Through The Valley • Ao'nung

Chapter 31

°•. ❃ .•°

̶̶̶̶  «̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ «̶ ̶̶̶         Bullet to the Heart         ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ »̶ ̶̶̶  

[edited]

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Lo'ak walked toward the tent but didn't get more than a few steps before the eyes on his back burned, and he turned to face his father.

"Dad, you told me to become friends with these kids," he began, trying to reason. "That's all I've been try—"

"I don't want to hear it." Jake's eyes closed, his hands clenched, holding back his frustration as people watched. Lo'ak whispered, pleading for him to listen, but his father seemed aggravated, exhausted by his son, almost expecting his misstep yet disappointed nonetheless.

Lo'ak hesitated, meeting his father's eyes, tired and almost as disappointed in him for not seeing through his lie.

Jake's gaze was sharp, pinned on his son, while Neytiri scolded silently alongside him. Lo'ak swallowed, tasting the weight of words before they left his mouth.

"You have brought shame to this family."

At'anau's mouth hung agape, gasping silently at the harsh words toward her brother. She stepped out from between Neteyam. "Da—"

"You, stand down."

The girl recoiled, staring at the finger pointed in her face before looking up at the man. Her mother remained calm, but sorrow washed over her.

Lo'ak stayed quiet. At'anau watched his stoic eyes lower, ears drooping, nearly breaking the mask of indifference.

Quickly, he swallowed and restored his composure, ears twitching up and eyes back on his father.

"Can I go now?"

The girl's throat closed as she watched her brother, just returned from a life-threatening situation, be scolded. She hoped he would recover from his father's words, but Jake's eyes only narrowed.

"Any more trouble, I'll tie a knot in your tail," Jake warned, voice low and tense. "You read me?"

Lo'ak nodded once, tilting his head lightly. "Yes, sir. Lima Charlie."

Jake searched his son's eyes, then nodded for his dismissal. Lo'ak moved without hesitation.

He glanced once at his family. Kiri stood quietly in the background. Neytiri silently supported Jake's judgment with a single look. Neteyam's hand remained on her wrist to restrain her, his head lowered.

Lo'ak walked past, and At'anau felt the weight of both their gazes.

"Where were you?" Neytiri asked her eldest son, disappointment heavy in her tone.

"Yeah," Jake added, his voice sharp and demeaning. "What happened to keeping an eye on your brother?"

The girl stayed silent as Neteyam apologized for both of them. She freed her arm, wanting to chase after Lo'ak, but her father's grip held her.

"Where have you been?"

At'anau looked between her father and Neteyam, unsure how much he'd been told.

"I brought Lo'ak back," she said, tone firm, meeting her father's gaze. "Does it matter how?" Her words carried a challenge, but Jake only narrowed his eyes.

"Come again?"

At'anau fell silent, intimidated by her father's presence. Her eyes flicked to Ao'nung, walking past, following Lo'ak.