An Empty Cup | Avatar. Miles Quaritch

15. Stri'Wey

It had been pretty boring. I had been pretty bored. Miles was always out during the day, and when he came back he'd convince me to eat, shower, and sleep beside him. The only fun thing I'd do would be going to the courtyard to play basketball or to hangout with Zdinarsk or Lyle. Admittingly, Lyle could get on my nerves, but he was pretty fun to challenge at basketball. I'd usually fail against him.

Zdinarsk was chewing bubble gum whilst we sat beside eachother. I knew because she chewed it a lot, all the time. It was annoying at first, but I grew to not mind. The sun was beating down on us. She was sitting in her sports bra and cargos. I had taken my top off aswell, wanting more freedom like I used to have. I lay with my back against the soft grass.

"Yo, Fike! Join us, c'mere." Zdinarsk hollers at one of the avatars. I don't speak, just silently relieving myself from any body tension. Relaxing in the hot sun, like I did back at home.

The thought of home makes me smile. The thought of Payiway and her pups. How I love them. And Stri'Wey, our long flies in the late afternoon. Above the clouds so we could get a glimpse of our true freedom, of our calling. So peaceful, so quiet. I miss it.

A hand touches my shoulder. Making me open my eyes in confusion. "Yes?" I ask as Zdinarsk pats me, gesturing for me to sit up. "This is Fike." She talks with a slight grin at the Avatar. I smile awkwardly. I think I knew his name. "Fike?" I ask, getting the hang of saying his name aloud. "Yes, hi, I'm Fike." He sits infront of us, his legs relaxing infront of him. "Fike, I think you know Ala." He grins sarcastically as Zdinarsk laughs, I don't get the joke.

She laughs brightly, amused. Enjoying Fikes dirty look. I don't speak, just looking at the sky, admiring the beautiful colours. It was getting late. Not too late, but late enough for the sky to grow slightly pink.

Fike and Zdinarsk talk for some time. Before Mansk says something about the time. They start gathering themselves to leave. I just lay back comfortably. Wanting more time in confined freedom. They start leaving, but Fike notices my lack of movements and decides to stay back. Sitting beside me silently. He seemed rather bored, but content.

My mind starts wondering back to the outside. I honestly don't want to be stuck in this place for the rest of my life, even if it is for Miles. I want to have freedom again. I want to see Payiway and her pups. I want to ride Stri'Weys saddle as we soar across the afternoon or morning sky. But I want to do it with Miles. I want us to fly across the sky together.

But we can't. Or rather, he can't.  I can't ask him to leave either. If this is his home, I honestly can't see how he'd deal with it so easily. I was struggling after the first day. Everything so diffrent, so wrong. It felt so uncomfortable being in the same room with so many skypersons at once. Skypeople, Miles' people. His people killed mine when I was a child.

But I don't say a word. I don't complain. I put on a smile, just for him to relax.

Fike eventually snaps me out of my thoughts. Seemingly noticing my slightly upset face. He pats my shoulder. "I'm going in now, you coming?" He asks as he stands slowly. "No, no. I don't like the mess hall." I say quietly, fiddling with my nails.

A sudden thought pops into my head as Fike turns away. "Fike?" I call out as I sit up. He stops and turns, a hand on his hip. "Yeah?" He replies, his ears were perked. "How would somebody get out of this place?" I ask hopefully. Sitting up further to attention. Fike thinks before shrugging. "Theres an exit in the Scorpion pads. I guess if someone wanted to leave it would be through there." I smile sincerely. "Thanks."

With a short nod, he turns and leaves. Silently walking into the building. The door hissing had gotten so normal by now. It doesn't bother me as much as it did.