ℍ𝕆𝕃𝔻 𝕆ℕ

Tuk runs as deep as she can into the dark thickness of the forest, to no avail trying to hold back her tears. Her tiny chest is heaving with frequent sobs, and the young Na’vi presses her palms against it, trying to hold back hurt and resentment. Mom had told her to keep it together no matter what, to take control of her emotions, because that’s what makes a good hunter… But what is she supposed to do when her brother picks on her again? Why does Lo’ak have to take it out on her all the time? Eventually, the girl stops with a skid on the moss that was shrouding a broad branch of one of the centuries-old trees. Above her, beyond the crowns of broad tropical leaves, the blue-violet sky is growing dark, slowly lighting up with a myriad of stars beside the pale edge of the satellite planet. Tuk presses her lips together and wipes the tears from her cheeks. She grips the vines tightly as she climbs up the tree trunk, balancing with her tail, and finally sits on a higher branch, resting her whole body against it. She is deadset not to return to the camp tonight. Lo’ak chased her away, so let him take the blame! Since they didn’t take her with them on some super secret mission again, Tuk will go on her own. There’s plenty of room in the forest for everyone. The girl closes her eyes, takes a deep breath and listens to the world around her. Her heartbeat calms, takes on a steady rhythm and slows down. Mom taught her this. Tuk feels the glowing moss begin to warm under her fingers. Amid the chirping of birds and the sounds of nature, her sensitive hearing picks up the chewing of pa’lis who must’ve found some flowers by the lake a couple hundred paces away. Voices of tribal riders herding them come from the same direction. Chirping prolemuris try to snatch a succulent fruit or two from the gatherers' baskets. Ikrans dive through the foliage with muffled shrieks. Parents and older brother have returned from their hunt. Tuk opens her eyes and rises abruptly from the branch, then rushes through the forest, careful not to step on the ground. Lo’ak will get an earful for this, and this time she won’t feel a single pang of conscience. After all, how many times can he call her small and useless? She’s going to show them all! She will find something quaint and valuable for dad, so he’ll make a beautiful necklace for mom, worthy of the clan leader’s wife! Tsahìk will be so proud! Sometimes the girl stops and inspects the luminescent plants closer, looks under rocks and unconsciously mutters words of apology when she finds sleepy lizards, and gently touches the rough bark of trees wrapped in velvet vines. Kiri once found a bug trapped in resin. Maybe Tuk will get lucky too? But Tuk finds nothing. The forest is finally plunged into darkness, suddenly quiet and still. It shimmers with an unfathomable, somehow unfamiliar glow and breathes the approaching night at the girl. The air seems changed, strangely fresh and imbued with mystery. Tuk's tail whips restlessly at her feet, and the girl's eyes widen with fear as she realizes that the huge crag rising from the ground ahead, wrapped in a thin cascade of glowing ivy, is something she has never seen before. Echoes of thunder shoot through the sky, a solid wall of water is suddenly unleashed on the ground, and the girl flinches and falls into a crouch. It only takes a moment for the earth to turn into sopping mud, and Tuk can clearly see the imprint of her palm... next to a blurred footprint. It's human. Her heart begins to pound with fear. Tuk becomes all ears, tenses up and tries not to move, even though she really wants to wipe wet hair from her face. Raindrops whip against her back, hit leaves and rocks, clatter as if competing to make the loudest sound, and intertwine with the crackle of lightning tearing the sky, creating an unfamiliar beat, frightening in its suspense and violence. The girl doesn't realize she's crying again, in her mind calling her mom, dad, brothers and sister. As the wind picks up a wave of faded ivy from the crag, Tuk notices the darkness of a cave and rushes toward it, splashing at the mud. The air here is stale and sour, dragging and unfamiliar. She left the rain behind, but somehow, its sound seems much stronger, enwrapping her, making her eardrums ache. The girl screws up her eyes, covers her sensitive ears and takes a few awkward steps forward... And then her feet can no longer feel the ground, covered in streaks of water and crumbled rock. Tuk tries to grab onto something, but falls into the abyss.

***

Lo'ak's cheek and temple burn from a hard slap. He pulls his ears back and barely stops himself from baring his teeth and hissing at his father, as his tail slaps his thigh in frustration. Mom would not have forgiven this—she is already trying not to look at her guilty son, staring into faces of the Na'vi passing by the hut, trying to find Tuk instead. “You were supposed to be looking after your sister,” Jake's voice nails another obvious rebuke into his son's heart. Father adjusts the strap of his rifle over his shoulder and squeezes the grip so tight his knuckles turn white. His tail frantically swishes from side to side, “Where did you leave her?” “She left on her own,” Lo'ak wants to scream at the top of his lungs, so that even the Hallelujah Mountains could hear him, but instead he swallows the bitter lump of disappointment, “We asked her to stay in the camp, but...” “No more excuses, Lo'ak,” his father's voice remains calm, but as cold as a river in the morning. The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepen as he squints menacingly, stepping closer and looming over his son. The clan leader's patience has worn thin. With stoic calm, Lo'ak realizes that he won't get away with just a month-long ban on flying. Well, it wouldn't be the first time. “Ma Jake,” Neytiri calls to her husband. Her voice is worried, her thin hand touches Jake's shoulder. The ex-Marine suppresses the urge to curse and turns away from his youngest son. Lo'ak stares down at the hay beneath his feet. He catches a glimpse of Neteyam's disapproving squint - just like his father's! - and lets out an irritated sigh as lightning flashes and thunder rumbles in the distance. “We must go,” Neytiri says. “You're right,” Jake agrees. “Neteyam, you come with us.” “Me too...” Lo'ak looks up and the beads in his dreadlocks hit him on the cheek, the skin still tingling from the slap. “No,” the man cuts him off and prods the teen's shoulder, causing him to take a step back. The father bares his teeth and no longer holds back the hissing, “You've done enough.” “Dad,” Neteyam cuts in between him and his brother. Jake purses his lips in frustration, but still lets the older brother defend the younger, as he is used to. Lo'ak hides behind Neteyam's back, shoulders hunched, whispering something barely audible. The older brother twitches his ear, catching every word, but doesn't respond. “Let's find Tuk,” he says to his father. “What do you mean, find Tuk?” Kiri, who has just entered the hut, drops the wicker basket full of fresh herbs—the beads of rain are still glistening on them. Spider, who had been sitting silently in the corner, gets down from the box with supplies and hangs his head in guilt. The girl looks at him, at her father grinding his teeth, then at Lo'ak. He spits out a purely human “Fuck!” and covers his face as his sister flings herself at him with a growl, full of dread and despair, clutching his hair in fury.

***

Norm has barely opened the lid of his pod when, in the next second, a strong Na'vi hand yanks him from the silicone bed. The human shakes his head and focuses his gaze on the bright lab lights. He turns around in confusion and falls to the floor, trying to process the sudden awakening. “What is it, Jake?” the scientist rests his elbow on the sleeping pod and slowly gets to his feet, taking in the surroundings. His friend looks at him with his big golden eyes full of despair. Behind him the entire Sully family—Neytiri with her unblinking gaze fixed on him, Kiri in tears dragging the struggling Lo'ak by the scruff of his neck, the unusually grim-faced Neteyam holding his brother's shoulders, Spider frozen behind his adoptive brothers. Only... “Where's Tuk?” “You said you made her a tracking bracelet,” Jake wags his tail frantically, “Does she have it?” “Uh...” confusion is written on Norm's face, followed by pensiveness. The human rubs the bridge of his nose, then nods vigorously, “Y-yeah, yes! She put it on this morning.” “Can you track where Tuk is now?” Neytiri presses fingers to her twitching lips as Jake puts his arm around her shoulders, pulling her to his side. Right... Hold on a moment,” the scientist ruffles his hair and rushes into the next cubicle. He rummages through a box of wires, then a box of spare parts and electronics, finally pulling out a laptop with a communication module, and inserts a chip from his pocket. The Sullys follow him. The arrow on the map flickers mockingly over the territory of the temporary camp. Jake stares into the screen, his tense ears twitch at the slightest sound. Neytiri wraps her arms around his waist and rests her head on his shoulder, sniffling loudly. Jake strokes his wife's hair reassuringly. Meanwhile, Neteyam carefully releases Kiri's fingers from his younger brother's dreadlocks and pushes him aside. Lo'ak backs away to the wall, with a hollow look in his eyes. “No signal on the map,” Norm gulps. Neytiri scrunches her face and sobs louder, leaning forward, but Jake tightens his embrace. He opens his mouth to ask something, but the human starts tapping on the keyboard and says, “I built a microphone into her bracelet, we could try to listen in while the map comes back to its senses...” “I'm on it,” Max squeezes in between the Sullys and sits down in the chair next to Norm. He pulls closer to the main computer and adjusts his glasses, “Let's trace her path, or at least pinpoint her latest location.” Neteyam pats Kiri reassuringly on the shoulder and looks through the lab window at the dark shadow of the forest that looms over the temporary camp. It is drowning in fog and has lost its tranquil glow to the intense rain. Neteyam wags his tail impatiently. This is an excruciatingly long minute. “Please, Eywa,” he cries out in his mind, “please, may Tuk be alright!” “We got a signal!” Norm exclaims happily and pulls the speakers closer. He twists the knob, staring at the laptop. The Sullys press their ears to the back of their heads when the speakers squeak and make chaotic, unintelligible noises. Suddenly they hear Tuk's frightened hiss—Neytiri almost rushes to the speakers, but Jake stops her again. “It-it hurts,” the girl whimpers. Neteyam feels a pang in his heart and grips the hilt of the dagger that hangs from his woven belt. Thank Eywa, his sister is alive! But it doesn't mean he won't slit the throat of anyone who dares to hurt her. “Hush, little one,” an unfamiliar voice responds. She sounds like a teenager—not a child, but not an adult either. Tender, quiet, with a hint of sadness. Neteyam listens to it, feeling chills run down his spine. There is a noise, reminiscent of the sound of the wind, slightly vibrating. The stranger speaks again, “You're a big girl, aren't you?” “You sound just like my brother," Tuk sobs, but there is a sincere smile in her voice. There is a rustle of fabric over the speakers, a creak similar to that of a mattress, and the sound of a cap being unscrewed from a medicine bottle. “You have a brother?” the stranger asks with the same tenderness in her voice. It doesn't sound like Tuk is in any immediate danger. The teenager seems to have found the little girl and is now treating her wounds. The biggest problem right now is that she is human. And since Tuk hasn't made it back to the camp yet... Damn it! She might be in one of the remaining RDA bases. It seems, those bastards are not going to leave their family alone. The stranger says, “You sure had him worried today.” “Them. I have two brothers,” the speakers pick up the familiar jungle of beads on the little girl's wrist, and that feels strangely comforting. Tuk continues, “They are Neteyam and Lo'ak. And then there's my sister Kiri and Spider. They are really nice.” “Innocent child...” Neytiri whispers. “I can see that,” the sound of an elastic bandage being stretched is almost completely covered by the stranger's judgemental voice, “To leave a child alone in the forest... I'd get whipped for something like that.” “That's not a bad idea,” Jake gives Lo'ak a serious look. The younger brother presses himself against the wall next to one of the lockers, holding his breath, and tries to pretend he's a piece of furniture. After all, that's how he's been feeling in the family lately. “Do you have any brothers or sisters?” there is genuine interest in Tuk's voice. “Yep,” the stranger chuckles softly, “My younger brother is a pain in the ass, I have to pull him out of trouble all the time.” Neteyam can't help but smile with the corners of his mouth. Oh, he knows all about that! “Any sisters?” Tuk asks. “And my sis is so pretty,” the little girl laughs for some reason, then squeaks in embarrassment after a faint smack, “Just like you are.” "I'm almost as tall as you!" the little Na'vi mutters with resentment. “And I'm twice your age.” Neteyam does a quick mental calculation—the stranger seems to be about his age. “Grandma says I should listen to the elders,” Tuk's voice suddenly sounds husky, full of disappointment and guilt. “And you didn't listen and ran off into the forest instead, did you?” it's clear that the teenager thinks that was a stupid idea. “Yeah,” Tuk is sobbing now, trying to hold back the tears, “I let them all down... And made them worry too.” “That's not true.” Neteyam can almost see the stranger shake her head and hug his sister gently. The fabric rustles, Tuk's sobbing is muffled. Beads on her bracelet jingle quietly, her tiny fingers clutch the military uniform and the freshly washed sheet. “They are upset, but you didn't let anyone down.” Tuk takes some time to calm herself down, then asks with hope, “Do you think won't be mad?” “They will be happy you're safe and sound, little one,” the stranger sighs, “And hopefully I won't get an arrow in my chest when I take you back home.” Neteyam keeps smiling until he notices Kiri’s puzzled look and arched eyebrow, and forces a detached expression onto his face. “I won’t let anyone hurt you!” Tuk declares with all her courage, but a moment later she lets out a frightened squeak at the sound of a door being pulled away. The dragging silence is broken only by heavy, measured footsteps. Too familiar from army experience—Jake frowns and freezes, listening. “Hey Colonel,” the teenager says warmly. “At ease,” another voice belongs to a woman too—older, slightly hoarse, with stiffness in the tone, typical for the military. Tuk’s loud breathing calms down. That dissipates the invisible, yet thick veil of tension before the unknown, and both Neytiri and Neteyam relax. Only Jake, for some reason, is as still as a statue, not even his tail moving. “Found yourself another sister?” the woman speaks again, “You’re a lot bigger than I thought, kid.” “I’m a Na’vi. And you are… Who are you?” Tuk sounds confused. “Merely a human,” the stiff voice chuckles, “Why? Don’t we look alike?” “Uuuuhhhh…” the girl is in a deep thought, her tail seems to be hitting something soft, “Oh, so you are… her mom?” she suggests uncertainly. “That’s right. Name’s Elisabeth, but you can call me Liz.” Jake’s whole body shudders. Neytiri looks into his face—his pupils are dilated, almost completely covering the golden irises. “Ma Jake?” Neytiri is worried. “So… Auntie Liz?” Tuk concludes timidly. “Yes, auntie Liz.” “Mom…” the teen groans. “What is it?” “You have a roll-call soon,” she grumbles, “Don’t be late again—the rookies will laugh at you. If you don't have anything better to do, go and keep an eye on Alex." “Then why do I need you?” the older woman acts surprised, making Tuk giggle. There is some fidgeting and annoyed sniffling over the speaker, and then, “Now, who’s the best daughter in the whole world?” “Mom, come on!” “Do we have the coordinates?” Norm asks Max loudly, but he just shakes his head and returns his gaze to the monitor in order to continue the invisible battle against the stubborn glitchy map. Sweat drips down Jake’s forehead and neck as he stands still, dazed. Over the speakers, Tuk is asking the humans about something, but their voices come through to him muffled, jittered, so he doesn’t even try to listen. Jake’s tail swings like a metronome, following the beat of his heart. “We’ve got to save her, Ma Jake,” Neytiri pleadingly looks at her husband. “Okay, it's time for you to go to bed," Liz says as Tuk finishes telling the story about her cave adventures. There is a distinctive creaking of a bed as Liz gets up, “But first, we’re going to have some hot chocolate with milk.” “What’s ‘chocolate’?” Tuk asks with surprise, and suddenly yawns. “Oh, you’ll find out soon enough!” Liz whispers, as if telling her a big secret. “And you’re gonna like it.” There is thick silence. It weighs heavily on the father’s nerves. “What now?” asks the teen with annoyance—Neteyam would bet she’s rolling her eyes right now. “Go make hot chocolate for our guest,” Liz’s voice is stern—she won’t tolerate any excuses. Jake hunches his shoulders. Worried, Neytiri embraces him, pushing herself against him as tightly as she can. Her husband’s face is paler than when he fought the sky people, he smells of musk, there are hints of daze, sadness and… anguish? “Dad, is everything okay?” Kiri asks quietly. The man raises his hand, calling for silence, and immediately puts it down, not wanting to show the trembling of his fingers. “Mom, it’s late. And the kitchen is…” “Sully,” Liz interrupts with all her sternness. Even Norm and Max are shaken as they turn their heads. Jake shudders again. For a moment, memories take him back under the scorching sun, to the Marine training grounds. He can almost feel the dry and lifeless desert air burning his lungs. “Now, Sully.” “Okay,” the teenager gives in, “Let’s go make you hot chocolate, kiddo.” “Is your name really Sully?” Tuk asks as heavy army boots walk away. “Yeah,” the teen sighs, “Named after my father.”