She dreams of being alone. The suffocating silence around her as she cries out for help yet goes unheard. Rey knows no one is coming for her, and that's the truth. No matter how many times she has the same nightmare, the outcome never changes.
But somehow, this feels different. So different. Because when Rey turns around, she sees a small boy with messy black hair and ears too big peeking out. A boy curled in on himself, knees against his chest as his arms wrap around them.
As she steps closer, Rey can hear voices that gradually get louder as she approaches the trembling form. She can't make out full sentences, yet certain words stand out.
Scared.
Vader.
Control.
Fear.
Monster.
The voices stop only to be replaced with another. This time, the voice speaks clearly.
They don't love you. They are afraid of you.
Slowly, the boy raises his head and Rey's breath catches as she stares into Ben's red rimmed eyes.
"That's not true," his small voice answers, arms tightening around him.
Then why do they insist you are a monster? Why are they never here? Why do they leave you?
Ben doesn't answer, but more tears begin to trail down his cheeks.
Face it. You mean nothing to them.
Rey's heard enough. "Stop it!" she growls as she reaches Ben's side, crouching down beside him. "Leave him alone." She can feel the voice retreat but doesn't pay it any mind as her attention is on Ben.
He's hiccuping and the tears have yet to cease. Rey's heart aches and she does the only thing she can think of to help calm him down. She slowly gathers him in her arms, pulling him to her. Ben flinches and tries to shrink in on himself but he doesn't try to pull away.
Finally, Rey manages to pull him flush against her, soothing his hair and rubbing his back. She whispers sweet nothings to him, all going back to the same thing.
Don't listen to him.
Your parents love you.
You mean the world to them.
When Ben stops shaking, and the only evidence of his tears are the now dry stains on his cheeks, Rey feels him wrap his arms around her middle and squeeze tightly. She hears him choke out a small 'thank you,' before he fades from her grip and she's alone again.