Hello there!
Thank you for reading this story, I hope you'll stay with me for a little longer ;)
Here's the 2nd chapter and I hope you like it!
And, to prevent any weird situations, remember that Obi-Wan doesn't know who was the abuser, so he thinks that it was a single man okay, that's all I wanted to tell you before you read it. :)
Warnings remain the same, there's a discussion and mentions of rape (just like an entire story).
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
~~~ Chapter 2 ~~~
The corridor was silent, only tapping of his boots and ticking of the clock could be heard around. His fingers have been impatiently tangling with his brown cloak, making it all crumpled up. His heart hasn't slowed down since he found the boy, since he saw his state.
As they arrived at the Halls of Healing, everyone had been staring at the two of them, shocked by Anakin's appearance.
Master Vokara Che wasn't an exception. He would even risk saying that she looked quite panicked, urgent to get Anakin healed from his explicit injuries.
She took that young man away from him, and has not returned yet, hasn't even told him anything about his apprentice.
He has been left with his own fear and sorrow. He tried to release it all into the Force, remembering words he had spoken to his Padawan a few hours ago, before he ran away and almost got himself killed.
He even wasn't angry that Anakin hadn't listened to him and hadn't stayed in the Temple, no. He was frightened, because he had no idea what had happened. The view, the picture of the boy's body in his head kept him fully conscious and fearful.
His hands and white tunic have still been stained by blood. He was exhausted and certain that if he closed his eyes, he would fall asleep immediately. But he will not give in to it.
He will wait here until he sees Anakin, safe and sound within the walls of ever-peaceful Jedi Temple.
"Kenobi." he heard a female voice and he lifted his head up automatically.
Master Che was standing in front of him, her eyes hid some sort of... grief. The exact feeling wasn't to be described. He couldn't read anything from her face.
Anakin isn't dead, right? He couldn't be, he has still felt him, the bond has still been there.
"Yes, Master? What about him? What about my Padawan?" he jumped to his feet and looked at her with hope, but concern wasn't even hidden in his voice. He was wearing his feelings on his sleeve right now, and he was utterly aware of that.
The Twi'lek healer sighed and swallowed, suddenly finding something on the floor better than the gaze the Knight had given her.
"Anakin has... been brutally attacked. He isn't in the best state and is still unconscious. He's on the high dose of painkillers." she replied firmly, hiding her doubts, her feelings. How can she tell Obi-Wan what happened?
"Will he be alright?"
"Physically - yes. However, I risk saying that if you had found him a few minutes later, well... he could have died from his... injuries." she answered matter-of-factly. The Knight swallowed the lump that formed in his throat. He wouldn't like to think about 'what ifs'.
"When does he wake up, then?"
"I don't know. But I highly recommend you to stay with him after he awakes. And he might be a bit... dizzy when he does."
"Of course, I understand, Master. He's alive and that matters." he sighed with relief and glanced at her. "Can I see him now?" his now hopeful voice echoed in the empty, quiet corridor.
The woman nodded silently and bowed respectfully, the man followed. He sighed again and turned towards the door.
"Obi-Wan..." she stopped him just as he was about to walk in. "There is something you need to know."
"What is it, Master?" he had a bad feeling about this.
"Your Padawan, well..." her body tensed, Obi-Wan noticed. "He-- he has been raped. Brutally. Probably more than once." she informed and words came to him as if in slow motion. They had to get through a thick wall that separated him from the painful truth.
And when it hit him, his legs wanted to refuse to cooperate, his breath quickened and the world spun around. Did he put on weight or was it just his body that in the seriousness of the situation felt heavier?
Hands led him to the seat, his face must have been very pale, for even Master Vokara seemed to be concerned.
He just couldn't accept the truth, the words gave him pain he would never get rid of. The world crashed down in one single second. The thought made him sick.
"What..?" his voice, as he predicted, sounded so shaky and weak.
His Padawan... his precious Anakin was abused. He couldn't have been, no! It wasn't real, it must have been a nightmare. He will wake up in a minute, right? It isn't happening.
"I'm sorry, Obi-Wan. I wish it was a lie as well." muffled voice told him. He blinked, trying to piece everything together. It cannot be...
"H-how..." he shook his head, his throat was so dry. He looked at her and breathed in, feeling as weak as never.
His dear, innocent Anakin... he couldn't believe it.
A hand was placed on his shoulder but he didn't react. He's been simply staring at the wall in front of him.
"Will he be... alright?" he asked quietly. The answer, however, was more than obvious. Master Che decided not to respond to that.
Seeing Obi-Wan like that, she felt helpless. And as much as she has never liked Kenobi-Skywalker duet, she was regretful, she pitied both of them. No one should know such a pain.
"You can go see him now, Obi-Wan." she repeated and eyed him. The Knight slowly stood up and bowed. "And, if I may advise, I think he should see Mind Healers. After all, such trauma won't be left forgotten very easily."
"Y-Yes, Master Che." he nodded slightly, taking control of his shaky voice. "You're right. I will do what I can to convince him of this idea." he bowed lowly once again.
Master Che responded with the same and walked away, grief still clear in her always calm face.
He swallowed and tried to be more at peace. He took a few breaths in, then out, and watched as the door opens with a familiar hiss, revealing its interior.
The room, although it was dark outside, was emanating with white, bright light from some lamps hanging from the ceiling. It was empty. Almost.
There on the bed, was lying a poor, hurt Jedi apprentice, his Padawan. Fearful, he came up quietly, not making any sound, even his steps were silent. He gave his apprentice a closer, careful look.
His cleaned of blood and dirt face had some nasty bruises, especially ones under his right eye and on his jaw. They seemed to be quite serious. And there was a bandage around his head.
His dark, torn robes were lying in the corner. On their place came white, clean gown that every patient had to wear.
Even in his sleep, he looked so hurt. He saw in him the small 9-year-old boy again - afraid of the world and his fate.
He sat down in the chair and sighing, grabbed the boy's cold hand. Tears came up to his eyes and he let go of them.
Their recent argument ran through his head swiftly. He knew he shouldn't be blaming himself for Anakin's disobedience, he shouldn't be blaming himself for the boy's decision to run off.
Nevertheless, he just does. It's the way he is, he cannot forgive himself for his lack of understanding. If he had talked to him about the fight, Anakin would not have gone there.
The thought of what had happened set his mind on fire. His body was slightly trembling from rage and fury.
Yes, anger is not the Jedi way. Hatred isn't either. He lectured Anakin about this not once.
But how can he not be angry when someone hurts his son in the worst possible way? The man did this to him, and he's getting away with it. Assuming that there was only one person involved, of course.
Pain squeezed his heart, his face was now wet because of the tears streaming down his still pale cheeks.
He wanted nothing but to hug him, tell him everything's going to be okay.
~~~o*o~~~
He did not know how long he's been sitting here, waiting for his apprentice to wake up. It might have been an hour or two. But soon, the sun will rise, and that horrible night will be left behind. They will be facing problems of upcoming days. Difficult, upcoming days.
He felt exhaustion slowly embracing him but this time, he has not let it win.
Finally, after so long, after such terrible waiting, the teenager stirred in the bed. Obi-Wan's gaze immediately rested upon the youth's face. He swallowed thickly.
Anakin's eyes haven't opened. He shook his head weakly, trying to say something but his voice has been lost in the despair.
"Anakin?" the Knight softly began. He didn't sound as strong as he could have.
The boy heard him. His eyes slowly opened, tears were shining in the light of the lamps. Those pair of blue orbs stared at him for a moment but they weren't lucid at first.
"M-Master?" finally, after a few good seconds, a hoarse, broken voice answered. Obi-Wan has missed that sound, although it hasn't been that long since he last heard it.
"Oh... Anakin!" he kept his voice at the quiet level, being careful not to scare him. He wanted to hug him, but the boy flinched at his light touch. "I've been so worried, young one. So, so worried." he whispered instead and wiped his own tears away.
He would risk a smile, but there was something in his Padawan's eyes that kept him serious. It was the fear and distress. Sorrow and smashing sadness.
"M-Master..." the teenager whimpered. There was no emotion in this voice, not even anger. In fact, Anakin felt so distant, but he understood it.
He looked at the tears that were streaming down the boy's cheeks, leaving wet trails on his skin.
"Shh, Anakin, it's alright, it's okay. I'm here." he placed a gentle hand on his shoulder but the Padawan only flinched again with a sob.
No reply came. Only silent crying. Eerie, wrong silence took control over the light, yet grim, room.
Obi-Wan had no idea how he should behave. Anakin looked so fragile, so broken. He was in pain. Both - mental and physical. And he hated being helpless, for he couldn't do anything at the moment. Time cannot be reversed.
How should he begin a talk? Should he tell him directly that he knows about everything? Or perhaps should he wait for Anakin to open up himself?
Oh, so many questions, no answers. Could it be worse?
"Anakin..." he touched his hand. The boy didn't jerk away this time but his eyes went wide as their palms connected. "Do you... do you remember anything?"
He hoped for the answer to be negative. It would make things much easier. But all of his prayers were left forgotten as the teenager gave him a slight nod. His eyes were now tightly shut. His hand started trembling, he could feel it.
Obi-Wan heard when his apprentice's breath quickened. All these things were wrong. He should have been able to protect him as every Master would. He had failed again.
"I-I'm s-sorry." younger Jedi whispered almost silently. He didn't look up.
The Knight frowned and let an inaudible sigh.
"Don't be. I forgive you everything." he informed but he didn't really know why Anakin was sorry. Was it about their argument? The fight? Or maybe the things that happened down there?
If he apologised for being... attacked like that, Obi-Wan wouldn't even think that it could be his fault.
His Padawan nodded and his breath calmed down a little. His eyes have still been closed, his face like a stone. The man was staring at the teenager, watching as he falls asleep.
Without anything more to add, his apprentice just dived into the world of dreams. Or more likely now, nightmares.
He wrapped a few blankets around him, making sure his apprentice would be warm enough.
He wondered how these events would affect their training and relationship. As much as he didn't worry about the boy's physical state, his mentality must have been harmed.
Yes, he wouldn't disagree with Vokara. To see Mind Healers would be a reasonable decision. However, he wasn't sure if Anakin shares this point of view.
He watched like the younger Jedi's chest moves with every breath taken. His rib appeared to be broken. His face was so grim and hurt.
He hated seeing him like that.
Where is this man who had hurt him, who had left him? He almost killed such a young soul. If not for his quick reaction, he wouldn't have had his Padawan now, for Anakin would have been dead. He would have bled to death.
And he... he just lives with awareness of his action. He isn't even sorry, of that he was more than certain. He felt hot anger even thinking about it. What about justice?
It should find him, he should be killed, treated in the same way he had done this with his beloved apprentice. He broke such a strong, passionate boy. Will Anakin be the same after everything? Will he be able to trust his Master?
So many doubts. So many fears.
After all, Anakin is the only thing that left after Qui-Gon's passing. It was Qui-Gon who had given him that little clever boy. Owing to him, he has never been alone. Because every time he feels lonely or abandoned, and he sometimes does, Anakin is right next to. He reminds him of the beauty and light that has still been hidden somewhere in this world.
He is, and will always be, thankful for that. Because his Padawan is able to bring him back faith when no one else believes.
His Padawan is able to enlighten his dark corridor when he feels lost among the empty hallways of the Temple.
He has been staring at him with a wide smile for a long time until he himself felt the exhaustion which finally decided to hit him. He closed his eyes and didn't even try to fight the desire to sleep.
Now, when Anakin is safe, he can sigh with relief. He can rest.
Until his apprentice wakes up, for there is a lot of work for both of them. He had no idea what to do, what to think. His thoughts were raging wildly in his mind, but he needed to be strong. For Anakin. He must protect him. He must help him...
T.B.C