Drip, drip, drip.

I scrunch up my nose and let my eyes flutter open.

It's raining.

The sky peeks out above a canopy of leaves and branches; we're in Takodana forest.

I'm being held close to a warm body, the person's arms surprisingly comfortable. The soles of their boots crunch on the forest floor. I finally let my eyes drift to their face.

I let out a surprised yelp and instinctively push myself away, landing in the dirt with an audible thump.

"Be careful!" The stranger scolds, in a native Coruscanti accent. I frown, peering at the burns on the bottom of my hands from landing so abruptly.

I look back up, studying the face of my captor.

He's tall, with mussed-up blonde hair, dark eyes, and a baby face. Despite that, he seems to be in the same age range as I am.

"Who are you?" I ask, after a long pause.

"Phet Nefal." He answers immediately, offering his hand to help me up. I shake my head, deciding to make it to my feet in my own terms.

"Well, Phet Nefal. I have a lot of questions for you." I huff.

I need to ask him what happened.

Every memory after entering the Castle is fuzzy. The last thing I can remember is a familiar face looming over mine.

Something about the memory makes my heart beat harder in my chest.

"Could it wait? It'll be dark soon. You don't want to see what lurks in these trees at night." Phet visibly shudders. I cross my arms stubbornly.

"My hut isn't much farther." He adds. I sigh. Phet seems friendly enough. Something tells me I can trust him.

So I do.

I follow him through the foliage and over the trail like a lost child. The only noises surrounding us are the pitter-patter of rain drops, and the step-klunk of my companion's limp.

I recognize where we are as soon as I see the clearing. We walk straight past the Solo hut and three doors down. I don't spare my temporary home a second glance.

I'm also thankful I haven't been spotted.

When Phet stops at a door to let me in, something dawns on me.

"You're the grumpy guy that shut out my sister and I?" I raise my eyebrows. He rolls his eyes and holds the door open for me. I give him a small smile in thank you and venture into his home.

It's so empty, it almost seems as if no one inhabited the place.

There's something weird about this guy.

"I don't exactly like visitors." He shoves his hands in the pockets of his cloak. I've never seen one like it.

"Well, what are you doing with me, then? What happened, anyway? Why's my head throbbing?" I speak at a mile a minute, and he seems surprised at my brashness.

"I was getting a drink at the Castle, and I saw you take a tumble. You hit your head pretty hard. Maz, the owner, asked me to take you home because you live close by. I would've taken you, anyway. Even if she didn't ask." He shrugs, his dark eyes skirting over the walls, and the only piece of furniture in the room: a ratty couch.

"Oh, and also, you realize getting yourself hurt so often surely isn't good for your baby." He grins slightly, almost teasing. I can't help but smile back. His smile is contagious, really. The way he scrunches up his nose and his eyes crinkle is endearing.

"Why did you want to take me, anyway? Who are you really, Phet Nefal?" I cock my head to the side. The usual neighbor is never as friendly as he, unless they had a motive.

What could it be?

"I am Phet Nefal, as I said. I haven't lied." He purses his lips.

"I know you want to get back to Ben and I've decided to help you." He reveals, obviously waiting for my surprise.

Of course he's entertained.

"How do you know Ben?" I ask.

"Oh please. Everyone knows the Kylo Ren. It's hard to ignore someone so intent on taking over the Galaxy. Especially when you live in it." He smiles. I sense sarcasm.

"W-wait, where did he go? I saw him, after I fell." The fuzzy memory had suddenly become clear, and my heart aches.

"I'm sorry. He was never there. Your mind must've played tricks on you." He sighs, running the back of his head. He feels guilty, I conclude.

Knowing Kylo really wasn't there strikes disappointment inside me. I thought he'd finally come to be here for me, but I guess not.

There's nothing Phet can do about this.

I should just change the subject.

"How are you gonna help me, then? And why do you call him Ben?"

"We trained together, as Jedi, him and I. He was the one who gave me this limp." He points at his own ankle.

"I thought no one survived." I bite my lip, hopelessly puzzled.

"Well, you thought wrong." He smirks, making and unsuspected turn on his heel. He disappears down the hallway that connects to this empty room.

"Are you coming or not?" He calls seconds later, the sounds of his uneven footsteps ceasing as he pauses.

"Oh!" I realize, scrambling to catch up. I make out Phet's face in the dark corridor. He sends me an amused look.

He finally opens a door behind him, light seeping in through the crack. It must be his back yard.

I'm completely surprised by what awaits us back there.

"It's a ship." I mutter in disbelief.

"Congratulations. You've guessed correctly." He twinkles ignition keys around his finger.

"It's an X-Wing, actually. I assume you're familiar." He makes his way toward it, probably expecting me to follow again.

"Very familiar." I respond shortly, amazed at the sight.

I haven't flown one of these since my crash on the StarKiller.

"If circumstances were different, I might let you take this to the Finalizer on your own. In regards that you'd return it." He sends me a pointed look.

"I just met you less than an hour ago, Phet. You shouldn't assume that of me." I scold, mentally noting that he's probably right.

I wouldn't return it.

"But," he continues.

"But." I repeat.

"Circumstances aren't different. You might need to make a quick escape, which would be made much easier with a co-pilot. Plus, we can't forget baby-Benny's safety." He grins, patting my bump.

I blush uncomfortably, putting my hand over the place his fingers had touched.

"I think I'm capable of making a quick escape. And keeping my own kid safe." I protest, crossing my arms.

Phet stops at the door, turning to look at me.

"I never said you weren't capable. You don't have a choice." He answers shortly.

"But-"

"Do you want to see Ben again, or not?" He interrupts, slightly raising his tone.

My eyes absentmindedly shift to his waist, where I finally notice the hilt of a lightsaber.

No wonder he wore such a weird cloak. And, he couldn't be lying about knowing Ben. About anything.

"Fine." I mutter, shoving past him and boarding the shuttle.

-

i. am. exhausted.

but hey this is here

yay

what do y'all think of phet nefal??

also i promise i'll stop adding more and more characters bc i don't want it to get confusing!!

i have some news

so

i've decided to end condemned at 50 chapters, and i don't know if they're be a sequel

if you think this story should have a sequel, let me know:)

anyway

ok

make sure to check out covet PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

i just updated it again yesterday and plan on another update tomorrow!!

alright

i'm done

ily all

kait