horizons | jake sully

T E N

Neytiri was on edge after I told her about my brother. She was keeping me in her sight now, which I wasn't opposed of. But it also meant I didn't have time alone. And I couldn't go to the clearing.

I was also never alone with Jake.

He was always nearby, but Neytiri didn't give us a single moment together.

I stood beside her now as she braided young childrens' hair. Every sound that came from the forest made my heart stop. Grace and Jake were talking not too far away, but every time I looked at the trees so did she. Then she looked at me.

We were like sitting ducks. Soon enough they'd come here and spare no one. That was what scared me.

I saw Grace give me a small nod and take a deep breath, silently telling me to calm down and breathe. I mirrored her and folded my arms against my chest. One of my knives sat just under my palm in its holder.

Convenient.

Grace gave me a look and tilted her head. This caught Jake's attention as my fingers slowly wrapped around the handle. A noise in the forest made me snap my eyes to the side, my heart stopping. He was inside my head. Taunting me. If he knew, he'd have the upper hand.

I heard Grace call my name as I slowly turned. I groaned and, without a second thought, took off into the forest. If he was here I wanted to be the one to hold him off. I need to be the one. Grace's voice was echoing behind me as I went in deeper.

I pulled my knife out and held it tightly, ready for anything. My senses were heightened. Every small sound caught my attention. I walked slowly, staying alert and ready. I couldn't focus on anything else.

I felt a hand grab my arm and my heart stopped. Without hesitation I raised my knife above my head and spun around, not looking at who my attacker was. I blacked out and felt another hand catch my wrist before the knife could make any impact.

"Hey!" a familiar voice yelled, snapping me out of whatever trance I was in. I blinked and my vision was back to normal. Jake was right in front of me, Neytiri and Grace close behind.

"It's just me," he said, his eyes nervously glancing over at my knife. I could feel how irregular my body was acting now. My breathing was rapid and my head was pounding.

I dropped the knife to the ground and avoided Jake's eye.

I could've killed him.

He dropped my wrist and pulled me into a hug with zero hesitation. Grace had a hand on Neytiri's arm and they both looked scared. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, burying my face in Jake's shoulder.

Everyone was on edge now. Even as Neytiri helped prepare food she stared me down. Only she and Grace knew why I acted the way I did.

And I'd like to keep it that way.

But that just meant they were more worried about it. They both kept a close eye on me anywhere I went. Part of me wishes they didn't have to. I wish I could just deal with this myself. Not let anyone else think about it.

But somehow they always got into my messes.

I could feel Jake staring at me also. I knew he wanted to know what was going on, but I couldn't tell him yet. Neytiri was still unsure, I knew that.

"I am not a child," I said over my shoulder, "You do not need to watch me."

Neytiri huffed and rolled her eyes.

"I need to make sure you are alright. You are my sister," she said, giving a side glance at the woman next to her.

"And you can see that I am alright, can't you?"

"No. You are clearly not alright."

I groaned and stood up, walking away from her. I called Seya and climbed on, looking over at Neytiri. She had stood up and was staring at me, her nose scrunched.

I felt a hand on my leg and looked to the opposite side, meeting eyes with Jake. I closed my eyes and took a breath.

"I need to be alone," I said, not looking at him.

"Judging by Neytiri's face I dont think you should," he said, stepping closer.

I opened my eyes and groaned.

"Just let me go," I said.

"No, I'll go with you."

I shook him off and made Seya fly quickly, leaving him behind.

J
I watched her vanish into the trees quickly. The urge to go after her was strong. I knew that's what Neytiri wanted to do. But instead, she sat back down. I could see how worried she was, she wasn't hiding it very well.

I contemplated what to do. I wasn't sure. I know she doesn't want me there. I know she wants to be by herself. But something inside me was saying she shouldn't be alone.

"She has a lot going on," Grace said from behind me.

"What exactly does she have going on?"

Grace sighed and looked at me.

"That's not my place, Jake. Maybe give her a little bit of time. Talk to her about it. You need to know, but not from me," she said.

I looked back toward where she disappeared and nodded.

I'll give her an hour. Then I'm going.

Grace patted my shoulder and pulled me into a hut behind her. Norm was sitting with a book in his hands, locked into the words. He didn't even see us come in.

I sat down next to him and looked over his shoulder at the words. He was reading some plant book. Researching plants of Pandora and finding out what certain things do. He had been all in with the learning aspect. Loved to listen to the Na'vi. He started to pick up the language faster than I was.

In the back of my mind all I could think of was L'ai. In the forest by herself. I could see she wasn't doing well. The way she looked in the forest the other day with her knife was terrifying. It's like it wasn't even her. Like she was someone else. I don't know what would've happened if we didn't show up when we did.

I gave up after about twenty minutes. I left the hut and flew after her, my mind consisting of her only.

Something that was happening more often now.