Avatar: The Return of The Songbirds

Chapter Thirty-Four - So This Is Goodbye

Meanwhile, on the other side of the forest a family was desperately awaiting their return. Lìyìnuk was frantic. She hadn't stopped pacing. The idea of her three youngest children being gone was sending her into a downward spiral. While she was lost in her worries, Henilo's voice brought her back to the moment. "Mom it's okay, Chris will be back." Henilo reassured his mother who was covered in worry.

"It is taking too long! What if something happened?" Lìyìnuk cried. "Oh great mother please." Lìyìnuk begged, falling to the floor.

Tatal ran over to her mother and hugged her tightly. "They will not let that happen." Tatal exclaimed, cheeks stained with tears.

Lìyìnuk gently pushed Tatal back so they were now eye to eye. "How can you be so sure and trusting of these humans?" Lìyìnuk cried.

"Because they care about us." Solko confessed.

"That is not a good enough reason?" Lìyìnuk exclaimed nervously. "I have trusted many people over the years that have turned their backs on me. There has to be more than that." Lìyìnuk questioned.

Solko stood in silence for a moment, staring down at her mother. "Chris loves Vialo." Solko confessed, gaining everyone's attention.

"He what?" Lìyìnuk exclaimed. "How, how do you know?" She pressed.

"I can see it in his eyes." Solko replied, feeling tears fall down her cheeks. "Chris looks at Vialo the same way that father looks at you." She paused, bringing her gaze over to Tatal who was equally as surprised as her mother. "The same way Lukìn used to look at Tatal." She finished with a smile. Tatal, who thought she had no more tears left, became overwhelmed at the realization that her little sister had been in love this whole time...and she had no idea. It broke her heart. She lowered her head back into her mothers neck and sobbed uncontrollably.

Lìyìnuk took in the information before looking over to her husband who was also baffled by the news Solko had just provided. She looked back at Solko, and reached out to her. "Come." Lìyìnuk whispered, and without hesitation Solko fell into her mother's arms. She held her daughter's tightly, trying to stay calm. "I hope you are right." Was all Lìyìnuk could say.

The family sat around in wait for two hours, every minute feeling longer than the last. Now everyone was on edge. Henilo started to believe that Chris may have failed, as a pit in his stomach started to grow. "Mother is right...this is taking too long." Henilo announced, standing to his feet. "I need to go out there and look for them." Henilo hissed.

"No, we stay here. They will be here, and you are injured. You are not going anywhere." Tatal barked, following her brother's motion.

"I want to believe in Chris just as much as you do, but this is taking too long." Henilo shouted, walking closer to Tatal. "What if they need help?" Henilo fought.

"I know you are stressed, I am as well." Tatal growled. "Those are my sisters too." This time a scream left her lips, catching her entire family off guard. Henilo looked at Tatal for a moment. Wanting to speak, but nothing would come out. "I understand your fear, but I cannot and will not have you going out there." Tatal felt like crying again, but at this point she had cried herself dry. "I have to keep hope that the boys will get our sisters home, that is the only thing I have right now." Tatal whispered in desperation. "I cannot lose you too." She whimpered, as her head fell towards the floor.

Henilo looked at Tatal, seeing her in this much pain broke him. Tatal was always the strong one. She was the one that was able to fix every problem with ease, and for the first time he felt unable to stop his tears from pouring out of his eyes. Without thinking Henilo engulfed Tatal into a tight hug and silently cried into her shoulder. "I'm sorry." Henilo whispered. "We will wait." He caved.