Darkness Upon Us Creeps
Last Gasp

I smile as I look down at you. I understand what you meant; just being with you can make me smile. Perhaps I've stopped thinking about what might happen to us and am living in the moment, like you always try to teach me. Yes, if we could stay in this moment, just sitting here with your sleeping head in my lap, I would be very happy.

But it isn't that way. It won't stay like this. They will come and take you and beat you to the very brink of death, then draw you back and fling you in this cage to recover for the next round of blows, and I will be here to watch you bleed and be your pillow. The ground is so hard, so cold; you would never let me rest my head on it, so I do the same for you.

You stir, slightly, and curl your sweat-laden brow against my bare stomach. I grip my fingers gently in your long, unusually tussled hair; I know you're sick, Master; you can't fight off illness in your condition. You're only getting worse. You won't last much longer, but I have a plan, a good one this time. I thought it through and it will work. It has to.

Your body seizes up in another coughing fit. When it stops, you sit up and look at me. Those deep pools gaze at me with so much meaning, love I could never forget, fear for me, so many emotions swirl in their depths. Then suddenly you embrace me, bruised arms hugging me close. You let go and look at me sadly.

"What was that for?" I ask.

"Just in case I don't get another chance."

"You will, Master," I inform you and whisper to you my plan.

When next they come for you, I sit near the entrance, eyes shut in feigned rest. A simple Force projection leads the gullible jailer to perceive it as more than a trick. Across from me, you sit alone, waiting for this time. You fail to get up when he orders you to go with him, just as we planned. He stands expecting you to comply, while I sneak behind and lift the keys from his belt before returning to my position. Just then he steps forward and kicks you; I try my hardest not to jump and attack him. That would be all we need to foil our plan, to keep us entrapped forever. I stay as I am, and you stumble to your feet, not part of the performance just as your reluctance to get up was not wholy.

I sit and wait for your return. I wish I could have devised a better plan, but you were more than willing to sacrifice to the pain one more time, if to make it the last time. At least we have fulfilled our duty. The Senator got safely to the signing, and instead we his decoys were captured. Knowing an attempt would be made to stop the unification of the lands of this world, you and I took the delegate's place in his caravan while he took a safer, less trumpeted route. Despite our preparation, not all went well for us and we ended up here, but that is unimportant. The Senator is safe.

The wait seems to grow. It must be this empty, quiet box that makes it seem like you have been gone too long, but I grow concerned. I have to get you out of here as soon as I can.

My eyes are wearily closing, I am so tired, but I hear your voice in my head. Obi-Wan?

Master! Where are you?! Are you all right?

The reply is slow in returning. I feel over our bond how tired you are.

I'm in another cell. They... decided it would be best to separate us.

Master, I've still got the key.

Good, you should... go on without me.

No! I'm coming, just tell me where you are.

I... don't know.

I move to the gate and reach through the bars, unlocking the door and freeing myself. Outside the cell now, I start to call to you. "Master!" I do not hear you respond. Call back to me so that I can find you.

I start to walk around. The other prisoners start to shout at me as they see I am free. At first I am afraid they will call the attention of the guards, but then I think that if the guards dismiss the noise as usual prison chatter, it will be good cover for my search.

As I move down a row of cells, I finally hear your voice faintly. "Padawan..."

"Master! I hear you, I'm coming." I follow your faint call and unlock your cell too. You are sitting in the corner and look up as I approach. I kneel and touch your arm, trying to smile encouragingly. "Come on, we'll be free now."

You shake your head. You think your injuries will hold us back, but I won't let them. "Go, just go."

I wrap the cloak around you, and crouching look you in the eye. "I'm not leaving you behind." I get under your arm to support you and help you stand. You stumble at first, but once you stretch your legs a few steps, you insist on walking independently.

Just outside the cell we stop. "How are we going to get past the guards?"

After a beat, you tell me, "Open the other cells."

"What?" I don't understand at first.

"Open the cells. Let the other prisoners out. They will distract the guards, and we can get out."

Leaving you for a moment, I quickly slide the key in the rest of the gates. Uncaring of our reason, the other inmates rush past us toward the hall. The ensuing chaos is clearly heard. Now is our chance. I pull the cloak closed about your otherwise bare torso, then take your hand and lead us safely out into the corridors now that the officers have gone chasing after their quarry.

We come to the door and step outside. It is pouring rain. We pause a moment and you pull up your hood to keep dry. I smile at your wise decision, then take your hand again as we hurry into the drizzle, bare feet slapping against the wet stone.

Running through the downpour, I suddenly feel your hold pull tight. I turn around and see you've fallen to your knees, your head down, hidden by the cowl.

I again kneel before you. "Master?"

"I'm so t...tired. I can't make it."

I can see in your face and weary eyes that you are, what they did to you has taken all your energy, but we are almost safe. "I can't give up on you, Master. I know you can make it. Just a little bit farther."

Our moment is up as suddenly a blaster bolt zings just over our heads; if you had been standing, no I don't want to think of that. I grab your hand and pull. "We have to go now!"

You clumsily force yourself to your feet and chase after me, pulled along by my unrelenting grip. How far will we have to run?

The answer suddenly presents itself to us as we are surrounded by men with blasters. We stop short in front of them, yet a moment later the perceived danger is deflated as the Senator who owes us his life steps forward.

"Master Jedi, we were coming to ensure your free passage from the dungeons of these enemies of the state, but I see that will not be necessary." He smiles at us, and I cannot help grinning broadly; we are safe.

Taking notice of our state and the present weather, the observant Senator removes his own coat and hands it to you. You turn to me and wrap it around my shoulders. I am thankful that the Senator is nearly as compassionate as you, and for the warmth inside the jacket. Most of all, I am grateful that we will soon be going home.