"Maz..." My mouth dropped open in horror.

"I'm so sorry, Ada... but you have to understand, I've done my best to remain neutral in this; I had to sell to them, or they'd attack this place. They'd attack us. We wouldn't be safe if they thought there was a possibility we were aligned with the rebels," Maz said.

I shivered. "They're evil. You of all people should understand how cruel they are, you know that I've seen their destruction firsthand-"

"-So you of all people should understand why I can't let that destruction reach this place," Maz said determinedly, placing a hand on my arm.

"But-" I was cut off by an obnoxious buzzer.

"Maz, your buyers are here," one of our security droids relayed.

"Good, tell them I'll be right out," Maz replied. "Now, Ada, I'd like you to accompany me, solely because I know you can keep the peace in the event that they become hostile."

"Maz! You can't possibly expect me to just- just-" I sputtered incredulously.

"Just what?"

I gaped like a fish, feeling angry and resentful and hopeless all at the same time. "They destroyed my home!" I shrieked.

I felt Maz's temper spike. "Yes, yes, they destroyed the Jedi Temple! They've done terrible things and I'm a terrible person for doing business with them!"

"That's not what I mea-"

"I'm not saying that what I'm doing is right, I'm just saying it's necessary! And if you want to remain here you'll come with me, meet the buyers, and forgive them like the good Jedi you are, even if they don't deserve it! Because for heaven's sake, I'm practically four feet tall and I need some protection and rationality!"

I glared in Maz's general direction and crossed my arms. "So I'm just your bodyguard, then?"

Maz sighed, her anger replaced with exasperation. "You know how I get," she muttered. "You're reasonable. And I know you'll keep them- and me- in check."

I combed a hand through my hair and huffed in annoyance. I stayed silent for a moment, letting my anger simmer before I obliged (against my better judgement). "You owe me, Maz," I grumbled.

"Thank you," Maz huffed in return.

Raising my arm, I concentrated on an object buried within my dresser and pulled with nothing but my willpower. The dresser rattled ominously, and a cylindrical metal object came flying out of the dresser's doors and shot into my hand.

"Your lightsaber? Really?"

I ran my hands over my lightsaber, feeling the familiar grooves in the metal and letting its power wash over me. A serious expression came over my face. "Yes. I'm not going without protection. After what they did last time we met..." I ignited the weapon, basking in its deadly heat. "I'm afraid we might need it."

~~~~

Pine nettles crunches under my boots as Maz and I walked side by side towards a waiting First Order ship, my companion taking three strides for every one of mine. One hand rested on her shoulder, so that she could guide me towards our destination, and the other was gripping my dormant lightsaber harder than was necessary.

Maz jolted to a stop. I stumbled momentarily before regaining my balance and straightening my shoulders, hoping my blunder hadn't made me look less intimidating than I was trying to be. The cooler air told me we were in the shadows, underneath the hulking First Order ship.

I sensed the First Order before I heard them. They felt cold, distant, and hard, like they had been robbed of empathy and stuffed with the unwavering desire to serve an evil greater than themselves. But it was the hiss of steam and the sound of footsteps on dirt that let me know I was officially in the presence of the Dark Side.

"Just stormtroopers," Maz whispered as metallic footsteps clanged on the loading ramp of the ship.

"Maz Katana," An unfeeling, robotic voice said suddenly. "We are here on instructions to retrieve an order of TIE fighters, bombing ships, and medical droids."

"Yes, yes, let's see..." Maz's shoulders shook as she reached in her belt and unclipped a port. "Order F627?"

"That is correct," The stormtrooper confirmed .

"If you'll have your highest ranking officer on board sign here, I can take you inside and we can begin the loading process. Payment will go through automatically with the signature," Maz said.

There was muttering amongst the group of fighters. "We weren't notified of this... You'll have to accept a signature from us."

I felt Maz stiffen slightly. "I can't do that, I'm afraid. Not unless any of you have the authorization to transfer First Order funds."

More whispering among the group. My hand tightened around my weapon.

"Very well," the stormtrooper concluded. My hand relaxed. "You three, go fetch Kylo Ren."

Instantly, my hand (along with the rest of my body) tightened again. I grabbed Maz's wrist. "You let them bring Kylo Ren here?!" I hissed.

Maz whispered furiously back, "I didn't know! Just... try and stay calm. If we just get through this without provoking them then we'll be fine."

"He'll know I'm force sensitive! He'll wonder why I'm not working for the First Order, and he'll-"

"Why have I been summoned?" A cold, distorted voice commanded. The sound of it sent chills along my spine. I knew instantly who it was, and I knew instantly that I had to do whatever I could to get away.

I tried to close myself off from the force radiating off me so strongly. I couldn't be caught by the First Order; it was unthinkable.

"Before I can give you your order I need payment, and since none of these stormtroopers have the authorization to transfer funds I needed them to get you." Maz explained quickly.

It was scarily silent for a moment as Kylo Ren seemed to process this. "So? How do I do that? What do you need from me?" He asked harshly.

"Just your signature, and then my droids can handle the rest," Maz reassured the Sith Lord.

Kylo paused. "Very well," he grumbled, seeming unhappy about having to perform the simple task but being unable to find any reason not to do it.

His footsteps clanged on the metal of the ship, and then crunched on the forest floor; no matter the sound, each step hammered another spike of fear into my spine.

There was a period in which I could feel Kylo's angry aura so strongly that I was afraid it would burn the skin off my skeleton. I knew he was closest to me then, and I tried hard to close my mind and act like I was nothing but a blind girl.

Relief washed over me when I finally heard Kylo Ren's retreating footsteps, and I let my mind flow freely again.

That was my one mistake.

Kylo's footsteps stopped.

"Someone here..." he muttered.

Stupid, stupid, STUPID! I screamed at myself inside my head. I instantly put up my mental defenses once more, praying to the stars that he wouldn't think anything of it and just leave.

"The Force is strong here," he stated loud and clear. "Strong within someone..."

My heart was bruising my ribs with how wildly it was beating. Blood was rushing to my head and my hand was slick with sweat against my lightsaber.

"You, there," he said, talking to some unknown person.

Silence greeted him.

"I'm talking to you," Kylo growled.

"Excuse me, Kylo Ren, but my servant girl here, she's blind," Maz explained. I recognized that they were talking about me.

"My apologies," I said quietly, bowing my head in mock submission.

"You're a servant girl?" He questioned.

"Yes," I replied, hoping he couldn't hear the fear in my voice and the spasms of my heart.

"Tell me, then, how did you get possession of a lightsaber?"

I faltered. I was never a good lier. "It... it was my fathers. He taught me how to use it before I lost my eyesight," I blurted. I could only hope the lie was convincing.

The pine nettles covering the forest floor crackled as someone approached me.

"You weren't born blind?" Kylo's voice was louder now. He was closer to me. I didn't want him to be.

"No," I whispered.

"And," he paused, choosing his next words carefully, "You can still wield it?"

A few responses floated around in my head. I had difficulty choosing my response. "I... uh, no, not really."

I shifted uncomfortably on my feet as I waited for Kylo's response.

"Come closer." He commanded suddenly, breaking the silence. "And don't stare at your feet like some mangy dog."

I straightened my posture. Lifting my head and squaring my jaw, I felt suddenly defiant, although my thumping heart betrayed the lingering fear I still felt. I was in danger, but my pride refused to let me be insulted.

I took a few tentative steps forward. "You see now?" I asked, tracing the jagged scars covering my eyes and the surrounding skin.

I sensed a change in Kylo's steely aura. It seemed like fear, but it couldn't be... Because that would mean he was scared of me.

"What's your name?" He barked, his voice suddenly scarily angry. "Tell me your name!"

"It's- its Adriana!" I stuttered, my pride being replaced with fear again.

"You're lying," he growled. A gloved hand grabbed my face roughly and I cried out in shock.

"Tell me your name!"

A force pushed on my mind, making me grit my teeth and struggle not to reveal the truth. My temple started to throb. I was screaming inside my head, the pressure increased and increased until I was afraid my skull was going to crack open-

"Ada Vivian!" I cried, relenting to the pain Kylo was inflicting against me. My chest heaved and I felt tears prickle my eyes. "Ada Vivian." I repeated.

"Ada Vivian..." Kylo Ren said the name darkly, like he despised it. "You're coming with me."

Determination swelled in my chest. "No!"

Pressing my thumb on my lightsaber, a beam of deadly gold sprouted from the end. I swung upwards, aiming for Kylo's hand still locked around my jaw. He cried out in anger and receded just before my blade could singe his skin.

I stumbled backwards, gasping and trying to organize my jumbled thoughts. I had found myself suddenly thrust into a situation riddled with danger. I had attacked Kylo Ren.

"Run!" Maz screamed, making me focus. "Run, Ada, and don't come back!"

My legs moved themselves of their own accord. The sounds of blasters firing reached my ears and I shrieked as I ran. I didn't know where I was going, but I knew I had to get away.

Something tugged itself inside my brain towards the left. I stumbled in that direction, trusting that it was the Force leading me to safety, and found myself stumbling through sharp sticks and navigating between thick tree trunks.

"Dammit," I cursed. I could hear the sounds of the stormtroopers pursuing me, and even worse, the chilling commands of Kylo Ren to apprehend me. My worst fears had come true.

Suddenly, a sense of calm overcame me. I was at ease; I was in no danger, I wasn't lost. I had a guide.

I ran with purpose, dodging left and right to avoid trees, veering in directions I could only hope would lead me to safety. Slowly, the sounds of the First Order grew more faint until I was sure I was alone.

I smacked into a log laying across my path with an "oof." Reaching out, I realized I had encountered a low-hanging camouflaged shelter.

"Thank you so much," I muttered, feeling suddenly exhausted and relieved to be safe. Even if it was only temporary, I had safety from the First Order.

My limbs aching, I crawled under the shelter, and nestled myself into the farthest, darkest corner I could find. I clamped a hand over my mouth and tried to make as little noise as possible. Reining my force in to keep my whereabouts hidden from the prodding mind of Kylo Ren, I listened for the sounds of stormtroopers. Their footsteps were clunky and loud running over the pine needles.

"Where'd she go?!" One said, its footsteps pausing right above me. I bit down on my hand hard to keep from making a noise.

"She came this way. Maybe she found a different way back to the base." Another one replied.

"She's blind, you idiot. She couldn't have gotten that far. Come on, let's try that way." The two stormtroopers jogged past my hiding spot, the sounds of their footsteps on the ground eventually fading away.

I let go of my hand, my jaw stiff from biting down so hard. I could only dream of what they were doing to Maz right now. For what she'd done, harboring a Jedi fugitive, she'd be lucky if they killed her. But I couldn't go back; I couldn't help her from a prison cell.

I can't help her hiding here, either.

I'd have to make my way back to the canteen, somehow.

Trying my best not to make any noise, I slid forward towards where I thought the entrance to my hiding spot was. But before I could reach the entrance, a voice stopped me.

Vivian... is that you?

Luke Organa? But I'm awake. How are we talking? I replied.

I don't know. Wait, something is happening...

I can't talk right now, Luke. I need to go. I tried to move to the opening, but I found my movements slowing, my body being dragged towards the ground... Shit. Shit! I don't have time for this!

Vivian, is everything okay? Luke replied in my mind.

No, no, no!

I sank to the ground and my world went black.