The Runaway-Your parents child

‘Atso’s POV

         Walking through the forest in eerie silence made me uneasy. The awkward tension between me and Vera made me wonder how much I screwed up our friendship. Not to mention the last time we saw each other we were yelling like maniacs our goodbyes. Maybe now that we’re alone I could try to apologize. Just as I opened my mouth to, though, Vera’s voice cut in before I could say a thing.
        “It-it’s my parents…” I winced at the tone in her voice.
        “Vera?” she  ignored me and instead continued what she was saying.
        “They’re waving to me. They’re happy.” Her voice was soft and in a second I heard small dry leaves being crunched as she walked forward. I quickly stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
        “Vera, I’m sorry,” I started, “But no one’s there. It’s just the forest. It’s making you see things…” I felt Vera back away a bit from me, and I hoped that it meant she was regaining her senses.
        “Why should I believe you?” she suddenly snapped at me. I groaned. Nope, still in a trance. “Rather, HOW can I believe you when you’ve lied to me for four years?” I glared in her direction, anger bubbling up inside me. How can she possibly be more stubborn than my mom right now? Why can’t she at least forgive until Nodin gets better.
       “Gee I don’t know!” I put my finger to my chin, giving the sarcastic impression I was thinking before I snapped my fingers as if an epiphany hit me. “Oh wait, I know!  Maybe because it’s just a little suspicious how all of a sudden your abusive parents pop up in the middle of a forest all happy and smiling. Pretty much all the while saying, ‘come with us we’re sorry we ignored you and instead fought everyday of our lives. Let’s start a new life filled with happy bunny-kittens and rainbows!’ "
       Definitely the wrong say to a pissed off Vera. Her voice rose as she began waving her arms hysterically.
       “Excuse me, Mr. Boo-hoo-I-have-famous-and-important-parents-that-saved-the-world-so-I-obviously-have-to-runaway-to-live-a-normal-life!” She placed a rough hand on my shoulder and shoved me away, in a second, her footsteps faded away completely.
       “Damn…” was the only thing I could think.

       I don’t know how long it had been since Vera ran off, all I know is that I was probably around the center of the forest by now……..I think. It was times like this when I wished I could see, maybe it’d give me a better sense of direction.
I trudged my father into the woods, stopping in intervals to create a slight breeze to form out shapes. Why couldn’t it have been a windy day so I wouldn’t have to keep wasting my time? I continued like this for a while before I heard the snap of a twig.
       I quickly turned my head and made a large breeze to try and figure out what was there. Yet there was nothing.
After a moments hesitation I turned back around until finally I heard it.
      “My, my, you ARE your parents’ child aren’t you?” I gasped and started to “look” around again. There was definitely a figure there. It was large, and judging by the sounds it made when it moved, I was guessing it was a wolf-snake since it sounded like it slithered. The cold voice was masked by a kindness I didn’t trust.
       “Who are you?” I yelled out. The Wolf Snake (?) only laughed lightly.
       “My name is of no importance. I am, however, wondering why the son of the greatest earthbender and the Avatar is wandering about my forest.”
       “You’re forest?” I asked. “You’re the spirit then! What have you done with my friends?” The Wolf Snake laughed harshly as it slithered around me.
       “Really? Are you sure all of them consider you as a friend? That earthbender girl, Vera I believe, she can’t stand you. Do you know that her perfect world is a world where you didn’t exist to hurt her like you did? She trusted you…” I felt the familiar bubbling sensation of hated in my stomach.
      “Shut up!” I yelled as I sent a violent air current towards the spot where I thought his head was.
      “Pathetic.” It murmured, “You really should improve upon your bending. It’s a shame you’re  among the last of the airbenders. Wouldn’t it be nice if you COULD improve, easily at that? Maybe then it wouldn’t be as hard to face your father… “ The voice as if it were a hypnosis, trying to claim me as a victim.
     “You could if you stayed here you know. I have connection to the spirit world, all I need to do is bring an airbender over. Maybe I could even help you see…you’d be happy too. Look at the others.”
Suddenly I felt the presence of the four girls I came with. Kya seemed to have a happy aura around her. She was probably smiling and waving too. Nadira was laughing as if she didn’t have a care in the world. And Vera? She was talking to air. But that was it. It was an illusion. Each one was being tricked into false happiness. I felt the anger return.
    “Why are you doing this?” I finally asked. “Why don’t you just let people live their lives the way it’s supposed to be instead of…of…”
    “Of what? Of a world filled with lives.” The being laughed harshly, “I could ask you the same thing.” I heard it turn the other way as it continued it speech. “Why stay in their real life unhappy? Why  not runaway from it all and stay here? Here, where they can be, where they can get, whatever they want.”
    The being laughed again. “Still wondering why you can’t understand it…” I was breathing heavily in annoyance and anger by then.
   “Because it’s not right!” I muttered before I threw another blast of air. The Wolf Snake sounded angry the next time it spoke.
   “Fine, have it your way…” In a second I heard it sliding along the forest floor, growling. I jumped high into the air, using airbending to give me an extra boost. My mind, by then, was panicking, I can’t fight. I haven’t used my airbending other than escape or to see for as long as I can remember. He charged at me again while I jumped again, trying to come up with a plan.
    Before my mind could register what happened, I heard a loud crack of a tree and guessed that it crashed after I jumped for the third time. When I landed, I panted for a while, trying to catch my breath when I was suddenly bombarded by Kya’s small figure, giving me a hug. Nadira was in the background snickering.
    “Looks like you did it, Mr. Ballerina Toes.” She said as Kya giggled at my nickname.
   “Good job, ‘Atso.” She said while Vera was walking towards the tree the Wolf Snake crashed into. I guessed she was either examining the tree or the snake.
   “I got the leaves.” She whispered after walking back towards us.
   “Then I guess we should go.” I heard Nadira say. “That thing could wake up any minute and I’m not going to be hypnotized ‘cause you slackers are sitting around.” The walk back to Appa was silent, Nadira eventually lost her witty remarks and instead there was an awkward silence. The night’s ride was even quieter. When Sandris asked what had happened, no one answered.
    When everyone fell asleep, I lay on Appa’s back. The Wolf Snake’s words still ringing in my ears.
        You are your parents’ child.