Still Here
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As the pounding became louder, the beats grew stronger and the rhythm became more hypnotic and exciting.
Where was it coming from?
The halls were empty as the inhabitants of the place slept peacefully. Nobody else seemed to notice the bizarre drumbeats.
Was she crazy? Was it her imagination?
Or was it a dream?
Confused, but all the more curious, she drew back the blankets that covered her and got out of her warm bed. She grabbed the robe that hung on that back of her chair—the one by the desk where she studied for hours—and she slipped out of the door soundlessly. She walked down the halls, still able to hear the peculiar drumbeat, and out of the entrance door. Smiling, she ignored the guards' protests to stay inside.
Her heart was beating.
Her rapid heartbeat matched the drums' song.
Maybe she was crazy after all.
Or maybe she was just in an odd dream.
Maybe it was her imagination.
…maybe she was right…
"It's just us," she heard the familiar voice call.
"Why are you playing drums? And at this hour? One would think it was the new year." She answered with amusement in her voice.
"It isn't us per say. We arranged it, yes, but we aren't physically playing the drums."
She wasn't crazy!
It wasn't her imagination!
And she wasn't dreaming!
It had been her lifelong friends, Carilas and 'Mari, who had set this up.
"B-but why?" she asked her two friends.
"Are you feverish?" 'Mari asked, walking up to the other girl and placing her hand on the girl's forehead.
"I-I just don't understand." She answered.
"It was all your brother's idea."
"What was all my brother's idea?"
"This! The drums, Lainah, the party!"
"Why?" she was still completely confused.
"Hello? Anybody home?" 'Mari lightly tapped on the other girl's left temple. "Do you know what today is?"
"Oh, that…" she replied, remembering today's special meaning.
"Come on, catch us Lainah!" the other two darted off into the tall structure behind them.
She smiled and followed, but was stopped by her master. "No master, I have to find them, they want me to catch them!" she protested.
The master looked at his apprentice. "What? Who wants you to find them?"
"'Mari and Carilas." She responded.
The master's eyes widened slightly with surprise and then he put on a look of sympathy. "That wouldn't be possible, padawan."
Lainah Kenobi, apprentice of Mace Windu, shook her head. "Why not?"
"Don't you remember?" when the younger of the two shook her head, the master continued. "The accident. 'Mari and Carilas died in that accident yesterday."