*A/N: Please let me know what you think.
My lungs were burning and my clothes sticking to my damp body by the time I reached the entrance to Coranath. The trail from the forest to the village was steep and I'd forgotten how hot the sun could be without the shield of the trees. I lifted the hood of my cloak, hiding my hair beneath its dark confines. The streets were busy with people bartering and selling their various supplies. The smell of baking bread caught my attention as I passed by a small wooden cart. I stopped to examine their wares, and a Kel Dor wearing a dirt-covered brown robe, and an antiox mask came around the side of the cart. He gestured toward the freshly baked bread and homemade jewelry, speaking in an alien dialect I couldn't understand. My mouth watered at the idea of warm bread; I reached into my rucksack and took out the minuscule credits I had earned from trading with someone I found on the outskirts of the forest months back. I bought myself a loaf and took out my canteen, gently shaking it to show that it was empty. The Kel Dor grabbed the canteen and kindly filled it, shoving the bread in my hand and grunting as he headed back toward the other side of the cart. Popping open the lid, I took a heady gulp, grimacing, the almost chemical taste was unbearable after being used to fresh creek water. I walked through the streets, careful to keep my face hidden so as to not attract unwanted attention until I found a small alcove that I could sit in and eat in peace.
I crouched down and wrapped my cloak around myself, pulling the small loaf of bread into my lap. I ate in silence, watching the world around me. It's always amazed me that each person you see has their own life story; it's like reading a book with each glance you take. I watched a couple hold each other while their children played around them. I wondered how they had met and fallen in love, and if they loved their children as they loved each other. I felt traitorous tears run down my face as I watched them smile and play with their children. My heart ached for what I'd lost. I couldn't think about that though, I was here for a reason, and so far the Force has led me nowhere.
I dusted the crumbs off my pants as I stood, and with a deep calming breath, I dug deep to find the feeling that's been plaguing me for days. I felt a small tug as I began to walk again. It was pulling me deeper into the village, towards the airbase. I had always wanted to see a spaceship, the idea of flying above Corellia had always been a pleasant, if not terrifying one. My mouth shot open as I neared the airbase. There were so many spaceships and they were all so huge. I'd never been this close to any before. I'd always wanted to board one but knew I never would. The Force was pulling me closer to several men in head-to-toe white uniforms. Their faces were covered in masks that reminded me of the one Kylo Ren wore. I brought my fingertips under the top of my hood and pulled it forward, ensuring that my entire face was covered as I passed them. My spine tingled uncomfortably as I neared too close to one of them. They had some type of black gun in their hands. Their heavy booted feet beat against the cement in unison as they continued past me, and I exhaled in relief. I followed the constant buzz that flickered around in my head as it guided me further down the crowded path, until it stopped, leaving behind a hint of calm in its wake. I turned around in a half-circle, glancing around in confusion, hoping to figure out what I missed. I was about to give up all hope when I heard a man's voice behind me. The gruff tone of his voice sent a ripple of calm and otherworldly recognition down my spine, and I knew it was him I was supposed to find.
"Hey sweetheart, you wanna move?" he asked, an exhausted huff of breath escaping his lungs.
I spun around, almost tripping on my own two feet, and was surprised by what I saw. He was an older man with grey hair and a stern, yet handsome, face. He had on a beat-up black leather jacket, white shirt, and was staring at me like I was a complete moron. He was carrying a large brown box, his shoulders flexing as he moved the weight from one arm to the other, his face was pinched with exertion. I stuttered but no words actually came out. I stepped to the side and allowed him to pass. I watched in curiosity as he climbed the ramp into the giant grey oval-shaped ship behind us. It looked old and beat up, but to my eyes, completely incredible. I made my way over to the entrance and looked up into the ship, hoping the man hadn't gone too far. The buzzing in my mind was back with a vengeance; it was giving me a head rush. There was no longer a doubt in my mind that this was exactly where I was meant to be. The thought was invigorating.
"Um, hello?" I called into the ship, my hand placed beside my mouth.
A loud growl of sorts erupted behind me and I twisted around, a shocked scream spilling from my lips. A giant brown animal was standing behind me. I'd never seen anything like it. It was making large motions with its paws and continuously growling. I placed a hand against my heavily beating heart and lifted the other into the air, waving it side to side.
"Hi, I'm sorry if I'm intruding. Please don't eat me." I whimpered.
"I don't think he's hungry, but I'd still be cautious. He is pretty untamed that one." said a voice behind me.
I turned slightly, one eye still on the creature in front of me, and sighed in relief as I saw the older man standing on the ramp. His arm was raised above him, placed on the ship. He had a handsome smirk on his face that made me realize he was joking.
"Sorry, I feel foolish, but I've never seen anything like it before," I said staring at the creature.
"His name is Chewbacca; he's a Wookie. I can't believe you didn't know that," he said, his face brightening attractively as he laughed.
"I don't exactly get out much." I weakly said, a sigh escaping me.
Chewbacca walked past me, growled a few words at the man, and went inside.
"What can I do for you sweetheart?" the man asked, stepping down the ramp.
I don't know what it was about him, but I felt extremely comfortable around him. It was almost like I'd met him somewhere before.
"Well, my name is Elara, or El if you'd like," I said, wondering how to approach why I'm here.
"Ok El, I'm Han. Han Solo," he said, reaching out to shake my hand.
I smiled, hearing him call me El made the flame inside me flare just a little. I was really starting to like that nickname. I shook his hand, taking note of the calluses on his skin. At least I knew he was someone who knew how to work. I didn't trust someone who had never had to work a day in their life.
"Wanna tell me why you're here?" he asked, bringing me to the inevitable awkward explanation.
"Oh, well that's a bit harder to explain." I brought my hand to my neck, rubbing it gently. With a rush of nervous breath, I met Hans's eye. "I was sent here." I sputtered.
Confusion and mistrust lined his face. "Who sent you here?" he asked, grabbing my arm and pulling me into the ship. He closed the ramp behind us, the metallic clanking of gears made my ears ring, and I began to regret coming here. "Who. Sent. You. Here?" he said, enunciating each word.
"The Force!" I hollered, my teeth baring in pain as he squeezed my arm none too gently.
He released me as if I had burnt him, his fingers flexing as he brought his hand down beside him. Leaning over, his hazel eyes scanned my face, searching for something — for what I wasn't sure. As I glanced up at him, I swallowed deeply, my neck aching from the strain. I was starting to realize how short I was. The parallels between him and Kylo were also starting to confuse me. I realized now that's exactly who he reminded me of. Stepping back, Han sighed, a dark humorless chuckle piercing the air.
"I can't believe the Force sent you to me. That's two now in a matter of days," he said, running his hand down his tired face.
I had no clue what he was talking about, but as I looked around, I felt a ripple in the Force coming from further in the ship. Han noticed my gaze was glued in that direction and sighed.
"Yeah, she's up there," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Funny how your lot always knows," he said, nudging me forward. "I'm sure she's why you're here."
Han led me through a rather plain corridor, and up a small ladder into the ship's cockpit — where a brunette woman who appeared to be about my age, and Chewbacca sat. I could feel a strong power coming from the woman, she obviously had the Force, and it was an incredible feeling knowing I wasn't alone. As the buzz in my mind rose to an almost deafening height, the woman spun around and met my gaze, rushing to her feet.
"You have the Force!" she exclaimed.
I was shocked as she hugged me, one of the brightest smiles I've ever seen pulling up her pink lips.
"As do you," I said, stepping away from her. I wasn't much for physical displays of affection.
"My name is Rey," she said.
I couldn't believe it, but I felt a swell of recognition at her name. The Force wanted me to know that I knew her.
"Elara, but you can call me El," I said.
Rey smiled at me, nodding slowly. "I think I know you Elara," she stated.
The longer I looked at Rey, the more I remembered her. She was in my dreams as a child. "A girl in white surrounded by sand," I questioned.
Rey's smile faltered as she looked into my eyes. "A girl in green surrounded by trees," she answered.
Long-forgotten dreams swirled across my memory. Rey was my first and only friend as a child. We would play together in my dreams. She would join me in the forest and I would join her in the sand. Rey was there for me when I had no one. She was the only reason I never felt alone. Yet as I grew, I allowed my anger to bury everything, and I forgot her and the fact that I was different. I gasped as I remembered my past, and warm tears fell from my eyes. I hugged Rey again, this time completely comfortable with showing her affection.
"I can't believe we forgot each other," Rey said, wiping away my tears.
"I'm so sorry Rey. I forgot everything after my parents abandoned me." I said, drying my face with my cloak.
"It's ok Elara. Did the Force send you here?" she asked.
I sat down behind Chewbacca. "Yes, I don't know who I'm hearing, but a voice told me my destiny was here waiting for me," I said.
Rey sat down in front of me as Han and Chewbacca checked the dials on the panel at the front of the cockpit.
"You're supposed to come with us to see Maz," Rey said with conviction.
"Who's Maz?" I asked.
"She's on Takodana. That's where we are headed. We only stopped here for supplies." Han answered for Rey.
"Supplies and you," Rey added with a chuckle.
Takodana, I couldn't go to Takodana. That would mean leaving everything behind. I stared at Rey, my anxiety building. She knew exactly what I was going through. Rey and I went through a very similar situation. If anyone would understand my fears, it would be Rey.
"Elara, they aren't coming back for us," Rey whispered.
I wasn't waiting for them to come back. I just didn't want to leave everything I'd ever known. Right? Could Rey be on to something; is that what I've been doing all this time? The Force stirred inside of me as if to acknowledge that what Rey said was true. It showed me that this was where I belonged, where I was needed. I'd been hiding for too long. I silently nodded at Rey, who told Han we were ready to go. I felt Rey help me strap into my seat, the belts holding me into place almost sent me into a panic attack, but I kept my gaze focused on Chewbacca. Rey took the seat beside me and Han used the ship's intercom to speak to someone called Finn, he told him to strap in and prepare for take-off. I could hear everything that was going on around me, but I was locked inside myself, a swirl of disbelief and fear taking over. Everything in my life was changing right in front of me, and I was letting it happen. Never would I have guessed that my life would become this different this quickly. I closed my eyes and searched deep within myself for anything that might help calm my nerves.
The Force led me into a dark cold room; a round bed with silk red sheets was sitting in the middle of the room, and none other than Kylo Ren laid atop it. I could see that he wasn't wearing his mask, and my stomach jolted with excitement. He was lying on his stomach and his shoulder-length black hair was splayed across his face. Noiselessly, I walked over to the side of the bed and sat down on the edge. For a silent moment, I just watched him breathe, my head tilted to examine the side of his face. He was beautiful in his peace. I lifted my hand and begged whoever may be listening to let me touch him, just this once. I reached out and tried to move the hair from his face, and almost made an audible sound as my fingertips grazed his soft hair. I carefully moved the silken strand away from his eyes. I finally had an unobstructed view of his face. I wasn't all that surprised to find that he was extremely handsome. His nose was large but fit the shape of his face perfectly. His full, slightly chapped lips, were parted as he breathed in and out. I felt a tear slide down my cheek as pain sliced my heart. I barely knew this man but no one deserved to be filled with so much anger and sadness. His eyes fluttered open as I ran my finger across his bottom lip.
"El?" he asked, frozen in place.
"Yeah, it's me," I embarrassedly answered, my cheeks burning as I shakily moved my hand into my lap.
"Why are you here?" he asked, a hint of anger in his deep voice. The differences between his actual voice and the robotic were striking.
"I'm sorry. I needed a safe place and this is where the Force brought me." I said.
Kylo sat up on his elbow, his dark brown eyes meeting mine. "Why did you need a safe place?" he asked.
I debated whether to confide in him or not, I guess there was no harm in telling him the cliff notes version.
"The Force led me somewhere and now I'm leaving my planet. I've never left home before and I'm terrified, Kylo." I confessed.
Kylo swiftly sat up and I scooted away to give him space. "Why are you leaving; where are you going?" he asked.
His tight jaw twitched as he tried to reign in his temper. I sighed, bringing my fingers to the bridge of my nose. "You know I can't tell you where I'm going, but I guess I'll tell you a bit about who I am with," I said.
I was trying to keep him calm but the Force was reminding me to watch what I told him. He raised a brow, waiting for me to speak. "I met a man and his friends and the Force told me to go with them," I said, leaving out names.
Kylo's face twisted with something akin to disgust, and then his expression shifted to anger. "What man Elara?" he said, venom in his voice.
"He's just a man with a ship. He is kind and so are his friends. I said, confused by his reaction.
"I'm sure he is very nice. What did you have to give him for the free ride Elara?" Kylo spat.
I was horrified by what he was insinuating and quickly stood, walking to the other side of his room, my hands fisted at my side. Why did I keep coming back here? It was obvious Kylo had major issues. I felt his presence beside me, and spun around, slapping him as hard as I could. I smiled at the loud crack that sounded through the air. The shock on his face was comical at best. Blinking a few times, Kylo brought his palm to his reddening cheek, before he reached out, his lips pulling down into a deep scowl when his hand went straight through me — just as it had last time.
"How can you touch me?" his rough voice asked.
I shrugged, turning away with a snort of indifference. "I guess because I asked," I said.
When silence filled the air, I casually glanced over my shoulder, curiosity winning over anger — and saw he stood stock still, his dark hair shielding his eyes. Lifting his head, he reached out to me but again was denied access.
Teeth bared, he sighed with agitation and turned away, shoulders slumped in defeat. "I'm sorry El," he mumbled.
Briefly closing my eyes, I released a saddened puff of air, and with only minimal hesitation, I touched his shoulder. Just like every time I touched him, I could feel the electric burst of energy flow up my arm, and I couldn't stop the fluttering in the pit of my stomach as his body slumped, the tension leaving him at my touch.
"It's ok," I said.
My brows furrowed, and I lost focus for a moment, a soft humming filled my ears. It was almost like someone calling out to me from far away.
He saw me looking into the empty darkness and reached out, my name on his lips.
"I have to go Kylo, they are calling me," I said, the tone of my voice almost monotone.
I felt his energy mix with mine as he reached out again, but I was already gone.