The Next Avatar (On Hold)

Chapter 2

I walked for what seemed like forever, and finally decided to make camp under a large tree. The sky was now pitch black and the silver moon peeked out from the surrounding clouds. Deciding to go to sleep as soon as possible, I brought out my blanket and buried my head in the soft leaves that were scattered along the ground.

As I laid down, I listened to the crickets and let the camp fire glow lull me to sleep. Just as my eyes closed, I heard a twig snap.

My eyes flew open and I turned my head. I narrowed my eyes and scanned the darkness. A moment passed. Suddenly, a dark figure jumped out from the shadows and ran towards me with a war cry. I quickly got up and took a defensive stance. When the figure came close enough to the fire, I was able to see them.

My eyes stayed glued to the girl in front of me. She had dark skin and long brown hair that framed her narrow face. Her body was small compared to mine and covered in mud. A swamp bender. "Who are you!?" She yelled

Vines shot in my direction and I dodged them easily. Staying light on my feet I aimed large chunks of rocks at her. She dodged and controlled the swamp water around us allowing me to build a rock wall. The water slammed against the wall and I gritted my teeth. Just as she had finished I threw my arm back and slammed my fist through the air, causing the wall to fly towards her.

She barely had time to dodge the wall and landed on the ground. Taking my chance I lunged at her just as she was getting up. Rock formed around my fist and I landed a blow right where her jaw was. She grimaced and tried to kick me. Her next move surprised me. A vine wrapped around my ankle and swung me through the air.

I was slammed into a tree. I winced and got up just as the vines were about to wrap around my body. "I'll ask you again, who are you!?" She yelled. When I didn't say anything, she got angrier.

"Answer me!" She came towards me.

Why did she want to know who I was? She stopped in front of me, angrily eyeing me up. I tried to calm my ragged breathing. "I'm Olive. I live here." I replied.

She furrowed her brows and ignored my introduction. "Why are you in the swamp?" She asked. But-I just said, "I was raised here." I repeated, somewhat proudly. She looked skeptical. "Sure." She grumbled.

"Well whatever. As long as you're leaving." She said annoyed. And for the first time, in a long time, I fought back. This was my home too. "Why should I have to leave? The swamp does not belong to you." She glared at me. "We don't need foreigners to come and laugh at our way of life. We struggle enough already."

"Attacking innocent people will just make things worse." I tried to reason.

"Just forget it, you don't understand." She turned her back on me. I don't understand you, we just met.

I frowned, wanting to say more, but ultimately climbing back in bed. I didn't say anything else. I just listened to the sound of crackling fire.

I knew she had gone.