(This is another scene set in the universe in which Bolin is the Avatar. Bolin has been captured by Zaheer and faces the consequences. This scene is continued from Chapters 3, 4, and 5.)
Before he was fully conscious Bolin was aware that he was in pain. Everything hurt—his head, his neck, his chest. There was a dull ache emanating from his shoulders and arms; wincing, Bolin realized that his hands were restrained behind his back.
He groaned and opened his eyes. It was dark, though there was a strange greenish glow emanating from the walls. He pulled at his metallic restraints, testing them, but they would give no purchase.
"No need for that, Avatar. You'll never break through those—they're platinum." Ghazan said, sneering from a few feet away. Louder this time, he spoke again: "The Avatar is awake."
Bolin heard nearby footsteps and Zaheer stepped into his line of site. "Good. Move him to the front and string him up."
Ghazan bent down and grabbed Bolin by the arm forcefully. "Get up," he spat out. He pulled upwards, roughly.
Bolin staggered upright and Ghazan steadied him by leaning his bulk against his chest. Bolin tried to pull away but Ghazan tightened his grip around his middle and laughed. Holding the green-eyed bender tight with one arm, Ghazan used the other to stroke down his chest in a mockery of gentleness. Bolin gritted his teeth and looked away.
"You don't like that one bit, do you?" Ghazan murmured. He reached inside of the Avatar's outer shirt, touching him lightly through his thin undershirt. Bolin bit the inside of his cheek to keep from retorting.
"Ghazan, stop that at once." Zaheer ordered, turning around and glowering at the lavabender. "Get him to the entrance immediately."
Ghazan glared at Zaheer's back as he turned around, but did as he was told, forcing Bolin into the mouth of the cave. More platinum chains dangled from the ceiling and floor, and Ghazan attached them to the restraints circling Bolin's wrists and ankles, unhooking his wrist cuffs so that his arms now dangled at his sides.
Smiling cruelly, Ghazan backed up. "The Avatar is prepared! Tighten the chains!"
Uh oh, was all Bolin had time to think before the chains began to tighten, pulling his arms and legs wide. Bolin gritted his teeth as his extremities were stretched uncomfortably. He couldn't help but let a grunt of pain escape as his arms were spread taunt, hoisting him off of the ground.
Legs and arms distressingly widened, Bolin's shoulders began to ache from supporting his bodyweight. The Avatar lowered his head to his chest and attempted to control his breathing. He wouldn't give the Red Lotus the pleasure of knowing that he was suffering.
Zaheer stepped into the light and Bolin felt a ball of rage pool in his stomach. The airbender was the reason that Mako had fallen off of the edge of the cliff. Right now Mako could be hurt, broken, in pain, and Bolin wasn't even there to help him. Of course there was the possibility that he could also be more…permanently injured. The green-eyed bender swallowed hard and pushed the thought from his mind. He couldn't dwell on that likeliness and continue to remain strong and stoic.
Zaheer began speaking, explaining the torture he was going to inflict on Bolin and what the poison would do once inside of him. He prattled on, discussing the merits of an Avatarless world, while Bolin listened silently. Brave and tenacious until the end, Bolin hung as solid as the boulders he preferred to bend, seemingly detached and impassive while his impending doom was openly narrated.
He was glad that the Red Lotus couldn't feel his racing heart or his sweaty palms.
"Administer the poison!" Zaheer called and Bolin ineffectively pulled on his chains despite himself.
It burned when it touched his skin. Bolin turned his head to the side so he wouldn't have to look at Zaheer and bit his lip to keep from crying out. After a few moments he could feel the triggering of the Avatar state, but he fought it. Maybe if he stalled for time someone might come for him.
Eventually he could resist no longer. The Avatar state set in and red-hot rage was the last thing Bolin remembered before the world went white.