Sorry for not updating sooner. I was an adult volunteer at 4-H camp and I got back last Friday. But the moment I got back I found out my aunt, who lives right next door, had been rushed to the hospital. She wasn't expected to even make it through the night. But thanks to many prayers, she is starting to recover. And I do believe that it was prayer. The doctors are literally amazed that she is even pulling through. But she still has a long road to go. So between heading to the hospital and rushing home to take care of both her pets and our own animals, it's been hard to update.

I hope to make the updates on this weekly. Anyhow, hope you enjoy the chapter! And thank you all for your continued support and encouragement on this, despite the inconsistent updating. I have read every single review posted and your patience really astounds me. I can never thank you enough.

Ezra kicked and squirmed as he was dragged back toward the basement. Solomon's grip was unrelenting, squeezing hard enough to leave a bruise behind.

They were almost at the basement door when Ezra twisted, angling his head and trying to bite the hand that kept him from escaping. Solomon shook him, roughly.

"No of that now." He opened the door and threw the boy into the dark space. Ezra tumbled down the short flight of stairs and landed on the plank floor. He groaned and pushed himself up with his shaky arms.

"Don't leave this place Ezra. You need to stay here. It's for your own good." And with that, he shut the door.

Ezra growled. He raised himself up to his feet and scrambled up the staircase. He landed on the door and beat his fists against it.

"You can't keep me here, you hear me! I'm not yours to keep." He continued like that, wearing himself out on the wood until he finally slumped in exhaustion. He slid down the door into a collapsed heap at the bottom. He pressed his damp forehead against it.

"You jerk." He said softly. Finally after several long moments he sighed and stood. There was no use staying there. Might as well move somewhere more comfortable.

Once he was back on the bottom, he fumbled for the light switch that he knew was there. He flipped it when he finally found it, bathing the room in a dim light. There was little in the so-called basement. The only objects seen was an old army cot, a box of books in which Ezra had already destroyed much of its contents in rage, and a bowl that was still half full from breakfast.

Ezra sat down cross-legged on the cot. He breathed deeply, trying to bring his frustration under control. His breath hitched and he coughed, the movement burning his chest and scratching his throat.

He fought to gain control and finally succeeded. Once he had managed to regulate his breathing back to a normal pace he sat back. The hopeless of getting out of this place came crashing down on him. He had tried multiple times to escape, with no success so far.

But at least he had managed to call Kanan. Hope flared in his chest, then died out just as quickly. He didn't tell Kanan his location, so how could they find him?

Ezra sighed. He brought himself back to his feet and began to pace. The tips of his shoes scuffing the dirt floor, marking the path he had made from his constant pacing. He mulled over possible chances of escape, though his hope of doing so was starting to fade. He hadn't found a way to escape over the past few days, so how could he find one now?

His eyes began to burn, as memories with his newly found family began to surface to the front of his mind. He sniffled, pacing faster.

Laughing with Zeb over some old comedy….drawing with Sabine at the kitchen table while Hera worked on baking…

"I'll find a way back." He said aloud, though no one could hear him.

Hera laughing…..Kanan bent over the boy to help work on his homework…..Chopper trying to run up his leg…..Kanan ruffling his hair…..Hera's hugs…

His cheeks were damp.

"I'll find a way out. I'll…I'll…"

His shoe snagged on something in the dirt. The result was Ezra tripping, landing on his hands and knees. He hissed, twisting around to see what had made him fall. He paused. Something was sticking out the dirt. His constant pacing over the past few days had uncovered something.

Curious, he used his already filthy hands to brush back the dirt. Within several minutes, he was holding a screwdriver. It was rusty after years of neglect, but still useable. He ran his fingers lightly over the edge.

"Maybe this'll be good for something." He was about to tuck it away when a thought suddenly occurred to him. He craned his head back and looked up toward the ceiling.

Near the top of the wall was a vent. The opening was covered by a grate, held in place with several screws.

And for the first time in days, a genuine smile began to pull at Ezra's lips.