This technically belongs in the ghost story from earlier but it's just... Aang. Being tortured. I mean not actually vividly, the point is that he's kind of broken. I don't know why that's so fun to write.

Impressive, you whisper, as you circle me. You're slow, but I don't care. I don't care about very much, these days. I think I've actually broken you. You smile, but I can't bring myself to care. I can't bring myself to care about very much, these days. You're not reacting, you say, and you're not smiling. You're not, in fact, doing anything. I hear the words you're saying, but I can't don't won't - why would I care what one man said? There's no reason to care, these days.

I don't care I don't care I don't care I don't care I don't care I don't care I don't care I don't care it doesn't hurt me because nothing hurts if you which I don't care I don't. I don't.

But that's kind of boring, honestly, you whisper. I don't know why you're so quiet but - I don't care. I don't. I liked you better when you screamed. You hurt me, but I don't care. Your smile hardens. I'm not sure what to do with you, now. You're so… docile. It's like there's nothing inside you anymore. Like you've let the rest of your people die.

I don't care about them. I don't care about them. They're not dead - but if they - I don't care. I don't. Care. It doesn't hurt me because nothing can hurt someone who doesn't care and I don't.

It's like you're not even breathing. You make it infinitely harder to breathe, but I stay quiet. Part of me begs for relief, part of me begs for death, part of me just begs. I like that part best. It's quiet, and resigned, and knows it'll never get what it wants needs to. So, I listen to it, and I say nothing. It's always better if I say nothing.

So interesting, you muse, and your voice is quiet. So very interesting. I had wondered, when I first met you, if this was even possible. I don't say anything because I don't care what you had wondered. In fact, I don't care about anything. You seemed so sure, so confident. You… well, quite frankly - you let out a laugh - you don't anymore.

I know. I know I know I know I know I don't care I don't care I don't care. I stare forward, or at nothing, because I don't care what I see. I don't care. I think I can tell the Firelord, now. We'll just have to be careful with you. You sigh, and again, my world explodes in pain. And again. And again. And - I don't care I don't care I don't care I don't care. I don't make a noise.

Yes, you say, and you sound resigned. We'll have to be more careful. He doesn't want you dead, you see, and now that you're quiet… it's hard to tell how far to go. But that's alright. I'll give the order, and you'll be left more alone than before. Does that sound good?

I don't respond. If I do, you'll be mad at me for talking, and you'll hurt - and - I don't care what happens to me. Not even if it hurts. I don't care if you hurt me, or if you kill me, or if you do anything to me. That's my answer. I don't give you it, though. I just… stare forward, at nothing.

You laugh, and I'm not sure what you're laughing at, but I don't care. You're such an interesting kid, you say. Well. I'll give you your daily dose - my world explodes in agony again - and now I'll leave. Nice speaking with you. You leave, and it hasn't even been very long, and my head isn't spinning this time, but - but I don't care. I don't care. I don't care I don't care I don't care I don't -