Chapter 2: Imprisonment
So thirsty. I licked my chapped lips and looked around my small prison cell. My stomach growled and I tried to think of something besides my need for sustenance. Don't worry, Aang and Sokka will find me soon. I tell myself over and over, yet somehow there is still a small hint of doubt in my mind. What if they've moved on without me? I have no idea how many minutes, hours or days have passed, and maybe they've given up their search for me. I was trying to remain strong, to not break, but that one thought decimated me. As my thoughts slowly tore away at what little hope I still had, I felt a lone tear streak down my face.
Zuko
The sun has risen and set four times since I have seen the water tribe girl. After my moment of weakness I couldn't bear to face her, out of fear that there would be a repeat. I realize that what happened between us can never be repeated. After talking with my uncle, who is against my capture of the girl, I remembered that my mission is to obtain the Avatar in any way possible, even if it meant starving the girl. Surely after four days she must be feeling the beginnings of starvation. I think as I walk down the corridor towards the prison cells below the deck of my ship. I stop in front of the door that leads to the cells and take a deep breath. Here goes nothing. I push open the door and pull back my shoulders. When I walk in I see the girl slowly stagger to her feet, weak from dehydration and hunger. Despite her obvious pain she manages to stand tall and stare me straight in the eyes. I stop the moment our eyes meet. I'm trapped in her eyes. They are the clearest azure I have seen in my life. And at this very moment they are staring at me in contempt. I hold her gaze for a few more moments before I open my mouth to speak. Before I can say anything she speaks. "I will never tell you where my brother and the Avatar are so you might as well let me starve," She said while sticking her chin out proudly. At her words I felt anger wash over me. How can she continue to resist me? I continue to stare into her eyes for a few more seconds and then I do something that I know will irk her, I laugh. "You're a stubborn one, I see. You sure you're from the Southern Tribe?" I say with a smile on my face. I shake my head and look back at her to see her reaction to my words. When I see the spark in her eyes I know I've struck a nerve. "Did you just laugh at me?" she says with obvious anger in her tone. "Why yes, I did. You are quite entertaining when you attempt to resist me." I saw with a smirk on my face. "I'm so glad I could be entertaining to you, Prince Zuko," She says in a facetious manner. I notice the face she made as she spat out my name. "I'll have you know that the people of the Southern Tribe are some of the strongest people in the four nations. Do you know how strong you have to be to strive in the tundra without one waterbender? How strong you must be to continue when nearly all the males are gone, leaving the elderly and young children. No, you have no idea because you are too busy sustaining this war that has cost many innocent lives. So, yes, I am stubborn, strong and born from the Southern Tribe. You can ask as many times as you want, but I will never tell you where the Avatar is," she said in a huff as I watched her chest heave in anger. She looks so beautiful when she's angry with me. The only thought that came to me as I stared at her slightly red cheeks, sparkling eyes and the arms that she crossed over her chest as she looked at me. I moved closer to the bars, in hopes of intimidating her. She stood her ground and adjusted her neck so she could see me at my new stance. "Sooner or later that which you call strength will be your downfall, little girl," I say in a low menacing voice. She says nothing and continues to glare at me. "We'll see how long your strength lasts without food for another four days," I saw after waiting a few moments for her reply. It seems that today my little water tribe girl has nothing to say. I turn to walk away and quietly here her whisper two words. "Have hope." I doubt she meant for me to hear her words, words that were likely meant to encourage her, but still I turned around and said the words that I knew would rip what little hope she had left to pieces "You know we went back to your little campsite and we found no traces of the Avatar or your brother. No blankets, no food, nothing. It was only moments after you were captured that they decided to leave you behind. Why are you so loyal to those that are clearly not loyal to you?" I question her as I walk out the door.
Katara
He's lying. He's from the fire nation, that's what they do. They're liars and murderers, the whole lot of them. There's no way Aang and Sokka would ever leave me behind. He's lying. "It was only moments after you were captured that they decided to leave you behind." Could that be true? Just moments? How could they leave me behind like this? What if I never leave? What will become of me? If it's true that they have left me behind then why continue anymore? "Why are you so loyal to those that are clearly not loyal to you?" Why am I? Maybe I should tell him. Maybe then I can be free. Maybe then I can eat….No. That's just what he wants you to think. Don't fall for his tricks. He'll do whatever it takes to get in your mind. Be strong. Have hope. As I lay in the corner of my small cell I hear the door open and the sound of steel-toed boots walking towards me. I don't look up at the new visitor. The biggest mistake I ever made while in captivity, even worse than kissing the fire prince. Far worse.