Ava: The Lost Daughter

Prologue

The night was dark and stormy as the woman approached the huge metal globes. She could easily get through but she didn't want to be seen here. She glanced to either side but the orbs of light in the distance were to far away to see her in this storm. The bundle in her arms gave a small cry.

"Shh, Ava, we are almost there. We are almost to your new home." She cooed to the child she held in her arms. The child stared up at her with her soft grey eyes. They reminded her of the child's father. His were the same soft color. "You will be happier with your aunt. Happier than you would have been with me." She placed the child down on the ground and slipped an envelope under the folds of the blanket so it wouldn't get wet. The lights were getting closer as she turned away. "Goodbye Ava Beifong. Goodbye my daughter." She said with a sigh before running off back into the storm. One of the guards on duty just got a glimpse of her as she disappeared.

"Hey, did you see that? I think someone just ran into that storm" He said to his friend next to him.

"What are you crazy? This hasn't opened since we closed it. No one could have gotten out." His statement was proven wrong when they heard a crying sound from only feet away.

"Are you sure it's me that's crazy?" The first one asked as it walked toward the sound. "Look. It's a baby." The guy pointed to the baby that lay on the ground wrapped in a blanket. He lifted it up off the ground.

"We should bring it in. What is she even doing out here to begin with?" The friend asked.

"I don't know. We are switching shifts now anyways. We finally get to get out of this rain"

"That is a relief."

The two brought the baby to their leader. She was a young woman who was far more knowledgeable about what to do with a child then they were. They found her in her room.

"Ma'am, sorry for the intrusion, but we found this child outside."

"We don't know where she came from but she isn't from here. I don't think she is even an earthbender, ma'am. He eyes aren't the right color."

"Thank you for bringing her to me. You did the right thing. Why don't you two go home now and get some rest." She took the child into her arms and the two guards leave. The child looked up at the unfamiliar face with curiosity. She was days old and not very big.

"Hello. I'm Su. I know you can't talk but I'm sure we will be able to find your mom or dad in the morning. For now you are going to be able to stay here with me." As she unwrapped the damp blanket the letter fell out. Her name was written across in a hand writing she hadn't seen in about five years. She carefully opened in and read it.

Su,

I know you and I haven't forgiven each other for the last time we saw each other, but I had nowhere else to send my daughter. Meet Ava, your niece. I know it might come as a bit of a shock. Me with a daughter, but that's why I'm not keeping her. Instead I brought her to live with you. Me and Tenzin had a bit of a fall out and he has fallen in love with one of his air acolytes. We had different paths, and essentially I didn't want children. I'm not motherly and I'm not able to care for her on my own. Mother could barely take care of us two on her own. Please take good care of her. She deserves that much at least. Also I'm not quite sure whether she is an earthbender or an airbender. This doesn't change anything between us. I'll probably never forgive you for that day, but you are the only other family Ava has. Please don't tell her what she doesn't need to know. It would be better if she didn't know anything about her father.

~Lin

Su looked down at the now sleeping child on her bed. Her sister had a child? It seemed like something impossible. The letter was right about one thing though. Lin wasn't mother material. That left her with the burden of raising her sister's child. She always had to clean up her messes.