Two ghosts - Lo'ak

Chapter 26

Pandora Reef

Metkayina Clan

Tsu'tey pulled his hands from Li'teya's wound; the bleeding stopped, so he thought her heart had stopped along with it. He collapsed onto the back of his knees in defeat. His sister was dead, and he couldn't save her. Tsu'tey intertwined their fingers, something they always did to comfort each other. When they were little he'd, he always held her hand. When they first arrived at the Metkayina clan, he held her hand. Today was no different; Tsu'tey held her hand because he knew she'd do the same for him. He expected her hand to be cold and unresponsive, but her fingers slowly curved into his hand. Tsu'tey looked down at his sister as her eyes fluttered open.

Teya quickly sat up, coughing up the water trapped in her lungs, her hands flew to her stomach, searching for the wound, but it was gone. The only reminder remaining was a scar across her skinny belly.

"Li'teya", he mumbled, scanning his eyes over his sister. She died. How is she here?

Teya grabbed his hand, placing it on her heart. "I'm here", she whispered, pulling him, not a bone-crushing hug. He held onto her tiny frame, scared if he let her go, he would wake, and his sister would still be dead.

"I don't understand. You died, and I felt it," he cried, his hands searching her stomach for the fatal wound.

"I'll explain everything later, I promise" Tsu'tey could see the gears turning in her head as she stopped speaking.

"Teya, what is it?" Tsireya asked

Teya turned around to where Lo'ak's body still lay lifeless "Lo'ak", she breathed. She moved, straddling his waist, holding his face in her hands.

"Teya, he's gone", Tsu'tey whispered, holding back his tears.

"No, she said she'd bring him back, and it wasn't his time."

Tsireya kneeled next to Lo'ak's body. "Honey, he's dead", she whispered softly, trying her best not to upset the grieving girl.

Teya looked down at his peaceful face. "You promised; you never break your promises." she wept, burying her face in his neck. Sobs wracked through her body.

"I'm not going to start now."

Teya lifted her head up slowly; Lo'ak eyes, like Teya's, fluttered open. "Te", he whispered.

Li'teya laughed at the sound of his voice, "Lo'ak."

He put his hand on her cheek. "Have I ever told you you're the prettiest na'vi?"

Li'teya smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck and snuggling into his body. Tsu'tey jumped on top of them as Tsireya leaned into Teya's side, hugging them. Tsu'tey patted Lo'ak on the head, a symbol of respect and love.

"You scared the shit of me, bro. Whatever voodoo magic crap you did really freaked me out," Tsu'tey breathed, pulling his friends closer.

"Oh my god! Where is dad?" Li'teya panicked

Tsu'tey's ears pricked up. "Hey, hey, relax, he radioed in. He and the Sullys are safe on the other side of the ship."

"So dad doesn't know I'm alive?" Li'teya asked

Her brother shook his head. "There are on their way now," Tsu'tey noticed how Li'teya retreated into herself. Her eyes cast downward, and her ears were pinned against her head.

"I bet he was relieved when Teyam told him; now he will hate me even more for cheating death."

"Te doesn't say that", Lo'ak mumbled, pushing a lock of her hair behind her ear. Lo'ak sat up against one of the rocks, Teya still firmly on his lap.