Chapter 9
I woke up with a soft groan, my hand immediately flying to my pounding head. What happened? I wondered as I looked around. Where am I? I then saw a petite woman with long blonde hair; dressed in a traditional doctor's robe, stand in front of me. She smiled at me gently, but the glimmer of greed I saw in her eyes told me that her intentions were anything but good. As soon as my headache lessened, I slowly got to my feet and walked towards her…only to find that a transparent barrier was blocking my way. To my horror, I found that I was trapped in a cylindrical cage with glass-like walls. I stared back at the woman, my eyes narrowing. It was time to show the bad side of Mel Patterson.
"Who are you?" I demanded, "What are doing to me?" She remained quiet and observed me carefully with those avid eyes. Losing my patience, I slammed my fist against the glass wall.
"Answer me!" I screamed at her. She chuckled lightly and slowly made her way towards me.
"Now, now then, my little Whisperer," she chided, "This is not an adequate behaviour for someone wielding so much power." What the hell is she going on about? What's a Whisperer? I wondered, and never took my eyes off her as she slowly circled the cage. She must have the wrong girl. As if she had noticed my confusion, she flashed me an enigmatic smile.
"Ah, so the Jedi didn't tell you everything," she commented casually, "But since you'll die anyway, I don't see as to why I should waste my breath." I clenched my fists tightly, hoping that my fear would pass off as anger. I did not want to give her the satisfaction of seeing me afraid. She could be bluffing, I hoped.
"When Obi-Wan finds out about this he'll-" I blurted.
"When the Jedi do find you, young Whisperer, you will be already dead." She interrupted. "You are my new subject that I will be utilising for scientific experimentation." I then heard something from above me slam and then there was a clicking noise. I looked up to see that a metallic seal had been placed on top of the cage. I then looked down at my feet, and I saw the floor of the cage being filled up with water. The level of the water rose swiftly. She's going to drown me! I realised in shock, and started to bang my fists against the solid glass wall, and screamed at her. She only stood there and watched.
My agitation resumed and I shook my head whilst looking at the water make its way to my knees. I shut my eyes. I need you, Obi-Wan! I tried to call out to him, but I knew that it probably wouldn't work. Obi-Wan was most likely searching the area around the Temple for me, whilst I was stuck here with some sort of mad scientist, waiting to die. And it was all my fault.
Mel had gone missing for quite a while now, and it was late in the morning. He had searched the entire Temple grounds, as well as the area surrounding it, but the teenager was nowhere to be found. And Obi-Wan could not stop blaming himself for what had happened. Why did I let my guard down? He scolded himself repeatedly, I know how much she is sought after, and yet I let my guard down. How could I do such a thing?
"Stop blaming yourself, Obi-Wan," He heard Qui-Gon's concerned voice come from behind him, "Melanie's escape was not your fault." He turned around to see the older Master and his Apprentice make their way towards him. Obi-Wan sighed.
"If only I'd-" He began.
"A Jedi does not dwell on the 'if only's," Qui-Gon chided, "Come, I think we may have a lead." He made his way in a certain direction, Obi-Wan and Anakin followed.
"Last night, little Ryan decided to take a look at the night sky instead of going to sleep," He explained to his younger friend as they strode, "Before he got caught by one of the Masters, he thinks that he may have seen Melanie escape the Temple, and make her way in this direction." As the trio weaved their way through the bustling crowd of people going about their daily chores, each of the Jedi asked around if anyone had seen a girl of Mel's description. However, they always got a 'no' for an answer.
Obi-Wan sighed in defeat, when they ran into Dex's café, and he saw Qui-Gon's Padawan bite his lip in hunger. The young Knight smiled knowingly, and directed his gaze to the older Master.
"Shall we go inside?" He suggested, "I'll buy you two a drink, and I'm sure that if Mel came through here, Dex would have seen her." Qui-Gon considered this, and Anakin's eyes sparkled with life at the thought of a short break. As promised, Obi-Wan bought drinks for his companions, doing it mainly as a gesture of thanks for their help, before directing his attention to Dex, who had been summoned by the Jedi. Obi-Wan immediately asked him if he had seen Mel. The Besalisk frowned thoughtfully for a moment, when his eyes grew wide with recognition.
"Yes actually, I did see a girl wondering around this area last night," He answered the Jedi, " It was late and I remember thinking that it was odd to see someone so young out on their own. I was tidying up the café when I saw her walk by. At first I thought that she may have been lost, and I immediately rushed outside to call out to her." Obi-Wan frowned at this. He did not know Dex to care about anyone at all. As if sensing the Knight's hesitation, Dex smiled at him sadly.
"I've heard of what happens of the young who are stranded around here late at night," He explained, "I did not want a repeat of it. Anyway, when I called out to her, she didn't even turn around; she only sped up her pace. I figured that she might have run away from home, so I let her run off." The three Jedi nodded wordlessly.
"Was there anyone else here with you who may have seen her as well?" Qui-Gon finally questioned.
"I saw her," A stranger's voice chimed in, and the group looked up to see a youth in his late teens stand by their table, "I'm Max, I help Dexter with the unloading of goods."
"Where did she go?" Obi-Wan's preoccupied voice spoke up.
"Well, after Dex called out to her, and she started speed up her pace, I figured that it would be a good idea to see where she was going, in case anyone came looking for her," Max paused to smile at the Jedi, "And as it turned out, it was a smart thing to do. She didn't go far, when she halted and look around to see if anyone was following, and I don't think that she saw me since I am, modestly, good at keeping watch of people."
"You mean stalking." Qui-Gon interrupted harshly. The boy gave an insecure smile.
"I wouldn't call it stalking; merely observing," Max explained himself, "Anyway, the girl did not know it, but she was not only being observed by me – in other words, she had a bounty hunter on her tail." Obi-Wan's heart skipped a few beats.
"What happened next?" Qui-Gon prompted.
"The bounty hunter must have used a sort of tranquiliser on her, for she shot the girl's knee," Max finished off, "I saw it take her away then."
"Did it ever occur to you that maybe it would have been a good idea to report what you saw?!" Obi-Wan growled at the boy menacingly, his hands clenched into fists. Max gulped and took a few steps back, and Qui-Gon's hand immediately lashed out and gripped Obi-Wan's shoulder firmly. Calm yourself right down, Obi-Wan Kenobi. The younger Knight heard his friend's voice in his head. He squeezed his eyes shut and let himself really feel the anger, and then let it go. Obi-Wan re-opened his eyes and looked and a panic-stricken boy.
"Can you recall what this bounty hunter looked like?" The Jedi asked Max calmly. The boy paused before giving a description of the bounty hunter. The two Jedi Masters looked at each other knowingly. They now knew exactly where the girl was. I need you, Obi-Wan! The younger Knight heard the sudden frightened cry in his mind clearly, and he immediately rose to his feet. Qui-Gon and Anakin dragged their gazes to Obi-Wan's face in confusion.
"We haven't much time," Obi-Wan replied to their looks and almost immediately he was heading towards where he knew the girl was. When the two other Jedi swiftly caught up with him, Qui-Gon stopped his younger friend.
"Where exactly are you going?" He demanded.
"To find Mel," The other Knight replied, "I need transport to get me there." Qui-Gon nodded.
"Fine, but we're going to get backup," He informed, "you're going to need it."
"Just hurry up," Obi-Wan replied quickly before rushing off.
What was that all about? Qui-Gon's voice rang in his head What's making you so worried?
They have her, Qui-Gon, and she's in pain, Obi-Wan thought back I need to get to her quickly. I sense it.
Still, I think you're over-reacting. The older man's voice came to his mind.
Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan responded urgently, They have my Melanie.