The Fire's Beginning
The sun burned into my eyes as I stepped out of the cave, drying my hair instantly. I breathed deeply, taking in the warm summer air. My muscles complained as I stretched fully, cramped from my long sleep. Then I sighed. It was morning. I was going to miss my small, wet cave out in the middle of nowhere. It almost made me feel safe. But I had to leave. My food was slowly diminishing and I had no way to obtain more. I picked up my bag, taking out my mask in the process. I put my mask over the right side of my face and stepped out into the forest, turning around in time to catch the last sight of my cave. As I was walking, all I could do was dread what I would have to do next. I just don't want to be caught again. Never.
The boat rocked slowly up and down. A teenage boy dressed in a green tunic was glaring at the waves with a hard anger, as if they were the sources of all his troubles. Just then, an old man with a long beard rushed towards him.
"Nephew, nephew!" he cried as he stopped next to the boy, catching his breath.
"What is it, Uncle?" the boy growled, still staring down into the deep water.
"Do you want some tea?" the old man grinned and pulled out a tea set.
The boy stared at his Uncle in silence.
"Well?" said the old man, "there's only a bit left."
His face slowly growing redder, the boy opened his mouth, and then seemed to decide against it. He shook his head, and turned back to the waves.
"Hmm, suit yourself" the man said as he sipped his cup of tea, relishing the flavour.
Both looked as another teenage boy came running towards them.
"Hey thanks for the help last night, Lee," he said as he reached them.
"I already told you," Lee said, turning back again, "it's no big deal."
"Sure was fun now." said the other teenager, twirling a piece of wheat in his mouth.
Lee grunted as the other boy walked back to his friends.
The old man was silent as he looked at his nephew.
"I'm glad you got us some food, Lee but…" he said.
"I know," Lee said quietly, "keep a low profile." There was silence for a few minutes.
"When we get there, don't forget to -" the old man suddenly cut off as a shout came from the cabin.
"Land ahoy! Land ahoy!" Silence. And then the whole boat cheered.
"We're here." the old man smiled.
It had been hours. I had been in the line for so long that my legs were getting cramped. I hadn't realised there would be so many refugees, like me. Another boat was coming in, bursting to the seams. This was going to take forever.
Lee picked up their bags and walked off the boat, to be granted a full view of the crowd below. His mouth fell open.
There're so many refugees! I can't believe my nation did this! He thought. Just then someone banged into him from behind.
"Watch where you're going - oh…" Lee shouted, before he turned to see the other teenage boy behind him. "Sorry," Lee said.
"No problem," he grinned, "how 'bout we go down as a group?" Lee nodded and they walked off the boat, the boy's friends and Lee's uncle trailing behind.
The two boys put their bags down on a bench and sat down.
"So what brought you guys here?" the boy asked.
Lee stared at his hands, his face calm. Only his uncle would have known how he was really feeling. That his face should have been contorted in agony instead. But the boy seemed to understand.
"It's okay, you don't have to tell me," he said, "but just remember that problems ignored are problems doubled." Lee stared at him as he stood up. "I should know," the boy smiled, and walked over to his friends.
The old man sat down next to Lee. "So, nephew, are you excited?" he grinned. "All we need now is some tea!" Lee groaned and started rummaging through his bag. "There you go." he said quietly, passing a tea cup to his uncle.
"But where am I supposed to get some?" his uncle asked.
Just then, a man walked past pushing a cart, "hot tea, get your hot tea here!"
"Convenient!" the old man beamed. Lee rolled his eyes as his uncle went up to the man.
When his uncle sat down again, Lee said quietly, "what's our plan when we get to the city?" There was a pause. "Uncle?" he asked.
"This isn't hot!" the old man shouted. Lee jumped. "How dare you," his uncle grumbled, and put his hand above the cup. He clenched his fist, and then put his hand back down on the bench. "That's better." he said.
Lee sat up straight and looked at his uncle. "You didn't…" he whispered.
He heard the other boy gasp as he looked at them. In a reflex, Lee hit the tea cup out of his uncle's hand. It hit the ground with a crash as hot tea made a puddle around the shards.
"What was that for?" his uncle asked.
"You know we can't…" Lee growled. "I can't believe you," he said, ignoring stares from the crowd surrounding them. "Let's go"
Lee didn't look at the other boy as they passed. He was frightened of what the other boy's face might say.
I'd finally reached the end of the line. The man at the booth asked for my ticket and I gave it to him, careful not to look him in the eye.
"Your name?" he asked.
"Jaya," I replied without blinking.
"All seems to be in order," he said, "you may go,"
"Thank you," I replied, hitching my bag up my shoulder and walking towards the gates.
"I'm finally here," I said quietly, "the Impenetrable City. Ba Sing Se."