Avatar: The Last Airbender

Part 3 (Jet) [Continued]

You traveled through the woods, trying to find your way out so you could head to the North Pole by yourself. As much as you loved Aang, Sokka, and Katara, most of the time, they were troubling you, and you couldn't take it. You had left the things you'd carried so that the gaang could use them. It was rightfully theirs, after all. You were lost in thought, traveling down the cliff when you tripped over something, and rolled most of the way down. You landed on a flat rock that was sticking out of the earth, bringing your quick method of travel to an abrupt stop.

The wind got knocked out of you and you gasped for breath. It was then you noticed something may have happened to your rib cage. Breathing was very hard, and it hurt....a lot. You groaned and fought the tears that threatened to spill from your eyes. The pain was almost unbearable. The pain in your ribs, and the pain in abandoning your friends. You hadn't known them for very long, but you'd grown attached to at least some of them rather quickly.

Tears rested on the edges of your eyes. You could taste blood. You've no doubt cut your lip on the edge of the rock that so helpfully stopped your rolling. You groaned and let out a strangled sob as you pushed yourself onto your knees. You wanted to roll into a ball and cry, but you figured that would only make the pain in your ribs worse. You grunted as you stood, the pain still constant. You looked around to try to get your bearings when you saw it. A village, not far off.

You started making your way down the remainder of the hill, being very cautious this time. You got to a particularly steep part so you paused, looking for a safe solution. You stepped over to a tree, and walked a little bit down the hill. Your momentum carried you further, and you leaned into another tree, smacking against it. You did this down the remainder of the hill and dropped to your knees once you'd finally reached flat land. You crawled over to a flow of water and you bended some of it so it rested against your ribs. You cured some of it with what little knowledge you had of healing. You stood, the pain still noticeable, but no longer unbearable. Your eyes trailed the stream and you saw a dam. You didn't see anything strange, so you made your way into the town.

Everyone watched you as you entered. You were still wearing your watertribe garments, though they were torn in a few places. You wandered around, looking for a place to sleep, as it was getting dark. You walked up to an elderly man.

"Is there a place I can stay? Just for the night?"

The man smiled. "There aren't any inns around here, not many people come through, you see, but you can stay in my guestroom."

"How can I repay you?" You asked. The man smiled again.

"Enjoy a meal."

Your eyes widened in shock. "Surely there must be something-"

He held up a hand. "There is no need." He led you inside.

You had a lovely supper, and enjoyed talking to the man and his wife. Their only son had moved out, many years ago, and they were thrilled to have the company. When you were getting ready for bed, you healed your ribs a little more, the pain mostly subsiding.

~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning, you woke up late. You sat up and healed yourself a little more before getting ready for your journey home. You had told the nice couple of your upcoming adventure, and they insisted on giving you supplies. You refused it several times, but they wouldn't take no for an answer.

You were saying your goodbyes, tying the supplies around your waist, when you heard panting. You turned and spotted blue. You squinted to see better, before your eyes widened in surprise.