Okay, don't roll your eyes at my idea *right* away...this is my version of Star Wars set in modern times. Here's a character summary to get started:

Luke Walker-a boy on the edge of manhood who lives with his aunt and uncle, Beryl and Owen Lars, on a farm on the outskirts of a small Kentucky town.

Leila Orlando-A young woman who was orphaned at birth and now lives in with Bailey Orlando and his wife in Philadelphia, the man and woman she has known as parents all her life.

Hans Sol-a drug smuggler from New York caught in a struggle between right and wrong.

Andrew Walker-aka Darcy Victor-Luke's father, who was a police officer but eventually became loan shark and now resides in Chicago.

Juan Kendobi-A mysterious ex-cop who retired for unknown reasons and now lives near Luke in Kentucky.

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"Leila?" Jane Orlando opened the door to her daughter's room a small crack and stuck her head in. "Go to bed soon, okay honey?" She pushed a fallen strand of hair behind her ear.

"Okay, Mom," Leila said absently, absorbed in the book she was reading. She lay on her back on her bed, her head propped up against two pillows, and her long brown hair cascading down her shoulders.

Jane sighed softly and rolled her eyes upwards. "If you're going to bury yourself in that book all night, at least turn the light on." She reached her arm through the crack in the door and flicked a switch. Leila squinted her eyes, adjusting to the change, then let out a small groan.

"I'm fine, Mom."

Jane sighed. "I'm sorry to baby you so much, it's just that..." She paused, opening the door wide enough for her to step inside the room. "It's just that your father and I are just so glad you decided to stay at home for college."

Leila shook her head impatiently, then placed the book face down on her lap. "For this year," she said. "That's all I'm promising."

"I know," said Jane softly. She stood there a few moments in silence, just taking in the sight of her daughter. She was so beautiful, always so glowing. Mother and daughter shared the same brown hair and the same brown eyes, but there was something different about Leila's eyes. It was the only tell-tale sign that Leila wasn't Jane's biological child.

"Mom?"

Jane's thoughts were interrupted by her daughter's voice. She gave Leila a half smile. "Good night," she said finally.

"Good morning," Leila corrected, jerking her head towards the alarm clock that stood on the end table next to her bed. 2:42 A.M.

Jane nodded. "Like I said, get some sleep." She backed out of the room, flicking the light switch and shutting the door softly behind her.

"Parents," Leila said to herself as she flipped her book over and began reading again.

Over an hour passed before Leila began to get sleepy. Her eyes felt heavy, and it got harder and harder for her to keep them open and to concentrate on her book. Eventully, her lids shut. The book fell limp from her hands, and her head drooped to the side on her pillow. She fell into a light sleep, tossing and turning, uneasy about something. Suddenly, she awoke with a start and sat straight up in her bed.

"What was that noise?" she asked herself aloud, her voice trembling slightly. She turned her head towards her doorway, outside of which she could hear a steady thumping. She stared, at first in curiosity, but then in horror as she saw her doorknob turning slowly. Not knowing what to do, she jumped out of her bed and onto the floor. She got down on her hands and knees and tried to crawl under the bed, but she knew it was hopeless. The door creaked open, and within seconds the footsteps were right behind her. She clenched onto the carpet beneath her bed, but a gloved hand grabbed on to her ankle. Someone strong pulled her out backwards, and she lay there on the floor, flat on her stomach. She felt something cold pressed to the back of her head.

"If you scream," said a deep, haunting voice, "I will shoot you. Show me that you understand."

Leila nodded, too scared now to cry.

"Good," said the voice. "Take the gun," he said to someone else. The voice spoke once more to her. "Do you know what I'm going to do now?" he asked in a near hiss. Leila gulped in fear and closed her eyes tightly. Not this, she thought to herself. Anything but this.

"No," said the voice, removing his hand from her ankle. "Not now," as if he had read her mind. "Pick her up," he commanded the other. "And keep it down. We can't wake mommy and daddy."