Chapter 4

Unknown location on the Star Killer base

My body slowly stirred awake from the deep sleep it had fallen into. I was shocked that I was not awoken by any of the common nightmares that usually ate away at my unconsciousness. Gradually, my eyes began to slowly open and adjust to my surroundings. I was jolted out of my fatigue when I realized that I was no longer in the confined prison cell walls.

I looked around in a distressed state, panicked at how I was clueless to my surroundings. In the corner of my eye, I noticed a familiar masked figure and focused my attention on him. He could see the confused look on my face, but remained silent. He was seated on a leather stool, opposite to the grand bed I was lay on.

"Where am I Kylo?!"

He watched me for a few more moments. His long pause was likely a way of tormenting me, knowing that I was completely disoriented and vulnerable. The only advantage I had this time was that I was no longer strapped to a metal torture bench; completely at his mercy.

"You'll be happy to know that you are in my room Ana; likely for the foreseeable future as well. My guards aren't the stupid soldiers you expect them to be. Usually, I extract all the information I need during an investigation, then the prisoner is quickly disposed of. In your case that didn't happen, causing many of my men to become suspicious of my actions."

I felt disgust as I gathered that I had been one of the lucky ones to escape the murderous clutches of Kylo Ren. In any other case I would have been thrown off the back of the ship in a body bag. Kylo paused for a few moments, evidently deliberating whether he should tell me further information. I noticed his indecision and further prompted him for more details.

"So what caused you to bring me here?"

"I needed an excuse as to why I had spared your life. Obviously, telling them the truth wasn't an option. So I made them believe that I took a liking to you and intend to use you for private purposes."

I bubbled with fury at this revelation. How dare he tell everyone that I was being used as his own personal prostitute. My body sprang into action, launching itself off the bed and towards his smug form. I knew that this was his way of getting revenge, after I humiliated him in front of the two Stormtroopers trying to transport me during our last encounter.

As I travelled towards him mid-air, my body was thrown back onto the bed with the wave of his hand. I hit the mattress with a harsh enough impact to take my breath away. Yet I no longer cared about the pain that my body felt. The mixture of anger and embarrassment consumed me and caused me to glare at Kylo with hatred.

"Why would you disgrace me in such a way?! Or do I really need to ask? You're probably still bitter about the way I treated your guards and wanted to find a way to get payback! Or maybe it was just the fact that you have no feelings anymore, and couldn't care less about mine either!"

"If you think this is my way of getting revenge, then you severely underestimate me. I could make you in so much pain that you would be on your knees, pleading for me to end your life! You got what you wanted! You no longer have to live in that shitty prison cell for the rest of your time here. But if I hear one more complaint from you, I won't think twice about putting you back in there!"

I knew that his threat was true. Kylo removed his mask; further revealing the frustrated look on his face. He slowly stood up and walked towards me, until he was stood above my lying body in a menacing stance. I sat up and pushed myself as far away as possible from him, until I reached the headboard of his large bed.

"Do I scare you?" He asked, making me scoff at him.

"It's not every day that you wake up in a psychopath's bed! You can't blame me for being sceptical at your motives after what you've been telling the rest of your crew. How did you even get me here without 6 of your soldiers manhandling me before dragging me across the ship?!"

"The medical droid drugged you. I was not going to risk you having another outburst after how much of an embarrassment you were the last time we transported you."

"Embarrassment. Is that what I am to you?! Isn't that all I've ever been to you since you discovered your force sensitivity?"

His eyes hardened, giving me an impassive expression. I used to be able to read my best friend like a book, but now his emotions were totally shut off from me. Kylo was right; I was absolutely petrified by him. His unpredictability constantly had me on edge and in fear. He ignored my question as if it had never been asked, and instead gave me more news to dread.

"From now on you will remain in these quarters at all times, unless escorted by myself. If you are stupid enough to try and escape, I won't stop the Stormtroopers from killing you if needed."

Kylo then walked around the bed and up to my tensed frame. I looked him in the eyes, which were now only inches away. I felt the seriousness of his tone, and knew that this was a warning I shouldn't take lightly. My breathing quickened as I was forced into such close proximity with a person whom I was morbidly afraid of. In my best effort, I tried to hide my anxiousness and sound as confident as I could.

"Who said I would attempt to leave?"

Kylo shocked me and leaned in further, till his lips were almost touching my ear. My heart began to pound against my chest whilst my face turned crimson red.

"I can read your mind." He whispered smugly. I immediately grew self-conscious that he could see everything that went on in my head. All of my feelings were exposed to him; something that made me feel more defenceless than ever. Despite our once – close friendship, I had no idea who this man was, yet he knew everything about me.

My thoughts were shortly interrupted by a loud knock at the door. Kylo pulled away from me, a smirk still evident on his face. I let out a short breath of relief that I was no longer being forced to endure the same breathing space as him. He wanted to make me feel nervous and use it to his advantage. I was only grateful that he didn't get chance to toy with me any further.

He re-equipped his mask before opening the door to the three Stormtroopers which were obediently waiting outside. They entered the room, each carrying a metallic container. The trio marched in perfect synchronization and placed the boxes beside the bed, before swiftly turning around and heading straight back through the exit. After the door closed again, the room was left in a deafening silence. Still confused by Kylo's apparent mood swings, I refused to make any more conversation with the confusing specimen. His kept his mask on this time, deciding to talk to me in with his robotic voice.

"Those containers have some essentials you will need if you're going to be staying here. I thought it would be appropriate since you will no longer be just a temporary passenger."

Regardless of the simplicity of it, the considerate gesture made me wonder if he was still capable of caring for me. Perhaps the Ben I once knew was still trapped inside the cold man he was now. A small spark of hope lit up in me.

"Ana, don't let your thoughts get carried away. Stop expecting the best of me, or you will just end up hurt and I won't be giving you any sympathy when you do."

That spark inside of me was extinguished immediately. My face dropped and lost any sense of spirit as it became a dull expression of defeat. Kylo began to walk towards the door of his room and opened it.

"I have a meeting with Snoke. Don't leave or do anything foolish."

And with that he left. I was once again isolated and left to entertain myself. My bitter feelings were overpowering me and I was desperate for a distraction from my dire situation. I carefully slipped myself off of the bed and strolled towards the recent deliveries. Uncaring of if I was supposed to, I began to pry open the first metallic box. Kylo had said that the contents were belongings I would need, so I presumed he wouldn't be too angry.

As I lifted the lid off, I saw that the box contained a black leather outfit. I lifted the ensemble up into the air and noticed how tight fitting it was. Instantly, I knew I hated the uniform and let it drop from my hands, back into the steel container. Hesistantly, I moved my attention on to the next box, hoping that it would be an improvement on the last.

I looked in awe as the box revealed a familiar item I never thought that I would encounter again. Delicately placed at the bottom of the container, was my beloved blaster taken from me on Jakku. It shocked me that Kylo would trust me with my weapon. Immediately I returned the blaster to the belt of my tunic, knowing that it was now in its rightful place.

Slightly more optimistic, I set my sights on the final box which had been brought into the room. My hands gripped onto the lid in an attempt to open it, but quickly learned that the container had been locked. I was slightly confused as to why the contents had been sealed away from me, but didn't want to risk damaging them.

Finally left with nothing else to amuse myself with, I realized that it had been days since I had last washed myself. Abruptly feeling the need to clean my body, I wandered around Kylo's quarters until I located a shower. Stepping into it, I lose any sense of time as I let the steaming water relax my limbs.

By the time I decided to get out, hours could have passed by without me comprehending. I hurriedly wrapped a towel around my body and looked at the pile of clothes on the floor. Only now did I notice how filthy my robes had become. I huffed in defeat, knowing that I would have to change into the skin-tight leather costume I had just received. I paced out of the bathroom and stopped with a jolt as I saw the door to the room swing open.

Kylo noticed me as he stepped in, coming to a complete halt. His mask hid his facial expression, which saved me from any further embarrassment.

"GET OUT!"

My shriek was loud enough to send shockwaves throughout the whole ship. Kylo snapped out of his haze and briskly exited the room, giving me back my privacy. In a flustered state, I threw my new set of clothes on and tied my hair into an intricate braid. Once decent, I communicated to Kylo, aware that he would likely be reading my mind. You can come back in now.

As soon as I had given him permission, Kylo returned to the room, seemingly unphased by the previous awkward encounter. His suit caused every step he took to echo around the four walls of his chambers. He came to a stop only a few feet away from me. After a brief moment of silence, Kylo said something in the robotic voice of his mask, which sent chills down my spine.

"I have news from the supreme leader."