Finally alive (Book 1)

VIII

Next morning Tsu'tey was even more bitter towards me, having in mind Jake pissed him off during breakfast. Good thing Neytiri and few other men got them separated.

Today Neytiri took both me and Jake to the lesson. I'm glad because that guy was nearly visibly fuming as he rode off with the other hunters.

'You need to learn to ride before you can continue hunting.' Neytiri stated walking up to me with the horse. I nod and she proceeds to explain what I should and shouldn't do. Just as I get on Pale, Jake interjected.

'Just make sure you land curl up if you fall.' his face was slightly sour, and I imagined he fell a lot yesterday. Cracking a small smile, I nervously reach forward and take the antennae and do the same as the guy did.

When I make the tshahelu, I felt like I was dipped in freezing water. I gasped at the feeling, a drumming sensation starting in my ears. Ignoring my audience, I take a deep breath.

'Take in what she feels.' I vaguely hear Neytiri's voice to my right.

Then I realize. The drumming is the beasts heartbeat. A moment passes and I sense that my heart beat starts beating in rhythm with her's. I run my palm across Pale's neck as a calming gesture.

'Now, tell her where to go.' Neytiri says taking a step back. I look forward, suddenly feeling nervous. Is this the same as controlling an earth horse? I mean it's definitely not the same, but it has similarities.

I adjust myself on the saddle and focus on giving a direction. Of course, not nearly ten seconds later I'm rolling the mud, hearing Jake's roaring laugh in the distance. I stand up, just as Jake and Neytiri approach me, her going after the horse.

'Oh look who's laughing.' I snark lightly, trying to wipe mud off my face without getting it into my eyes. 'You rolled in mud yesterday too.'

'Yeahh, but it is way more entertaining to watch someone else fail.' he laughs and I splash the mud I gathered from my face and arms towards him, making him nearly squeal in surprise. He looked at me with feigned sadness as I smirked at him triumphally.

Neytiri was scowling when she came back with the horse. 'You need to go again.' her stern voice left no room for objection. As I got on the horse, another native came, bringing another horse.

I think it was difficult for Neytiri to manage us both because it was only midday when I managed to stay on the horse, but she didn't give me an opportunity to gloat about the success.

Only when I was able to do a sort of obstacle course riding Pale, she nodded and said I was done for the day and that tomorrow I will be going practicing shooting a bow.

With mister anger management issues.

When I got to bed, I felt exhausted. Physically and mentally.

I was on Pale, following the other hunters to a location for hunting training. Everything around us was still waking up, and I had the perfect opportunity to look around the lush jungle without animals.

I got distracted by a lemur creature, who did some sort of yoga exercise on the lowest branch. He noticed me and hooted at me, his big eyes observing me curiously. With that, he jumps up and disappears into the tree. Feeling weirdly joyous I look down to the path.

And see no one.

My elevated mood disappears like a blown out candle. It can't be that everyone just left without looking. My hands automatically start sweating, as I encourage Pali to a slow canter, hoping I will see them up ahead.

I come to a clearing, and stop looking around. No one's here. What the hell? They couldn't just vanish into the thin air. We were supposed to be training with our bows today?

What do I do now? If anything, I'm the worst at navigating anything. Maybe Pale knows the way back to home tree? Or maybe she knows where the Na'vi do their training?

I don't realize she had already started moving, back towards the forest. She was moving fast, her head jerking sideways almost every second. I could feel she was stressed out, which didn't help either of us. What the hell is happening?

'What is it, girl?' I lean in slightly, trying to calm her by petting her neck. Her racing heartbeat was now matching mine, adding a sense of dread to the situation. She knows something.

The scenery changes from green and lush, to dark grey and destroyed. Everything seemed to be burned. Before I realize what the fresh hell was happening I hear a scream and I feel pain all over my body.

I hear a clank and I let out a groan. I return to my senses and realize I'm in my bedroom -- on the floor. Was I dreaming?

As the coldness from the hard metal floor seeped in, I was trying to digest what happened. This was beyond weird. The dream seemed so realistic..

Maybe this is supposed to happen to everyone in the avatar program? I'll need to talk to Grace about this. Maybe she will have some sort of explanation.

Apologies for uploading a day later. My brain has been a bit scrambled these past days. 

Have a good day. :)

~B