Jake and the two boys headed straight for the hut of the Olo'eyktan and the Tsahìk as curious and prying eyes watched them on the way.
Over thirty blue eyes were glued to them and although it usually made him uncomfortable, Jake really didn't give a fuck right now. He didn't even care about the metkayinas who started to follow them curiously seeing them heading towards their leaders nor the crowd that opened to let them pass. All he wanted was to talk to them and he certainly wasn't going to be delayed by the idle gossip that was starting to proliferate all around him.
The big hut was now only a few meters away and it was without hesitation and without break that he crossed them to reach his objective.
"Tonowari. Ronal. I need to talk to you," he called out loudly and the tattooed man and woman turned to him as they heared their names.
"Jake Sully", Tonowari greeted him as he got up from where he was sitting, "What brings you here so late... and with our son ?", he asked curiously as his gaze landed behind him, probably on his eldest.
Jake took a deep breath, he had to stay calm. "My son, Lo'ak, is somewhere at sea and he still hasn't come home. I need your help to find him and bring him back to safety."
Ronal frowned with a look worthy of her skepticism. "Why would your son leave the reef ? We're still teaching him the way of the water. He's supposed to know he's not ready for the sea yet," she said as whispers rose in the crowd that surrounded them as if they even had the right to comment on his son's behavior.
Jake wanted to cut her off to tell her that they didn't have time to dwell on that. Lo'ak might need help right now and the longer they waited the less chance they had of being able to find him or save him. But he couldn't disrespect her in front of her people that way, even though inside he was freaking out like crazy. The couple had already done so much to help them by welcoming him and his family and it seemed ungrateful to ask them even more but he really had no choice this time. Their help was needed and crucial and he couldn't lose it just because he couldn't control his emotions.
He knew what he needed wasn't going to be presented to him on a silver platter with a sweet smile and a pat on the shoulder. He had learned that throughout his miserable life on Earth and Pandora was not so different. You don't help if you don't know why, that was the way things worked. A good reason had to be given to them and this reason was right next to him, he thought as his gaze fell sternly on Aonung.
His anger had perhaps not shown as much as that of Neytiri but his silence should not be mistaken for indifference. He was the one who had put Lo'ak in this situation and even if Jake didn't allow himself to be dominated by resentment, that didn't mean that it was non-existent. If this boy wanted to be forgiven by himself and his family, he should at least own up to his mistakes in front of both his parents.
The teen seemed to feel Jake's heavy gaze as his pupils met his. His spine was as tense as a bowstring and his shoulders seemed slumped as if he was carrying a heavy load on his back. Jake could see that he had understood the message he had sent him just by observing his posture and he sincerely hoped not to be disappointed.
The teen looked away and stared silently at the floor as he clenched his fists and lowered his ears. Jake could almost feel the apprehension and fear that escaped from him as he was about to face the consequences of his actions and he could have sympathized with him if they hadn't been in this situation. Instead, all he did was waiting without releasing the pressure he was putting on the boy.
It was up to him to speak and it was now or never.
"It's my fault," the chief's son finally cracked after a moment of hesitation and the critical murmurs from the crowd suddenly ceased.
The silence that followed was tense, almost palpable, as if it could be broken if someone took a wrong breath. The people around them were so still that they could almost be mistaken for statues of stone, cold and rigid. Jake even felt Neteyam stiffen behind him at the tension that filled the air and it made him sneak closer to him to try to make him feel less alone.
Chief Tonowari was the only one to really react and his footsteps were the only sound allowed as he approached his first born while Ronal stayed behind visibly confused.
"What do you mean ?" the Olo'eyktan asked.
Aonung closed his eyes. "I made him think we were going fishing at Three Brothers Rock when he came to apologize and we left him there," he says shamefully, "It was just supposed to be a joke. I promise I didn't think it was going to end like this"
"Ignorant child," Tonowari rumbled like a thunderclap as Ronal shook her head disapprovingly, "Don't you realize what you've done. Putting a beginner in danger like this. He's not a native to the sea, he don't know it like you do"
"Yes father," the younger swallowed hard still unable to meet his gaze. "I'm sorry father"
"I don't want to hear your apologies. They're not meant for me," Tonowari sternly dismissed with a wave of his hand. "You really disappoint me, son"
A hurt gleam appeared in Aonung's eyes at these words as if it was an arrow he had received in the chest and this scene unfortunately seemed very familiar to Jake. How many times had he said something like that to Lo'ak without paying attention to his gaze ? How had he not noticed the impact those words had on him ?
Jake hated that the last memory he had of his son was his hurt expression before he left the hut. He had sent him away as if he was guilty even though deep down he agreed with what he had done and now he was alone and lost somewhere as he stood there not knowing if he was ever going to see him again.
He had to find him.
Jake moved forward to interrupt the exchange. "With all due respect. Understand me as a parent. My child is not home and may be in danger. I am begging you to help me find him. Please"
Tonowari was still staring at his son with pursed lips of disapproval when his eyes finally slid to his. He could be a strong and respected leader as well as a strict and loving father, but above all he was a caring person who was ready to help those in need. The same could be said of Ronal who the verdict belonged to most of the time even though she could be tough and stern with those she didn't trust. They weren't cruel enough to leave Lo'ak to his own fate and Jake knew that deep down inside him.
The Tsahìk caught her mate's attention as she walked in their direction and the look they exchanged was enough to make the final decision. Her natural demeanor commanded respect as she made her way towards him and her blue gaze until then hardened by her son's actions finally softened as a heavy sigh escaped her lips. "The disappearance of your son was caused by our own flesh. It is therefore our duty to repair this mistake. Count on us to help you"
The oppressive weight in his chest suddenly seemed to lighten slightly as Jake nodded respectfully. "Thank you," he whispered with relief.
Ronal nodded back soberly and without wasting a minute, Tonowari immediately turned to the crowd raising his arms fervently. "Let all volunteers follow me. The young Lo'ak must be found as soon as possible to be brought back to his family", he addressed his people, who shouted energetically in response, testifying to their agreement.
Jake turned to Neteyam who seemed as relieved as him, if not even more, as a smile had bloomed on his face and Jake wanted to respond in the same way but sadly he couldn't smile back. It was a good start yes but it wasn't over yet and he wasn't able to rejoice for the moment, not fully at least, not until Lo'ak was back.
Neteyam seemed to notice his somber expression and he quickly regained his seriousness as he straighten as if ready to take orders. Jake knew his eldest was just as worried about his younger brother and it didn't surprise him to see him so committed to finding him, he was even proud of him for that, but he couldn't dwell on that feeling for the moment.
Jake felt tingles run through his fingertips as he watched the people around him. The metkayinas were getting ready, they were about to leave at any moment and it was getting harder and harder for him to wait. If he could he probably would have left by now but he knew it wasn't a good idea and anyway he would never have done it without Neytiri. By the way, she had been waiting for them all this time and Jake didn't want to leave her alone any longer without news, she must already be so worried and waiting was probably even more torturous for her than for him.
"We should go join your mother," he said quickly to Neteyam before rushing to the beach, followed shortly by the newly formed search party.
Once their feet had reached the white sand, they could see Neytiri pacing as she waited alongside her ikran. Her long hair and tail were restless following her incessant and tormented movements. She looked even worse than when she learned of Lo'ak's disappearance and Jake sped up, not being able to bear to see her so worried.
"Mom!", Neteyam called behind him and Neytiri instantly turned to them with shaking hands and big watery eyes.
Jake almost froze at the sight but instead redoubled his efforts to reach her as quickly as he could. Despite his numbness from shock, he forced his muscles to run and his legs immediately took him to her side then he grabbed her urgently to check on her. "What happened ?!" he begged anxiously.
"Ma Jake...", she said in a shaky breath as she took refuge into his arms with her head nestled in the crook of his neck. She was staggering, almost hyperventilating in the embrace and Jake held her as best he could trying to stabilize her so she wouldn't trip.
Neteyam remained a few steps away from them without understanding his mother's behavior. His golden eyes were confused and concerned, almost lost, and he glanced at him as if he knew what was wrong with her but Jake was just as clueless as he was right now.
Neytiri had the biggest heart that can exist in this world. She loved in such a strong and deep way but the strength of her feelings was unfortunately also a double edged sword. She was experiencing everything much more intensely than most and that included anger as well as fear. Whatever happened, she was now distressed and Jake desperately wanted to appease her heart and her pain but for that he first had to know what had caused this.
His hand naturally rested on the back of her head to bring her comfort but Jake soon pulled back to look at her with a questioning look. "Tell me what happened," he said softly so as not to rush her too much.
Neytiri took a few more breaths then her glassy gaze fell a little further on the beach. "It's his", she whispered painfully.
Jake followed the clue she had given him with his gaze and he quickly noticed a group of people gathered around something in the water. Some looked distraught and others were rushing to get utensils he couldn't clearly see from here. It sounded like something serious, and though Jake still didn't understand how it related to Lo'ak, it put every fiber in his body on high alert.
Neteyam was the first to move as he ran towards what had made his mother so panicked and Jake wasted no time following him. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears as hundreds of horrible scenarios flashed behind his eyelids. He shouldn't allow himself to be overwhelmed by fear like this, but unfortunately it was much stronger than him.
Once close enough, he could hear Neteyam gasp in horror as a heavy rock seemed to fall into his stomach. An ilu was crying pathetically in pain as metkayinas struggled to heal the animal which was bleeding profusely from one of its fins. The water around him was deep red as the blood continued to flow unceasingly and he looked like he was in terrible pain as nothing seemed to be able to relieve him. Jake felt a deep ache seeing so much agony but that wasn't what impacted him the most while watching him.
Neteyam rushed to the side of the ilu and began to untie the saddle that was still hanging on his back. He removed it delicately so as not to hurt the poor creature even more then he lifted it to analyze it carefully even if they both already knew what it was about.
"Mom's right...it's his..." Neteyam said with shaking hands as if he still couldn't realize it and Jake continued to stare at the blood in the water unable to tear himself away from it.
There was a tremor deep in his insides that almost shook his entire body. It couldn't happen. It was not possible. The risk of losing Lo'ak had suddenly become too real and too great and his heart had to struggle to keep up with the absolutely atrocious course of thoughts that filled his head. All he could see was red. Red everywhere. It was as if he was melting into this color or falling into it as if it was an endless chasm and nothing could hold him back from the fall that awaited him.
Red. Blood. Lo'ak.
A hand landed on his shoulder and a strong shudder responded to the touch. Jake was almost about to struggle to get away from the person who had approached him in this way but he soon realized once his mind regained consciousness that it was only Tonowari who was providing support.
"We mustn't delay Jake", the Olo'eyktan said with a seriousness that only made his throat constrict, "It may only be a matter of time now"
Jake already knew it, but he wasn't even sure there was even time anymore. Maybe it was already too late and he hadn't acted in time. Whatever happened may have been over already and Lo'ak may have... he could... It was killing him to think that but with these latest events that possibility never left his mind. He couldn't stop thinking about the blood and Lo'ak, wondering if that blood could have been his.
Jake closed his eyes and controlled the rhythm of his breathing. He shouldn't be thinking about that. If he kept doing it he might collapse on the sand as if there was no hope and he couldn't do that to Neytiri or Neteyam. He couldn't do that to Lo'ak. His greatest strength had always been acting for as long as he could remember and that was what he intended to do now. He couldn't do anything else.
He raised his yellow eyes to Tonowari. "Let's go"