Fever heard the ruckus behind her- laughter and playful words- but didn't join in. She walked in silence, a heavyness to her treads quite unlike airbenders. She felt as if every step she took was taking her back to her past, which she knew she would have to conquer. Namely her father.
But she didn't want to.
I don't want to. Fever thought, a sharp stab of terror blooming in her chest.
She had never really acknowledged it, but she was scared of that man; more than anyone in the world. He had beaten her as a little girl. She had gotten broken bones and permanent emotional scars from him.
She found herself squeezing her eyes shut, and forced them open.
After a few moments she couldn't bear it; the idea of travelling back to the Fire Nation. Or at least, travelling in a way that acknowledged it.
She spun around, eyes wide and face flushed. "Keep walking." She breathed. "I'll catch up."
Without another word she bolted into the woods.