Avatar Rose: Dawn

Chapter 37: Rose

My muscles twitch a little as I'm held in the air for a moment. It's a terrible feeling, but I'm also very relieved.

"I'm an idiot," I mumble. I glance around nervously. What was that? Did Nathan just... Bloodbend?

I stagger up on shaky legs, my automail clinking loudly. Nathan lies unconscious on the ground, again.

Half angry that I made a fool of myself, half worried, I slap him across the face. Hard. His eyes snap open and he let's out a little gasp.

"Ow!" He says.

"Sorry! You gotta stop fainting. It's unhealthy and well... Kind of wimpy," I chuckle.

"I did not faint! And why did you do that? I think that's one of the most idiotic things I've seen from you yet!"

Yeah, can't argue with that. "Whatever."

I clean up the camp and pull my pack on. Anger boils inside of me, but I can't figure out why. Why am I so angry at Nathan? Ever since he saved our asses from Evan, I've felt like I had something to prove.

It's because he was snooping around in my sketchbook. That's why I'm angry.

But it clearly wasn't. The truth is, I'm jealous. Even though I'm the avatar, Nathan has always been more skilled. Just when I thought I was invincible, Nathan came along showing me the truth. And there's no way I could ask him for help. Where's the pride in that?

"We have to keep moving. Thanks for uhh... Saving me," I mumble.

He nods and slowly gets up. I open my mouth to ask about the blood bending, but decide not to. He clearly doesn't want to talk about it.

"We have to go to the doctor. You're pretty jacked up. All those scratches might get infected," I say casually.

"Sure. But you need a mechanic AND a doctor," replies Nathan.

I laugh. "I'm fine! All I have are a few lumps and bruises and tree branch scratches."

Nathan looks down guiltily. The swelling above my eye has gone down exceptionally, and the hair that is too short to go into my braid covers it. I try to hide the clinking in my automail as well. Mechanics and doctors. They both freak me out. I'd never admit that, though.

It's a quiet, long walk. Nathan falls slightly behind my pace, limping slightly. I feel bad, but it's not like we have a choice.

"You here that?" I murmur as a booming bark echoes through the trees.

"Hide!" Hisses Nathan, tugging me into a bush.

We peer through the twigs and see a huge figure circling around the area. A grizzly dog.

Untamed and wild, these beasts are very dangerous. But in my case, this was an old friend.

"Luna!" I call happily, diving out of the bushes and in front of her. She barks happily and wags her tail. Luna is big even for a grizzly dog. She resembles the breed of a "bordercollie" with her long coat and coloring.

Nathan creeps out of the bushes cautiously, his deep blue eyes wide with curiosity and fear.

"You know this uhh... Animal?" He inquires.

"Yeah! My dad gave her to me when I was little. I left her behind because the desert would've been to harsh with her coat," I reply happily.

"Guess we have a ride. Where's the saddle?"

I smirk. "There is no saddle. Hop on."

After providing Luna with some food and water, she's almost eager to go. I whistle a two note tune and she takes off. Nathan yells at first, grabbing on to my waist frantically. I laugh and soak in the wind blasting in my face.