Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter thirty-three of 'Gone in the Dark.' I will be bringing this fic to an end soon. I am sorry to do that, but all things must come to an end. I may do a sequel for it. I have not thought of a title for it yet. Stay tuned for chapter thirty-four.
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Chapter 33: Assisting/Grisly Sight/Feelings
Jake stitched up a gash in the upper part of a young Green Spear woman's arm as he sat next to her on a cot in a marui in the late afternoon. Aonung and Tsireya chatted with Lo'ak, Spider, and Kiri close to the doorway. Nekx wrapped a middle-aged Metkayina man's gash on his forehead with a bandage while he was seated in a chair. The woman winced agonizingly as Jake came close to finishing.
"I am sorry about that," Jake apologized with a bit of guilt.
"It is okay. I never thought a Metkayina would try to help me," the woman responded and emitted a soft groan. She suppressed a yawn. "I mean, I am your enemy."
"That does not matter right now," Jake commented. "You needed medical care, so I am providing it to you."
"Thank you for that. You are really good at what you are doing," the woman complimented warmly.
"Jake was taught how to tend to injuries during his time as a marine. Before you ask, a marine is a warrior who fights for freedom on the world he is from," Nekx said, glancing at the duo as he tied the bandage.
"It was important Jake know how to treat injuries on the battlefield," the man said and cleared his throat. "There were likely times he was stranded far from camp or civilization."
"Wow," the woman whispered in awe.
"Yes," the man agreed. "Wow."
Jake finished stitching the wound and grabbed his dagger. He cut the thread. He laid the needle and dagger aside. He picked up a bandage and proceeded to wrap it carefully. Nekx pulled the man's bandage down somewhat. He heard him wince a bit.
"Sorry about that," Nekx apologized with an annoyed sigh. "I hate it when I accidentally cause pain."
"Who wouldn't?" the man responded. "At least you are doing well tending to my injury."
Nekx eyed Jake. "Jake taught me his ways of healing. I got to witness Norm putting a breathing tube down a woman's throat and Maureen attaching an air pump to it. The devices fascinated me."
"I am thinking of having Norm and Maureen teach you how to use breathing tubes and air pumps," Jake suggested.
"Really?" Nekx replied in surprise.
"You might as well learn," Jake said, looking at him. "You have done very well in tending to patients."
"Thank you," Nekx said in gratefulness.
Jake nodded at him. "You are welcome."
Jake shifted his attention back to the woman. He finished wrapping the bandage and tied it. She moved her arm forward slowly. She pulled it backward at the same pace. She smiled at him as Nekx patted the man's shoulder.
"Thank you. You did a fine job," the woman said with much warmth.
"You are welcome," Jake replied.
The man looked at Nekx. "You did just as fine a job."
Nekx sighed in content. "Thank you."
Both Na'vi rose to their feet and headed out of the marui. Jake came to Nekx's side. They looked at each other with furrowed brows.
"It is good to have patients who do not cause trouble," Nekx said while clasping his hands together.
"It sure is," Jake agreed. "Most have been wonderful. Others have been terrible."
"Julay comes to mind," Nekx commented and looked over his shoulder at the teens. He emitted a heavy sigh. "I feel bad about what happened to Rishi. I can't fault Aonung, Tsireya, Lo'ak, and Kiri for blaming me for her death."
"Lo'ak and Kiri felt bad about blaming you after Payakan revealed he felt Rishi's death was not your fault," Jake whispered gently.
Nekx turned to him with a shocked gasp. "What?"
Jake inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. "It's true. Payakan came to see us at our marui. He told us his feelings after I asked him about you regarding Rishi. Lo'ak and Kiri apologized. Payakan said it was all right as they were distraught over losing their friend. They had to blame someone."
Nekx sighed in great relief. He never thought Payakan would defend him. He wished he and his fellow Green Spears had never shunned him now. He believed the tulkun should have been forgiven from the start, especially since he was acting in self-defense of his loved ones. He saw defending oneself as a right.
"I am grateful to know Payakan is on my side," Nekx murmured.
"You may have been insufferable in the beginning, but you have made an effort not to be over the last several days. We've had a few clashes, but that's understandable for rivals," Jake replied. "It can't always be avoided."
Suddenly, a loud crash caught everyone's attention. Jake looked over his shoulder, his ears perking up. Aonung, Tsireya, Lo'ak, Kiri, Spider, and Nekx turned in his direction.
"We need help here!" Rotxo shouted as he appeared in the doorway.
The entire group saw four Metkayina bring in a severely wounded Neytiri on a stretcher. Tonowari was close behind them. He had Ronal's right arm over his shoulder. His left one was around her waist. Neytiri had been stabbed multiple times in various areas. Ronal had a stab wound in the outer part of her left thigh. She was trying not to put weight on it. Jake, Lo'ak, Kiri, and Spider gasped in horror, as did Aonung and Tsireya.
"Neytiri!" Jake shouted.
"Mom!" Lo'ak cried.
Jake rushed to his mate's side after she was set on the first cot. Neytiri attempted to speak, only for no words to come out of her mouth. Lo'ak, Kiri, and Spider went to their mother. Their father took her hand into his. Four more Metkayina brought in the young Green Spear man who tried to kill her. They set him on the second cot. He had multiple wounds, including one in his neck. Jake looked at his children.
"Go get Norm and Maureen right now. We need their help," Jake shouted in a firm voice.
"Okay," Kiri responded with a nod.
Spider waved his hand toward himself. "Come on."
Lo'ak, Kiri, and Spider ran off. Tonowari brought Ronal to the chair and helped her sit down. Aonung and Tsireya went to her, their breathing hard and heavy. Their mother shot a worried glance toward Neytiri. She felt tears come to her eyes.
"Fuck," Ronal mumbled as she grabbed her leg.
"Mom, I can't believe you are hurt!" Tsireya cried.
"Did you find Dila?" Aonung wondered in uncertainty.
"We did. She was stranded on an island with a stab wound in her right shoulder," Ronal replied and gasped painfully. "Neytiri was brutally attacked right after we received word she had been found. I came to her aid, only to be injured by her attacker. Luckily, two Metkayina were close by. They stopped him from injuring me further."
"Thank Eywa," Aonung murmured in relief.
"Go get the medical supplies, kids," Tonowari ordered sternly.
Aonung and Tsireya nodded at their father and headed over to the table. They proceeded to gather what they needed. Jake turned to Neytiri and kissed her forehead.
"Jake," Neytiri whispered and gasped weakly.
"It's okay, Neytiri. I am not leaving you," Jake assured in a low yet firm voice.
"I was—" Neytiri started.
"Do not worry about that," Jake said, sniffling softly. "I am here."
Jake ran his hand over Neytiri's forehead and gave it another kiss. She gasped for air as she closed her eyes tightly. He felt his heartbeat speed up some.
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Jake stitched up a wound in Neytiri's left shoulder thirty minutes later. She moaned very painfully. Nekx stood near him, as did Spider. Norm inserted a needle into her right hand. Maureen wiped the blood away from the stitched-up neck wound of the warrioress's attacker with a rag. Lo'ak was stitching up a wound in his side. Tsireya did the same with Ronal's wound. Aonung stood next to his mother. Tonowari held his mate's hand.
"Lo'ak, Kiri, Maureen, make sure that young man does not fall asleep," Jake ordered while peering over his shoulder at the trio. "He may not wake up if he does."
"We will do what we can, Dad," Lo'ak responded, uncertainty lining his voice.
Kiri winced. "Shit. This sight is a little unsettling."
Spider eyed her. "We shouldn't forget we have seen worse injuries."
Maureen grabbed a bandage and proceeded to wrap it. Spider shifted his attention back to his mother, who emitted a weak gasp. He sniffled, tears welling up in his eyes. Jake turned back to her.
"Mom and Neytiri were lucky our clanmates were there to save them. Otherwise, their attacker would have killed one or both of them," Aonung said, his voice showing relief.
Tsireya looked at Nekx angrily. "That bastard is to blame for what happened! His comrade could have left Neytiri alone but no! He just had to go after her!"
"Tsireya, just stop it!" Lo'ak yelled frustratingly as he glared at her. "Nekx is not to blame for his comrade's attack on my mother!"
"But he—" Tsireya started, turning to him.
"I know. He gave the order to his warriors to go after any Metkayina he saw. He did not make them go after us at Three Brothers. They chose to do that on their own," Lo'ak interrupted sternly.
Tonowari sighed. "Your boyfriend has a point."
Ronal hissed in agony. "It's time we stop throwing blame around. It is not helping the situation here."
Tsireya hissed irritatingly and let go of the needle. She stormed off while curling her hands into fists. Aonung went over to his mother and grabbed it. He proceeded to stitch the wound. Norm and Maureen formed sympathetic looks on their faces.
"It seems Tsireya is never going to accept Nekx," Norm mumbled with a shake of his head.
"Unfortunately," Tonowari agreed, his voice showing sadness.
"I wouldn't blame her if she never did," Maureen answered and finished wrapping the bandage. She tied a knot in it. She picked up a breathing tube and went to the man's head. "She has seen so much carnage."
"The guy may not be the easiest to get along with, but at least he has been willing to put his differences with the Metkayina aside to assist with medical care," Norm said, looking at the heart monitor as it beeped steadily.
"It is never easy to do such a thing, but it is for the good of all," Nekx pointed out truthfully.
Aonung finished stitching his mother's wound. He got his dagger to cut the thread. He sheathed it and gave the needle to his father, who handed him a bandage. He started to wrap it.
"Ronal was willing to fight while pregnant with Kiki. She insisted on doing so, despite my protests," Tonowari commented, squeezing his mate's hand a little tightly.
"You know who that reminds me of?" Jake asked, shooting a glance at Nekx.
"Who?" Nekx wondered curiously.
Jake coughed. "Xena. There is a show called Xena: Warrior Princess I used to watch while I was growing up on Earth. Xena was willing to fight while heavily pregnant with both of her children. Ronal is as stubborn as she is. So is Neytiri. She had no qualms about hunting while pregnant with our children."
Tonowari ran his hand over Ronal's hair. "Our mates do not like being told what to do. They will do what they will. They have always been that way. We are all responsible for own our choices."
"Dad is right," Spider commented as he crossed his arms. "Sometimes, Na'vi can be worse than humans can."
"Humans and Na'vi have made tons of mistakes," Kiri said, blinking twice.
Lo'ak emitted a sharp exhale. "They will continue to do so."
Jake return his attention to Neytiri, who moaned in a painful manner. She closed her eyes for a minute. She opened them with a soft gasp. She looked at her mate.
"Bring Lo'ak and Kiri to me," Neytiri whispered.
"That is a good idea, Jake," Nekx commented with a soft sigh.
Jake looked over his shoulder at Lo'ak and Kiri. "Lo'ak, Kiri, come here."
Lo'ak and Kiri went to their mother's side as she moaned in pain. Neytiri blinked three times before shuddering. Jake turned back to her while pressing his lips together.
"Lo'ak, Kiri, Spider, I want you to promise…me you will take care of your sister," Neytiri murmured weakly.
"Mom, do not talk like that," Lo'ak responded, shuddering sniffling in a quiet manner.
"You are going to be okay," Kiri insisted.
Neytiri gasped. "You must take care of her. She, your grandmother, and…your father will…need you."
Spider cringed. "Damn."
Lo'ak and Kiri looked at each other while lowering their ears. Their hearts beat rather fast. Neytiri closed her eyes with a groan. Norm headed over to Maureen, who had just put the tube down the man's throat. He picked up an air pump and screwed it to the tube. He began squeezing it as she prepped the patient's hand for a needle.
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Tsireya stood on the pier outside the marui more than an hour later. She had her arms crossed. Tears fell from her eyes as the wind blew her hair back somewhat. She wiped them away before sniffling in a quiet way. She looked down at the water. Tonowari came up behind her. He clasped his hands together, his heart skipping a beat.
"Tsireya, can we talk?" he asked.
"Sure," she whispered. She eyed him as he came to her side and moved his ears back a bit. "I can't believe Lo'ak sided with Nekx. Nekx—"
"You do not have to say it anymore," Tonowari interrupted sharply. He knew she was talking about Nekx's order for the Green Spears to attack any Metkayina they saw. "We get it. I understand your feelings regarding him. I really do. However, you need to let this anger go."
"How can I when Nekx has helped caused so much pain and suffering?" Tsireya asked, sobs rising in her throat.
"He did play a part in all this, but he has made a great effort to put his animosity toward us aside to assist in any way he can. Look at how he tended to that man's gash in his forehead. He was calm and gentle with him," Tonowari explained warmly.
"He might have been, but it does not change the fact he has a bloodthirsty nature toward us. It is unlikely he will ever be rid of it," Tsireya commented, sniffling.
"The Green Spears are not alone in causing this carnage. The Metkayina have caused a great deal of it too. Even if they were never given the order to go after any Green Spear they saw, they still have it in themselves to be overzealous. War can turn good people into total monsters," Tonowari responded in a low but firm voice. "Do you see what I am saying?"
"I guess so," Tsireya said while wiping a tear from her eye. "It still won't bring Rishi back."
Tsireya walked away from her father with a soft cry. She looked toward the sky, seeing a large cloud go over the sun. He came to her side, swinging his tail up and down.
"I spoke with Nekx. He said Payakan defended him when Jake asked him if he felt he was to blame for Rishi's death," Tonowari said softly.
"Really?" Tsireya asked in surprise.
He nodded at her. "Yes. You can hold yourself responsible for what someone has become, but that does not mean you are to blame for actions you never told them to take part in."
"That does seem to make sense," Tsireya replied and swallowed hard.
"I am glad you see it that way," Tonowari said, his voice showing relief.
She choked back a sob. "I am sorry for blaming Nekx. I was just so upset over Rishi dying."
Tonowari pulled his daughter into his arms. He gave her a big hug while whispering inaudible words. She placed her hands on his chest as she buried her face into his shoulder. She cried in a muffled manner. He felt his shoulder become wet with tears. A clearing throat caught their attention. They turned to see Nekx, who stood a short distance away from them.
"I overheard everything," Nekx said, walking up to the duo. "Tsireya, I will never fault you for blaming me over Rishi's death. Emotional devastation often makes people act irrationally."
"Yes, it does," Tonowari replied.
"I will always bear responsibility for what those Green Spears have become. What they did to you and the other kids was still wrong. It should never have happened," Nekx said, firmness lining his voice.
"No, it shouldn't have," Tsireya agreed as she and Tonowari released their hold on each other. "They have become like the RDA. Both groups have no qualms about going after innocent kids."
"I have no doubt they do not regret what they did," Nekx growled bitterly. "Something tells me Neytiri's attacker does not regret going after her either."
"She looked so horrible. That was the first time any of us saw her so helpless," Tsireya said with a sniffle.
"It sent chills down our spines," Tonowari added.
"Neytiri has fallen into a coma. Norm and Maureen admitted they weren't sure if she would survive. As for her attacker, he will likely make it in spite of his injuries," Nekx explained.
"Neytiri can't die. She just can't," Tsireya mumbled in much sadness.
"All we can do is wait and hope she will make it," Nekx pointed out truthfully.
The trio glanced at the sky. They felt their hearts skip a few beats. The cloud continued to make over the sun until it was completely covered. The wind picked up some more.
