I Hope for Freedom

Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender doesn't belong to me. Shocking, I know.

Friendship in difficult times

Aang lifted and hit the pick-axe against tough dirt and rock. He had to take a break after nearly every hit. He got shouted at by an overseer until the man tired of him and sent him to the end of the line. It was Aang's third day and all he got so far were jeers and sexual assaults.

Worse I have to get used to sleeping at night instead of during the day, Aang thought, I'm exhausted.

"Break! Group 7!"

Aang dropped the pick-axe and panted. Xin Fu said he had to do this for a month. Most of those picked from his section were only needed for a maximum of four days. A few strong ones got a week. He shit his eyes and prayed for nightfall. Even if it was not his usual sleep time, he was already exhausted.

Suddenly a shadow eclipsed him.

"Not now, Pipsqueak," Aang said tiredly and flashed him away.

In response the huge teenager slammed Aang into the wall. He forced the small boy out of the hole he created and flung him on the ground.

Aang was in too much pain to speak. He could barely move his fingers much less his body.

"Just for that," Pipsqueak snarled, "I'm doing you right here, right now," he said horrifying Aang, "no one disrespects me!"

"Let him go," Toph said suddenly.

The busling and going stopped. Toph was one of the best benders in her group and in general. That and her defiance and strength earned her respect despite her young age. Plus she was a mean fighter when ready. Those in authority (like guards, supervisors and her master) she'd obey but she didn't take crap from other workers and many steered clear.

"Go on your break little girl," the sixteen year old Pipsqueak told her, "he's nothing to you," he growled, he was over six feet tall and huge, he could crush Toph with one foot if he could catch her.

I walked away beaming.

"But this space is," Toph countered, "you know it's a no screw zone, get going," she snarled.

Pipsqueak glared at her then turned to Aang. "I'll be seeing you later."

Aang shook and coughed as Pipsqueak left. When he became less disoriented he quickly pulled up his pants and curled up into a ball. He felt completely worthless and shamed.

"You need to toughen up down here twinkle toes," Toph said to him, "being a BRP doesn't help you already."

"Short for Bottom Rate Prostitute, clever," Aang said still catching his breath, "my name's Aang," he added.

"It's whatever I want it to be," Toph said, "deal with it."

"Okay," Aang conceded, "your name's Toph, right?" he checked, "top girl bender, one of the best?"

"Most definitely," Toph said happily, "now I'm off, you should do the same unless you want to miss what's left of your break," she said and hurried off.

Aang stood up and walked to the 'bathroom' pain stakingly. It was actually a space etched out of the dirt with a hole in the middle. He moved aside the dirty cloth used as a door immediately threw up in the hole. The room stank of sweat and human waste. He kneeled over the hole and breathed deeply until he was sure his stomach was empty.

He turned to leave only to see a figure and got grabbed by the neck.

"Miss me?" Pipsqueak asked with an evil grin.

(Toph's POV)

I was back and ready to work by the time break was up. I used my feet to feel over to Pipsqueak's post and 'see' if he was back. He wasn't and my heart sank. There were too many people for me to feel for Aang in the back but I had a feeling he wasn't there. And if he wasn't, it would be my own fault for not minding my business.

"I'm sorry Aang," I whispered and blinked back tears, I didn't know him but something about him drew him to me. Something innate, I couldn't control it.

It was nearly an hour later before I suddenly heard deep billowing laughter. Pipsqueak's laughter. He was back and went to work after a loud stern warning from a supervisor. He could get those kinds of things as a top pick axe worker and strong person in general. A regular worker would've gotten beat down in front of everyone. And that would just be the beginning of his punishment.

"Where's the little one?" a worker whispered jokingly but I heard him since I had stopped for a moment pretending something was stuck in my foot and was listening keenly since I 'hobbled' nearby to sit down.

"Getting used to the facilities," Pipsqueak whispered back and my fists clenched, "you lost?" he asked darkly and I realized he discovered me.

"Can't a blind girl check her foot in peace," I said loudly pretending to be bothered by him.

"Hey!" the overseer shouted, "leave the bender alone!" he snapped at Pipsqueak, "girl, you should consider wearing sandals, you'd get spared a pair for your work," he said since many regular workers in our group wrapped their feet in rags.

"Master Xin Fu gave me permission because wearing footwear interferes with my bending," I reminded him, "you don't want me bending wrong do you?"

One of the supervisors chuckled. I quickly got back to work before the overseer decided to cause me trouble.

It seemed forever but there was a sudden hush. I kept working and waited to hear what was happening.

"Listen up!" a man shouted and everyone stopped along with myself, "I'm a guard, not a baby sitter," he spat, "found one of yours when my bitch ran up saying something was in the toilet," he announced and I realized with horror where Aang had been, "a few of us got him out and taught him a lesson since he won't say who put him there," he told everyone, "anyone know who I'm talking about?"

No one answered. When someone was caught outside their work station or assigned cell without permission. You didn't speak up for them unless you planned to share in their punishment.

"Well he'll be back to work soon enough," the guard said, "and next time, I'm punishing everybody if I don't get a name."

There was a spring of protest. They included working claiming not to be responsible for a cheap whore. I got back to work and drove down my anger for later.

As soon as we got off I knew it was late. I immediately moved to the bottom of the line. Pipsqueak was already there and I could pick up on a battered creature I knew sadly was Aang.

"You'll behave now won't you," Pipsqueak sneered, "marked you good with my pick, Pipsqueak big and bold on that belly of yours," he said, "couldn't do your thigh since both are filled with guard names and your back had quite a collection of worker names," he said and Aang sniffled, "you're a regular sex buffet aren't you?" he teased.

I knew what Pipsqueak meant. A lot of workers whether by force or choice got names marked into their skins by others. Quite few were workers/slaves themselves but like all who marked someone; they made it clear that they had a special claim to that individual. The more names marked into you, the lower you were considered. If Pipsqueak was telling the truth Aang was at the lowest of the low. And now Pipsqueak had added his name to the tiny boy's body.

"What do you want?" Pipsqueak demanded and for the first time in my life his loud voice made me stepped back, "what is he to you?" he hissed.

"Pipsqueak," Aang spoke and his voice was tight and small, "give me a moment with her?" he asked.

"And what do I get?" Pipsqueak countered.

"I'll tell you what…." I started to explode.

"Whatever you want," Aang said ignoring me, "you get what you want," he conceded.

"Is that so?" Pipsqueak asked, "then you're my property, permanently," he said, "or you never see her again, whatever you think of this thing," he referred to me.

I earth bended him into the wall and ignored his curses.

"What are you doing?" Aang asked terrified.

I laughed at first but then I realized Pipsqueak would take out his anger on someone late. And right now Aang was the number one candidate. I quickly let Pipsqueak out.

"You bitch!" Pipsqueak roared, "just wait…I…" he said but just then a few guards passed by.

I turned to Aang using the opportunity to speak to him. "I'm so sorry, I've made everything worse for you."

"Thank you."

I was taken a back. That was not the response that I expected.

"I'm glad you intervened earlier and now," Aang told me.

"Is that so?" Pipsqueak cut in.

"Butt out," Aang said angrily, "you cut me off again and I'll bide my time," he threatened, "you know what boys like me do to guys like you."

I was shocked silent. Some slaves who were driven beyond what they could bear did harmful things to those they hated despite the consequences. Ones like Aang usually did something damaging to the target's penis.

"Ok," Pipsqueak backed off, "but I'm waiting right here," he added, "let's see how mouthy you are when I bend you over."

I could pick up on Aang's shaking. He was putting up a brave front but he was terrified. And I was terrified for him.

"Toph, don't beat yourself up," Aang said to me, "I'm glad to meet someone who doesn't just walk away," he said, "no matter what people say, it's not better to mind your own business," he told me, "it's just selfish and only accomplishes your own survival."

"That's what I usually do," I admitted.

"Well I'm glad to be that special," Aang said and I could feel a smile in his voice.

"So….what does this mean?" I asked.

"I hope it means we can be friends," Aang said surprising me, "especially with a girl so pretty," he added.

"You two dating?" Pipsqueak interrupted.

"No," I spat at him, "right?" I whispered to Aang.

"I'm gay, don't tell him."

"Ok," I agreed, "bye…friend."

"Bye," Aang said, "Toph."