Chapter Seven:

Heradi made certain she was the last person out of the clearing, taking up the rear of the pack of students racing for the safety of the Academy.

When a keening howl sounded a bit too close for comfort, several people jumped, while others simply screamed and picked up their pace. Heradi didn't need to encourage anyone to move faster, and before she knew it the terrified throng of students was in the shadow of the massive Massassi temple.

Master Kam Solusar was rushing toward them as they exited the trail and bolted for the main entrance.

"Get inside!" he ordered, his voice leaving no room for debate.

Heradi paused at the end of the trail to glance back, looking for anyone that may have fallen behind. An urgent tug on her sleeve brought her attention back to fore.

"Why are we stopping?" Jenna cried.

"I'm making sure no one got left behind." Heradi turned back and allowed her partner to lead her into the building.

"Is this everyone?" Master Solusar asked as he came in behind her.

"I'm not entirely certain, Master. We need to do a head-count once we're all back in the mess hall." Heradi puffed back.

"Make it quick." Kam looked nervous, but in control.

Heradi burst into the dining room to find the students already organized into their pairs, all waiting for Heradi to do the roll-call. She spotted Master Tionne Solusar by the wall, and sent Jenna over to her.

"Attention!" Heradi called, and instantly the room silenced, though the level of fear and uncertainty was high. "Everyone look around. Who isn't here now that was when we left?"

Heads turned every which way until one hand rose.

"Yes?" Master Solusar asked.

"I just remembered, Master: I saw two students sneak off into the woods." A boy of twelve said softly. "I… I am sorry, I don't know who they were, but I don't see them in here."

By this time, Heradi had done her roll-call, and she knew who was missing. Her heart tugged in sudden apprehension, but she turned to Master Solusar.

"Master, it's Molindi. And I am willing to bet the one she snuck out with was Tavion: they've been, um, close for some time now."

Master Solusar's eyes hardened. "They left the safety of the Academy grounds at night?"

"It would appear so." Heradi was already heading for the door while Master Tionne instructed everyone to go to their rooms until further notice.

"Heradi, where are you going?" Master Solusar demanded as he followed hot on her heels.

Heradi turned her head, but didn't stop. "Master, she's my best friend; I have to help her, she's…"

They both froze in their tracks only a few paces from the same entry they'd used earlier. Splitting the air was a distant, but distinctive scream. The two shared a look, and Master Solusar thinned his lips.

"Stay close then." He instructed.

Heradi nodded once and allowed him to lead the way.

00000

Tionne Solusar waited for everyone to return to their quarters, using the Force to check on every student. Once they were settled safely in their rooms, she made her way to Luke's accommodations.

How is it he isn't out here with us? She wondered, almost offended at his absence. He must be very ill if he's missing out on this. There is no other explanation as to his absence.

Tionne reached his door and knocked loudly. She waited precious seconds, though she couldn't shake the feeling of dread. Luke's absence, whether he was sick or not, was disturbing. He'd fought battles with major foes while almost completely incapacitated and survived. There was no way he would sleep through an attack on his academy while bogged down with a mere cold.

When no answer came, Tionne stretched out with the Force. Frowning deeply at the absence of his presence, she let herself in.

Nothing seemed out of place in the sitting area, so she promptly made her way to his bedroom, praying he wasn't indisposed. She'd hate to have to explain that to everyo…

Tionne's heart stopped for two beats when she opened the door.

Luke's bedchamber looked like a warzone; with broken furniture, shattered glass, as well as upturned bedding and mattress.

"Master Skywalker!?" Tionne called anxiously, scrambling over the tattered remains of the room to search under larger pieces of furniture, but didn't find him.

It wasn't until she moved back toward the door that she saw it: a slick, crimson fluid dribbled along the floor. She gasped, tracing the trail of blood from the door to the dresser, and then about the room to smear and disappear out the window.

Oh no! Tionne dashed for the portal, leaning out as far as she safely could, and spotted a little more blood on the outside.

She felt tears well up in her eyes as possible scenarios played through her head at random. But one thought stuck in her heart like tree sap: how would she tell Princess Leia if her brother was dead?

00000

Molindi had never run so fast in her life. Her legs ached with the pricks of a hundred needles, and her lungs burned with the fire of every hot, panicked breath, but so far she had managed to avoid Tav's fate.

That thought came to a rapid end when the creature swiped at her legs, its razor-sharp claws shooting across her calves. In their wake were left scalding lines of misery, taking her breath away so she couldn't scream.

But she managed to stay on her feet, stumbling about a particularly large tree. She pushed off the trunk and raced away, hearing the snarling beast continue to pursue her.

Molindi used her limited Force training to add a boost of energy, allowing her to stay just ahead of her pursuit. But her strength was waning, and she would need to either find shelter or shake her pursuit soon, or she would die.

Molindi panted as her legs protested the abuse they were undergoing, but she pushed the pain aside to focus on survival.

She risked a peek over her shoulder, and that was when the ground went out from under her feet… and not a moment too soon. Just as her head went under-ground, the beast's jaws clamped shut with a ferocious snap.

Molindi shrieked when her leg twisted painfully upon impact with hard-packed earth at the bottom of the hole. When she looked up, the beast was clamoring all about her accidental sanctuary, looking for a way to get to her.

Molindi heard thunder, and recalled the weather report from hanger watch that a storm was possible this evening. She snorted with the irony at his statement that morning:

A nasty storm will put a damper on your moon-party tonight.

The beast growled angrily, beginning to inch its way into the hole, and she hollered full-volume at it.

"GO AWAY, YOU STUPID CREATURE!"

The beast yapped at her in response, thrashing toward Molindi with its paw. Just as she thought it would reach her, it jerked back in sudden fear when two distinctive snap-hisses sounded in the near-distance.

Molindi breathed a shaky sigh of relief.

"Oh, thank the Force!" she shouted.

The beast shied away from something, and then bolted from view. She waited several tense minutes before she heard softer footsteps coming from above her position.

"Help!" Molindi called.

She jumped, adrenaline still surging through her veins, as something wet landed upon her cheek. When more droplets landed she realized it was rain, and relaxed.

"Molindi?"

The black-haired girl began to cry with relief when Heradi's face appeared over the lip of the hole.

"Here!" Molindi called.

"Can you stand?" Heradi asked.

"I don't think so, I twisted my leg pretty badly." Molindi replied.

"Okay hang on; I'll levitate you up." Heradi stretched out a hand, and Molindi steadily rose from her landing place.

She lifted a surprised brow when Master Solusar grabbed her arms and hauled her to safety, taking her weight against him while she stood on her good leg.

"What in space happened?" Heradi demanded angrily. "Why the hell did you and Tav leave the field?"

At the mention of her boyfriend, Molindi broke down in tears, remembering his ravaged body. The image of his death would never leave her, she knew.

Heradi and Master Solusar shared a worried glance, and then Kam placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Molindi, where is Tavion?"

"Oh Force!" Molindi wailed. "He's dead! That… that thing killed him!"

Sorrow permeated the Force, and Heradi wrapped her best friend in a hug, weeping with her for the loss of their friend.

An urgent beeping sounded from Kam's comlink and he answered it promptly. "Solusar."

"Kam!" Tionne's voice came back urgently. "You need to get back right away!"

Both girls felt alarm at the way Master Tionne—normally placid and one of the most difficult people to upset—sounded terrified.

"On our way now." Master Solusar answered.

"But what about Tav?" Molindi asked as he began to lead her back.

"If he is dead, then he will have to wait." Master Solusar said, and then sighed. "Look, I am sorry about him, I really am, but with the attack by whatever is out here tonight, we need to focus on those still alive before we worry about the dead." He squeezed her shoulder where he supported her. "We will give him a proper funeral, I promise."

"Okay," She said in a small voice. She knew he was correct: as much as it broke her heart to admit, Tav was gone and he wasn't the priority anymore.