The nightmares started that evening.

Maybe it was the false sense of security, maybe all the stuff that had happened in the past few days, maybe everything put together – the nightmares were horrifying.

If this is the way my mind handles precarious situation, it really needs to stop.

I dreamt of this new world, Coruscant. In the dream, the planet was breathtakingly beautiful, all its ugly secrets kept hidden from the naked eye. I saw the Jedi temple, a giant thing of glittering glass, an imposing sight to ward off those that would choose to harm them.

It rendered me speechless.

In front of the temple, I saw an ever growing group of people, shouting angry words towards the Jedi and receiving nothing in return. Their calls grew louder and suddenly I was right in between. I saw all of this with such clarity, I almost thought it was real.

The woman with her feral smile holding a glistening dagger in her hand, coated with a black substance I knew to be the poison that had run through my system. Her voice was a growl, a wild animal let loose on people only trying to help.

Or so was my presumption.

Behind her stood the alien with the long fangs, saliva running down startling white teeth as it opened its mouth and let out an inhuman howl. It laid long, pointy ears back against its head, raised its long snout into the air while it called out, making me cringe. The sound hurt my ears, reminding me of a lone wolf outside in the wilderness.

The crowd closed in on me, like a charge of soldiers out for the kill. Boots thundered on the ground in unison – I tried backing up but I collided with a firm object that turned out to be a tall human man with black eyes. His smile could have melted ice. It was an ugly smile, chilling to the bone. He spoke to me but I couldn't understand his words. I'd never heard the language before but the words sounded beautiful. If not for the laugh, I would not have been afraid of this man.

He threw his head back while he laughed loudly. I turned away just in time to see the woman with the dagger approach me. Slowly, she set one foot in front of the other. I had more than enough time to run away but I couldn't. Because the man with the black eyes held onto me. I couldn't move an inch. I was trapped between this brute of a human and the woman with the poisoned dagger.

I knew what was going to happen next and I was helpless to prevent it. Even in my dreams, I was helpless. I hated not being able to control what happened around me.

I screamed, an ear splitting sound echoing in the valley below the Jedi temple. It was the only thing I could do while the woman came closer, holding the dagger firmly in her hand. She would have been a very beautiful girl, if not for the wicked grin and the gleam of craziness in her eyes.

The dagger pierced through my skin and I heard growing laughter all around me. The woman withdrew her weapon and grinned at me and then she stabbed me again.

And again.

And again.

Until all I could do was collapse in the arms of the man with the black eyes.

I woke up screaming. Tears ran down my face as I sat in shock. After what seemed like an eternity, I calmed down and slapped the light switch on the wall. Once the darkness was gone, I could breathe easy for just a moment.

But only for a moment.

I kept telling myself that it was only a dream, nothing to worry about. But it was a dream that would haunt me for a very long time.

I slid off the bed, one hand clasping the suddenly throbbing wound in my side. It still hurt to move and standing up straight was near impossible. My hands trembled and I felt sick, just about ready to retch. Images of the dream swirled around in my head – the feeling of being lost, of being trapped, of being utterly alone intensified.

I shuffled to the nearest wall and held out a hand to steady myself. I wanted to feel the floor underneath my bare feet, I wanted to be sure that the dream was over.

For good.

I slid down onto the floor, awkwardly leaning against the wall.

Helplessly I sat there.

Alone.

Devastated beyond belief.

I wanted to go home.

All this just had to be a dream, a very clear and real dream but a dream nonetheless!

The door to the hospital swished open. I heard the slight hiss but I didn't look up. I had my head buried between my knees, trying to compose myself and not dissolve into a teary mass.

I heard the sound of footsteps coming closer and without realizing it, I grew afraid. The sound was the same as in the dream, a deep echo of something evil coming closer. I started to shake violently and the wound in my side stung even more than it had before.

It was insane and I wanted it to stop.

I'd never been this afraid before.

I jumped and let out a squeak of a cry when warm, soft hands grasped my shoulder. Looking up into bright green eyes, I felt my resolve crumble away. I don't like showing my feelings to anyone. Crying in front of people makes you seem weak and I am not weak.

But I couldn't help it. The kindness, the comfort I could receive by a simple touch, the hushed words that all would be alright – it was a promise I saw in his eyes.

I threw my arms around Master Durron's neck, burying my face in his shoulder. And I let lose all that was still hiding inside of me. I don't know how long it took but he held me while I wept.

And I will be forever grateful.