Chapter 2 - A Stranger in Hiding

The battle of Chryton's Bay raged through the remainder of the day and well into the night. As the morning sun began to break over the sea-lined horizon, all signs of fighting had ceased. A gentle breeze carried the mixed scents of salty air, rain cleansed earth and smoke. A foggy haze settled over the harbor, making it difficult for the fishermen, still leery from the previous day's battle, to do their jobs.

Reese awoke to an unusual occasion as his father, aunt and uncle had remained home. His mother informed him there would be no school and that the family was going to spend the day having fun. He laughed as he ate his breakfast, excited about the day's activities. His uncle promised him that as soon as the fog lifted that he was going to take them all out on his sea vessel. In the mean time, he was free to play outside, so long as he didn't wander far.

After eating his breakfast, far more quickly than his mother had liked, Reese put on his play clothes and went outside. He smiled as he noticed the sun had already begun to dissipate the fog. He shivered pleasantly in the cool breeze that signaled the start of the harvest season, his mother's favorite time of year. She loved to watch the trees change colors as the cooler weather erased all sings of the hot summer season. That was something one couldn't enjoy in Chryton's Bay. There were far too few trees and most of them didn't change color.

Excited to ride on his uncle's boat, he made his way towards the harbor. He knew his family would be pleasantly surprised if he got everything ready, so that the moment the fog lifted, they could leave. He walked along the docks excitedly, pausing to observe each vessel. The water splashed in tiny waves as they pushed the sea crafts up and down. He soon found himself lost in the enchanting music of the sea. He hummed to himself in sync with the dock's rhythmic creaking and the splashing sound created when water slapped the sides of the vessels. Seabirds flew overhead, adding their own noisy melodies.

Reese was completely lost in his own world when he finally reached his uncle's boat. Grabbing the rope that had been hastily tied to the dock, he pulled the ship closer to him. Careful not to fall in the water, he climbed off the dock into his uncle's boat.

He laughed as he found the steering mechanism and pretended to pilot the ship into the sea. In his mind, he was a mighty captain and his vessel was the grandest ever to sail the forbidden waters. Sea creatures and mermen swam around him as he piloted his ship towards a mysterious island in search for a forbidden treasure.

"Please," a voice moaned quietly. "Help me."

Reese's heart skipped a beat as he froze in place. His eye's slowly scanned the area as his body broke into a series of chills.

"Please, I need your help."

The voice seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere all at once. He turned his head but could still see nothing.

Reese remembered his parent's lectures about avoiding strangers. He slowly made his way for the dock; prepared to run should the stranger show himself.

"Please don't leave. I mean you no harm. I've been hurt and need medical attention. Please, find your parents. They'll know what to do."

Reese paused as he contemplated the stranger's words. Surely no bad person would ask him to get his parents.

"Where are you?" He asked.

"Over here. In the rear of the ship."

Reese slowly made his way to the back of the vessel. Behind the storage lockers, under a bundle of nets, he found a half conscience man. He paused, cautious not to get too close.

"Why are you on my uncle's boat?" He asked.

"I needed a place to hide. There are bad men trying to find me. Please, go get your parents."

Reese nodded and slowly backed away. Reaching the dock, he climbed out of the vessel and ran straight home. His mother was busy changing Mara and his dad was talking quietly with his aunt and uncle.

"Hey Reese! Are you about ready to go buddy?" Pete asked as his nephew entered the room.

"Th… th..." He struggled to find the words as he fought to catch his breath.

"Whoa, slow down sport. What's up?" His dad asked with a hint of concern.

"There is a strange man in Uncle Pete's boat! He says he's hurt!"

Pete and Sinnel exchanged worried glances.

"You didn't approach this stranger did you?" His father asked, grabbing him by the shoulders and giving him a stern look.

"I didn't get too close, but I didn't know he was there until he spoke!"

"Okay, you stay here with your mother. Uncle Pete and I will go check it out."

Pete grabbed a pair of blasters and they both ran out the door.

As they reached the vessel Pete held up a hand for his brother to stop.

"You stay here and cover me. I'll go check it out."

Sinnel nodded, his face a look of grim determination. "Be careful Pete."

Pete nodded and climbed into the boat.

"Hello? Anyone there?"

"Here! Please, help me!" A voice returned.

Sinnel raised his blaster as Pete made his way to the voice. He watched his brother pause by the storage area and throw down his weapon as he leaped over the nets.

"Sinnel! Get over here, quick!" Pete's voice was full of concern.

Sinnel quickly joined his brother in the rear and found the source of his distress.

"Help me get these nets off him," Pete instructed.

They both proceeded to remove the nets off the broken body of the stranger.

"It looks like he's been shot up pretty bad." Sinnel observed. "We should call an emergency medic."

"No!" The stranger pleaded. "Please, you can't do that."

"If we don't, then you're a dead man," Pete said.

"If you do, than they'll find me."

The brothers exchanged weary glances.

"Are you wanted?" Pete asked sternly. "Because if you are, we can't help you."

"Please… I am a Jedi. My troops have turned on me. If they find me-" He broke into a series of raspy coughs.

"Jedi? Why would the clones turn on their own commander?" Sinnel asked.

"They had orders… from Coruscant. It seems… the Republic… has decided to exterminate us." The injured Jedi's breathing was labored, making it difficult to speak.

"I don't like the sound of this Pete. If the Republic has declared war against the Jedi…"

"Yeah, I know. Come on. Let's take him to the house," Pete said.

Without another word, Sinnel helped his brother lift the Jedi. Under the cover of the thick fog, they made it to their home undetected. Jillian was sitting at the dining area table with Reese, helping him with his reading studies. Cyn was on the floor with Mara, playing with building blocks. The gasped when the brothers entered the house carrying the injured stranger. Jillian got up from the table and quickly helped them bring the Jedi into the spare room.

"What happened?" She asked as she pulled back the spare bed's sheets.

"He's been shot. Get the bacta kit," Pete ordered as they gently lowered the unconscious man onto the bed.

Nodding she quickly left the room.

"Is he going to die daddy?" Reese asked as he watched them cut the Jedi's shirt in order to examine the wounds.

"Go and watch your sister! Send you aunt in here, tell her we need her help," Sinnel barked.

Shocked by his dad's sharp response he quickly retreated, tears brimming on his eyes. As he approached his aunt Cyn, he looked away from her, attempting to hide his dismay.

"Daddy says they need your help. He told me to watch Mara," he said with a quivering voice.

Cyn pulled her nephew into a warm hug.

"Don't worry Hun, everything will be okay," she whispered. She pulled back and smiled, wiping his tears from his cheeks. "We need you to be a big boy for us, okay?"

He silently nodded. As he watched her leave he purposely kicked the block tower she'd been building with his sister. Mara squealed in delight. Smiling at his sister, he squatted down and began building a tower of his own. Mara watched him expectantly. After a few moments he purposely knocked it over and she laughed again. He joined in her laughing.

He began building another tower. He decided to make this one extra tall, hoping to enhance Mara's amusement. Mara began to grow impatient.

"Hold on a second. I want to make this one really big," he said.

As he reached for another block the tower suddenly fell, untouched. He frowned. Mara began to giggle excitedly.

"It must have been too tall," he reasoned with a shrug.

He was three blocks into a new tower when it fell. His frown returned. Mara laughed as if it were the funniest thing to ever happen. He watched her closely. He stacked four blocks and waited, observing his baby sister. Mara's eyes locked on the stack with a look of fierce concentration. A moment later the blocks fell, to her delight.

"Whoa," he gasped, his eyes growing wide. "Do that again!"

Having forgotten the injured man completely, he quickly stacked more blocks and waited. Again she gazed at them until they fell. They both laughed.

"What's so funny?" His mom asked as she came into the room.

"Mara knocked the blocks over just by looking at them!" He said, very excited.

His mother gave him a strange look. "I'm sure they just fell by themselves."

"No mommy, watch!"

He again stacked the blocks. Mara only gazed at her mother with outstretched arms, having clearly lost interest in the game.

"Oh. I guess she doesn't want to do it right now," he sadly remarked.

His mom gave him a warm smile before scooping Mara into her arms. "You Uncle Pete wants to know if you're ready to go out in the boat?"

His face lit up with excitement before a confused frown wrinkled his brow. "What about the hurt man?"

"Oh we gave him some medicine and he's sleeping. Your Aunt Cyn and I are going to look after him. You go with your dad and uncle and have a good time."

"What about Mara?"

"I think she's a little too young. Maybe next year."

"Okay, then I'll see you later mommy," he said excitedly, giving her a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I love you!"

"I love you too. Be careful and listen to your dad and uncle," she warned.

"Yes ma'am!" He replied as he ran to his father, who was in the kitchen.

"You ready to go?" He asked.

"Sure am!" Reese jumped with excitement.

"Good! Here, hold this," he said, handing his son a small container.

Reese smelled it and wrinkled his nose. "What is it daddy?"

"Bait. You want to learn to fish, don't you?"

Reese's face erupted in excitement. "Yes sir!"

Pete walked in, followed by Cyn.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" He asked.

"Go, have a good time. The more normal we act, the less likely they are to find him here," she said.

Nodding, he kissed his wife. "Be careful. The first sign of trouble I want you guys to get out of here. Your safety is more important than his."

"Don't worry, we'll be fine. Go! Have fun!" She said, shooing them out of the house.

Reese excitedly followed his father and his uncle toward the docks. He chattered excitedly as they walked along. Both men seemed too distracted to pay him much attention. Their eyes watched the streets carefully.

"Shhh," Sinnel finally hissed. "Daddy and Uncle Pete need you to be quiet for us, okay?"

"Okay," Reese happily agreed. He quietly hummed to himself instead.

Straining to hear any sign of approaching troops, Sinnel was tempted to tell his son to stop but thought the better of it. That would only kill his son's mood, and besides, they needed to appear as if everything were normal.

As they reached the boat, Pete got in. Turning towards the dock, he reached up and lifted his nephew, lowering him safely into the vessel. After untying the ropes, Sinnel joined them. The boat began to slowly pull away. Reese observed everything they did with keen interest. After a few minutes, when they were safely away, Sinnel felt it was time to pull his son aside and have a little talk.

Sitting in one of the rear seats he motioned his son to join him. Excitedly Reese came over and sat down in the seat adjacent from his. He watched his son as he observed the water. Reese put his hand over the side and laughed as the water spray wet his fingers. Sinnel couldn't help but smile.

"Reese," he said, leaning forward.

"Yes daddy?"

"I need you to promise me something."

"What's that?"

"Well, you know the hurt man at the house?"

Reese nodded enthusiastically.

"I need you to promise me that you won't tell anyone about him. It's very important that no one knows he was ever at the house. Do you understand?"

"Why?" Reese asked.

"There are bad people trying to find him. They want to hurt him. If they find out he's at the house, they might hurt us too."

"Why would they want to hurt us?"

"Well, because they might get mad at us for helping the man. Sometimes bad people hurt others for no reason."

"That's what makes them bad, isn't dad?" Reese said with a serious expression.

"That's right. So if anyone asks you if you've seen the man, you need to tell them no."

Reese squelched his eyebrows, frowning.

"But daddy! That would be a lie! You said I wasn't supposed to ever lie!"

"That's true, I did say that. This is different though. I know it's hard for you to understand. Sometimes, if we don't lie, people get hurt."

Reese seemed to ponder this for a while.

"So how do I know when it's alright to tell a lie?" He asked, his innocent eyes reflecting the question.

"When mommy and daddy say it is."

Reese seemed to accept the answer.

"I also need you to promise me something else son," he continued.

"What daddy?"

"Please promise me that you won't go to the docks again without one of us with coming with you. You could have fallen into the water or gotten hurt."

"I just wanted to surprise you by getting everything ready," Reese pleaded.

"I know, and that was very sweet of you, but I need you to promise me you won't do it again without one of us."

"I promise," he sadly vowed.

"Good. Why don't you go over there and let uncle Pete show you have to drive this thing?"

The boy's face lit excitedly as he jumped up and joined his uncle. Sinnel watched as Pete showed him how to steer the vessel. His son had never looked so proud as he did when Pete gave him control of the wheel. Reese turned back and gave him an ecstatic smile.

"Hey! Look at you! You're doing it!" He said as his son began to laugh.

"He's a pro!" Pete winked. "He'll be replacing me before we know it!"

This was a day Reese would never forget. No matter how many years go by, bringing about a countless number of random events that are barely noticed, much less remembered, it's funny how days like that remain in the memory. This day would hold a special place in his heart, not because he learned to drive a boat, or because he caught his first fish. This day stayed with him because it was the last time he was ever truly happy. It was the last day in which his innocence would stay intact.