Avatar Rose: Dusk

Chapter 9: Rose

I writhe in the bed as the headaches become much more than just throbbing, unbearable pain. Angry yells, painful screams of agony, sobs of grief come in unison in my head. Giggles of happiness, booming laughter, and howls of pure anger overlap the sounds as well. I press my hands over my ears, trying to make them stop. It's as if all the souls that uttered those sounds because of me are trapped in my head.

I caused each and one of those sounds. I bolt up, gasping for air. I slip out of the covers and go for the knob of the door. It's locked. I stare at it in confusion, but hear Nathan's voice and a very familiar one just outside.

"You can't come near her! I won't let you hurt her ever again!" Nathan yells.

"But I brought the dog..." the other voice says, which a recognize as Evan.

I wrack my brain for the 'dog' that he's referring to. The image pops into my head, and a big smile spreads onto my face. The voices disappear for a bit.

"Nathan, unlock the door," I say coolly.

"Rose, he's lying. Do you want to go to the Fire Nation again?!" Nathan snaps through the door angrily. I flinch a little at the thought.

"What do you think he can do? He came alone, right? And we're also in a village filled with people who can bend and fight," I retort.

"So all of the sudden you don't think you can take me anymore, Avatar Rose? Or is it Princess?" Evan laughs smugly.

"I can't bend, you dumbass. I could probably kill you right now without opening the door!"

Nathan sighs, unlocking the door wearily. He gives Evan such a look that I can almost feel the nervousness radiating off of him. But he plays it cool with a smirk.

"Just as radiant as ever," Evan says, offering a bow. He glances at my bionic leg before it's stuffed in a boot, which still has some wires hanging from it. I don't know why we haven't gotten it fixed since the tracker innocent.

"Where's Luna?" I ask stiffly. He points to outside, and after taking a few steps out in the snow, I'm pinned down. A slobbery lick comes across my face, and I laugh a laugh of such joy that Nathan seems almost surprised.

"Good girl. I'm okay now," I murmur, kissing the top of her massive snout. After our little reunion, she pins down Nathan next. Evan walks up to me, and I straighten my stance, keeping myself from flinching.

"Here. This'll help with all those memories," he murmurs to where Nathan can't hear. He shoves a large bottle of liquid in my hand. Some kind of alcohol. I hide it in my jacket, knowing Nathan wouldn't approve. And I might have not either a few months ago, but at this point I'm desperate for the voices and memories to stop.

Wonder what my mom would say about this. A smirk creeps on to my lips.

"Thanks," I mumble.

I study him specifically, wondering why he's actually here. Surely he didn't come all this way to give Luna back.