Rey walked slowly until she reached the middle of the clearing, and turned to the little girl coming after her.

   The sun was shining bright, and the greenery deflected a peaceful light. The smell of warmth, of sun and wood and earth was inviting, and almost the only thing that gave Rey the strength to have hope. The only thing that contrasted so much with her soul, it made her forget about her negative state.

   But that was not one of their merry rides to that place. Where Anni would be squealing in excitement for the things Rey was going to teach her, now her mind seemed to be set somewhere else.

   And Rey knew what it was. And she knew she couldn't hide the truth from the little one, and from herself. At only seven years old, she showed the wisdom of an ancient jedi.

   Two days left, her mind reminded her.

   Rey made to sit on the warm earth. Those walks usually made her feel tired. Of course, she had just gotten out of the MedBay three days ago, after it had taken two more for her to be well enough to stand on her feet, after the encounter with Ben.

   Her vision was beginning to sway again when Anni reached her. She drove her hand to her forehead and clutched at it, when a light pat on her leg grounded her.

   "Master Rey... Are you sick?" Anni asked her.

   Rey forced her eyes open and a smile on her face. "No, I'm alright. Just a little dizziness." She said with a dismissive flicker of her hand. "Nothing to worry about."

   "I know a place you would like."

   Did she? Rey couldn't help but frown and smile at the same time. Was this little being imagining things? Anni had never been on this planet before, she couldn't know any places.

   "Hmm..." Rey tilted her head.

   "I do." The little one said earnestly as she encouraged her to trust, extending her hand to her master.

   Rey didn't know why, but she hesitated for a moment. She could feel her mind go down stray paths sometimes, times when she was so tired she would drop on a couch or on a hard bench and fall asleep there. It was usually Rose or Anni that noticed and Finn that picked her up and carried her to her chamber. Because she couldn't bear those moments when her mind was free to wander off. She felt like an asteroid that tried to find its place in the galaxy, she felt like she would explode. Because there were only two days left, and Ben would be dead. She wasn't allowed to go and see him, and Anni wasn't, either. So they only had each other now.

   She took Anni's hand in hers and began through the trees, past the large clearing where they used to train, astray from the main path.

   The trunks were beginning to grow thin, and the thick layer of leaves soon gave way to tiny sparks that flickered through it. Could it be...?

   Rey knew there was a lake on that planet, deep in the middle of the forest. She used to train there in the old days, when Leia still mentored her. But it was a long way to that place, and in her state, she could barely walk to the clearing where it only took her half an hour to arrive.

   Yet she had not been wrong. As they emerged from the forest, the sunlight that danced across the water took her eyes. She had to squint in the distance as it hit her eyes, her hand went up to shield them. And it took her a moment to realize she had just been walking for two hours without tiring out.

   "How did you know about this place?" she asked Anni without taking her eyes off the water that lapped quietly against the narrow shores. She watched as the water came slowly toward them, and dripped back, engulfed by the next wave too soon.

    "I don't know." The answer came almost as slowly as the water. "Something guided me to this place. Something told me it is the right one."

    Rey smiled. The girl was right, that place always had a good influence.

    "It is my favorite place on this planet." And her eyes finally dropped down to the girl that held her hand.

    How she would have loved to bring one person in particular here... But now was not the time to mourn. Though it pained her to know how close she was to him, yet how far...how far he was from the chance to be free. If they had stayed quietly on Takodana, they would still be together. But now she could feel Ben's soul easier than it had been before.

   Now that Rey could never have a little girl of her own, maybe she could adopt Anni, make her see her as a mother. But that wasn't possible either. For Anni already saw Ben as her father. And two jedi were forbidden to have any attachment.

   "Shall we begin?" she asked, and her apprentice nodded. "I know a place where we can sit." Rey said as they prodded along the water to a wider shore.

   Rey sat cross-legged on the ground, and Anni took her place in front of her master.

   "It's beautiful." She said about the water that spread along, bordered all around by forest.

   Rey seemed lost in thought when the girl said those words. Her eyes seemed to be caught somewhere in a place where the water met the greenery.

   "You're exhausted." Anni was peering at Rey, searching her face.

   Rey couldn't deny that she wasn't. But the swift and chill breeze that came from the lake kept her senses awaken.

   Suddenly, she found her hands enveloped in Anni's ones. And as her eyes passed the child over, she seemed to be in deep concentration.

   A sharp stab passed through her abdomen. She squirmed in pain and grimaced. It was like a burn, a dagger of fire that was consuming her from the inside. And it was stuck right in the place where she had been injured, right in the place remained barren. Her hands seemed to be frozen, her eyes glued.

   She let out a whimper when she thought she was going to die, when the pain became unbearable. When it passed as quickly as it came. The fire was replaced by a pleasant, chilling sensation. It turned into a cold river, like a flow going down through her body and washing away all the pain.

   What was that? What had happened? For when she slowly opened her eyes, the dull ache that had been in her abdomen for almost a week was completely gone. Well, not completely, though. But much better.

   Rey felt like she could jump to her feet and start running around, even train with her lightsaber. Suddenly, the brightness of the day seemed to match her mood. Her mouth spread into a genuine smile and crinkles appeared at the corners of her eyes.

   “Thank you.” She whispered to the little girl standing cross-legged across from her.

   She felt as Anni’s hands slipped from hers. If she was true to herself, for a moment Rey had thought the child intended to murder her, given her weak state. But no, Anni had used a Force to heal her. How did she manage that, at such a frail age?

   “It seems that you already know more than anyone could ever teach you.” Rey gave a small smile. Because that reminded her of some memory more or less pleasant.

   “Look.” And Annika extended a hand toward the still water.

   Rey’s eyes followed as it was beginning to move slowly, and small ripples appeared at the surface from both sides, colliding and sending droplets it the air. Instinctively, she reached out with her right hand. So long has passed since she had last been able to feel the force, that now she was even afraid to try. Her hand was slightly trembling. And her mind couldn’t focus on the thing she wanted to do. Did she want, though? Did she want the reality to slap her once again?

   But what would she lose, if she tried? Nothing.

   Closing her eyes, she focused her mind on the still water before her. She forgot about the situation, forgot about time, drifting into serenity. Her eyes relaxed, and her fingers began to weave slowly through the air, as if touching thin invisibles strings that cast around melodies.

   She felt the sky above and the earth beneath her. She felt them vibrating with energy, the tiny lives that carried their days out there seemed to tell her their stories. And she had her own story to tell.

   She felt her fingers reach the water, sensing its soothing presence, its nurturing composition that had healed her insides. Her lips that were drawn in a thin line with anxiety spread in a wide smile. Her mind willed it up, and a low rippling sound passed her ears. It only meant one thing, that she had managed.

   And how badly she had missed this sensation! One of deep connection, one of balance with the universe, and one of strength.

   She grinned. She had finally been able to hold the force! How happy will Ben be when she would tell him, then she would help him feel it too. She imagined him, his reactions. How his mouth will break into the widest smile, how he would spin her in the air.

   The water was making joyful ripples that crashed against the shore, when the connection faltered, then it broke. Rey’s hand remained outstretched, though the water had died down. And reality returned, like a cold tide rushing about her. Ben was never going to feel the force. And when he will see the light of day again, it will be between prisons, between sentences.

   Rey's gaze remained aimed on some invisible spot as her vision was beginning to blur. She had reasons to be sad, and reasons not to be. Now she could connect with Ben, they would be able to speak to each other in those past days, and maybe she would even go to his place.

   "Rey?" Anni snapped her from her trance.

   "Hmm?"

   And the answer was neither a word, nor more. But a hug.
   For a moment, Rey wondered what has happened to the little girl as she placed her arms around her in a soothing manner.

   "I want to give Ben a hug." Anni said. And unlike other times, her voice was small, thin, on the verge of crying. "Why are they not letting me see him?"

   "In the old days, we could talk to each other through the force." Rey began. "But now even the little power we had had been drained out. I can't feel him. And when I reach out to him, the connection breaks right before I can grasp it. And you will give him a hug." Rey said. Though she so wanted to believe those words herself. "Once he gets out of prison, I promise you will."

   She had meant those words to give Anni hope. Yet they had the opposite effect. He was going to die in less than one week, and she knew Anni will never see him again.

   "Stop treating me like a child!" she jumped two feet away from Rey's arms as if burned. Her voice was edgy, and tears threatened to sting her eyes.

   Rey had meant to call her softly, to make her come back. But what rolled from her lips was rather a scream muffled by an unfounded fear. "Anni," her head snapped to the forest. "We need to go. Now!"

   Her hand found the little girl's wrist and pulled her closer.

   "Whatever happens, stay with me. Never let go of me." Rey whispered ragged breaths as her eyes surveyed frantically the surroundings.

   It had been a ship that had entered the atmosphere and had landed close to the shore, its signature in the force had jolted her aware. How good was it to sense all the dangers before they even had the time to occur!

   Rey knew they somehow needed to get to the base. Yet she found herself edging toward the water.

   A foul smell rose in the air as she could feel one life approaching them. Molten iron, she made a mental note. Her head snapped in that direction, and a the reflection of the sun across a shiny surface caught her eye. Then it disappeared as quickly, down in the green confines.

   "Anni," she said in a hushed breath. "In that direction," she pointed in the opposite side, to the way that led to the base, as her eyes followed their pursuer as if it were a mouse under an eagle's gaze. "If I fall, go ahead. If I faint, also go ahead. And run as you've never done it before."

   Her heart was racing in her chest. And she didn't realize she was squeezing Anni's hand so tightly in hers, her frail bones were on the point of breaking.

   Who was that man? And what was he doing on the resistance base?

   Rey's hair was beginning to dampen with sweat. She was alone, with a child. And she was in no state to fight back, she was barely holding herself together. Her legs were trembling, almost melting beneath her, and there was nothing she could do to quell it.

   With a flash of movement, she turned on her heels and plunged blindly into the forest, Anni close behind.

   It was like a nightmare when she was pursued, and the distance to safety was too long, the one between her and the enemy too short.

   Her legs carried her as if she had entered the hyperspace, her speed fueled by the fear that chased her. And with each ragged breath, with each glance back, the roots that outstood in the ground seemed to want to trip her steps.

   Her heart was pounding in her chest, racing along with her legs, as she made long jumps over the roots.

    She ran. And she threw a glance over her shoulder, as the trees seemed to be a blur of motion around her. That glinting armor was still on her tracks. And doing it was her mistake.
   For her weak legs entangled and she toppled over, on her knees. The fall drew the air out of her lungs, the last strength she held was gone.

   "Go!" she yelled in a strangled voice after Anni who had stopped right before her.

   "No, master Rey!" the child's voice was terrified as she turned back and went for Rey.

   But Rey reached out, as if Force pushing her back.

   "He's here to search for the base, I will hold him back! Now do as I say and bring help!" she rasped at Anni.

   The girl was still hesitating, and Rey had to yell one more time, as she heaved a breath, "Now!"

   Anni turned on her heels, and tore through the grass, as if frightened by her master's voice.

   Rey's gaze remained on her as she placed her trembling palms flat on the ground to haul herself up. She turned her head, eyes looking frantically around for any sign of the enemy.

   And suddenly dread filled her heart. Where was he? Where could he have gone?

   Shaking, she stood up. And when she tried to walk, a searing pain shot up from her right ankle, making her collapse on the ground again. Her head spun from the pain, the. dizziness, and she couldn't help the sharp yell that escaped her lips at the sudden notice.

   A sheen of sweat covered her face, hair plastered to it. But as she forced her head up, she could see him again, a form that glinted in the sun, and that was now running away from her.

   She got his game. And anger and despise forced her back on her feet. Her ankle was throbbing, and she had to bite her tongue not to scream in pain. Yet Rey unclasped the blaster she had snatched at the base from her belt and half ran, half jumped toward the enemy.

   He was a spy from the Final Order. And he was getting away, away with their secrets. He has seen her alone, helpless, and had recognized her.

   Damn it! Rey thought as she gritted her teeth and aimed the blaster toward him.

   Her palm slapped the trunk of the nearbyest tree as she could feel her legs give in. But as she pulled the trigger her shot found a richly leaved branch, as the spy rushed out of its range.

    "No!" she growled in agony as she watched the fiery sparks fall to the ground like a rain.

   Her eyes stung with tears as she crawled forward, leaning against another tree and waiting for the target to reappear.

   When it did, the instinct took hold of her. She shot as if her life depended on it, right before she had time to do the math. And she missed, again.

   Growling, her face ragged with anger, she limped after him, shooting ahead, and targeting anything but him.

   She could not let him escape. She could not! Her movements were fueled by that, her will to drag herself closer.

   She forgot about her sprained ankle, until she reached the clearing where he had landed his ship, and halted.

   "Nooo!" she screamed as the ship was taking off. Her blaster-hand flung forward, and she pulled the trigger. Her bullet clanged against the hard surface of the ship. The next time she tried, the gun fired nothing.

   "No," she whisoered, desperately looking down at the blaster in her hand. Then her eyes snapped to the dark ship that was rising up above the forest and sped up, swiftly at first, then fast, in the air.

   She tore across the clearing, limping, trying not to stumble forward in the grass.

   Her eyes filled with tears as she watched the small spot against the blue surface.
   Her vision began to blur. And not with tears, but from something else. Exhaustion, the pain from her twisted ankle and the dizziness it caused, the failure...all were mixed into one.

   Rey felt her eyelids begin to drop, and suddenly her lungs grew heavy. Her head hurt, and she tried to drown back the lump of guilt that had settled in her throat.

   I'm dying..., she thought as she could feel the air go out of her, as she could feel her legs melt beneath her.

   She could feel the blaster slip from her sweated hand, and heard it as it hit the ground. A sound so strange to her, so distant... As if it were happening a galaxy away.

   Her head slowly turned around, as if she needed to know where she was, as if that would keep her grounded. But her drowsy eyes closed, and her injured leg faltered, as she collapsed on the ground.

~*~

A

/N: Thanks for all your support  and for staying with me in this journey!
  
   Did you pay attention to the part where Anni heals Rey? Because that will be a part that drives straight to the center of the plot. Hmm, maybe you could guess why 🤔😉. And the enemy finally gets into action!
   I know, no ben/Rey chapter, but be patient, for great content with them is coming ahead

   Because this is the first novel I write, I'm grateful for the will you give me to go on. It is satisfying when you finally know that you're done with one book. And, I hope I'll have the strength to bring it to an end.
   However, there are not many more chapters to go in this book. Maybe ten. But then I'll write the continuation, which I hope you'll give it a try! (that will be the core :) )
    Actually, it was planned to go as a single book. But due to the time lapse between the sequences, I thought it was better to make it a series of two.
   
    And as always, I'm looking forward to hear your opinions! Don't forget to vote and comment if you enjoyed it!