Guess who has two thumbs and a case of writers block? 😅

Yep, you guessed it right. So another pause until next time.

Enjoy!!!

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I skittishly stood next to the Infected while Cornelius was still working on part of the cure. I watched Tua slowly looking more and more like a monster before my very eyes. How her skeletal chest slowly moved up and down as she slumbered. It was odd seeing a half Infected, half human look so peaceful when sleeping.

I would imagine terrifying shrieks, long claws to change me, or barreling teeth waiting to take my life. This was the last thing I would expect from an Infected. If someone told me yesterday that they would look less...menacing in their sleep, I would laugh. Now here before my very eyes, there was no menacing creature just a gentle, scared being.

I heard a couple of the guards talk quietly to each other. The only thing I could make out was 'Infected.' Cornelius groaned in irritation and murmured something under his breathe.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Infected, Infected, Infected. Is that all you kids call it these days?" He asked.

"I prefer to call them more of a sciency word."

"I can only imagine what you call them," I said, rolling my eyes. He was the worst nicknamer ever. Who's to say that his names would be any better?

   "I call them Xenomorphs," he said, proudly. I'll admit, it wasn't a terrible name unlike Hothead and Pipsqueak. Those, I could live without and it does sound cooler than 'Infected.'

The door opened and Sabine came in, keeping a careful eye on the Infected. She came over to Cornelius and I looking skittish.

"Ahsoka is awake," she said. My eyes widen as I asked, "Is she alright?"

Sabine nodded, "Yeah, just an arm injury and a few scrapes."

   I looked over at Cornelius, silently hoping he would let me go to see Ahsoka. He thought over it for quite awhile before sighing.

   "I suppose you can go see her," he said, chuckling a bit. I smiled before following Sabine to a different medbay room down the hall. She stopped in front of a door before opening it to reveal Ahsoka sitting up, legs dangling over the bedside.

   Hera was standing next to her while Zeb was in the corner, staring at a wall blankly in deep thought. Chopper sat on Hera's shoulder, watching Zeb carefully with curiosity and amusement. Evil robot.

   "How are you doing?" I asked, wanting to help heal her arm. It was wrapped up in a white cast, laying in a sling that looped around her opposite shoulder. Seeing my inner war, she gave me a soft smile saying that she'll be okay.

   Ahsoka turned to face Hera.

   "Have you two found any signs of Kanan?" She asked. My eyes averted to Hera to see her drop her head a bit, shanking it back and forth. A turmoil began to circuit its way through me. Depression. It's my fault that he is lost and possibly hurt. Two times I've separated from him. Two times I've left him alone. Two times. Two times to many.

   I blame myself for not helping or doing anything. Useless that I don't have to power to save my friends. To help them in their time of need. Thank you curse. I hate you even if it is a part of the cure.

   It doesn't help me find Kanan any faster.

   Help fight Infected or Imperials.

   The only thing it does...is leave me more loss than I can handle.

    Fear, hate, anger, sadness, loss...loneliness.

   "Ezra," I snapped out of my thoughts but didn't look up.

   "Yeah?" I asked the voice hovering above me.

   "Calm...down," they said, gently. I did my breathing exercises and that's when feeling the darkness trying to get its prying fingers around me. Grasp my soul and use me as a puppet.

   "Yes..." It hissed.

   "I am...the Puppet Master."

My head shot up as I took a couple steps back. Lungs inhaling and exhaling quickly and the cold coating my body like a blanket. I shivered and rubbed my arms to bring back the warmth.

"Look at me...listen to me and nothing else," Hera said, slowly moving forward.

"I'm s-sorry," I said, bowing my head. Inhale. Exhale. Breath in. Breath out.

"You did nothing wrong. Just stay calm," she gently ordered.

"I-It's c-c-cold," I said, still shaking. Soon a blanket was wrapped around me and I sat in Zeb's seat still shivering. The cold didn't go away even with the help of the blanket.

Ahsoka and Hera quietly discussed what to do with me. Sabine and Zeb stared at me with wonder and concern. I kept my head down. I almost did it again. I almost lost control of my powers and let it get to me.

The Puppet Master.

Sees what I see.

Hears what I hear.

Feeling my weak points and uses them against me. Trying to get control and use me for his selfish desires. Almost like his entertainment. His puppet.

I scowled at the floor like it was the problem for my messed up life. I finally snapped when hearing Ahsoka and Hera's conversation getting more vivid.

"Can you please stop talking about me like I'm not in this room?" I snapped, annoyed with the two. All eyes set on me with surprise.

"Ezra, it's not your fault," Hera quickly said, worried that I got the wrong idea. I huffed, throwing the blanket off my shoulders and walking towards the door.

"Whatever," I muttered, before stepping out of the room. I could see as clear as day. They see a teen who could lose his temper at any moment then destroy them. Hurt them. Lose control.

Well...they're right. I'm just like every freak on this hunk of rock. This mess I call home. It wasn't perfect but nothing was made to be perfect. Like me, I'm a monster inside and out. Another problem that caused another mess.

A toy for a child named life.

A puppet for an evil entity that likes control.

A disaster that brings fear into people who love me.

I didn't realize I was running until turning a corner and running into a small figure, falling onto them. I quickly rolled off to see that I squished Rey.

"I'm so sorry," I apologized, standing up before helping her. There I go, hurting children now.

"It's okay. I'm a tough girl," she said, emotionless, clenching a blanket tightly.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I asked, suspiciously.

She nodded before asking, "Is mommy going to be okay?"

I sighed, not really wanting to think about Ahsoka at the moment but it was to late for that.

"It's alright. She's doing much better," I reassured her. Rey nodded.

"Can you come with me to see her?" She asked, suddenly. I couldn't help the small smile at the unsure and innocent question.

"Sure," I agreed. I was still mad at Ahsoka and Hera but more of myself for storming off like that and getting angry for no reason. Now that I've cooled off a bit, I can go and talk with them.

Rey took my hand as we made our way to the room. I opened the door as we entered. The whole room went silent when everyone seen me.

"Ezra, we're sorry," Hera apologized.

I shook my head, "No, I'm sor-"

"Where's mommy?" Rey asked. I looked down at the little girl, confused after she interrupted me.

"I'm right here," Ahsoka said, gently. Rey shyly glanced up at the leader and clenched my hand more. Her other hand holding the blanket closer to her like she wanted to hide behind it. I could feel something. A spark...slowly fading away. Like the death of a star, the light dimming until it disappeared.

I saw Ahsoka's eyes widen and traced it to the old blanket.

"No, you're not," Rey said, shaking her head.

"The sick lady is."

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