Lone

29

"TERINA!! TUK!" I heard Neteyam yell as he was grabbed by an Ikran, I screamed and clung to the net.
"NETEYAM!" I screeched.
I felt something pulling at the net from beneath and looked down, Lo'ak was climbing the net.
I couldn't let him get trapped too.
He was stupid like this, trying to help me. I couldn't let him get hurt.
I would never forgive myself if anything happened to any of them.
"Let me help you!" Lo'ak yelled.
"I do not need it Lo'ak!" I hissed.
"WHY DO YOU NEVER ACCEPT ANYONE'S HELP?" He shouted and I looked down at him.
"Forgive me!" I told him before stamping on his hands, he fell back into the water and I sliced the net further, grabbing Tuk's hand, I watched Neteyam's body slam onto the deck and I hissed, I would go back for him, there was nothing to be said about it. I would do it for any of them, they were my family.
I just hoped he could wait for me.
I prayed to Eywa he would.
"TERINA!" Aonung yelled out as he grabbed Lo'ak from climbing back up again.
"MOVE BACK!" I told Tuk as I sliced the net further.
"I'M SCARED TERI!" Tuk began to cry as we got closer to the ship, but I wouldn't let her get hurt. Not now, not ever.
"TRUST ME!" I yelled.
"I DO!"
I cut the net with a scream, throwing my knife towards a man on the boat as he shot at the two of us.
I launched Tuk on my back, calling for my skimwing as we fell, she held on to me tightly as my hand reached out for my ride.
My swim-wing rose from the water and I caught onto her saddle just in time.
We shot off into the distance as Lo'ak and Aonung swam beside us. All I could hear was Gunshots firing and I dived into the water, letting in a sharp inhale as lots of water hit my shoulder.
I was in so much pain but it was worth it for Tuk.
She was so young, she had so much to lose, I had nothing.
I felt nothing.
No emotion.
Nothing.
"Hey! Everyone okay?" Lo'ak swam off of Aonung's ilu and over to Tuk and I.
"We need to get you back Terina. You are wounded." Aonung explained.
"I am fine." I told them.
"Lo'ak!" Tuk reached her arms out for him and he took her, holding her tightly.
"It's okay. Be brave." He told her and I gave him an apologetic look.
"No."
"Lo'ak please." I pleaded.
"It's too dangerous to go back. We must go back to the island." Anoung sided with Lo'ak and I shook my head.
"Terina. No." Lo'ak warned.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I watched him panic.
"I can't lose you." He told me.
"I promise you won't."
"How do you know?" He asked, his eyes glossing over with tears.
I opened my mouth to speak and closed it again, regaining the courage, I tried again.
"I see you." I told him.
Apart from Neteyam, he was the only one I had said it too, and meant it.
I saw him.
Lo'ak and I never said it to anyone else, because we knew that what it meant entitled so much beyond a few words.
Yet he moved one of his hands away from Tuk, moving his index and middle finger to his head shakily.
"I see you." He repeated back, his eyes staring into me  as he gave me a reassuring nod.
"Go and get your mate."