AN: Hey guys, me again, this chapter I'm really nervous about, because it kind of the turning point to the story, and I would really, really like to have your thoughts on it. Also, no one complained about the change in rating, so I'll take it as a good sign : ). Enjoy.
Rey's routine was pretty figured out by now. In the morning she would use what space she had to train physically. Sit ups, push ups, anything to keep her strength from fading too quickly. When her plain white prisoner clothes would stink in sweat, she'd take a shower. The hot water running down her back would bring her a moment of peace, even if it was unfamiliar to her, not used to the abundance of water. Around noon a droid would come to feed her. Starving herself out was simply not an option, not if she wanted to escape so she'd eat every last drop of the murky soup, grimacing at the taste. In the afternoon she would practise her mental skills, reaching farther and farther out of her cell, trying to cross the perimeter Kylo Ren had inflicted upon her by removing everyone in her vicinity. It was harder to train if she had no one to practise on. In the evening she would eat while tormenting her "guest" with a balanced mix of small talk and recriminations, seeping through his thoughts subtly, trying to learn more about the base, about his schedule, knowing he was the worst impediment to her escape. And at night she would bite her lips not to cry, knowing she still had to wake up to this cell in the morning.
Today was no different yet, but unbeknownst to her, the infernal routine was about to be broken. Permanently. She was meditating, poised and calm, her breaths slow and deep. She'd learned by now that her breathing influenced her abilities a lot, and that she was more powerful when she felt serene.
When her shackled arms painfully yanked the rest of her body up to the wall, her eyes immediately searched for him. He hadn't done that since the day he'd decided to kill her. What kind of mood are you in now? She asked herself inwardly, trying to reach him with her mind.
Learning about her enemy was invaluable. She'd spend hours trying to breach his defenses, hours figuring out the pathways in his mind, but he still was a riddle to her. Unpredictable and unhinged.
Had it finally dawned on him how crazy it was to keep her around? Have you finally decided to end this?
How would he do it? Quickly, like he'd promised? Or would it be slow, more personal? She had the impression that she was becoming very personal to him and she'd kind of guessed he wasn't the kind of man to keep his promises anyway. She shouldn't have asked him for a favor, what was she thinking? She bit her lips in shame, knowing she'd let herself forget, for a fleeting moment, how black his soul was.
She prepared herself for another cat and mouse dance, knowing she could maybe manage to change his mind once more.
When the red haired leader of the First Order came into view instead of the familiar black shadow of Kylo Ren, her blood chilled in her veins. Every fiber of her body screamed in alarm, her eyes wide.
She understood from Ren's mind the general was more of a rival than a friend, but he was definitely evil.
"Ah, the lady in question," Hux jeered, advancing towards her, a disturbingly joyful smile on his lips.
She immediately loathed his smile, making him look more like a serpent than a man. She looked behind him to see if by any chance he would make the mistake of bringing soldiers with him, easy preys to manipulate with the Force.
No such chance. He was alone. He walked calmly towards her, closer and closer, his eyes squinting at her like he could not see her clearly.
"Well, obviously he sees something in you that I don't," his insipid voice mused.
Her eyebrows raised in question instinctively, but she refused to play his game and ask what he was talking about.
"You see, the Supreme Leader doesn't want to believe me, but I see the way he looks at you. I've been taping your little sessions since his return, you know." He looked pleased with himself. "A knight of Ren delivering food to a prisoner! Sneaking in at night to talk. Ah!" He said before spitting on the floor, like he was deeply disgusted.
She understood now what he was rambling about: Kylo Ren. Why is it always about Kylo Ren? She rolled her eyes. Apparently, Hux doesn't like the way I'm treated. Didn't approve of the signs of humanity that would crack the black armor of Kylo Ren more and more often. She thought it was a ruse, an act meant to gain her trust, but by the look of the crazed man in front of her, she had to wonder. Through her successful but short incursions in Ren's mind, Rey had learned a lot about him. As ridiculous as it sounded, he was incredibly lonely. Even though he possessed the power of the dark side, his life was mostly unsatisfying and empty. And that's just what he deserves, she reminded herself.
Her train of thoughts was cut short when the red devil in front of her reached into his coat and a shiny dagger came into view. She tensed even more, her jaw clenching as she flattened herself into the wall, getting ready to kick him. She'd never fooled herself thinking she could really move enough in this position to kick Kylo Ren efficiently, but this guy was no super powered knight and she was confident she could inflict some pain.
"Don't worry, I will not kill you. Snoke was clear Ren had to be the one to kill you," he explained wickedly, coming closer. She waited patiently for him to lean close enough to get one good kick in. She got his stomach, disappointed to miss his face. He fell back, the wind knocked out of him.
"You bitch!" He hissed in pain.
She smirked proudly.
"Let the droid in," Hux screamed to the room.
The door opened and a short, rectangular droid entered. What the hell? It approached until it was about two feet from her. The metal arms of the droid advanced slowly, and she tried to kick it. It pounced on her at that moment, catching her legs and holding them firmly in place. Two extra manacles appeared from inside the unit, clamping around her ankles, and the droid retreated. Her calves were now stuck to the wall too, her legs barely able to wiggle. She began to panic, bile rising in her throat. Beads of sweat accumulated on her forehead.
"Here, isn't this better?" Hux sneered as he put himself directly in front of her, a couple of inches from her face before continuing: "That way you can behave."
She spat on him.
He grabbed her throat menacingly. "You are nothing but scraps, a scavenger scum from a hideous planet." He let his hold soften and brushed her neck viciously. "I can't kill you yet, but I will bleed you and rape you until you forget your own name." His voice was a mere whisper now, an edge of insanity to it. "When I'm done with you, you will be tainted to him forever and he still won't be able to kill you. Then Snoke will know, that I'm the only one who's truly devoted to him. The only one worthy."
She pushed into his mind, thinking maybe he was bluffing. The darkness she found was infinite, a black hole sucking everything in, including her. She trembled at what this freak had in mind, as he resisted her attempts to use the Force to manipulate him.
"Your feeble Jedi tricks won't work on me, you think my master would choose a weak mind to rule his army?" He laughed darkly, pressing the cold knife to her skin.
Fighting in vain against her restraints, Rey tried to steady her breathing, knowing it was probably useless, knowing nothing short of a miracle could help her now. But she had to try. Not really hoping for a rescue but for a swift death. At least that's what she told herself as she concentrated hard on Kylo Ren.
"Ren?" She screamed into the Force. Nothing happened, the connection was stale, dry.
Tears welled up in her eyes. He must be shutting her out. He knew! He must know! This is a cruel prank, he must know. I'm so pathetic, hoping for this monster to help me. I shouldn't be surprised if he was the next in line to rape and torture me.
When the blade cut for the first time through her skin, she could taste the bitterness of her anger and disappointment on her tongue. Why hadn't he killed her like he'd promised, sparing her this humiliation? She hated him more in that moment than ever before and screamed his name again.
Kylo Ren, you fucker, I hate you
Ok, so I'm aware this is a mean cliff hanger, but I promise to post again soon, and in the meantime, please review. Thanks, Elmo13