Juris

Jasper was nice to let us stay at his place for the night.

Too nice for my taste.

Sure, maybe he's lonely. He's been spending the whole time telling us his story. How his family hated the idea of elements staying together, but since he watched us four get along, he thought there was nothing wrong with it. Then raiders came in his town, shooting anyone on spot. That's what sent him in the woods. He ran away, at the time not thinking about his family or anyone else.

"I wasn't sure who to come back to. I didn't know the exact location of where your base is. And going back to my home wasn't an option. So, here I am."

We all smile at Jasper as he shares. It's sad, truly, that he left his family, that he'll probably never see them again.

I was afraid that he would blame it all on us, but not once does he say anything like that.

"You could still go back to our base, but I don't even think they care about us." Lana says.

"I think I'll just wait it out," Jasper says, "besides, I've just gotten to get used to this place."

"It is very nice." Aira says, munching on a rabbit leg.

It's silent for a while. It's getting dark out, and I'm surprised Aira and Lana aren't trying to leave soon. I'm suspicious. Not just because of that, but also because Lana and Jasper were talking for a while when they were getting water cups. I'm overthinking, of course, because who can you trust? I just don't want Jasper saying anything to Lana that'll change anything. Even though he sounds like he's real, you never know.

"When do you think it'll end?" Jasper spits out.

We all sit in silence.

"Until it's all destroyed."

We all look at Aira, who's eyes are watering. She keeps her gaze at the fire, not at all glancing up at us.

"What?" I ask.

"Until this world is destroyed," Aira repeats, like I actually didn't hear her.

Oh, but I did.

"There's no way this war will end. How can there be a winner? If we win, people will still hate the other elements. If they win, the others will never go back home. The war will end once everything in this world will die. The killing-it'll never stop. Not until one side is totally gone."

I've never heard Aira talk about this kind of stuff so easily. She's not the type to think about dying, and how that's the only answer.

Now this scares me.

Aira. Innocent, nice, cheerful. Hearing those words come out of her mouth frightens me. She's changing, and I don't even think she can help it.

"I'm getting real tired. Let me show you your beds." Jasper changes the subject. We all get up, and I expect Aira to start crying or losing it...

Nothing.

Lana looks at me, and I stare back at her worriedly. 'Do something', I imagine Lana telling me, but I can't find anything to say. I usually do, I always find something to say.

Hell, we're all losing it.

Jasper shows us our beds that he made, and we all get settled. I watch as Aira lays down and immediacy turns on her side to sleep.

Again, not like her. Usually she would be too worried to sleep. She usually worries about Paytah.

"Take care of her." Lana whispers so quietly only I can hear it.

"Both of us." I say, and she pauses before she nods.

I get a weird feeling.

"What's up with you?" I ask. Lana stares at me for a moment, before finally speaking. "I'm worried about her."

"Why are you telling me to take ca-"

"Shut up, I'm tired."

Well, for one we all know Lana hasn't changed. That makes me feel a bit better. I smile at her, and she actually smiles back.

She rests a hand on my shoulder. "You're a good friend, earth boy."

"I know. And you're alright. Little annoying at some times. Oh, and also you make fun of my element. And-"

"I get it." She says, and I can't help but laugh a little.

"Why are you telling me this now?" I ask, curious. Lana is never one to start talking so nicely and caring at random.

"When's the last time someone has said you were a good friend."

I think about that. Not for a while, since I got captured.

"Sometimes people need that once in a while. A thank you or somethin." She says.

"Well, thanks." I say, smiling.

She snorts a little. "Yeah. Thanks."

***

I wake up, automatically knowing I had a good sleep when I see the marks all over my arms and stomach. I see Aira is also getting up slowly, but Lana isn't here. Maybe she's out with Jasper or something.

I stand up, bones cracking as I go. My mother used to worry about my bones cracking all the time, because I'm so long and lanky. But it feels good to stretch.

I walk outside, looking around.

"Hey." I turn around and see Jasper walking outside too.

"Hey, where's Lana?"

He looks at me for a moment, like he's thinking how to answer...

I immediately wrap vines around him before he can use his element. I push him up against a tree and he cries out.

I knew it. I knew something was off.

"What did you do to her?!" I yell, pushing him harder.

Aira has now come out, staring at me worriedly.

"I didn't do anything to her!" He cries, "she-"

"Tell me!" I'm so filled with anger I wish I had Paytah's power so I could burn his ass.

"She left! On purpose!"

I stop for a moment, rereading his words in my head. "What? She left? Where?"

"To get your friend. She thought it was better to go alone. She didn't want you risking your lives-"

"When did she leave?"

"Five hours ago, I think."

I push him to the ground and walk away, filled with anger but adrenaline.

Aira looks at me, about ready to cry.

'Take care of her'. Lana said. She knew. She knew she was going to leave. With all those things she said to me yesterday.

She knew.

I feel hurt, I feel abandoned. But now I feel even more determined. Lana knew this was a big risk, that our life's could be lost.

Aira and I leave immediately. The thought that Lana thought she could get away with this, that only she could risk her life.

Nice try Lana, nice try.

••••••

Hello!!!

Another chapter!!

Hope you liked it, even though it was kind of boring !

Pleaseeeeeee vote and comment!!!!

You guys are the best, thank you!!