When a seemingly lifeless boy is saved by a girl.
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Ma'vona was once a beloved member of the Kame'tire clan, known for their profound understanding of Pandora's flora and unparalleled healing skills. Their expertise was so great that they could heal...
♪ Scorched Earth by James Horner ♪ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Chapter Forty-Six: The Boss
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I leaned my back against the cold wall, my head bobbing forward as my breathing slowed. My fingers itched to move, to untangle the knots of my emotions, but I stayed still. The distant sound of footsteps came in slow and grew louder, each step bringing with it a tension that settled heavily in my chest. My heart drummed against my ribs, but I forced myself to maintain the act.
The door creaked open, the sudden sound making me tense for a fraction of a second. A pair of boots came into view, halting just a few feet in front of me. They stood motionless, angled towards me, their presence taunting.
My head stayed lowered, gaze fixed on the floor. I wasn’t ready to look up, not yet. I swallowed hard, staring at the scuffed floor beneath me, my chest tightening as I tried to suppress the urge to lash out. The silence between us stretched, save for the faint sound of his breathing. Familiar, yet unnervingly distant.
"What were you doing?” His voice cut through the air, stern and demanding.
The sound was a punch to the gut. My stomach twisted at his tone. I let out a sarcastic chuckle, my gaze shifting to the side. I knew that voice too well, but there was something different about it now. It carried none of the warmth, none of the familiarity I once knew. My jaw clenched, and a bitter laugh escaped me before I could stop it.
“What do you mean?” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “I’m chained from head to toe, and you think I just strolled out for some fresh air? You think I managed to get out like this?” I tugged lightly at the chains for effect, shaking my head with another humorless laugh.
I scoffed, my gaze still fixed on the ground. He knew I was lying, and I tried all my best to make my words sound genuine. Although the slight stuttering of my words helped me to nowhere. The silence between us stretched thin, heavy with unspoken tension. I could feel his eyes on me, studying me, dissecting me.
He didn't respond immediately. Instead, I heard the soft shuffle of his boots as he moved to my left. My eyes darted in that direction for a moment before I caught myself and looked away. From the corner of my eye, I saw him kneel down and pick something up.
I clenched my jaw trying to make out what he was doing as I kept my expression neutral. I heard him chuckle softly, a low sound that sent a ripple of irritation and something else—something unbidden—through me.
"Funny how I didn't even mention a thing about you getting out of here."
