"Chapter One: An Unexpected Ally"
She could tell by how deep the ladle was going into the pan that dinner was almost run out, but there were still people in front of her. It was like this every day, there was no line, no-one cared when you got here or how long you'd been waiting. No-one cared for the sick and elderly either, for that matter. Liling sighed, and tip-toed, hoping the man handing out dinner would notice her, but it seemed she had no such luck. She was being elbowed left and right by people trying to get something to eat.
She didn't care much for her fellow prisoners and for the most part didn't even see them that way. There was no unison amongst them, no sense of being part of a group. If anything, they were her competition as they all tried to get to the same precious resources, because that's what food and a blanket to sleep under had become. Liling wished she could go back to the days she took these things for granted.
She was getting closer and closer, and held out her bowl like everyone else. "Was that everyone? Heh, I didn't think we'd be so lucky today", a voice said as she heard the metallic clunk of the ladle being dropped into the empty pan. That wasn't everyone, she thought, but what was she to do about it? It was just one of those days. She walked over to her usual spot, and kneeled against the railing of the rig. She watched the sunset, trying to ignore the empty feeling in her stomach. The sunsets were just about the only good thing about being here, she loved to watch as the sun seemed to sink into the ocean, colouring the sky and waves alike. If I ever get out of here, I'll paint sunsets. So many sunsets…
She probably wasn't getting out though, she didn't think anybody was. She'd likely grow old and die in this place, far from her family or her home. She pushed the thought from her mind, and her eyes wandered up again, allowing the beauty of the evening sky to distract her. She turned around, leaning her back against the railing, and closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of the day's last rays of sunlight on her back. As her attention was turned elsewhere, she didn't notice the approaching guard until his dark shadow loomed over her, and he addressed her with a gruff "Hey!". She jerked her head up to see the tallest man she'd ever laid eyes on, and she could instantly feel her heart beating in her throat as she instinctively leaned into the railing, creating what little distance she could between herself and her enemy. He was one of the benders, his face obscured by his helmet, but she could feel his eyes burning into hers.
"I-I didn't do anything," she stammered defensively, bringing her arms up to her chest. To her surprise, the guard took a step backwards, turned his head as if he was looking for something, raised his hand and dropped it to his side again in an awkward gesture. "No, I know, that's… that's not why I'm here." He let out a heavy, defeated sigh. "I'm sorry." Liling raised her eyebrows. What on earth's going on, she thought. What does he want from me? The guards usually didn't pay any attention to their prisoners, but when they did it was never good news.
The firebender gestured at her empty bowl. "You're hungry, right? Can I… do you want some?" He held out his own bowl, and Liling swallowed hard as she saw it was filled to the brim with steaming hot meat and vegetables. She tentatively reached out, but quickly withdrew her hand again. He was playing some stupid joke, he had to be. Some of the guards liked bullying the prisoners. They mostly seemed to enjoy kicking them or making them trip, but maybe this guy wanted to play a different game. She'd been spared the cruelty of the guards so far, but that was probably just luck. She frowned, lips pursed. The guard knelt beside her in a swift motion, and she quickly raised her arms even higher to protect her face.
Nothing happened. Slowly, she lowered her arms again, and saw her bowl, now filled with food that looked and smelled better than anything she'd had in a long time. He'd actually given her some! She took up the bowl, still half expecting the guard to yank it from her hands, but he didn't. Didn't even look like he spat in it... Maybe her day would end on a high note this time. Her eyes sought to meet his, but he quickly looked away, and he brought his hand up as if to brush it through his hair, very nearly knocking his helmet off his head. Liling barely suppressed a giggle. "Thank you," she said with a smile, averting her eyes again. She didn't really know what else to say. The guard hastily rose back to his feet. "You're welcome," he said, "I uh, I should get going." He sighed again, as if he wanted to say more but didn't know what, and shrugged. "Goodbye then." Liling couldn't stop the smile that spread on her face. "Goodbye sir. Thank you again!" She watched him walk away with a strange feeling in her gut. She felt happy, and light. Today was a good day. Whatever made this guard decide to help her out, she hoped he would do it again. If she could somehow make an ally out of him, her life would be so much easier…