Sorry for the long wait, everyone! Here's 12. Not sure how much longer I can keep the story going, but I'll try my best.
Chapter 12
The cuffs dug into Shadow's flesh. The room was dark and damp. She no longer had her saber, nor her favorite cloak. She felt a chill travel through her bones. She took a moment to recall earlier events.
The Resistance brought Shadow to a secluded room. Time seemed to slow down around her as they dragged her through the halls. She watched as people snickered at her and whispered. "First Order scum," she heard a woman say.
The General shouted at her, screeched and screamed. Shadow kept a straight face the entire time. Leia seemed to be more upset with herself than she was with Shadow. After a while, Organa left and let a few soldiers stand guard.
Finally alone in the room, she placed her handcuffed hands on her lap and sat cross-legged. She was able to quickly tap into the force. She felt Ren's energy. After a few moments, she was able to send a strong wave of energy through him. When Shadow wasn't able to pick up the communicator, Ren knew there was trouble.
The door flung open, and the moment she was waited for was at hand. "How could you do this?" Poe shouted. "After the Resistance took you in and gave you shelter. You were never going to Takodana were you? All of this was a lie!"
"Poe, just let me explain." Shadow requested nonchalantly.
"What could you possibly have to explain?"
"Just sit down and hear me out." Shadow motioned with her cuffed hands. Poe took a deep breath and sat in front of her, motioning for the door to close. He gave an expectant look. "Ok," she began. "When I first saw Ren torturing you, I had this gut feeling. I can't explain it, but it was something weird and new. I wanted to help you, but I didn't know how." Poe rolled his eyes. "The night I gave you the water, I had a terrible nightmare. I dreamt that you had escaped and came to room. But Ren came into the room after you and…" She paused for a long moment. "He killed you, then turned to kill me. I woke up terrified, so I went to the dining hall for a drink. I heard Ren and General Hux say you weren't going to make it. Then, I went to your interrogation room and gave you the water. I felt better, free even, when I did that. The next day, I met Finn. I knew he would be able to get you out with a little push.
"I assisted with your escape, and for the next week I didn't know where my allegiance really was. So, I came up with this fake mission to get me here to figure myself out."
"But you took the map…" Poe eyed her up and down. "You really do belong with the dark side."
"I said what I meant. I took the map to make sure it wouldn't belong to either side. Then, I was going to go to Takodana to hide. Luke disappeared for a reason. I don't think he wants to be found."
"Well, the General already sent Rey to follow the map. Your plan didn't work out too well."
"Kylo Ren will attack on this base to find me, you realize that?" Shadow's face turned serious and concerned. "He will kill everyone on this base. You need to leave."
"Now you care about me?" Poe stood angrily.
"I have cared since I first spoke to you. Why do you think I helped you? Why do you think I told you to stay instead of come with me?"
"You really do care," Poe whispered, looking at the floor. "Shame you blew it." He turned and walked out the door. Shadow didn't know what to do other than sit and sob.
She pushed herself against the wall and pulled her knees to her chest. Soon, her quiet sobs became loud cried, then they came screams. She screeched at the top of her lungs. She didn't stop when the soldiers came in to silence her. She continued to scream until she fell asleep on the cold floor.
Shadow heard the door open. She didn't know what time it was, but she decided to pretend she was asleep. Next, she felt someone undo her cuffs and drape her cloak over her shoulders. "Shadow, you need to wake up." A distorted voice said. She was shocked to stare back into the face of her own helmet. "I'm getting you out of here."
Shadow put the cloak's hood over her head to cover her face. She and the man in the helmet ran through the corridors and exited the base. They paused as they looked to the night sky and saw the Star Destroyer in the sky.
It landed just three hundred yards from the Resistance base. Shadow took it as her opportunity and grabbed hold of the masked assistant. The two ran to the now opening hatch. Kylo Ren emerged from the hatch. Shadow jumped into his arms. "Oh, Shadow," Ren whispered through his helmet. It sounded scratchy and sincere. As Ren noticed the person behind her, he quickly retrieved his lightsaber. It fired out crackling and earsplitting.
"No, Ren, no, he helped me escape!" Shadow stood in front of Ren with her hands on his chest. She turned as the masked man took off her helmet. "Poe," she whispered as she approached him.
