Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter thirty-one of 'Gone in the Dark.' It was not easy for me to showing Rishi getting killed at Three Brothers. I did this because it was time to show the war had reached a turning point where kids are not safe from attack. Stay tuned for chapter thirty-two.
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Chapter 31: Never Think
Clouds covered half the midafternoon sky above Awa'atlu. Jake and Tonowari were walking along the beach. They listened to the distant squawking of banshees. Gentle waves came up around their feet. They retreated out to sea, only for to come in. The former folded his hands and placed them against his stomach. The latter sighed in a low yet relieved way.
"I am glad to get away from caring for patients for a while," Tonowari said.
"So am I," Jake agreed. "I am sure our kids are having the time of their lives playing with Payakan and La."
"To think we shunned Payakan for something he could not control sends chills down my spine now. He may bear deaths by the Tulkun Way, but he did not kill those tulkuns and Na'vi," Tonowari muttered shamefully.
"The tulkuns did the right thing modifying their way of life. It is still rather peaceful, but they kill to protect themselves and their loved ones now," Jake pointed out matter-of-factly.
"You and Neytiri were wise to ask Ronal and me if we could hold the tulkun celebration in the next several days. We need a moment of peace in this time of war," Tonowari commented.
"We understood your feelings about the possibility they might be killed by Green Spears and used as bait for traps, but we are glad you agreed," Jake commented with a small smile.
"Sometimes, we must take risks," Tonowari admitted.
"I took a huge risk taming a toruk, but it was the only way to get back the Omaticaya's trust," Jake said while placing his hands on his sides. "I was nervous about flying Matumaini to the Tree of Souls, but I faced my fears and went there."
"Matumaini means—" Tonowari started.
"Hope in Swahili," Jake finished, warmth lining his voice. "She was a symbol of hope for the Na'vi."
"I like the name," Tonowari replied. "It's beautiful."
Jake and Tonowari glanced toward the ocean. They spotted two black-backed dolphins and an ilu leaping through their waves. The trio's playful squeaks filled the air.
"I hope Ronal and Neytiri find Dila and bring her here soon. Ferris is going crazy with worry," Jake said uncertainly.
"I do too," Tonowari responded. "Ferris gave a good description of her daughter before they took off."
"I was really surprised when Neytiri rushed into our marui and started putting medical supplies and food in a backpack. She told me about Dila's situation. I was apprehensive about her going out to find someone after she and I nearly got killed by Nekx and his comrade," Jake explained.
"I had similar feelings when Ronal appeared in our marui without warning and proceeded to pack medical supplies and food into a backpack. I did not want her to go find Dila, but I relented when she said she'd be fine because Neytiri and eight other warriors would be assisting in the search," Tonowari murmured, his ears perking up.
Jake touched the back of his neck. "I relented when Neytiri told me the same thing. Our women do not like being told what to do. That's for sure."
Tonowari chuckled. "You are right."
Jake and Tonowari stopped to watch two banshees fly to a tall rock in the distance and land on a ledge near the top of it. The banshees squawked before placing their wing claws on the ground.
"The Metkayina are lucky they get to see ikran every now and then," Jake said, crossing his arms.
"Yes, we are," Tonowari agreed. "Aonung and Tsireya have said they would love to experience forest culture."
"They have?" Jake whispered in surprise.
"Mm-hmm," Tonowari admitted. "Perhaps you could take them and some of their friends along whenever you decide to visit your clan for a few months."
"I think that'd be a nice idea," Jake said, a soft chuckle coming from him. "Lo'ak should be the one to train them along with a few other kids he knew there."
Tonowari became concerned. "Did some of the kids bully him and Kiri?"
"Unfortunately, yes. There was one boy in particular who took delight in picking on them. His name is Loki. He is known for his mischievous nature. Loki is the Norse god of mischief. That is how he got his name," Jake explained, sighing heavily.
"I hope he is not assigned to train the kids," Tonowari said.
Jake raised his eyebrows. "Tarsem won't allow it. He does not tolerate bullies of any kind."
Just then, the horn sounded loudly. Jake and Tonowari ran up the beach quickly. They gasped in shock when they spotted Payakan carrying Lo'ak, Tsireya, and Aonung. La was right behind him with Rotxo and Riri on her. June, Meena, Roxi, Penny, Pire, Julen, and Eveng swam alongside the tulkuns. Rishi's body lay on a stretcher. It was attached to Eveng, who was being ridden by Kiri.
"What in the hell are Payakan and La doing here?" Jake asked in alarm.
"Something terrible has happened," Tonowari said, his heart beginning to pound against his chest. "Tulkuns usually do not approach shore outside of the annual celebration."
Jake and Tonowari picked up their pace as Payakan and La stopped not far from shore. Lo'ak, Tsireya, Aonung, Riri, and Rotxo got off their backs. They went to their ilus with the exception of Lo'ak and Tsireya, whom both headed to Eveng. Jake and Tonowari charged into the water. They stopped before the teens. They gasped horrifyingly at the sight of Rishi. Four other Metkayina arrived quickly.
"Oh, no. Not Rishi," Jake yelled, his breathing turning into shudders.
"It was the Green Spears, Dad. They attacked us at Three Brothers," Lo'ak responded, sobs rising in his throat.
"Rishi was stabbed by one of them," Kiri added, disconnecting from Eveng and climbing off her. "Her wound was very deep."
"Payakan and La rescued us. They wouldn't let us go home alone. They feared we would be attacked again," Tsireya added, crying loudly.
Lo'ak sniffled. "We tried to save her, Dad. We tried—"
"Son, don't you dare blame yourselves," Jake said, going to him and hugging him. He began to cry and squeezed his eyes shut. "You did what you could."
Tonowari went to Tsireya to hug her. He glanced at Rishi's body and exhaled. "She was too far gone. A wound that deep is usually fatal."
Lo'ak and Tsireya buried their faces in their fathers' shoulders. They cried in muffled voices. Jake and Tonowari felt their shoulders become wet with their tears. Kiri went to the former and was pulled into a hug. Tonowari looked toward Aonung, who had a guilty expression on his face. Aonung approached him, his ears lowering in shame.
"This whole thing is my fault," Aonung muttered in sadness.
"Son, you are not—" Tonowari started.
"Yes, I am to blame! It was my idea that we go out and see Payakan and La! If I hadn't done that, Rishi would still be alive!" Aonung screamed, tears coming to his eyes.
"Son, you listen to me," Tonowari responded firmly and pointed his finger in his face. "What happened is not your fault. You had no idea Green Spears were waiting to attack you at Three Brothers. They are responsible for her death, not you."
Aonung sobbed and hugged his father, who wrapped his arm around him. He buried his face into his shoulder. This muffled his cries. Tonowari sniffled, a tear falling down his cheek. He and Jake turned to Payakan and La.
"Thank you for protecting the kids," Jake said gratefully.
"You're welcome," Payakan and La chirped.
Tonowari turned to his warriors. "Take Rishi's body to the marui where the patients who did not make it are kept."
The quartet untied the stretcher from Eveng and carried Rishi to shore. Nekx and Spider ran up to them. They gasped horrifyingly and laid their hands over their hearts.
"Oh, shit," Spider yelled. "Rishi's dead."
"I can't believe it," Nekx mumbled while shaking his head in disbelief.
The duo observed the Metkayina carrying Rishi to the village. They glanced toward the group as they came ashore. They headed for it. Lo'ak hissed ragefully when he saw Nekx.
"You!" Lo'ak snarled as he and the others stopped close to him. "This is all your fault!"
"Hey, kid. Take it easy, will you?" Nekx responded.
"Why should I? You ordered your warriors to target every Metkayina they saw! They went after us at Three Brothers! They killed Rishi!" Lo'ak screamed.
"I am really—" Nekx started.
Tsireya hissed in great ferocity. "Take your apology and shove it up your ass, you bastard!"
Rotxo pointed his finger at him. "You gave the order! They obeyed it without question!"
"They have become overzealous in their desire to defeat our clan!" Kiri added fiercely.
"They had no problem going after innocent kids like us!" Aonung screeched.
Riri growled in fierceness. "Rishi's blood is on your hands!"
Lo'ak started go toward Nekx with a determined snarl. Jake grabbed his arm and held him back. Lo'ak shouted obscenities at him in Na'vi. Nekx winced in a painful way. Jake nearly lost his grip on him, but he managed to regain it. He made his son look at him.
"Son, now is not the time to get into a physical fight," Jake said gently.
"Dad, he is responsible for Rishi's death! You have to see that!" Lo'ak blurted out angrily.
Kiri clenched her teeth. "He deserves to be rearranged!"
Jake held up his hand. "Kiri, never speak like that. That makes you no better than he is. We'll go to our marui and talk."
Lo'ak and Kiri nodded at their father. They and the others headed toward the village. Lo'ak shot Nekx a dirty look as he passed him. Aonung, Tsireya, Rotxo, Riri, and Kiri made similar looks at him. Nekx and Spider watched them go out of sight. They turned to each other while swallowing hard. Five Metkayina went to get the ilus.
"You okay, man?" Spider asked.
"I am not sure. They are right. I did give the order to my warriors to go after any Metkayina they saw. Because of that, Rishi is dead," Nekx mumbled in much guilt.
"How could you have known they were going to attack the kids?" Spider commented. "You've been here for a few days."
"Rishi wasn't exactly a kid. She was your age. She even went hunting outside the reef a few times," Nekx said, his ears going back.
"A nineteen-year-old is still a kid at heart, regardless of the species," Spider responded firmly. "She still had some maturing to do."
"Forget about maturation. I am responsible for what my warriors have become," Nekx commented, shuddering badly.
"I am sure some Metkayina have behaved like your warriors in a similar way, even if they were never given the order to attack any Green Spears they saw," Spider pointed out truthfully.
"Things are bound to get worse before they get better," Nekx mumbled in great uncertainty. "I think it is only a matter of time before another victim comes in."
Nekx walked away while letting out a heavy sigh. Spider glanced toward the ocean, a tear falling down his cheek. He could hear Payakan and La crying out mournfully.