Chereads / Book One: Learning / Chapter 15 - Chapter Fourteen: Blood

Chapter 15 - Chapter Fourteen: Blood

Harmony's eyes opened slightly and a smiling face came into her groggy view. "Hey, sleepyhead. Time to get up." Nyla brushed the hair from her friend's face.

"Ny? What are you doing here?"

"I went to check on you. You've been asleep for 10 hours."

"Wow.. sounds like I took the best nap ever." Her arms stretched above her head. "I am so hungry."

"I had a feeling you'd say that. Wash your face and head to the dining room. Jinora made the most AMAZING rice and Macaroons. The tea's not so bad either."

She smiled. "I know how much you love your food. I'm starving. Is Amaruq still on the Island?"

"Yeah, cuz Jinora thought it would be safer for him.." Nyla's arms crossed over her chest and her face turned bright red.

"You really don't like him, huh?"

"He's just some random street urchin."

"Uh, aren't we street urchins too?"

"Not anymore. You're the Avatar! You're not even allowed to be associated with that term." She smiled brightly. "You're at the top of the food chain, Har."

Harmony sighed. "Come on, Ny. You know what we are deep down."

"Whatever. Get ready and I'll see you there."

Harmony pulled her shirt over her head and let her eyes wander around the room. She grabbed pants from the floor and slid her boots on. Time to go see everyone.

Her teachers and friends talked and ate around the table. Smiles and laughs filled her ears. "Hello, everyone."

"Good morning, Harmony. How did you sleep?" Jinora sipped her tea.

"Har! We saved you a spot right here." Bolin waved his arm wildly in the air, gesturing to a spot between him and Asami.

"Thanks.." She sat down, eyeing the food on the table.

"Well, dig in. I helped Jinora make the Macaroons, although, I'm not a very good chef." Asami scratched the back of her neck. I took one and crunched harshly on the small pastry. "You don't like it?"

"Mmmm mmm. So tasty. You both did a great job." I swallowed and stuck my tongue out. "I don't mean to sound rude. I'm grateful you all did this." She slurped up some noodles to the side of her and burped. "Sorry! Sorry.."

Laughter erupted in the room, while Harmony's head went down and she covered her blushing face.

"That's my girl." Nyla and Amaruq spoke in unison then glared at each other. "No, she's MY girl. Shut it, loser."

"Guys, please. I didn't think I'd have to be a peacemaker with my own friends." She sighed heavily and continued eating her food.

"Sorry, Harmony." Amaruq grabbed his arm.

"Yeah, he's sorry."

Harmony put a hand to her head. "Guys..."

After dinner, Harmony made her way around the island and took in the feeling of being back home and free. She found herself at the docks and saw a figure on the water. She froze when a ship was making its way to the island. "Oh my... what the hell is that?"

Amaruq was behind her. "Hey, Harmony. I was wondering if.. Harmony?" He stood at her side and looked in the distance.

"You see it too?"

"Should we get the others?"

"No. Get out of here. If it's who I think it is, this is between me and her."

The boat entered the dock and proved Harmony's suspicions to be true. Jin stepped off of the metal ship, staring deeply into the eyes of the young waterbender in front of her. "You tired to escape me. I will NOT be taken as a joke. Face me like a real Avatar would!" She pulled out a metal rope from her side and whipped it in her direction. "I may not be able to bend, but you won't be able to escape again."

Harmony's foot was caught on the rope, pulling her straight into the floor. She grabbed on the metal and tried to take it off of her leg. "Ugh!" She punched her fist into the ground and threw a makeshift disc at her opponent.

Jin pulled back her weapon and dodged the attack. "Cheap shots won't save you."

"They'll certainly help!" She stood, running towards the arena.

"What a distraction! You lured me here as to not make a mess. It won't help. I'm not leaving until I get what I want."

"You don't have to do this--"

"You're wrong!" She slashed the rope and Harmony fell to her knees to dodge the attack.

The weapon cut along the neck of her shirt. She lifted water from a nearby source, protecting herself with a bubble and thrashing water in Jin's direction.

She threw her tattered jacket to the side, eyeing her shirt that contained cuts around the neck and sleeves. "You think you're the Avatar? You can't even save your friend!" Jin was standing, holding her ground against the bender in front of her.

Harmony's eyes widened. "What are you saying? What did you do? Where is Nyla!?"

"You're going to rot in prison. You'll never see her again and it's all. Your. Fault."

"Stop. Stop it!" She lifted her hands in the air and closed her eyes. The silence was broken by groaning. She opened her eyes, to see Jin struggling to stand.

Her knees failed, forcing her body to kneel before Harmony. "What.. w-what are you.. d. Doing? I can't. Move." Jin tried to move her arms; she shook violently on the floor.

"I.. I don't know." Harmony's arms felt tight, yet loose at the same time as if she was moving water on any other day.

"How.. How are you doing that?" Amaruq stood at the scene before he ran into the area, putting his hands on Harmony's shoulders. "Hey, take it easy. Breathe and let your hands relax. Lower them slowly."

She followed his instructions. "I'm so sorry. I didnt mean to." Her eyes were burning as a knot began to grow in her throat.

"It's ok. I'm here." He held her in arms. "Lets go. She'll be out for a while, so we have time to get outta here." He gestured to the woman lying motionless on the floor.

"How did I even do that?" Her head pounded with a sharp pain. "My.. head..." Her body fell limp and the world went in and out of the darkness surrounding her.

"Har? Harmony, stay with me. Don't close your eyes. I'm gonna get you to Jinora. Please stay awake." Amaruq ran as fast as he could to her teacher. "She's not doing too well. Jin's on the Island."

"We have to get her out of here. Asami, do you still have that safe house in the Capital?"

"Of course I do. We have to leave now."

"There's something else you all should know.." He lowered his head.

"Spit it out, kid. What's wrong with Harmony?" Mako grabbed his collar and growled at him.

"She.. Harmony can bloodbend."