Chapter 1
Present Day, located in a remote town in Jakku
My body shot up out of the thin covers of my bed, startled by the haunting nightmare which infected my slumber every night. The sleep terror had caused a thin layer of sweat to cover my body from the intense fear which it had caused. Despite its daily repetitiveness, the horror of the memory still had a petrifying effect on me.
I never saw Ben again after that fateful day on Chandrila. When Han and Leia finally found my body in a motionless heap in their grand hallway, they knew that I was lucky to survive the onslaught from their ruthless son. Half the bones in my body had been broken from my harsh impact with the ground and it had taken months for me to fully recover.
We were both only 16 at the time, yet had become mature for our age due to our public importance and responsibilities. When my parents passed away, both General Organa and her husband had taken me in and cared for me as if I was one of their own. For them it must have been heart breaking to see what their son had turned into, but also to see the everlasting impact it had on me.
I knew I would never be able to look either of them in the eye again, as it would only remind me of Ben and what he was before he was lost to the dark side. He never did complete his jedi training; after his attack on me he fled to the empire, knowing that what he did was unforgivable.
Two years after the attack when I had finally come of age, I left behind the only people I cared about to start a new life on Jakku. I was aware that I would never be found on such a deserted planet with little wealth. Life here was hard, but I adapted to the unforgiving conditions quickly. I cherished the isolation and new identity I had garnered.
My house consisted of only one room. A simple bed, stove and washing basin filled the four walls. I looked up at the partially cracked ceiling above my head, before deciding to haul myself from the stiff mattress I was lay on. A single window was located on the opposite wall; the sun blaring through it informed me that it was the late morning.
I washed my body in the basin full of cool water and dressed myself in my casual attire. My outfit consisted of a faded white tunic and lightweight beige pants. A sturdy belt held my clothing in place as well as accommodating the blaster which I had stolen before leaving the resistance.
My stomach ached as I realized that it had been empty for over a full day. I cut a chunk out of my plain loaf and devoured it, savouring every last crumb. I would need to find another job on the side unless I wanted to starve along with the other desperate scavengers.
Turning the handle, I swung open my wooden door and headed off to the village in hope of finding employment in the lifeless area. Looking into the distance, I could notice the silhouette of the familiar buildings in spite of the blinding sun rays which impaired my vision. Life in Jakku was no luxury, but I still preferred it to the busy life of a resistance fighter.
Back in Chandrila, the flashbacks were far worse and would constantly torment me throughout the day. However, no-one had the courage to comment on my mental health to the General, in fear of offending their respected leader. I couldn't find a way of coping with the issue when I was encompassed in the stress of fighting a war; my only choice was to leave.
My leather sandals padded against the soft sand beneath me. The village was a mere mile away, and so would only take 15 minutes to reach if I travelled at a firm pace. As I got closer, the buildings and busy locals became clearer to see. I sighed with relief as I finally reached the shaded shelter of the market.
The reprieve from the searing heat was soothing to my burning skin. I gazed around the stalls in awe at the selection of fresh meat and vegetables that were being sold. My stomach began to churn again, forcing me to divert my attention away from the attractive food only a few feet away from me.
Half - heartedly, I dragged myself away from the mouth – watering market stalls, and headed off to the bar across the village, owned by the notorious landlord Ruene. He was a merciless creature who controlled many of the taverns in Jakku and was rumoured to have links with countless empire officials. Nevertheless, I knew that he also had a job vacant due to the last bar tender finding employment as a transporter's apprentice in another system.
Reluctantly, I walked into the sleazy tavern and avoided the unsettling stares from the drunks who had still not returned home since the night before. I scanned the room until my eyes found those of the bar's manager, Muscida Nightcatcher. His bored gaze made my confidence waver, yet I found my legs striding over to him until we were face to face.
"I'm aware you have a bar tender job available. If the offer is still open, I would be grateful to take it."
His mouth curled up into a revolting smirk as he digested my words. I refused to contemplate the dirty thoughts which were likely infesting his mind as he gave my body a once over. Just before I grew impatient, Muscida let out a remark which caused me to scoff.
"A young girlie like you could be doing a much more rewarding job. With a body like that, the men here would pay a decent fee to spend the night with your pretty face."
My mouth dropped in shock. A low growl escaped my mouth as I spat in his face to express my disgust. My hand flew up to strike him, but I refrained myself from causing a scene in the stirring tavern. Muscida noticed the move and grabbed my raised arm, pulling it towards him. My body crashed against his in a crippling grip.
Deafening gun shots filled the air. The hold against my body was lost as everyone in the tavern dropped to the floor in panic. Only I remained standing in the silent room. I used the distraction as a chance to escape the repulsive presence of Mr Nightcatcher. Shootings were common in this area due to the many rival gangs which occupied Jakku.
I sprinted to the door whilst the remainder of the bar guests were too intoxicated to lift their drunken bodies back to their seats. My arms pushed the door open with a determined force and caused it to fly open. My momentum led to me taking a few extra strides away from the tavern before promptly stopping in shock at the horror scene before me.
The gun shot from moments ago turned into an orchestra of blasters, accompanied by the storm troopers which operated them. They ripped through the small village carelessly, causing carnage in their path. This was the first time that the empire had ever targeted Jakku, causing me to believe that Reune had likely angered the vengeful soldiers which were murdering everything in their way.
Without a second thought, my frantic legs carried me towards a stack of beer barrels in an attempt to hide from the white armoured suits which were growing closer by the minute. I self-consciously grabbed my blaster at my side, even though it would be no hope against the masses of storm troopers which now surrounded me.
I crawled into a ball and squeezed me eyes shut to try to let my mind escape from the sounds of despair coming from innocent villagers. I flinched every time the sound of another body collapsing against the floor would echo across the walls of the clay buildings. My time was quickly running out; the blasters could be heard from only a few paces away now.
A sob escaped me as I felt an iron grip wrap around my body and press me against the wall. The moisture in my eyes blurred my vision, but even that didn't stop me from identifying the storm trooper which now confronted me. My blaster was ripped out of my belt and thrown to the ground away from me.
The cold surface of the trooper's gun pressed against my forehead. In my final moments I reminisced about the few everlasting memories I had gathered over my short life. I had never thought that my life would end so prematurely. Jakku was only my first step to exploring the galaxy as a free individual.
But now it would all be cut short. I couldn't help but think of the last time my life was so close to ending. The emotionless mask that covered the soldier's face was the same as Ben's when he verbally abused me, until I became the shell of the person I once was. I took a last breath as his finger tightened on the trigger.
"NO!"
The storm trooper jumped away from me in shock as he glanced over at the menacing black figure which had prevented my execution. The black suit had an uncanny resemblance to the murderous sith, Darth Vader. I nervously searched my mind for any reason why I would be of such importance to this complete stranger.
It only took a few seconds for the dark soldier to reach me. Without warning, the storm trooper was thrown into a nearby house using the power of the force. I didn't feel an ounce of liberation as the black figure stood in the same spot as the storm trooper, which had attempted to end my life a short period ago.
His black gloved hand rose up to caress my cheek, sending jolts of anxiety through my body. The caring gesture quickly disappeared as he moved his hand to grab my neck and use it to keep a firm hold of my body. In complete silence, he began to walk us through the village and towards an unknown destination. It was a few minutes until the figure decided to speak again.
"Do not bother trying to resist me, or you will deeply regret it. I am known as Kylo Ren, Master of the knights of Ren. I have more power than you could ever dream of; be grateful that I spared such an inferior life as yours."
"Where are we going?!" I wept as I was forced to view the destruction of my home.
The figure stopped and turned my body to face him. He kept an uncomfortable grip on my shoulder to prevent me from moving any part of my body.
"We will be returning to the Star Killer base where you will be kept in remand until further notice." He paused, growing impatient at my sorrowful cries. "NOW STOP YOUR COWARDLY WEEPING, OR I WILL MAKE YOU WISH THAT YOU HAD BEEN KILLED AND BURIED ALONG WITH THE REST OF YOUR VILLAGE!"
The robotic voice projected by his suit was loud enough to awaken the whole of Jakku. Adrenaline pumping through my blood cut short any fear I felt. In its place, I was consumed by anger and hate. But I wasn't careless, I knew that Kylo was capable of making me experiencing paralysing pain at just the wave of his hand. I obeyed his command and concealed any emotions from penetrating my face.
He returned his clutch on my neck and directed me through the rubble and remains of a once - lively area. After another half mile, we reached our final destination; a menacing empire ship, much larger than the ones which were now becoming occupied by bloodied Stormtroopers. Confused looks filled the faces of the unmasked empire pilots which were seated at the front of the space craft once they saw my helpless body being propelled by their callous superior.
I bowed my head down as I was involuntarily placed in a metallic seat at the rear of the ship. Kylo directed the two men on the course we would be taking, before seating himself opposite me. I stared down at the ground to avoid his critical gaze.
My life on Jakku was gone, and it would never be the same again.