Promise me

7 • cold waters

Me and the sullys had been spending a lot of time swimming and playing with the ilus. I've gotten a bit closer with Aonung and tsireya.

I lay awake one night thinking about Aonung. He's been on my mind a lot lately and I can't seem to get him out.

"What's wrong?" Loak whispered to me. I jumped not expecting him to be awake.

"Nothing, just stuff on my mind." I say.

"Well, what is it?" He asked, rubbing his hand on my back to calm me down.

"Can we talk outside? I don't want others to hear." I say. He nods in agreement as I took his hand and we walked outside, sitting a bit down the pathway, putting our feet into the bioluminescence waters. I admired the fish passing us and how they tickled my feet.

"So.. what is it?" He asks.

"I... I have a feeling I like someone.. but I don't know if my feelings are true." I say.

"It's Aonung isn't it..?" Loaks voice goes to a whisper.

"How did you know?" I look at him in surprise. He is usually oblivious.. was it that obvious?

"I see the way you look at him. You always have a genuine smile when around him. You always seem excited to hang out with him. There's no way anybody hasn't noticed." He said. This only gave me nerves.

"Do you think he knows..?" I ask.

"As much as I hate to say it.. he might be hiding the same feelings. I don't like the guy but if it makes you happy.. go for it." He says.

I nod as we sit in silence. I never have felt more comfortable to tell Loak all of my secrets. I wanted to tell him everything on my mind from meeting his spirit brother to him walking me home.

It all felt surreal. I admired the eclipse as I watched it in the sky. The stars were bright as I counted all of them. Making myself fall asleep on Loaks shoulder.

I see fire, smoke, trees. I can't comprehend what's around me anymore. I hear screams.. blood curling screams. I look around for any sort of life.

Just then I'm in a black room. I look into the abyss as I look for anything moving when I see two body figures. A smaller one in the arms of the taller one.

I then notice the faces..

"Mama!" I yell going to hug my mom and Noak.

"Don't worry, we are with eywa.." just then I see my mom freeze. My brother jumps down. Scared for his life. My mom falls to the ground as I see a black figure with a bloody knife from behind.

He starts running for me, catches me. I try to scream but no words or sounds is coming out. I then get grabbed by the shoulders.

"Ralu! Ralu! Wake up!!" I can hear neteyams voice as I sit up, heavy breathing, sweating. I open my eyes scared for my life.. it was a dream.

" was it a dream?" Loak asks putting a hand on my arm. I look around heavily, my eyes scan the whole room. Neytiri is behind Loak, Aonung beside Neteyam as Neteyam was at my feet, Loak to my right.

"Fuck" I whisper..

"Are you alright?" Aonung asks.

"What happened?" Neteyam then asked. Rubbing his hand on my leg.

"I-I had a dream.. I saw my mom.. in a fire. Then my brother in her a-arms." I start to burst out crying, remembering the dream then what truly happened.

"Then blackness. My mom has been stabbed by a black man.. I stood there until he ran towards me. He grabbed my shoulders t-then I woke up." I continued now balling as Aonung hugged me.

Loak noticed the comfort I got from Aonung a touch but decided it was best to not say anything. Neteyam had thought the same but pushed his thoughts aside.

I slowly calmed down, feeling my heartbeat slow down.

"Come on, she needs all break" Neteyam said as he dragged Loak out, Aonung still holding me. Neytiri followed as she didn't want to disturb.

"Mawey.. Ralu." Aonung said. He rubbed my head and massaged my back. I felt my eyes slowly close as I felt very tired.

"Aonung I think I need to go back to sleep, I'm very tired." I say.

"Okay I will let you be.." he says braking the hug and getting up. I grabbed his hand in protest.

"You can stay.. I could use the company."

Aonung nodded and sat beside me until I laid down. I felt his arm warp around my waist as he pulled me closer.. I held into his hand as our fingers intertwined and I drifted off to sleep once more.. feeling the comfort of someone that I can trust.