"Rita," I call out into the forest. I don't know for sure that she's out here but after checking all the buildings and the open field the forest is the last place to look.
The cool light of dawn is already filling the sky above as morning approaches, making it easier for me to see, but harder for me to hold on to the hope that I'll find her.
"Rita!" I call again. Hux's words won't leave my mind, attachments are your weakness. I push the thought away and keep going. Where could she be? Did she try to walk to the river to return all the rocks?
I walk and walk, but there is nothing but trees and ground and sky.
A dizzy spell makes me stumble and I grab a nearby tree trunk to steady myself. For a moment I feel the Force energy in the tree, something I've never felt before. But now, in my hazy delirium I sense it clearly.
I close my eyes and reach out to the forest, like I do when I read someone's mind, only it's the trees and grass and plants. They move as one in the breeze. I feel the wind spread from one side of the forest to the other. The trees breathe, the animals are awake and alert with the dawn, looking for water. They all answer me one by one. She isn't here. Not in the grassy field that sways, not among the plants with the small forest creatures or beneath the tall trees that look down from above. The larger animals have not seen her either.
My shoulders slump and I let go of the tree. She's not in the forest. There's no point in looking any further. I have to go see Master for confession this morning. I can't escape it now. Maybe it's better if he knows. Maybe he can take away this attachment that is tearing me to pieces.
I clench my fists and hold back the tears. If I'm going to rule the Galaxy I can't have any attachments./
Master Snoke is not in his study when I get there. I don't know what I would have done if he was. I can't do this confession. I just can't
"Ren?"
I jump at the sound of my name. Master Gerione stands at the door. "Grand Master isn't here. He was called away on an important matter. Whatever you're here to see him for will have to wait."
I nod and Master Garione continues on down the hall. I let out a sigh and tears roll down my face. I can't take this. I walk out of the study and almost run into Hux. I quickly wipe my tears away.
Hux has bags under his eyes like he hasn't slept either. "She was on a trip with her grandfather," he says. My chest fills and I can't speak. "She's in the chapel now with him," Hux continues. "And some other Masters, doing the early morning chants."
I leave Hux and run./
The sound of chanting coming from the small chapel at the end of the path reaches me before I get to the front doors. They're open and I look inside. Four Jedi Masters sit on the front bench and Rita is with them. She's sitting beside an older Master who is probably her grandfather. Her feet swing as she looks around and up at the ceiling. She's wearing a dress today and she looks perfectly fine. She's not hurt or lost or dead. She's fine. I stay at the door.
Rita... I call to her with the Force, not sure if she'll hear it.
She turns immediately and looks right at me. Her face brightens and she jumps down from the bench, getting her grandfather's attention. I step out of the entrance way so he won't see me. Rita's little footsteps clap against the stone floor. I get down on my knees and when she runs around the corner to find me I scoop her into my arms up and pull her into my arms.
"Hi Ren!" she says. "Do you want to meet my grandpa?"
"The next time you go away, tell me first, so I know where you are," I whisper, pulling back from the hug. I lift her long hair away from her face with both hands, setting it behind her ears. The chanting from inside the chapel continues, echoing off the stone walls.
"I went to go tell you," Rita says, looking down, her little face cupped in my hands. "But you were in the theater place doing a meeting."
I lift her chin. "It's okay. It's not your fault. I was just worried about you."
"Am I your attachment now?" she says, looking at me with bright eyes.
I smile and let go of her cheeks. "You're a smart girl Rita."
"I know."
"Guess what?"
"What?"
"I don't have classes all week!"
"You don't?" Rita gasps.
"No. And do you know what I want to do with all my free time?"
"Sleep?"
"No." I take her small hands in mine. "I want to play with you all week."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Okay!" Rita squeals.
"Shhh... You should go back to your grandfather for now okay?"
"Okay."
"I'm going to go sleep for a bit while you're here at the chapel. I was up all night."
"Okay."
"Rita, what happened to all your rocks?"
"I put them under the bed and your cloak too because grandpa would see them."
"Okay." I let her hands go. "I'll see you again soon."
"Okay." She smacks my forehead with her palm then laughs and runs back into the chapel.