Invisible String - Jake Sully

21

Jake nodded against her shoulder, pulling her away to see her face.

"You need to understand that we are now mates, Jake. Your burden is my burden. I will help you through it all, just as promised," Tawn said reassuringly.

Jake nodded, "I won't do this again, I promise," he was grateful that Eywa gave him a thoughtful mate. "where are the kids?"

"Tuk and Kiri are feeding the ilu," Tawn said, "I don't know where Lo'ak and Neteyam are," she trailed off, not liking the idea that they suddenly disappeared.

Jake cursed, "I got a bad feeling about this."

Tawn looked at him worriedly, "should we look for them?"

Jake nodded, interlacing their hands and leading her towards the shore, searching for Tuk and Kiri.

Each minute passed by without seeing their children made Tawn nervous. She was spiralling. Where were they? Kiri told her she wouldn't go anywhere far.

'Oh, Great Mother, why today?' She thought.

Her chest felt constricted, and her breathing got heavier and heavier until she stumbled over her feet from the stress. It was a good thing Jake caught her on time.

"Tawn, I need you to focus, okay? I'm sure they're fine," he soothed, noticing her distress.

Tawn inhaled deeply, trying to calm her heartbeat and exhaled.

"That's right. It's okay, my love," Jake assured, patting her back softly, "they are all right. We should ask one of their friends."

Tawn nodded, walking back to the village, holding Jake's hand for dear life. The two of them were now on a mission to find their kids.

They asked every one of the villagers who crossed their path the questions. They were desperate. Jake knew somewhere out there, Quaritch's ship was still roaming around, waiting for them to take the bait, waiting for him.

He knew the more they let them roam around freely, the more danger they were in. 

Tawn was asking one of Aonung's friends about their whereabouts when Jake heard Lo'ak's voice from his comm.

"Lo'ak?"

Tawn turned towards Jake with relief. She grabbed his hand in a desperate attempt to calm her nerves.

"Where are you guys?" Jake asked, his eyes didn't leave Tawn.

Tawn bit her lip impatiently. Her heart was beating out of her chest, waiting for their reply.

"What?! Who's there with you?" The look on Jake's face didn't help her. It was doing the exact opposite.

Tawn watched Jake close his eyes in frustration, "Listen to me carefully. Get out of there quickly. I'll come to get you," he said to Lo'ak before turning towards Tawn, "we need to find your sister."

Tawn nodded, walking briskly towards her sister's Marui, followed by Jake.

"Sister! Tonowari!" Tawn barged in, alerting the two.

"What happened?" Ronal asked her sister with concern.

"It's the kids," Jake walked in behind her, looking at Tonowari and Ronal with apprehension, "they are helping a tulkun who's in danger at the three brothers' rocks. They are all in danger," he explained quickly.

Tonowari grunted in agitation, "The demon ship?" he asked with slight fear in his eyes.

Jake nodded solemnly.

Ronal let out a strangled cry for her children while Tonowari immediately sprang into action, alerting his warriors to prepare for the battle.

Tawn didn't even see if her sister was all right when Jake tugged her with him, leading her to their marui to get their weapons.