A/N: Thanks for reviewing!

Rey awoke from a strange dream of a cloaked figure watching her. Perhaps it was a phantasm, or perhaps it was because of the feeling of someone's eyes on her and Beatrice when she was trying to find the girl's family. Pushing the thoughts aside, she found that the carriage had stopped. She was alone. Hesitantly, she reached for the door and was startled when it opened.

"Oh, good, you're up. We're here," Finn told her, grabbing for his jacket, which had been left on the seat. He seemed agitated, and she wanted to ask him why, but wasn't sure it was her place.

"What time is it?" she asked instead.

"After midnight. Hurry."

She hastily jumped down from the carriage and followed him toward a decent-sized inn. Most of the lights were out by now and picking her way across the courtyard took a great deal of her concentration. It was fortunate that Finn wasn't in much of a hurry anymore, so she did manage to keep up well enough. They entered what was clearly a side door and climbed a narrow staircase. The common room would probably still be occupied at this hour, but this part of the building was quiet.

"This is your room," Finn said, gesturing toward the door and handing her a key. "I'm next door if you need anything."

She nodded, too struck by the enormity of having her own room to speak.

"Rey." She forced herself to focus on him. "I'm very tired. Try not to need anything until noon," he said with a smile.

"I'll try," she promised, returning the expression. He nodded and turned away. When was the last time she'd been alone at night? A long time ago, maybe never. The thought was exhilarating and a little frightening. She hadn't slept anywhere but her own familiar bed for years and years. And now she'd never be there again. She couldn't quite accept that – this all seemed so surreal.

The room was small, holding not much more than a bed. Still, it was more private than anything she could remember. She was pleased to find her trunk already there and waiting, and wondered how long she had slept in the carriage before Finn had come back to wake her. Perhaps that was the reason for his agitation. Unlikely. Maybe something had gone wrong with the travel arrangements. Who knew?

She gratefully changed into her nightgown and sank into bed. The day had been more eventful than any she could remember, and she hoped tomorrow would settle a bit. Somehow, she didn't think it would.


It was quite a bit before noon when she woke up. Uncertain what to do with herself, she tried to stay in the room as long as possible. But she could smell breakfast being prepared and hear people stirring, so it was hard. Finally, she gave in and left the room. It took a few minutes of searching to find her way to the common room, but she managed without incident.

There were people milling about who paid her no mind, not even glancing her way. She had expected to find Beatrice and her father here, but saw no evidence of their presence. Unsurprisingly, Finn appeared to still be asleep. She found a seat on her own and was glad when the landlady brought her breakfast without being asked. No question of payment was put toward her, which was a relief, and she realized she was famished. Had she eaten at all yesterday?

To her relief, Finn showed up just as she was finishing. "Good morning," she said, smiling at him.

"Morning," he replied distantly, looking around the room as though searching for someone.

"I haven't seen Beatrice," she offered.

That caused him to turn toward her sharply and she wondered if she'd said something wrong. "No, of course not. Poe – Master Dameron – was impatient to get home and they only stopped here briefly."

"I see."

He sat down across from her, seeming far away, and she stared intently down at her plate. Eventually, the landlady brought him breakfast as well.

"Awfully foggy this morning, sir," the woman said to him conversationally.

"Is it?"

"Oh, yes, sir. I think you and the young miss had better plan on staying until after you've had some of the luncheon we can put together, Mr. Finn."

His jaw clenched briefly, then he nodded. "I suppose that would be best."

"Those roads aren't safe in the fog. You're making a good decision, sir."

He nodded and she moved off to talk to other patrons. "I think I have some matters to which to attend in my room. Will you be alright on your own for a few hours?" he asked, glancing at Rey.

"Yes," she responded quickly. When he didn't immediately say anything, she cast about for something to do. "I might go for a walk."

"Don't wander too far, Rey. Be wary of any… disreputable characters." he added, picking up his plate and smiling at her.

"How will I know them?"

"They'll be wearing black, obviously." He was joking, but something in his tone made her think he meant it. "I'll see you here for lunch?"

"Of course." She was relieved to have some clear future plans. Though lunch was vague, it at least meant she didn't have to wait and wonder if it would be inappropriate for her to knock on his door. The social niceties were rules she had learned in a schoolroom, not something she knew how to do in real situations. And traveling alone with a man was probably not following them anyway. Shouldn't she have some kind of chaperone? The thought was a new one, and now worried her. She'd hate to be ruining a reputation she hadn't even had time to develop yet.

At length, she grew tired of the common room and headed outside through the front door. It was, indeed, a thick fog that covered the landscape. She could see no more than a few yards before her face. Perhaps a walk would be ill-advised. But the thought of being cooped up in her room any longer was not pleasing, either. She would just have to be careful.

Taking her time, she made her way down the path the led toward the stables. The horses were restless, stamping and blowing, and she could relate to that. Now that she had found a new place in the world, she was impatient to start. Waiting had been easy, something she'd been doing for all of her life. But now that she was so close... It was hard to endure.

The inn was settled against the forest, which was bisected by the road. She couldn't see very far into the distance, so did not know the size of the wood or how long they had traveled through it to get here. It occurred to her that she didn't even know the direction to get home – well, to get back to Jakku. Her new home lay somewhere ahead.

She was gazing wistfully down the empty path when she felt that strange sensation again, like she was being watched. Hesitantly, she looked around, in search of some indication she wasn't alone. There! A figure in a black cloak had left the inn and was moving toward her. She froze, irrationally afraid. Surely Finn hadn't meant anyone specific? Surely it wasn't the same person from before?

Suppressing a shudder, she turned around abruptly and walked into the forest. The trees would hide her if she was in need of hiding. Right? She paused, listening. There was silence, the eerie kind that only came from days where the fog settled heavily over the landscape. Her own breath was deafening.

But then – footsteps. She turned to look and saw the man – though obscured by a cloak, the sheer size indicated his sex – was still approaching. And seemed intent on her. The stories she'd been told about being caught alone in Jakku rushed through her mind, and she wanted to run. Still… surely she was overreacting.

She waited, silent, until he was quite close. His hood kept her from seeing his face clearly and she watched him.

"Ah. The girl I've heard so much about," he said, his voice toneless. There was no indication of who had been speaking of her, or how he felt about what he'd heard. She didn't answer. He moved closer, until he was almost close enough to touch her. "The child. Where is she?"

Did he mean Beatrice? If he was a friend of Finn's, or Dameron's, why would he be questioning her like this? Following her into the woods? Most improper. And there was Finn's agitation and vague warning about someone dressed in black. Yes, this was clearly not a situation in which she should tell the truth.

She took a faltering step back, then another. Then another. He didn't follow her, and she was feeling successful when her foot failed to make purchase and she found herself tumbling down a hill. Something made contact with her head and everything went black.