Kylo watched the girl from the other side of the cave through the eyes of his visor. The small fire he made was making the cave an oven. When he finally couldn't handle the heat, he stripped off his helmet. He took a deep breath as if he couldn't breathe before.
His focus went back on the girl. He has her in his control now. Her leg was still pinned underneath the rock, so she wasn't going to go anywhere.
He knew they were going to escape soon enough, everyone in the entire camp watched them get trapped behind the collapse. The simple-minded storm troopers might assume they're dead, but Snoke would know better.
They would escape soon, and he would have the Reaper.
The title seems to fit.
Kylo envisioned the battle again, and he saw that, again, that she wasn't aiming to kill him. But only him. She obviously doesn't mind taking lives, he saw her kill tens of storm troopers alone today.
It was only him, that she didn't try to kill. Why would she do that?
Nara started coming to when Kylo Ren was deep in thought and planning. She felt sharp pain run from the middle of her calf to her chest. She yelped out a little, and sat up straight. Her forehead collided with a protruding rock, her eyes shot open with surprise. It didn't hurt her, her mask was still on.
That's when she noticed him, watching her.
Ben…
She stared at him through the mirror, she couldn't move her eyes. She wasn't expecting the deep scar, running from his forehead to his jaw. His face looked almost different. His eyes held darkness beneath them, they were an abyss. He looked pale, unhealthy.
But, all Nara could see was Ben. She knew that's who she would see. To her, he was Ben, but just broken and lost.
The pain in her leg was numbed, she couldn't move her foot. She finally stripped her eyes away from him, and looked around the room they were in. The collapse had just barely missed her, she was lucky to be alive.
Or would it have been better to be buried beneath the rocks?
"I disarmed you," he said, finally breaking the silence.
His voice.
Her heart beat faster and faster with every small word he spoke. She thought she couldn't breathe and her metallic lung had froze.
"You didn't take off my helmet," she said, her voice sounded more confident than she really was.
"Your identity doesn't interest me," he retorted.
The idea came to mind, but something had told him to be patient. In truth, he only want to know what she looked like, who she was. He had enough self control to distract himself from curiosity.
Nara knew that he lied, but she didn't reply. How would a total stranger know when he was lying? She couldn't reveal herself, not now. She would be asking for death, he would kill her without much hesitation.
The rock crushing her leg was fairly large, but Nara had confidence that she could push it off with her mechanical arm. She saw him watching her, he thought she couldn't tell. Nara felt annoyed being watched so carefully by him.
She positioned her other leg crossed against the other thigh, and put her fake arm on the rock. Nara breathed in deep, and held it there. She knew it was extremely painful once she freed her leg, but it had to be done.
She pushed with all her strength, and the rock easily tipped over. She screamed, throwing her head back. After regaining her breath, with the rest of the strength that she had, she used her arms to pull herself to the wall. She whimpered again, the armor on her leg had taken most of the damaged. She could tell her leg was broken in half.
The pain started subsiding when she was still for a few moments.
Now, they were only a few feet away from each other, and he was still watching her with a blank expression.
"Does my pain make you feel better, or do I just look pretty today?" She asked, finally facing him head on.
He looked away towards the fire, lightening his face for a moment. She swears she could see a slight smirk.
He looked back at her and said, "Mirrors."
"What?" She said, her pain and awe was too much.
"You have mirrors in her helmet. That's how you blocked me when your back was to me."
She looked at him for another moment and warmth overwhelm her. It was like she was filled with pride. She only saw the little boy that she valued over everything.
Nara tore away her eyes when she felt tears running down her cheeks.
"You're bleeding," she heard him say.
She looked at her leg. A pool of blood surrounded her calf, but Nara didn't know where from. Kylo stood up, abruptly, and Nara flinched at his tall figure.
He stopped in his tracks and looked at her until he realized why she jerked away from him, even though he was feet away.
Kylo rolled his eyes and said, "Killing you or letting you die would be pointless. I'm bringing you to Supreme Leader Snoke."
He knelt at her outstretched leg, and ripped off the armor over her wound. She screamed and warned "Don't-"
"Quiet, I'm helping you," he ordered, not looking at her.
After he had stripped her of her shoe, and pulled up her body suit, her tanned skin was revealed. Her wound was black, purple, and swollen. Kylo didn't have any reaction to the gory mess. He seemed focused on finding the bleeding.
The way he was holding her leg when he needed to move it, was so gentle. He wasn't trying to make it painful, in fact, he was making it easier. He watched with focus in his eyes. She felt herself blushing, this was the only time he had touched her. In years. Her skin crawled every time he touched her.
When Kylo found the puncture wound, caused by the base of the armor, he ripped apart his cape. One small piece and then two long strips.
This entire time, Kylo stole small glances to her, even if he couldn't see her face. And Nara couldn't take her eyes off of him. This reminded her of the time that he broke apart the tree, and a part of the branches scratched her. He was so worried about her that day, so angry. Now he seemed distant and numb.
He placed the smaller piece over her cut, she felt a sharp sting. He then put the armor back on, the pressure actually felt nicer than the open air. He slowly wrapped the two pieces of cloth around her leg, and tied them together near her ankle. When he was finished, he rose as if he did nothing and sat back down.
She wasn't sure if she should thank him, because her voice seemed to be stuck in her throat. She was speechless. He had just… helped her.
She found the words and he didn't reply. He stared into the fire, as if it would give him the answers.
When he touched her, he was filled with images of Nara. He saw her smiling, laughing. He saw her crying and her lifeless eyes. He remembered the pitiful cries that left his lips when she died in his arms.
Now all he could hear was her cry and him begging her to not die. It made him feel weak, in his chest and in his limbs. He felt more and more numb the more he remembered.
Why does this woman remind me of Nara? Why now?
He thought he had forgotten the pain he felt that day, he thought he was stronger.
The one person I never wanted to lose…
He changed his mind immediately. He couldn't be controlled by his emotions. His training had taught him how to move his focus and to blank his mind. He only needed to tap into his anger when in battle, it made him relentless.
The first thought entering his mind was the Reaper.
"You weren't aiming to kill me, why?" He asked.
Nara sucked in fast, and watched him in the mirrors.
"What makes you think I wasn't aiming to kill you?" She asked.
"You weren't aiming for vulnerable areas. You waited to explode the ship until I was farther say from it. You didn't reach for a weapon when you woke up. Why?" He explained, his voice was stern, like he was questioning an officer of a lower rank.
Nara couldn't think of a good answer. So she decided to challenge him.
"Why did you kill Han Solo?"
The question flew from her lips before she could catch it. Avoiding the question would have to be dramatic. His jaw clenched in response and he looked away from her. He almost looked ashamed, but he was only surprised.
"Why did you kill your father?" She asked again, she couldn't stop herself. She hadn't known she wanted answers, but now, questions are the only things she can think about.
"You knew him…" Said Kylo, feeling her anger.
She shook her head, no. Nara was crying. She saw her best friend kill the man that had saved her life and yet, she still couldn't hate him! Even looking at him now, she never felt hatred for him.
"I know the things you've done. I haven't tried to kill you, because… Leia, Leia still hasn't given up on you. You can go back, this could be over if you choose it to be." Said Nara, she felt her heart go into the words, as if she practiced this in her mind a million times.
"I don't have anything to return to, now." He said, as if he had already thought about it.
His mind seemed to be light years away.
Does he mean me?
She could tell the conversation had ended. Now he knew that she wouldn't kill him if she could help it. And obviously, he wouldn't kill her. She was to go to Snoke. The thought confused her, there was no way that the Leader of the First Order wanted her alive.
"Snoke wants to torture me," she mumbled, mostly to herself. She pictured all the cruel and unusual things the First Order has done to confirm complete mind control.
If they see my face… What will Kylo Ren do then?
She wasn't sure, honestly. Now, after actually speaking to him, him helping her leg heal properly. She didn't know what to do.
Kylo Ren heard her fear, and wanted to reassure her, but he didn't know what her fate was. She had asked him to return to his old home, just like Han did. The difference was, he could never go back without her. Before, he had a chance. He had a chance to be at least okay, with her. Without her, he couldn't imagine his life.
Suddenly, an explosion shook the cave, making various rocks slip and slice. The air was so still for a moment after, the pair were waiting for a full on collapse.
"They'll be here soon." He said, staring at the exit.
Suddenly, Nara was reminded.
The tracking device!
She looked at her waist and saw that Kylo hadn't taken it, he must have mistaken it for a buckle. Nara stole a glance at Kylo, who was lost in thought. She casually pressed the button, sending off a signal. Hopefully, Leia would be watching and waiting. She would send someone, something. Especially when she realizes she isn't back yet.
Nara glances past Kylo, her weapons were laying next to him. When the time was right, she'd use her new skill, it wasn't quite mastered, but it's a good surprise tactic. She wouldn't kill him, but getting away from him is her only option. Having a plan made her feel much better, even if she didn't have any hope.
