You were suddenly awakened by the sound of heavy boots thudding against the floor. Terrible images flashed through your mind. A dark figure. A chain. That sinister grin. In an instant, you had shot up from your makeshift bed, your chest heaving and your eyes wide with fear. You didn't remember where you were. Any second now, your Master would be coming to get you.

Instead, Mando rounded the corner with his rifle slung over his shoulder. He paused when he saw you sitting there like you'd just seen a ghost. "I was just coming to get you so we could go get something to eat before we leave." He said, his modulated voice sounding no different. He tilted his head a touch. "You okay?"

You blinked a few times, then nodded. "Y-Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine." You mumbled as you hurriedly gathered yourself. Your heart just wouldn't stop pounding. "Sorry.. I didn't mean to sleep in late. I'll be ready in a minute."

He gazed at you for a few seconds, then nodded. "Alright." He replied, lingering a little before walking away. Once the sound of his boots had faded away, you relaxed.

"Damn you, Linus. You're dead. Stay dead." You muttered to yourself under your breath as you got up from the floor. After folding the blankets you had used, you layered on the clothes you had been given the other day. When you looked at your reflection, you nearly face-palmed. He had seen you like that? Complete bedhead and everything? How embarrassing... You rushed to fix it, smoothing the stray strands of hair down with your hands to make yourself presentable. You were not about to let him see you like that again.

Mando was waiting just outside the ship. It wasn't a surprise that he had the child with him again. That was something you'd come to expect after the first time it happened.

"Bright and early, I see!"

Your gaze shifted from Mando to Jarren, who was walking over. "Yep! Just need to get something to eat and then we'll be all set!" You exclaimed.

Jarren raised an eyebrow at you. "Huh. Didn't think you'd wanna come since you have that injury." He pointed at your foot.

You shrugged, ignoring the look Mando gave you. "It feels better. Plus, I just want to be helpful."

"Okay then, suite yourself. Just tell me if it hurts." Jarren replied, his gaze soon landing on the child. "You aren't bringing that little one, are you?"

"Wherever I go, he goes." Mando answered firmly.

"Listen, where we're going is no place for a child. I know plenty of people who would love to babysit for you while you're gone, how about we go talk to them?" Jarren suggested, though Mando seemed reluctant to even consider the idea.

You lightly nudged his shoulder. "C'mon. The kid will freeze his poor little ears off out there! He's safer here."

Mando huffed in obvious annoyance. He refused to give in to you again. "He is safer with me." He insisted, his tone sharp.

***

"Why are you so protective over him anyways?" You asked Mando as you walked alongside him. He had eventually given in and allowed the child to stay in the village after a little bit of convincing. Now, Jarren was leading the two of you through the forest.

He was silent at first, continuing on as if he hadn't heard you. "There is a bounty on his head as well as mine. Many hunters have tried to take him from me." He eventually answered.

"Why do they want him?"

"There is something special about him, though I do not understand what it is. He's done things that I can't explain."

You stifled a laugh. "No way. A magic baby? Come on, that's ridiculous."

He seemed offended that you didn't believe him. "He lifted a full grown Mudhorn off the ground using some sort of invisible power. I would not be standing here today if he hadn't done so."

"Okay, I get it! It still seems a little far-fetched, though." You said, giving him a slight look. As far as you knew, magic like what he was talking about didn't exist. It sounded crazy! There was no way someone could just lift something without actually touching anything.

"Hey, I've got tracks over here!" Jarren's voice interrupted your thoughts.

Mando went over to where Jarren was standing and knelt down in the snow. You stood beside him, watching intently.

"These tracks are still fresh, meaning the bounty hunters must've passed through this area mere minutes ago." Mando explained. He stood and briefly scanned the area. "We aren't that far behind. Let's get a move on before we lose them."

"What if they find us before we find them?" You questioned anxiously.

Mando looked at you, then tapped the blaster holstered on his hip. "They won't. Worst case scenario, we fight them off. I'd rather not draw attention to ourselves by doing that, though. We need to maintain the element of surprise."

You nodded. He definitely knew what he was doing, which made you feel better. "Alright, let's go." You followed behind Mando, stepping in his large footprints so it was easier for you to navigate through the snow.