Chapter 13

"Ben." The familiar voice called. Who was it? "Ben! Ben, wake up."

He stirred, feeling the blankets of a familiar bed around him in the calm darkness of his room on Couriscant. "Dad?" He muttered, opening one eye and seeing the familiar surroundings of his bedroom. It was still dark, and the lights of the city pooled on one side of his wall. Was it time for school already?

"Wake up, Kid," Han Solo leaned halfway through his open bedroom door, the warm light of the early morning living quarters illuminating his face. Undoubtedly, his mom was already up. She had probably been up for hours, while C-3PO bustled around making a nuisance of himself in the kitchen. "You're gonna be late. Luke says he wants you to be at the ship in less than an hour." He glanced over his shoulder at the sound of the breakfast table being set in the kitchen, "Mom got you breakfast."

Closing his eyes, Ben felt his body ache from exhaustion. He felt the call to sleep once again, luring him to the sweet darkness of peace. "I'm tired," he moaned. So tired. Hurting.

"You've got stuff to do," Han answered.

Ben drew the warm blankets around himself, feeling the comfort of his bed swallow him up. He let out a small groan in protest. Just five more minutes. He felt like he could stay there forever. Sleep. Rest. Be at peace in this memory. He didn't care if he was late to his uncle's ship. He didn't want to go to the Jedi Academy. All that could wait. He just wanted to be here. Sleep in his own bed, be with his family. Wasn't that all anyone could ask for?

The side of his bed bent in, and he felt his father's hand on his shoulder. "I know you're tired, but you gotta get up now."

Ben shook his head, keeping his eyes safely closed. "No, Dad. I don't want to leave."

"Look kid, all I know is that you were born with a big destiny," Han answered, his voice low, "I don't know what it is. But I've got faith in you."

He didn't move.

"Come on, Ben," Han said, getting up to stand next to the bed once more, "Get up. Time time to get moving."

Ben could hear his father's footsteps toward the door of his room, and he moved to see him just one last time. Dad?

Wake up.

Ben, wake up.

Ben opened his eyes as the dream melted away, being replaced by a crushing reality. Everything hurt, and his vision was blurry for few minutes. Slowly it cleared, and he found himself staring up into Rey's green eyes. She cradled him, her small warm body holding him away from the cold ground.

"Thank the Force," Rey muttered, "Can you stand?"

He blinked, only barely understanding what she was saying. It hurt to breathe, let alone stand. One of his legs was broken, while his left arm was shattered in three places. Taking a deep breath, he tried to sit up.

The effort made his head swim. A deep rumbling came to his ears, and he saw the familiar glow of fire on the walls around him. Laying back, he felt Rey's arms around him. She held him so close, he could hear the heartbeat racing in her chest. She was so scared. But she clung to him as if she could keep him safe from the erupting world around them. Rey was trying to save him. He swallowed, tasting his own blood in his mouth. She didn't deserve to die like this. Why was she still here?

He looked up at Rey again, seeing her eyes go wide. "Go," he muttered, fighting the urge to close his eyes again, "Leave." This was his fate. He had brought it on himself. He should die in fire and ruin. He deserved it.

To be continued!

(A. N. Yes I know it's short, but I will update soon I promise!)