The man leered at Luke again. Luke stared in horror at the needle the man was preparing. That was the thing he had learned that he should fear more than anything in the galaxy. When the needle slipped under his skin his galaxy would be consumed by pain. He wasn't sure what was in the needle, all he knew was that it hurt for a long, long time.
Before his existence had become a vicious cycle of constant pain he had thought that it must have been some kind of acid. Now he didn't care, all he wanted was to be allowed off the torture rack he had been chained to for the past- how long was it now?- he didn't have any idea. Too long. He told himself.
The pain hadn't been as bad before they'd brought him here. Then he had been able to crawl weakly into Han's arms and just press close to the warmth of his friend, taking comfort in the simplicity of being together. Now he wasn't even sure that Han was alive.
Luke? My son? Are you there? I thought you were in pain. Luke jumped. This gentle voice had been a part of his life since his first few moments of Jedi training. He thought that it must be his father. This was the only reason he could think of that the man sounded like him and cared enough to try to help him.
Father? Daddy? Luke called out for the man he had looked up to all his life, feeling very small and weak. Daddy? Are you here to make it stop hurting? Luke couldn't help being scared by his own words, he had never thought that he would beg for death.
I am here to end your pain, but not in the way you're thinking. Do you feel strong Luke?
No. Just take me away with you then it will all stop all by itself.
I won't let you die, Little One. Can you be strong for Daddy?
I'm not sure.
Try.
I'll do my best.
Good. Do you see that hammer over there? Luke couldn't see his father, but it was as if he had pointed it out.
Yes. They've hurt me with it again and again. I hurt everywhere. I just want to die. I want to be with you and Mom again. Luke was disconsolate.
I'm sure you do, Child. Don't worry, it'll be all right. Again Luke felt as though his father was right beside him, almost believed that he could fell his hand gently rested on his shoulder. He clung to the thought of having his father so close. How have they hurt you, Luke? Is anything broken?
I think my wrist might be. I'm not sure. Luke tried to move it and flinched.
But your legs are fine? You can run?
I think so my legs are all right, but I'm too weak to run.
I will help you. We have to hurry. He is almost finished preparing that needle, you don't want him to inject you again do you?
Luke mentally shook his head, No. No, I really don't. What do I need to do?
Focus on the hammer. Picture it moving. Imagine that it hits the man's head. Hard. Yes, that's it. Close your eyes. It's moving you're doing very well. Anakin's gentle compliments helped Luke to find enough strength to draw in the Force.
Do you really think I can do this? He questioned nervously.
Yes I do. If you are to succeed you have to believe it too. Anakin told his son vehemently.
I'm trying to believe. Is it working?
Yes, good job Luke. Let it go. Stop using the Force.
Luke stopped and opened his eyes just in time to see the hammer drop on the man's head. He turned away quickly before he could see the man's pain. Did I kill him, Daddy? I don't want to be a murderer.
He's not dead, just unconscious. He's bleeding quite a bit; you might not want to look. Do you see the keys he left on the table?
Yes.
Luke felt a wave of gentle, tender love wash over him. Oh, My Son, I'm so proud of you, my brave little boy. Not giving in to the pain at all. I love you Luke. Gather the Force again. Bring the keys over here. I think that I can make a terrestrial form long enough to unlock you. Let go of the keys.
"Thank you, Luke."
Luke felt someone's hand on his cheek and another hand at one of his manacled wrists. "Dad?" he croaked weakly.
"Yes Luke. Don't worry, you're safe now. Don't try to speak, conserve your energy. This form is not strong enough to hold you properly so you will have to support some of your own weight." Luke opened his eyes, terrified that he would see one of the men from the facility. Instead, he saw a tall man with dark blond hair that hung down around his ears. Their eyes met, just for a second, and Luke saw that they had the exact same eye color.
The man finished freeing his son and carefully helped the boy to sit up. Luke rested in his father's arms sobbing. Anakin let him sit like that for a few seconds, rubbing his back, before hurrying him along, "Luke, we have to get moving, someone is bound to check why he," Anakin gestured to the prone form of the man on the floor, "didn't come out."
Luke tried to stand up, but he fell back into his father's arms. Catching his son gently, Anakin was horrified to discover how light the child was. "They've been starving you, haven't they?" he asked. On second inspection his son was terribly thin.
Luke just nodded.
"I think I can carry you then. Put your arms around my neck." Luke complied and Anakin gently lifted the frail body. Luke rested his head on his father's chest, and Anakin thought he heard the boy let out a tiny sob.
As Anakin started towards the door Luke moaned a little bit, "Are you all right Luke? Am I hurting you?"
"What about Han?" Luke's voice was tiny, weak from the exertion.
"What about Han?"
"We have to help him too."
"We don't have time Luke. I'm sorry."
"Then we have to make time. I can't leave Han, we promised."
"We promised?"
"Me and Han"
"I see." Anakin looked at his son and sighed quietly. Oh, Luke, loyalties like this will hurt you. He found the keys anyway and had his son point him in the right direction.
When they neared the cell Luke started to shake. "What is it Luke?" Anakin pulled his son closer, trying to calm the boy with proximity.
"I-I'm not even sure Han's alive." Luke down, sobbing against his father.
"Oh Luke, it's all right. It'll be OK." They had reached the door and Anakin pulled out the keys and started to turn them in the lock.
When the door clicked open and Luke saw Han on the floor, the child started to sob even harder. Anakin carried his boy over to the older man and gently rested the child next to him.
Han looked up at Anakin with accusation in his eyes "How could you do this to Luke? He would never hurt anyone on purpose, how did he get so many people to hate him like this?" the man moved towards Luke, gently taking his wounded friend in his arms.
Luke moaned and both of the older men turned to look at him immediately.
"I didn't do this to Luke, I just saved him. Didn't you notice that I didn't even close the door after myself? I just want to help him. I'm his father; I would never want to hurt him."
"If you're his father, then you're dead." Han said, drawing his friend to protect his friend from the madman who had entered his cell.
"Mm." Anakin nodded absently, unlocking the manacle from around Han's ankle, "I understand you don't believe in the Force, so you wouldn't understand how I'm here. Why don't you just take advantage of the fact that I am here to help you two and get out of here?"
"Fine, but I don't trust you in the least."
"I can't argue with that." Anakin smiled, "Can you stand up?"
"Yeah, they haven't hurt me half as much as they've hurt the kid. I'll carry him." Han stood up and picked up his friend who moaned quietly and reached out to his father. Anakin kissed his son's cheek, to show that he wouldn't leave, and led Han out of the little cell.
When they reached the hanger Anakin took his son from Han and they sprinted to the Falcon. Luke gave a little groan when he saw the ship. "We could have at least chosen a ship that can fly."
"If your friend is right about one thing it's that that ship is more than meets the eye." Anakin raced up the ramp. "Han! There are some rebel ships waiting behind the moon, that would be your best bet if you want to get out of the system."
As Han ran into the cockpit to get them going, Anakin lay his son down on the floor and sat next to him, finally taking the time to assess the child's injuries. The boy had been right; his wrist was certainly broken, as were a few of his ribs. The child had no body fat so he couldn't stop shivering.
Stroking his son's bloody, matted hair Anakin promised that he would be right back and stood up. In no time he was back with a blanket which he wrapped around his son. Luke gave another little moan and sank into the warmth of the blanket and his father's gentle touch.
Anakin continued his check up and rubbed his little boy's back one last time. "I'm sorry Luke, but it's time for me to return to where I belong." He bent down and kissed his boy's forehead. "I think you'll pull through just fine." And then he disappeared.
Luke looked up at where his father had been and started to sob, longing for his father or Han or Chewie; anyone who would hold him and comfort him. Leia, yes it would be good to have Leia with him right now. He closed his eyes and imagined that she sat beside him rubbing his shoulders and speaking to him gently. The words didn't matter. Just her tone, just that she was with him.
Or maybe the words did matter. Leia's tone had changed, from the one she always used when he was upset to the one she used when she was scared. "Luke! You're walking into an Imperial trap, you have to tell Han! You have to warn him not to go to the moon!"
At this Luke sat up despite his weakness "What? Leia?" but in his surprise he had dropped the illusion. "Leia, I can't even stand up. I can't warn him." Luke dropped back to the deck in exhaustion, crying softly at his own weakness and feeling more alone than ever.