"Finn, get Melissa!"
Rey's words echoed in his mind, with each stroke he took.
Finn was the best swimmer and athlete in the school. Without questioning Rey's command, he shot into the lake like an arrow. The water was cold but he never felt its bitter sting. With each breath and turn of his head, he could hear the screams of his classmates.
Shit.
The worst part was not knowing. Not knowing whether Rey, Poe and Claire were safe. He prayed that they were. Finn was certain of only one thing: he had to save Melissa. There was no way for her to swim,not with those injuries. He wouldn't stop swimming until his classmate was safe.
Soon he was at the center of Cherry Lake. Taking a deep breath, he disappeared under the water. It was a miracle that he managed to find her in the murky depths. The pair emerged, taking much needed gasps of air. Pulling Melissa over his shoulder, he forced her arm to wrap around his neck.
Melissa coughed up water every few seconds but at least she was conscious. If she had been underneath the water any longer, she might not have made it at all.
"You're safe," Finn said, repeating the phrase over and over. "I've got you."
His calm voice helped Melissa breathe normally again. She was incredibly lucky, whether she realized it or not. The girl held on with her last bit of strength while Finn kicked and paddled them back to shore.
The swim back was agony and it felt like it took twice as long. Eventually, Melissa began to kick as well — helping them progress.
"Fuck," Finn said, pulling them toward the shoreline. By the time they made it into shin-high water, the brave student-athlete was exhausted.
Melissa made it onto dry land and collapsed on her back. The poor girl suffered terrible injuries, but she was safe now. She was content to wait right there until emergency services arrived.
"Please tell me that paramedics are coming," she gasped.
Finn landed on one knee, resting between two moss-covered rocks. He kept a vigilant eye on the camp grounds, searching for any signs of his friends.
He finally spotted Rey, running for her life. She was being chased and he barely had enough energy to warn his friend.
"Rey… behind you!"
The fight between Luke Skywalker and Ben Solo never ceased. The dueling swordsmen were focused and intense, blocking everything else out. They spun and leapt around the bonfire in a series of acrobatic parries. Each strike was deflected with a loud, reverberating crack. Every time they landed on the ground, sand kicked up in large plumes.
Rey's heart was in her throat. A helpless feeling washed over her. Her frantic screams for them to stop had fallen on deaf ears. On several occasions, the young prophet ran forward to intervene.
"Back," Ben barked a handful of times. He did this while countering strikes from his uncle.
Rey held her ground each time, like a child that had been scolded. It was too easy for her to get caught in the crossfire. For that very reason, Luke and Ben extended their wings. Thinking the same thing, they took to the skies and ensured the safety of the prophet.
"Oh my God," Rey breathed. They were going to rip each other to pieces; she was sure of it now.
Luke and Ben flew higher, circling the campsite. Flashes of blue and crimson loomed ominously overhead. Sparks rained down, followed by the occasional black or white feather.
Suddenly, the bonfire flared with a violent burst of heat. The blinding light made Rey cover her eyes and turn away. Archangel Gabriel came barreling through the wood and flames. He cursed at the heavens, brandishing a fist toward the sky.
"You think I can't handle a little heat?" he bellowed at Kylo Ren.
Gabriel ripped off his charred chest plate and tossed it to the ground in an annoyed huff. Badly burned skin was clearly visible along his left flank. His pristine, angelic features had been marred by the fire. Half of his face was scarred to the consistency of dripping wax.
Fire can hurt them, Rey noted.
The Archangel turned his attention to the campgrounds again, quickly spotting Rey out in the open.
For a second, Rey froze in place. Prophet and Archangel faced off. Only this time, Ben wasn't coming to her aid. He was too preoccupied to notice Gabriel's return.
"All alone, little one?" the incensed angel shouted. "You're mine."
Gabriel's wings appeared. They unfurled and stretched wide, casting a long shadow over the prophet.
Rey backed away, considering her limited options.
Poe's Bronco was parked close to the campsite, but most of the students had failed to find it in the dark. In fact, only two students had managed to find the path back. Claire sat in the passenger's seat and waited for Poe to return from the rear gate. He searched frantically for something in the cargo area.
"What are you doing?" Claire called out. Each passing second left her on the edge. Getting on her knees, she turned in the seat to locate Poe. She thought he would be driving her back to the school.
"You're not going to the lake, are you?" she questioned.
"Our friends are still out there," Poe answered.
Pulling bags of old equipment out, he failed to find what he was looking for. There was plenty of gear, but no .22 caliber rifle. His dad must have removed it from the truck. It should have been mounted inside the cabin, but it wasn't there either.
"Shit. Well, I must go back for the others," Poe said, checking his phone again. "Figures. I don't have reception out here."
"Neither do I," Claire panicked, looking at her phone again. The screen had cracked when she fell in the woods, but her phone should be able to make and receive calls.
"Okay," Poe said, taking a deep breath. He had a small hatchet in the truck and that would have to do.
"Stay with the Bronco. As I find the others, I will direct them toward you. Maybe someone will have a phone that works out here. You won't be alone for long, I promise."
"No, Poe," Claire pleaded. She was terrified and didn't want him to leave.
"Poe… I heard something in the woods. It sounded like wolves or perhaps a large bear. It's too dangerous to go back in there, especially with those things flying around."
Poe came to the passenger side door and took Claire's hand in his.
"Claire, listen to me. There isn't a wolf or bear for five miles. Finn and Rey are still at the campsite. They need our help. Those flying things are everywhere. Do you understand me? I have to go. I have to help our friends," Poe said reassuringly.
Claire nodded and exhaled shakily.
"There's a flashlight in the glove box," Poe said. He went around to the driver's side and put on the emergency blinkers.
"If you see someone come out to the road, shine the flashlight at them," Poe advised. "You yell and honk the horn at as many classmates as you can… but do not leave the Bronco. Understand?"
Claire nodded quickly in response.
"I'm coming right back," he added. Hopping down from the stainless-steel step bar, Poe disappeared in the forest again.
"Okay," Claire said, waiting a moment to let her nerves calm.
She reached for the glove box and pulled it open. A flashlight was there just like Poe promised. But there was something else right underneath it, something Poe didn't know about. Picking up the flashlight, Claire found a small handgun hiding underneath.
Looking into Rey's eyes, Gabriel let out a high-pitched cackle.
Rey swallowed hard in response. She needed a weapon to defend herself, but only one thing could hurt something like Gabriel. That's when she remembered the unconscious Archangel by the lake — the one dressed like a samurai. Turning on a dime, she raced for the shore. Her only chance was to go for the lightsaber hilt attached to the samurai's belt.
Gabriel vaulted skyward in pursuit.
"Rey… behind you!" Finn shouted, stumbling through the shallow water.
The warning came a heartbeat too late. Rey was only steps away from the lightsaber when something knocked her to the ground. Rolling end over end, she landed on her belly.
"Get away from her!" Finn hollered. He managed to pick himself up, grabbing a rock in the process.
A fist came out of nowhere, however, and connected with Finn's jaw. The staggering right cross was thrown by Maso Ren. The injured Archangel had recovered quickly, leaping to his feet and striking the nearest teenager in retaliation.
Maso glared down at Finn, who was out cold.
Curled in a ball on the ground, Rey gasped in agony. The wind had been knocked out of her lungs. She was slow to recover, slow to open her eyes. When she did, it was in time to witness Finn falling to the ground beside her.
"Leave the boy, Maso. And forget about Kylo Ren, too. We have what we need right here," Gabriel said arrogantly.
The blonde Archangel stalked Rey like a prized woodland trophy.
"Oh, we're going to become the best of friends," Gabriel hissed. Digging his foot into Rey's shoulder, he let his talons sink in.
Rey tried to scream, but nothing came out of her mouth. The sharp, knife-like pain added insult to injury. She thought she might pass out on the spot.
"Which one struck me?" Maso barked. The heavily armored angel picked up his shattered helmet and inspected the damage. He cursed in a loud, indiscernible language — something which resembled a hundred shrieking birds.
There was a large crack running down the center of the storied helmet. Its extraordinary craftsmanship and ornate details had been smashed off or reduced into small fragments.
"I believe it was our little prophet here," Gabriel chuckled. "Find Gunner and let's go. Our former Masters can destroy themselves."
"The helmet of a great General… passed down in my family for generations," Maso muttered bitterly. "At least let me slaughter one of her friends."
The samurai wasn't really asking for permission. Looking down at Finn, he reached for his silver hilt.
"No!" Rey cried, finding her voice again. In desperation, she reached for her best friend.
A loud, rumbling growl came from the forest. It sounded like thunder at first, but there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Branches and bushes rustled. Birds scattered as the noise grew closer and changed into a deep purr.
"Wait," Gabriel instructed, narrowing his eyes and looking to the tree line.
"Do you hear that?" he called to Maso.
Gabriel released his talon grip and removed his foot from Rey's back and shoulder. The prophet gasped and started to breathe normally again. Tears welled in Rey's eyes. It was an instant relief, having the pain and weight off her lithe frame.
"There is a darkness in these woods… I can feel it," Gabriel continued.
Maso didn't reply. He was consumed by the loss of his helmet and it didn't help that Gunner arrived. The arrogant, red-headed Archangel had a shit-eating grin on his face. Maso did not seem amused. He didn't want to hear what Gunner had to say.
"Still clinging to a past that has forgotten you, eh?" Gunner asked.
"That armor should be in a museum. Ah, that's right… it was. This wouldn't have happened if you left it there," he continued.
"It rightfully belongs to me," Maso snarled.
"Alright, take it easy. Honestly, the kid isn't worth the spilled blood," Gunner reasoned.
"He's not worth the five hundred lashes, either."
"I don't care," Maso grumbled. He continued to eye Finn as a potential target for his anger.
"I would carve out a thousand lashes in penance—" he added, before getting interrupted.
"Quiet, all of you!" Gabriel shouted over his shoulder. The Archangel ignited his weapon, but for an entirely different reason. Facing the eastern edge of the forest, he braced himself. The noise grew louder and more distinct… until Gabriel finally recognized it.
Rey crawled through the mud and dirt, making her way to Finn while the Archangels continued to bicker. She could feel blood running down her back, soaking her undershirt.
"Jesus," she whispered, before finding Finn's hand. She started patting it, trying to wake her friend. Her hand then when to his cheek.
"Isn't that touching," Gunner teased, looking down at the pair.
"Maybe we should kill your friend? It might make you an obedient little prophet."
Maso agreed with that assessment. He ignited his lightsaber and reached back with a quick movement. Rey closed her eyes and whispered under her breath — she couldn't bear to watch the death of her friend.
At that moment, a large shadow leapt from the woods. It had the profile of a hound, but it was some sort of hybrid — much larger than any known wolf or dog. The hulking creature was a beast and it knocked Gabriel down with its first pounce.
Leaping again, the nightmarish monster landed on Maso. The beast sank his teeth into the Archangel's wing and began to shake his head from side to side.
The armored warrior cried out in surprise as the hound ripped into flesh and feather. Maso's sword tumbled from his fingers, switching off on the way down. It landed next to Finn's foot with a heavy thud.
"A bloody Hellhound!" Gabriel cried out, scrambling to his feet. How could a Hellhound be here? He charged the beast from the right, while Gunner engaged from the left. They tried frantically to save their fellow Knight.
"Finn!" Rey cried again, getting to her knees. She shook her friend's shoulders, trying everything to wake him. A scary diversion was keeping the Knights of Ren at bay and this was their window for escape.
Finn finally moaned and started to stir. Poe came darting out of the woods a few seconds later, carrying a hatchet in hand.
"What the fuck?" he yelled, scanning the hectic scene in complete shock.
He saw Rey draped over Finn. Thank God, they were alive. A gigantic wolf was nearby, shaking the life from one of the winged creatures. It was a lot to process, but the burning questions in his head would have to wait. Poe raced to Finn's side, sliding to a stop in the dirt.
"Help me," Rey said, pulling one of Finn's arms around her neck.
Poe grabbed Finn from the other side and lifted him to his feet. Finn moaned and finally opened his droopy eyelids.
"Come on, buddy," Poe said, taking the brunt of his friend's weight.
They moved slowly through the campsite, while Finn struggled to string a coherent sentence together.
"What… happened?" he mumbled.
"That's it, Finn," Rey encouraged. "Use your feet. We're going someplace safe."
"Get… to safety," Finn replied, as the fog slowly lifted from his clouded mind.
Rey, Poe, and Finn pressed forward, heading for the safety of the Bonfire. They could hear the beast behind them, tearing into Maso's flesh and armor. The vicious Hellhound growled and snarled the entire time. They could hear the Archangels, Gabriel and Gunner, yelling and shouting in vain. At least they were distracted.
"The Bronco is just a little further," Poe said reassuringly.
The Hellhound tore another piece from Maso's back as the Archangel started to fade. Feathers flew with each violent shake from the beast. The armor on Maso's back and shoulder did little to protect him. Most of the pieces were clawed and ripped from his body.
"Canis die inferos," Gunner cried out.
Leaping in the air, he managed to strike the beast with his axe. It was a glancing blow at best and the Hellhound recovered quickly.
The beast was unusually smart, something that the Archangels hadn't encountered before. He used Maso's body as a shield. Every time Gunner or Gabriel tried to close in, the Hellhound would turn its head, placing Maso in front of their deadly weapons.
Gabriel cursed loudly in frustration. Glancing over his shoulder, he checked on the prophet — expecting to see her laying in the dirt next to her friend. Instead, she was near the bonfire and close to an escape. He couldn't let her get away; not now. He wouldn't. Even if it meant sacrificing Maso.
"If you leave, prophet, I will never stop hunting your friends!" Gabriel shouted into the night.
Rey stopped walking and stared at the bonfire for a second. The flames flickered in her sparkling eyes.
"What is it, Rey?" Poe asked, wondering why they had stopped.
Now that he had Rey's attention, Gabriel addressed her again.
"You can hide in the Sanctuary like a little girl, but your friends can't; not for long. If you leave right now, I will kidnap all your friends! One… right after another," Gabriel threatened again.
"Take Finn," Rey hissed.
She had heard enough. Despite Poe's protests, Rey turned back to face the Archangel. Gabriel gave an arrogant nod in response.
"Smart move," he added, before turning his attention back to the Hellhound.
Rey fumed. She wouldn't be intimidated by Gabriel. She wouldn't let her friends be bullied or used as pawns, either. The overconfident Archangel had made a grave mistake. He threatened her friends… the only family she had in the entire world.
A surge of adrenaline raced through Rey's body. Standing over Maso's lightsaber, she opened her hand and spread her fingers. The warm hilt wiggled and leapt from the sand, flying into her waiting grasp.
"Just like I imagined," she breathed in triumph.
The sword ignited instantly. A long blue flame of energy extended from the hilt. The distinct sound of its ignition made Gabriel turn around again. When he faced Rey this time, she was crouching in a defensive form.
"How?" Gabriel muttered in disbelief. "That's not… possible."
Ben chased his uncle from one tree branch to another. The pair had sustained burns and holes in their clothing, but that was it. Neither swordsman had scored a significant strike — not yet anyway. Their lightsabers continued to clip through branches. Several widow makers had fallen and fortunately, no one below had been crushed.
The fight was growing more reckless with each passing minute. Finally landing on a sturdy perch, Luke took a defensive form.
"How long do you think you can keep her from me?" Luke called out. "From her calling?"
The powerful Master had been trying to reason with Ben since taking their fight to the skies.
Landing on the same branch, Ben lunged forward; he wasn't in a talking mood. The warriors locked blades in the center, fighting for positioning. Grimacing and grunting, Luke pushed with all his strength. He was trying to score a glancing blow along Ben's hand or shoulder — something to incapacitate his nephew.
Ben was familiar with the tactic. His custom Hellfire Crossguard was designed to counter this very scenario. Pressing the advantage, he used his height to lean into his uncle.
"You can't have her," Ben growled.
"The prophet… isn't a secret anymore. How long do you think you can keep her from them?" Luke said coldly.
Them.
The comment was sobering. During the duel with Luke, Ben had lost track of the Knights of Ren. He had no idea that Rey was in peril. He could never forgive himself if the Knights got ahold of her.
"You have to choose, Ben… before someone makes the decision for you."
"Fuck," Ben cursed loudly.
"There is a Hellhound down there as well and you haven't even noticed. Some protector you are," Luke added. "Still making the same mistakes… aren't we?"
That was the last thing Ben wanted to hear. Yelling in frustration, he pushed the closest crossguard directly into Luke's shoulder. The fiery end pierced his uncle's flesh. The Archangel cried out, losing his footing on the branch.
Luke Skywalker fell from the sturdy perch while Ben Solo dove for Rey.
Bending her front knee, Rey angled the fiery sword behind her back. Her demeanor was calm and confident. She had never held a sword before, much less a lightsaber. But there was something comforting about the heavenly weapon, a familiarity with it that she couldn't explain.
Gabriel's expression and body language was the exact opposite.
"Little girls shouldn't play with swords," he said, twirling his lightsaber with a flourish.
There was a change in his voice however, despite the jab at Rey's gender and age. He didn't sound cocky or confident. Instead, his words masked a feeling of uncertainty. Perhaps he was hoping that Rey would back down.
The prophet couldn't know how to fight, he reasoned.
Rey extended her left hand, holding it out in front of her. The pose was distinct and reminded Gabriel of Kylo Ren's forms.
The Archangel took flight, shooting straight up. Gabriel went thirty feet in the air, flapping his wings and looking down at Rey. She wasn't intimidated, however, not in the least. It was like a slap in the face to the proud Archangel. Without warning, he swooped down like a falcon — aiming to knock the prophet from her feet.
Rey didn't panic. She remembered Ben's incredible display of power, when he caught Gabriel the last time. How he trapped the Archangel with an invisible forcefield and then pushed him into the Bonfire. Ben made it look so easy. In that moment, she felt a surge between herself and Ben Solo. It was like he shared a secret, whispering so that only she could hear.
The blonde Archangel let out a loud cry, racing for Rey a second time. He slammed into an invisible barrier a second later. Gabriel recoiled and shook his head, reeling from the sudden impact. It took a moment before he realized what happened.
"You couldn't… it's not possible," he growled, trying to break free from Rey's invisible hold.
Rey's eyes widened in shock. She was just as surprised to discover that it had worked; she had stopped the Archangel. Gabriel cried for help, calling to the other Knight.
Off in the distance, Archangel Gunner struck a fatal blow to the Hellhound. The beast continued to fight back however, even as it bled out.
"You are not Moses!" Gabriel protested. "You are not Christ."
"I have… an incredible teacher," Rey replied. Spreading her fingers, she could feel every inch of the Archangel's body — even the bits she would prefer to never feel again.
"What is an Angel without his wings?" Rey asked suddenly, tugging at the feathered appendages.
"You cunt!" Gabriel growled.
A chill ran down Rey's spine.
"I hate that fucking word," she snapped. Her uncle's friend called her that whenever she made a mistake in the garage.
Rey's vibrant and sparkling eyes took on an amber hue. Gabriel pursed his lips but swallowed his retort. He had never known a prophet's eyes to change color.
"In nominee Dei, et abierunt," Rey stated, her voice going down an octave.
Gabriel's wings burst into flames. He cried out again, this time in the strange language that Maso had used earlier.
With her body trembling from head to toe, Rey held the Knight of Ren in place. She quickly felt light-headed and faint. The prophet stumbled but managed to stay on her feet. She wanted to send a clear message to the other Knights. And a part of her — a dark and dangerous part — wanted to see the Archangel burn.
"For Melissa… for Finn and Poe," she said, her voice fading.
Rey closed her eyes. The world around her felt like it was spinning end over end. She released Gabriel before the last of his wings burned away.
Falling to the ground, Rey was caught in a pair of strong arms.
"Rey," Ben gasped, lifting her into a bridal carry. In a heartbeat, he and Rey were gone — vanishing from the scene.
Luke Skywalker landed on the campsite. He walked silently, with his lightsaber hilt strapped to his belt again. His wings slowly folded and disappeared into his back. There were screams and voices off in the distance, but those belonged to the frightened students from St. Matthews. He didn't pay them much attention.
Maso lay writhing in agony. His left wing had been completely torn off. A bright blue light was seeping from the gaping hole in his back. There were faint patches of light emanating from a dozen other wounds, as well as his eyes and mouth.
Luke knelt by the fallen Knight. He gently placed a finger onto Maso's forehead. The Archangel stopped convulsing. Moments later, his entire body turned into an intense light. Once the light faded, Maso was gone; he ceased to exist. The only thing left behind were the clothes and remaining pieces of armor that he was wearing.
"Godspeed, Maso," Gunner said, making the Sign of the Cross.
"That won't do him any good now," Luke said bitterly.
"What are they hiding in that fucking school?" Gabriel said with a shaky voice.
The beaten Archangel was in a seated position, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. His charred wings trembled uncontrollably.
"A prophet," Luke answered simply. He wasn't in the mood to suffer through Gabriel's grief or Gunner's temper.
On cue, Gunner grumbled under his breath and moved off in the background. He wanted to take his aggression out on something, so he circled the Hellhound once more. The foul creature was dead, but he decided to make sure. Wielding his hefty axe, he began hacking into the massive beast.
Luke flicked his tired gaze from Gunner to Gabriel.
"That's not what I meant," Gabriel grimaced. "You said… you said that she was untrained. So, what has made her so powerful in such a short period? It can't be Kylo Ren… I won't accept that explanation."
"I'm not sure what you mean," Luke replied.
"What more are they hiding in that school?" Gabriel said.
Luke shut his eyes briefly and didn't answer. He had his own suspicions about the school, but he chose to keep those close to the chest.
"She has power on a biblical scale!" Gabriel insisted. He hoped that his words would finally register, but Luke seemed to dismiss them just as quickly.
"I don't believe this!" Gabriel shouted.
Luke stood and inhaled deeply, although he didn't breathe or need air. The act was an old habit, left over from the days when he was among the living.
"We lost a Knight of Ren tonight because you can't follow simple orders," Luke stated. "They will clip your wings for this… what's left of them anyway."
"We'll see," Gabriel said defiantly. He made himself stand and face the Archangel, even though the act of standing was tortuous.
"You know what I think? I think you've been protecting your dear sister the entire time," Gabriel challenged.
Luke kept his expression stoic, choosing not to dignify the accusation with an answer. Raising his golden hand, he snapped his fingers. He, Gunner, and Gabriel disappeared from Cherry Lake instantly.
The morning sun crept through the blinds, dancing along Rey's peaceful features. Rey let out a soft moan in return. Her eyelids fluttered but she was slow to wake. The mattress underneath her right side felt different. It was soft and comfortable. Her fingers clawed some, feeling the texture of the sheets; it wasn't her bed. The smell of the room was different too.
Under any other circumstances, Rey would have jolted awake and leapt from the bed. Waking up in a stranger's bed should have been terrifying, but Rey wasn't concerned.
An arm was draped over her hip and a familiar hand rested on her stomach. She could feel Ben's soft breath behind her ear.
"Mmm. I've always wanted to wake up next to you," Rey said, her voice thick with sleep.
Ben moaned against the top of her head. He didn't want to move an inch or open his eyes. He wanted to stay in this position forever.
"Just a few more minutes, Rey," he whispered.
Rey's heart skipped as Ben's hand slid across her belly. His fingers gently curled between her body and the mattress, making sure that she wouldn't move.
"You're at my cottage, love," Ben added a few seconds later.
"Love?" Rey smiled. She liked the sound of that.
For several minutes, the pair drifted in and out of sleep. The time spent cuddling was blissful. The warmth between their bodies was comforting. But like all good things, it couldn't last.
The dull pain in Rey's back returned. She tried to ignore it at first, hoping that it would go away on its own. But the pain didn't go away; it became sharper and impossible to ignore. It triggered memories from the previous night. Fragments of horrific images flooded Rey's thoughts. They painted a vivid picture of an evening gone terribly wrong.
"Holy shit," she winced, curling her knees toward Ben's hand. Rey's fingers clawed and dug into the mattress.
"Don't move, Rey," Ben said, shifting his weight. "Stay very still. I'll get you another dose of pain killers."
Moving carefully, he eased out of bed and went to the dresser by the window. Ben's large frame blocked the sunlight and allowed Rey to open her eyelids.
"So, it wasn't a dream?" she asked, furrowing her brow. "Last night… Jesus. We were attacked at Cherry Lake. That actually happened!"
Ben's back and shoulders tightened with the question. Rey couldn't help but notice the stiffening along his broad planes and muscles.
"You have a handful of stitches in your back," he replied, turning to face her. Ben knelt by Rey's side with a cup of water in one hand and a pill in the other.
"It could have been worse. Even so, I need you to rest today."
Rey grimaced and eased up on her elbow. Her back was throbbing and she cursed herself for moving too quickly. Taking in Ben's features, several things became clear. He didn't get much sleep the night before and dark bags had formed under his eyes. His whole face looked tired from worrying. There was dirt on his cheek, chest and tank top — evidence that he had returned to the woods after rescuing her.
"I know. I'm sorry… I must look like a mess," Ben apologized. "I was out late with the faculty, rounding up missing students. It was difficult for me to leave you here. Lord knows I wanted to be by your side the entire time."
Rey listened intently, swallowing her medication with a quick gulp.
"Anyway, my mother stayed with you so I could find the rest of the senior class," he added warily.
"Well, you look very fine. Er, rugged," Rey answered. Her cheeks blushed a little but she managed to stay on point.
"So, you found them all, correct? Finn, Poe, Claire, and the others?" she asked, sitting up even higher.
"Easy," Ben purred, placing a hand on her knee. "Yes. Yes, they're all fine. Melissa is in the hospital for observation but she will be released later today."
"Eh, crap. I have to see them," Rey sighed, shaking her head. She couldn't just lay in bed all day, even if it was next to Ben Solo.
"My friends must have so many questions. They must be scared," Rey worried.
Ben moved to the mattress, sitting on the edge and hunching over the young woman. Without warning, his hands cupped the sides of Rey's face. He stared deeply into her sparkling eyes as if he was trying to lose himself there.
Rey's lips parted. The pain in her back had been replaced by the thrumming beat of her pulse. Her fingertips traversed his torso and made their way to his sculpted chest.
Ben trapped her gaze until he couldn't wait any longer. Leaning down, he planted the softest kiss on her lips. He was slow and gentle at first, savoring the taste of the woman he loved. He wanted to memorize her texture and swallow every gasp and moan she made.
The kiss was meant to be comforting and it was. It was meant to silence her worries and it did just that. But a kiss between them could never be innocent — not for long. His bottom lip brushed under hers, pulling it into his mouth with an urgency.
Rey melted underneath him. She moaned as it deepened naturally. Her fingers found his hair, twisting through the dark locks. When Ben finally pulled back, it was to exert some control over himself. He let his forehead rest against hers, ignoring the strain against his pants.
"Friends are important… I get it. I know you want to go, but healing is paramount. I promise you can see them tomorrow," Ben said.
"You don't understand. This was all my fault," she said softly.
"Your friends are fine, trust me on that. Parents were notified. Some have probably arrived, but that's no cause for alarm. No one is getting expelled. Every student was checked out by paramedics. Most of your friends will be giving statements to investigators in Leia's office today."
Rey's eyes widened. There was something about the way that Ben said, "Leia."
"The headmistress?" she asked softly. "In her office?"
"So, they will be busy today anyway," Ben finished. That was the point he was trying to make.
"Right," Rey said, chewing on the information. After an extended beat, she nuzzled against his cheek.
The science professor exhaled. It felt incredible; it felt right, having Rey here. He couldn't put it into words exactly. They were supposed to meet at St. Matthews. They were supposed to find each other.
"Rey… I'm going to get washed up, okay? Five minutes, tops. Then I'm coming right back to bed," he stated, pulling at his sticky tank top.
She watched silently as Ben stood and discarded the undershirt. Groaning in relief, Ben made his way to the bathroom. The door closed some, but remained open a few inches.
Rey waited for the water to start running.
"I can't believe I'm doing this," she groaned, struggling to sit upright.
Rey had to leave, as much as it pained her to. She needed to sneak out of Ben's cottage before he had the chance to stop her. A terrible feeling formed in the pit of Rey's stomach and it started the moment Ben mentioned the headmistress. Her friends were in danger.
"That fucking mural," Rey hissed, slipping her bare feet into her boots.
Grabbing the wrist band and amulet from the dresser, she hoped to make it to the administration building before it was too late.
The maintenance golf cart Rey commandeered was a godsend. It gave her a quick and pain-free trek from the secluded cottages to the administration building. She would catch hell if anyone saw her, but that was the last thing Rey was worried about.
Slamming on the break, the cart skidded to a stop in front of several police cars.
"Great," Rey breathed, looking around. Where were the students? Where were the parents that Ben spoke of? She didn't see anyone outside, which was unnerving. Perhaps she was too late.
Rey made it up the steps and threw open the front doors. She expected to find a crowded lobby, but it was cleared out. In fact, there was only one student sitting in the chairs outside of Leia's office.
"Finn!" Rey squealed, running toward her friend — her stitches be damned.
"Rey!" He said, springing out of his seat and wrapping his arms around her.
"Ow!" Rey cried.
Finn quickly let go. Like Ben, he looked like he hadn't slept at all. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt Rey.
"I'm sorry, Rey," he apologized. "I've been so worried about you. Poe said that you just disappeared on us."
"It's fine," she cooed. "I'm fine. Finn… where are the others? Have they already gone into the Headmistress' office?"
Finn looked confused for a second but then he nodded.
"I… yeah, I believe so. A large group left when I was dropped off. I was at the hospital with Melissa and I stayed until her parents arrived. Fuck, I didn't even know what to say; what to tell them. Rey, what the hell were those things?"
Rey took a deep breath. Her best friend seemed to be handling everything better than expected. She prayed that he could handle the truth.
"Okay. Finn, listen."
Just then, the door to Leia's office opened. Rey could hear several voices inside and a distorted sound that could only come from a policeman's radio.
Rey wrapped both arms around Finn's chest, pulling herself closer to his body. Her lips leaned next to his ear.
"Finn, we don't have much time. Please listen carefully and do exactly as I say. The school, the teachers, and Headmistress Organa have all been lying to us…"
Several juniors came walking out of the Headmistress' office. They were among the students who crashed the party at Cherry Lake. Finn caught a glimpse of the group and he could tell immediately that something was wrong. The teens had vacant expressions and they didn't even acknowledge Finn or Rey.
"Okay," he said quietly. "That group was freaking out before Organa called them in. What gives?"
"Finn, don't look at the mural in Leia's office. It's on the ceiling. She will insist that you look at it. You can't. Stare at the wood planks or look directly into the light fixtures. Just not the mural. Understand?"
From the doorway at the end of the hallway, Leia cleared her throat.
"Rey, what are you doing out of bed?" she asked in a stern voice. Three police officers came out of the office to stand next to her.
Rey pulled away from Finn and gave the headmistress a sideways glance.
"I had a great caretaker. But you already knew that," she answered.
Leia narrowed her gaze.
"Finn, we're ready to speak to you. Alone," the Headmistress emphasized.
Rey slipped something into Finn's hand. She was discreet, making sure that no one else could see the gesture. Finn turned his broad shoulders, screening Headmistress Organa. He took a quick peak at the stone in his palm. It looked ancient but so familiar. He recognized the strange markings and the emerald ring along the outside.
Suddenly, Finn put the pieces together.
"Solo?" he mouthed.
"I'm waiting, Finn!" Leia snapped, interrupting them again.
Rey nodded gently, "Yes."
Finn and Rey shared one last glance. Somehow, he understood. Everything was connected. Tucking the amulet into his pocket, Finn made his way to Leia's office.
A/N: I try to write this action scenes like they're being edited and viewed in a SW film. Almost always there are three distinct scenes working to round out the battle. Its tough to do and sometimes the writing process slows to a crawl. This is a big chapter. I did a lot of work on the side, figuring out the second half of this story. I hope you like where its going. The Sanctuary has many secrets, but its hiding a BIG ONE in particular!
Rey knows an awful lot... more than I've been able to show. She knows about her past and knows who Ben's mother is :) - So, now that she has Finn as a confidant, we will get into some fun conversations! Rey spares Finn by warning him about the mural. He and Rey will be the only ones that remember Cherry Lake.
Alright, lots more to do! Thank you for reading. Let me know what you think, or if you have any burning questions!