5 - [voice] Mai, I'm sorry...
[Zuko's voice is soft, and for once there is no emotion in it. Blankly, he just states facts]
For anyone who was worrying, Mai and I are in the hospital now. I should be home soon, but... I don't know about Mai. We were attacked by something humanoid with long silver hair.
[There is a long pause, and it seems he forgot to turn the communicator off. When he continues, it's apparant he's talking to himself, tone pained]
Mai... She was right in front of me, less than a block away, just around the corner... Why couldn't I stop it? If I'd gone in front, or if I'd even had time to jump in front of her...
Dammmit all! If I had my Firebending, I might have at least had a chance to fight! But I couldn't do anything... Useless. So damn useless!
[He stops suddenly, coughing, and his voice sounds ragged and breathless, still thinking aloud]
Why... couldn't I...do anything? I couldn't even get her to the hospital myself. She could have died and I couldn't do anything. I hate this place. I can't even protect the people I love.
[There is another pause, the sound of shifting blankets, quiet footsteps, and then a soft involuntary groan of pain before Zuko's voice is heard again, farther away (by Mai's bedside, actually)]
Mai... Mai, please... I'm sorry...
((OOC: For anyone who cares, Zuko's injuries, though they're all bandaged up now: His left arm is pretty torn up and basically useless right now, there is a large gash across his back, and more minor claw wounds pretty much everywhere. ))