Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter twenty-eight of 'Gone in the Dark.' Some of the kids will head out to see Payakan and La in the next chapter or so. Whether or not it will be peaceful still remains to be seen. Stay tuned for chapter twenty-nine.
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Chapter 28: Showing Care/Rushing/Confrontation
Spider breathed deeply as he wrapped a bandage around a young Green Spear woman's head while she sat on a cot in another marui. He was standing on a small stool to reach it. He looked over at Kiri, who was bandaging the upper part of a middle-agreed Metkayina man's right arm on another cot. He returned his attention to his patient. He finished wrapping the bandage and tied a knot in it. The woman smiled at him.
"Thank you for tending to my injury," the woman said gratefully.
"You are welcome," Spider replied and straightened the bandage a little bit. "Thanks for not giving me grief over being human."
"Just because we are from opposite sides of this war does not mean we can't get along here," the woman pointed out.
"Of course," Spider agreed. "It still stinks we've had to deal with so many injured patients. I mean, eight were treated yesterday."
"That is the most we've had in a single day in a while," Kiri added as she finished wrapping the bandage. She proceeded to tie a knot in it. "There is always a chance we will have more than that on another day."
"Yesterday was the first time a patient was brought in with an infected wound," the man commented. "It was pretty bad."
"The good news is Keye'txon's fever has broken," Kiri said, finishing the knot. "All finished."
"Thank you," the man responded and pushed his arm forward. He pulled it back in a slow manner. "You did an excellent job with treating my injury."
"You are very welcome," Kiri said while patting his shoulder. She rubbed the back of her neck with both hands. "It is good to know most patients have not caused trouble."
"I heard Julay complaining about being in the company of freaks," Spider grumbled irritatingly. "I think she is capable of causing trouble in other ways."
"Like what?" Kiri wondered.
"You don't want to know," the woman commented. "Most Green Spears hate to be around that bitch in Kia."
"It seems most everyone hates to be around her here too," Kiri said with a roll of her eyes. "Nekx is right. Someone should stuff a fish in her mouth, so she will shut the hell up."
Spider tried to stifle a snicker, but he couldn't help himself. Footsteps caught everyone's attention. The teens and the patients turned to see Jake and Neytiri walking into the marui. The couple stopped close to them. Spider and Kiri rose to their feet and went to their parents.
"Mom, Dad, it is great you are home," Spider greeted happily.
"We have great news. Keye'txon has woken up," Neytiri responded, warmth echoing from her voice.
"Thank Eywa!" Kiri shouted in relief. "I thought he was going to be out for a while. Did he show any confusion?"
Jake clasped his hands together. "He did not recognize Max or Mo'at, so they introduced themselves. He was speaking very clearly. Nekx showed up right after his awakening. Keye'txon wanted to speak with him alone. We decided to come see you two since Lo'ak told us about you two treating new patients."
"They did not give us an ounce of trouble," Spider announced proudly as he and Kiri glanced at the patients.
"They did a wonderful job tending to our injuries," the man commented.
"They sure did," the woman agreed.
Kiri giggled. "Thank you."
The patients rose to their feet and went past Jake and Neytiri. The teens and their parents watched them until they were gone. They turned to each other. The Na'vi perked up their ears.
"Lo'ak said he went to the beach after Tuk fell asleep and left you two in charge of her," Neytiri said, crossing her arms.
"She slept like a baby the entire time he was gone. He was quite happy when he returned. He'd had a nice talk with Tonowari. Tonowari had a little trouble saying the Haida prayer, but Lo'ak helped him to pronounce it properly," Kiri explained.
"I have to admit saying that prayer was hard for me at first," Jake commented as he placed his hands on his sides. "Still, it is a beautiful prayer."
"It is no wonder Lo'ak has said it during several funerals for both of our clans. He always did it quietly with the Metkayina. He was not sure how they would react if they heard it," Kiri added.
"Now, they know about it," Spider said and rubbed his ear. "Lo'ak was just eager to share Nastelane's story with his girlfriend and our friends."
"It is for—" Neytiri started.
Suddenly, Tonowari ran into the marui in which it caused the group to look toward him. He took hold of the doorway and panted heavily. He managed to catch his breath.
"Jake, we need your help. Another two patients have been brought in," Tonowari said urgently. "It is bad."
"How bad is it, Tonowari?" Jake asked.
Tonowari swallowed hard. "One is a Metkayina who has multiple wounds. The other is a Green Spear who has a crossbow bolt to the side. Lo'ak, Norm, and Maureen are caring for our clanmate. Eli is helping his comrade."
Jake nodded at him. "Okay. Come on, Neytiri."
"Go help change Fkeu and Nia's bandages, kids," Neytiri commanded as she looked at Spider and Kiri.
"Okay," Spider responded.
Kiri waved her hand toward herself. "Let's go, Spider."
Jake, Neytiri, and Tonowari headed out of the marui, as did Kiri and Spider. The trio went left while the duo went right.
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Eli was wiping the blood away from the crossbow bolt in the young Green Spear woman's side very carefully with a rag in another marui. Maureen was pumping air into the young Metkayina man's lungs as Lo'ak stitched up a stab wound in his stomach. Norm was keeping an eye on the heart monitor as it beeped steadily. Just then, Jake, Tonowari, and Neytiri rushed in and skidded to a halt. The group looked up.
"Jake, this bolt appears to be a little deep in this patient's side," Eli shouted frantically.
"This patient isn't looking good at all," Norm added.
"Okay," Jake said. "Tonowari, Neytiri, I want you helping me with Eli. Norm, you, Maureen, and Lo'ak need to keep taking care of that patient."
Jake came to Eli's side as Tonowari and Neytiri went to the woman's head. He narrowed his eyes at the bolt.
"That bolt is in pretty deep. I am going to have to take it out carefully," Jake said and cleared his throat. "Eli, go get a needle, a thread, and a bandage."
"What's going on?" Nekx said, coming into the marui as Eli rushed to the table that contained medical supplies. He felt his jaw drop at the sight of his comrade. "Hey, that is another Green Spear."
Jake looked at him. "It seems your friend got shot at by a Metkayina."
"I am sure that's what happened," Nekx said, sighing heavily.
"Come here. Your presence should keep her calm," Neytiri said while waving her hand toward herself.
Nekx nodded. "Okay."
Nekx went to the woman's side and took her hand into his. He listened to her breathing at a slow yet steady pace. Eli returned to Jake's side with a needle and thread and a bandage.
"Okay," Jake whispered. "Be ready to hand me the needle and thread."
"It hurts," the woman whimpered painfully. "It hurts so bad."
Nekx shushed. "It's okay."
Jake broke the tip of the bolt off. He grabbed it and began to pull it out very slowly. Suddenly, the monitor started beeping rapidly. Lo'ak, Norm, and Maureen became very alarmed.
"He's spiking!" Maureen yelled.
Norm reached into his pocket and pulled out a syringe filled with sotalol. He injected it into a tube sticking out of the man's left arm. Maureen got the defibrillator paddles ready just in case. She resumed pumping air into the man's lungs. The beeping slowed until it returned to normal.
"Heart rate is normal," Norm said.
"Come on," Lo'ak whispered urgently as he finished stitching the wound. "Keep fighting, man."
Jake managed to get the bolt all the way out. He put it aside and took the needle from Eli. He poked it through the edge of the wound. He began stitching it up. He breathed heavily.
"You and Neytiri didn't expect to be coming home to treating a patient after being out all night, did you?" Eli asked.
"No, we did not," Jake admitted. "I should tell you I trained my kids to do CPR in emergency situations. I learned it in the military. When I demonstrated it to Neytiri on a dummy, she was amazed."
"There is so much to learn about human culture," Neytiri whispered.
The monitor beeped rapidly until it flatlined. This caused Jake, Neytiri, Tonowari, Nekx, and Eli to look toward the other patient. Norm grabbed the paddles and set them on two hundred volts. He placed them on the man's chest.
"Paddles ready!" Norm called. "Clear!"
Norm gritted his teeth and delivered a jolt of electricity to the man's heart, but it didn't start it back up. He moved back somewhat to allow Lo'ak some room. Maureen squeezed the air pump harder.
"Starting chest compressions!" Lo'ak shouted and performed chest compressions. "One, two, three, four, five! One, two, three, four, five!"
Neytiri felt her heart skip a beat. Jake turned back to his patient and finished stitching up the wound. He grabbed his dagger to cut the thread. Eli handed him the bandage. Jake proceeded to wrap it carefully.
"Do you think she will need—" Nekx started.
"No, she won't need an air pump," Jake finished softly. "The bolt did not hit her lung."
"The Metkayina woman with the punctured lung was lucky she did not need surgery for it," Eli commented.
Jake twitched his ears. "Surgery can be quite complicated sometimes. Norm and Maureen know that better than anyone."
Neytiri nodded in agreement. "Indeed, they do."
Lo'ak stopped doing compressions. Norm placed the paddles on the man's chest after upping the voltage to three hundred. Maureen squeezed the air pump even harder. She gritted her teeth.
"Clear!" Norm yelled. "Come on."
Norm gave another jolt to the man's heart, but it still didn't start up. Lo'ak resumed doing compressions. Nekx shifted his attention to the woman. He tightened his grip on her hand. She began moving, but she stopped when Neytiri and Tonowari touched her shoulders. Lo'ak stopped the compressions. Norm raised the voltage to four hundred before placing the paddles back on the man's chest.
"Clear!" Norm called. "Please, work."
Norm delivered another jolt of electricity to the man's heart. It still did not start back up. Lo'ak did chest compressions once more.
"Please, don't leave us!" Lo'ak pleaded. "Please."
Jake finished wrapping the bandage and tied it in a knot. He sighed in relief and placed his hands over his face.
"That's over with," Jake said. "Keep her stable."
Jake rushed over to Lo'ak, who increased the speed on his compressions. Lo'ak clenched his teeth and swallowed hard.
"Come on," Lo'ak begged. "Breathe. Please."
"Lo'ak, stop," Jake said, touching his son's shoulder. This caused him to stop the compressions. "Let him go."
"Dad, I can't just—" Lo'ak said as he looked at his father.
"You must," Jake insisted. "He's dead. His injuries were too great."
Lo'ak felt sobs rising in his throat. He raced outside, beginning to cry. Jake looked toward the doorway. He turned to Neytiri and Tonowari, whom both lowered their ears in sadness. Norm shut off the monitor. He and Maureen went to the man's feet. They grabbed a sheet lying there and proceeded to cover him with it.
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Lo'ak stood out on the pier fifteen minutes later. Tears were falling from his eyes, some merging with each other. He wiped them away, only for more to fall. He emitted a shuddering breath. He felt his lower lip quivering. Jake came up behind him and touched his son's shoulder very gently. Lo'ak turned around and choked back a sob.
"Dad, I'm…I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that man to die," Lo'ak apologized with much guilt.
"Shh," Jake responded comfortingly. "It's not your fault. There was nothing you could've done."
"Neteyam would've been horrified at the sight of this carnage if he were alive right now," Lo'ak said seriously.
"That is true. He was never one for feeling comfortable around severe injuries," Jake commented.
Lo'ak walked away from his father and punched the covering in frustration. He started crying hysterically while curling his hands into fists. He placed them against his temple.
"I want this war to end so badly! It is not fair it had to happen when we are dealing with humanity destroying our world!" Lo'ak screamed and looked at him. He placed his fists at his sides. "It's not fair!"
"You're right, son," Jake agreed as he walked up to him. "It's not fair you never got to meet your aunt, your uncle, or your grandfather either."
Lo'ak sniffled. "I hate Quaritch caused their deaths with the exception of Uncle Tom. Still, he cared for Spider while he was being held captive with the RDA."
"I know," Jake said, nodding slowly. "I wish life could be fair all the time, but it's not. Neither is death."
"The patients should never have had to deal with this," Lo'ak commented.
Jake sighed. "I know, but they did. Many will carry the scars of this war for the rest of their lives. They are not anything that can be erased."
"Hold me, Dad," Lo'ak pleaded. "Hold me."
Jake pulled Lo'ak into his arms. He felt him lay his hands on his chest. Lo'ak buried his face into his father's shoulder. He cried in a muffled way. Jake could feel it becoming wet. They did not notice Nekx coming up behind them. Jake pushed Lo'ak back and looked him in the eye.
"Why don't you go help your mother with the surviving patient?" Jake suggested.
"Okay," Lo'ak said, nodding. "Okay."
Lo'ak walked away from Jake, who watched him pass Nekx. Nekx eyed him going back into the marui. He inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. He shifted his attention to Jake.
"Your son looks a lot like you," Nekx said.
"Yes, he does," Jake agreed. "He is impulsive and reckless like me in my younger days."
"I do not understand why you would keep your family here in the midst of not one but two wars. You are a prime target for both humans and Na'vi," Nekx responded.
"I understand the risk, but packing up my family and leaving isn't the answer," Jake said, walking past him and going through the marui. Nekx followed him close behind. "We will be found, no matter where we go."
"There are plenty of regions that do not have much Na'vi presence," Nekx said, upping his pace. "You'd be safe there."
Jake entered a marui with Nekx right behind him. He approached a middle-aged Green Spear woman with a bandaged gash on her forehead. She was sitting on the floor. He knelt down to examine the bandage. Nekx went to his side.
"You are still responsible for the deaths that have occurred ever since the Omaticaya Hometree was destroyed," Nekx said fiercely.
"You do not need to keep reminding me of that," Jake snapped, rising to his full height quickly. "I get it. I caused a lot of problems due to my feud with Quaritch. I can't change the past. All I can do is make the future better."
"Your family would have an even better future if you would find a place to settle far from humans and Na'vi," Nekx insisted.
"I can't take Lo'ak away from here. He is in a relationship with Tsireya," Jake said as he went to a young Metkayina man, who had his broken right arm wrapped in a splint as he was seated in a chair. He proceeded to examine it carefully. "To do so would break his heart."
"Then ask Tsireya to come with you," Nekx suggested.
Jake scoffed. "You want me to her away from her parents and her siblings? No, I won't do that. I can't ask Tonowari and Ronal to come with us. Their place is here."
"Then you are dooming your family to a deadly fate," Nekx said and cleared his throat.
"You are dooming your warriors by having them attack my people without provocation," Jake commented and returned to his full height. "You are nowhere near close to securing freedom of any kind. You crossed the line when all of this became a bloodbath."
Nekx flared his nostrils. "If only you could understand the Metkayina restarted this mess."
"It does not matter who restarted the tensions between the clans. What matters is the innocent should not get wrapped up in this carnage. Unfortunately, they have. We must care for all of them, even if they are an enemy," Jake retorted with a huff. "The unprovoked attacks you have carried out were never justified. I am sure you have killed a few Metkayina yourself. You were never innocent to begin with."
Jake walked away while curling his hands into fists. Nekx moved his ears back. He put them forward before taking two deep breaths.