Hello! I hope you like this chapter!
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Chapter 3 - Lie
They were coming for them. Mira knew it the moment her husband stepped into their house. He was panting, his back pressed against the door, his hand resting on the holster attached at his waist. Ezra, however, had failed to notice his father's panicked state.
"Dad!" he shouted, running up to the man and trying to jump into his arms. Ephraim, his breathing still shallow, pulled his son up.
"Hey, son," he said, trying to brush off whatever had been happening. He pulled him into a tight hug, the seven year old's legs wrapped around his waist, and his arms around his neck. Ephraim stole a glance at Mira, his eyes telling her everything she needed to know. She jumped up from her seat and did not notice that it toppled to the ground.
She raced into the basement, their secret broadcasting studio, gathering things up and destroying others. When she was satisfied that most of the evidence was gone, she climbed back up the ladder, replacing the hole with a circular table. Ephraim was still clinging on to Ezra.
"Ezra, we need to talk with you," Mira said, and Ezra picked up on her tone.
"I didn't do it." Mira smiled, but it quickly faded.
"I know, Ezra. You're not in trouble. But, mommy and daddy are." Ezra's bear hug loosened.
"Why are you in trouble?" Ephraim sighed, and the three of them moved over to the couch. Ezra still sat in Ephraim's lap, the tension hanging in the air.
"Ezra, you know that we stand up to the Empire. They are not the good guys. They are corrupt and will not hesitate to kill." Ezra nodded along, his blue eyes becoming blurred by the specs of water that were forming.
"But the Empire does not want us to stand up," Mira said, drawing her son's attention to her. "And they're angry that we are broadcasting our views."
"But why aren't people listening? Why are you the only one who's doing it?" Ezra sniffed. "That's not fair!" he shouted.
"We know, Ezra," Ephraim said, hugging him closer as their son shook in fear and anger. They had to keep him calm before things started spontaneously breaking into a million pieces. "But it's okay. You're going to be okay." But Ezra was still upset.
"Don't leave me," he sobbed into his father's shoulder, his body shaking. Mira stood, disappearing into the hallway and through a doorway. Ephraim rubbed Ezra's back, trying to calm the young child, without success. Mira came back into view holding something in her hand. She sat down on the couch, the movement making the couch squeak. Ezra turned his gaze to his mother.
"Ezra, I have a gift for you." Holding out her hand, Ezra looked at the small orange device she held. He sniffed again, and reached out to take it.
"The house key?" he questioned, his voice hesitant. Mira watched as he stared at it, rubbing both thumbs over it.
"Yes. It's yours now. Keep it safe." Mira said, taking Ezra's free hand and giving it a squeeze. There was so much she wanted to tell him, but the words were stuck on the tip of her tongue, refusing to leave.
She was afraid. Afraid of what would happen to her, to her husband, to her son. They had risked everything, and now it was all coming to an end.
Someone pounded on the door. Three pairs of eyes turned towards the door as Ezra let out a small whimper. The banging started again. Mira locked eyes with Ephraim, a silent acknowledgment of what would happen. They had discussed this many times before, but now it was different. Their fears were becoming reality. Mira stood and moved the table, revealing the passage to their hideout. Ephraim stood with Ezra, who was now holding on to him with a death grip. Ephraim kneeled down, but Ezra would not let go.
"Ezra, you need to stay strong. You need to let go," Ephraim whispered, his voice barely heard over the pounding on the door. Ezra only shook his head.
"Ezra, look at me," Mira said, and her son did. "You're going to be okay." She tucked a strand of his messy hair away from his face, kissing him on the cheek. "I promise, Ezra, that everything will turn out alright." Ezra loosened his grip, and Ephraim kissed him on the forehead before lowering him down the ladder.
"Now you promise me, Ezra. Promise me that you won't come out until you're sure they're gone." Ezra nodded, still holding onto the ladder, unmoving. Mira watched her son's eyes as Ephraim covered up the entrance. A sob escaped her lips as Ephraim pulled her close.
Her last words to her son were a lie.
The pounding stopped, and the couple turned towards the door. Within seconds, blue sparks engulfed the door. They reminded Mira of her son's eyes. The door was thrusted open and Stormtroopers began pouring in.
"Freeze, rebels!" they shouted, raising their guns.
Mira and Ephraim did not fight back. They let the troopers rip them apart. They let the troopers pull their hands behind their backs and they let them lead them out the door of their home.
They let the troopers take them away from their son.
Because if they fought back, that would make them guiltier than they already were. If they came quietly, the Empire would not care to search their home. And that meant that Ezra would be safe.
And that was all that mattered.
Mira kept her gaze on the ground, releasing a deep breath. She did not know what was going to happen, but she was sure that this was the end. Whether or not she would be executed, it was the end for both of them. Their lives were over.
But their son's life was not. And Mira had no doubt that with his abilities; he could make a bigger change than they were able to.
Mira believed that her son would make a change. He would grow the seed that they had planted with their broadcasts.
And that gave her strength. She knew it would be broken soon enough, but for the time being, she would be strong.
It was all that she could do.
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R & R
~ Kavella ~