Later, I carefully wiggled open my locked door, and snuck up on deck, tip-toeing past snoring crew members. I had imagined that there would be watchman on deck, but as I got there, I saw none. Some pirates they are. I ran lightly to the edge of the boat, and carefully lowered the rowboat into the water, carrying myself down with it. I held my breath, but tried to hurry to avoid getting caught. Before I pushed away from the blasted ship, I peered up at its sea-beaten sides one last time.
I shivered, but the rowing kept me warm. I reached the shore easily, but now I had to find a way in. I pulled the boat out of the water, and began walking cautiously in the shadows from the almost full moon. I nearly fell in a seal hole once, and scared a harem of the seals with my small shriek.
Abruptly, I noticed foot steps ahead of me. I slowly peeked around the ridge to reveal a clearing where, moving away from me, walked the avatar. At that moment, an extremely risky plan began to formulate in my head. I went over to the seals, and began to rub my clothes over them, trying to get their scent all over me, no matter how unpleasant it was. I took a deep breath of the cold air to get my chilled, then ran out into the clearing. "Help! Avatar Aang, can you help me? I think I'm going to freeze to death!" I wailed, throwing myself at him.
He looked, confused, at me and asked, "Why are you out here? Don't you know we're in a war!?"
"Yes, I ran out of the village to try and catch a seal for my family before they came, but I fell and hurt myself," I cried, showing him my biggest bruise from Zuko, near my right shoulder. "I can't hunt with one good arm, not to mention carry anything I brought back. I tried, but I can't do it." I sniffed and began to start fake-crying. "Now my family can't eat until after the war is over," I cried. I hugged Aang tight. "Aang, will you take me back into the city? I can barely feel my arm."
The avatar sighed, and said, "Yeah, let me call Appa." He pulled out a whistle and blew in it, although no noise came out. Moments later, however, the ever-familiar flying bison landing directly beside me and the avatar. I hugged Aang, and struggled to climb up while trying to pull off a lame arm. I hung onto the edge of the giant saddle tight as Aang said, "Yip yip," and Appa was in the air soaring past the Water nation gates. This worked out great, I thought gleefully. But it wasn't over yet, I still had to find Zuko and Uncle.
I thanked the avatar like an adoring fan, and headed off without a clue as to where I was headed. Aang had said everyone was in the main gathering hall, so I started walking towards the biggest ice building around. As soon as he was out of sight on the other side of the wall, I turned into a nearby house, making sure no one was home before entering. I knew it was wrong to steal, but I would surely die without something warmer on me. I took a long blue parka, brown mukluks to warm my frozen toes up, and thick elk gloves. I then headed to the kitchen, looking for some decent food. I felt bad stealing from a family in danger, but at the moment, my needs were a little more urgent.
I sat down for a moment on a mat, and closed my eyes. I finally felt safe, but I knew in my heart, I wasn't. Soon I tipped over and was fast asleep on the floor, worry-free for the time being.