Roads And Maps - Aru Shah

Kitten

Aru's POV

I texted my mom and told her about what happened. She told me to try to stay calm and to contact the Council. Some help she is.

Brynne, Kara, and I haven't slept all night and have been sitting at the table trying to come up with a plan. My head hurt. I wasn't thinking of a plan to hunt down Ava or hurt her. I was thinking of where Aiden could be. All these ideas would fly in and out of my head. Soon after an idea would leave, I would stare into space, and Brynne would smack me upside the head. 

"I'm taking a walk," I said, getting up from my chair. 

"Aru, that's risky," Kara warned. 

"What have I done that isn't risky? I put Brynne in a giant crab," I said as I gestured towards the eating Brynne across the table. 

"I went to the Sleeper and I decided to go on quests. I've put everything on the line, Kara. I am not giving up my walks because some stupid brat is trying to kill me," I said angrily, walking away. 

I took a stroll down my road and turned around to see two figures standing there. 

"Hey, Aru!" Denver said. "This is my girlfriend, Ava. Have you guys met before?" 

I glared at Ava, who had her head resting on Denver's shoulder. "Yes, yes we have," I sighed. The best I could do was try to be nice. "Hello, Ava. How are you?"

"I'm good! How is Aiden?" she smirked.

Vajra sparked, but I kept the weapon mellow for the most part. "Actually, Aiden disappeared. How mysterious," I said sarcastically. I crossed my arms and looked at Ava.

She smiled then looked at Denver. "Can you give Aru and me some time to catch up alone, please?" she asked sweetly. 

I opened my mouth to tell him to say no, but he beat me to talk. "Sure." 

I whined as he left. Ava glared at me. "I could kill you if I wanted to, right now."

I scoffed. "So could anyone else. There's a better chance of Brynne or Kara killing me than you."

"What?"

"My point is, you're not special in any way," I said.

"Don't doubt what I can do, Aru," she said, warningly. 

"Don't doubt what I can do," I repeated back. 

"Sure, you can take or mess with our powers, but you are nothing compared to me. I mean, look at me." I gestured at my outfit, which was surprisingly nice for not sleeping. It was a sage green t-shirt with jeans. "I'm a Pandava, for god's sake! And what are you exactly?" I asked.

"I'm-" she stopped to think.

"What I hear is your nothing. So stay away from my friends and me. And if you hurt Denver, I will kill you," I said. Denver walked back over, and Ava started to have tears well up in her eyes.

"Aru, what did you say to Ava?!"

I opened my mouth to speak, but Ava interrupted. "She said I'm not good enough for you, and she will take you from me," she lied. 

"No, I didn't!" I defended. 

Denver glanced at me and scoffed. "Just apologize."

"Says the one who doesn't trust his friend!"

"Maybe I'll be better off without friends like you! I know that you have a reputation as a liar. " He yelled. 

"Y-you took that too far," I said just above a whisper. My voice shook, and I stammered. I turned and started to walk away.