, but no one could find her. Riko tried to stay neutral so that no one would suspect she knew something, which she honestly didn't know anything.

Kohaku and Nami were waiting for her at the entrance and together they walked to school. While their morning had been exciting, Riko was happy to leave that place and go to school. At least until classes started. Her teachers were acting weird today, trying to help her more than normal, asking her odd questions. By lunchtime, she was annoyed. She quietly retrieved her tray and moved toward her table where Karina was waiting. She had some questions for her, but then she noticed Adora sitting alone and sad. She remembered, Catra's gone, and averted her course. Karina watched with worry.