Chapter 3

Night was approaching fast; just behind the crowd of people, Padmé could see the sun was about to go down.

The natural event caused bloodshot shades of red on the Carson City sky, making Padmé miss the usual LA sunsets she was so accustomed to. It was a great difference to say goodbye to a day by watching the bright sun hide behind the clear blue sea, as opposed to Nevada's tall mountains.

The fact that she was standing in a cemetery definitely contributed to the sick feeling inside her belly. A feeling she could not account for…

She could lay the blame of her pain on the fact that Shmi Skywalker was so soon taken, and on her son's face of grieve; she could blame her constant shudders on the place in which she currently was, that place where the dead slept; and of course, on the closed coffin she was so carefully watching. Yet she could not find an answer to the great fear inside her heart. It was senseless, to her; it was stupid, irrational, mad… and she could not get rid of it.

As she held Anakin's hand, she hated herself for the fact that she was not providing any comfort to him.

Why, oh why did she have to act so weird right now out of any other time?

She was the one who needed comfort. A strong shoulder to cry on. A loving partner. A comforting voice. But she couldn't ask that from Anakin at the moment.

The young man was quiet, pale, sad… he just stood in front of the grave without ever letting go of Padmé's hand, squeezing her without noticing.

The two lovers watched silently as a last goodbye was said, as the coffin was completely covered in dirt and dust.

People, the few who had come, started making move to leave; scattering around the earth, making way for the deceased resting place. Padmé would've also moved to the car, to finally escape that place, but her hand was still clasped to a statue. As her lover didn't move. She almost said something, but the words died in her lips before she could find the courage to pronounce them.

They stood in front of Shmi's tomb for several minutes. Minutes that felt like years in Padmé's aching head.

Now there was no light coming from the sky.

Black was the night, and soon enough, cold as death.

The wind played with their shiny locks of hair, taking away all tears that managed to escape.

"Guys," they heard behind them, causing Padmé to finally let go of Anakin's hand, as she jumped at the sudden voice. "Sorry, dear," Mr. Qui-Gon Jinn said, softly. "I didn't mean to frighten you, I thought you heard us."

Padmé couldn't blame him, it had been days since she listened to anything else than her own messed up thoughts. "It's okay," she assured him.

"Anakin," Ahsoka said, her sweet teenage face red from all past shed tears, standing next to their uncle. "It's so dark and cold now… come one. Let's go home."

"Home?" Anakin muttered in a raspy voice. A voice that had not spoken in days. "How is it home if she's not there anymore?"

Qui-Gon rubbed his aged forehead, tiredly. "Come on, boy." He took Anakin's arm and forced him to walk towards the car. The two girls followed them. Qui-Gon drove Anakin, while Padmé took Ahsoka home in her own car.

When they got there, they all sat on the living room; Ahsoka laying her head on her adoptive brother's shoulder. Uncle Qui-Gon resting on a large chair, Padmé standing on a lonely corner, hearing the same words she always heard lately.

"I killed them! They're all dead! I killed them!"

"I killed them! They're all dead! I killed them!"

"I killed them! They're all dead! I killed them!"

She closed her eyes and shook her head, thankful that no Skywalker noticed her strange behavior, her anger at herself only growing.

"Padmé," someone at last acknowledged her, later. It was Qui-Gon. "My dear, you must be starving. Do you want something to eat?"

She shook her head, embarrassed. "No, thank you."

"I'm starving," Ahsoka cried. "But I don't want to cook."

"You're gonna have to!" Anakin cried, removing his little sister from his side, almost viciously.

"I know that, Anakin!" Ahsoka yelled at him, tears again finding her sad eyes.

"Come on," Padmé then said. "I will cook something for you, honey."

"Don't," Anakin pretty much commanded, but with so little strength he only laid his head back again and closed his eyes, seemingly not caring about what they did.

Padmé took advantage of that and motioned Ahsoka to follow her to the kitchen.

As she prepared tea and sandwiches, Padmé couldn't help the dark feeling that continued attacking her mind, till it showed in her face.

"What the hell are you thinking about?" Ahsoka asked her, her mouth full with bread and her voice keeping that shaky quality of someone who's been crying for days.

Padmé looked down, guiltily. "Your mother…" she confessed.

Ahsoka swallowed. "Do you know yet?" she muttered, putting away all food.

Padmé's mind wandered to strange places. "Know what?"

"About how… how she died."

Padmé shook her head no.

"Anakin didn't tell you? I am not surprised. He definitely took it the hardest… as he was the one who found her."

"How?" Padmé's curiosity gained the best of her, erasing all previous sensibility and tact she had been using. "How did your mother die?"

Ahsoka bit her nails. "It was the day Anakin first came to see us," she begun. "Mom went alone to the supermarket to make a great dinner for my brother. I am not sure exactly what happened…. She wasn't here when I came from school. I at first didn't find that odd. Anakin arrived at around seven, and mother was still gone. We waited till around midnight, and that's when we couldn't take it anymore. We called the police but they said it was too soon for us to report her as missing. The bastards! Sorry. Anakin freaked out in the police station—he even frightened me! He sent me home alone. He—he went to find her by himself. I was so afraid and alone, Padme! And the next evening, Anakin finally arrived home; it was at around midnight, so I was in bed. I heard noise and went downstairs, and what I found… Oh, my God! I saw Anakin with mother, dead, on his arms!" at this point in her story, Ahsoka couldn't hold it anymore, and she broke down in tears.

When she recovered, she went on, "She was covered in blood," her voice was barely above a whisper. "And Anakin's clothes were also stained… with blood! I swear, Padmé. I almost died right there!"

Padmé started pacing around the kitchen, pulling at her hair, bursting in tears and strange sobs. "Oh Anakin! Did—did he…?" she couldn't finish her question. She'd rather stab herself than doing that.

She brusquely grabbed Ahsoka's arms, cornering her, asking, "What happened to Shmi? Ahsoka, please!"

The teen took a moment to calm herself. "It was a gang fight!"

Her statement threw Padmé off. That was the last thing she expected. "What?" she stumbled. "What?"

"I suppose there was a gang fight and she… Padmé don't make me say it! They hurt mother!"

Padmé took a few moments to think about everything Ahsoka said. "And were they arrested?" she asked, surprisingly more put together.

Ahsoka shook her head, nervously. "They were found dead the next day."

"I killed them! They're all dead! I killed them!"

"I killed them! They're all dead! I killed them!"

"I killed them! They're all dead! I killed them!"

I have to get out of here! Padmé thought crazily. Being in Shmi's home just keeping images and thoughts of death within her.

"Padmé? Are you alright—"Ahsoka was no longer cornered; she was now all that was supporting Padmé Amidala, as she almost fell into the ground.

Padmé tried with all her strength to remain standing, but before she could realize what was happening, her world went black.

The next time she opened her eyes she was in a small bed, and the three Skywalkers she knew were circled around her, looking worried and pained.

"Thank God!" Anakin cried when Padmé regained consciousness. "My love, you really scared me!" he said. I scared you? "Don't worry, we will wait till tomorrow to go back home."

Padmé's eyes went wide. "No," she almost begged. "I think we should go now," she said. "I don't want to lose more classes. Please, my love."

"Alright," he accepted with a sigh. "I was hoping to take Ahsoka…"

"I'll drive her tomorrow," Qui-Gon said. "I was gonna wait a few days to gather all her things. But I can come back in a week."

Ahsoka turned her back on everyone, clearly she hated the fact that she had to leave her home, now that she was orphaned, and move to another state. Qui-Gon had already decided on taking her to live with him in LA, and though Ahsoka raged at the beginning, she knew she hadn't any other choice. It was really a hard time for everyone…

"So it's decided," Anakin said. "Padmé and I will drive to California now, and you take Ahsoka tomorrow?"

"Sounds good," Qui-Gon accepted.

"Till then, uncle," Anakin hugged him, long and tight. "Goodbye, Snips," he held his sister and kissed the top of her head. "My love?" he called Padmé.

As she gathered all her things and said her goodbyes, Padmé focused only on the fact that she was going home. It wasn't until she got on the car with Anakin and saw the black night ahead of them in the lonely highway, that she realized the trouble she suddenly had breathing.

Being alone with Anakin now caused that.

She was very thankful that he was not in the mood to have a conversation; she looked through her window, out to the desert landscape, wishing to jump from the car or be able of guessing Anakin's thoughts. In the end, she just kept her cool.

The way was long, longer than Padmé remembered it, so when at last he parked the car in front of her sorority house, now another night and a Friday, she released a great long breath of hot air, an action that didn't go unnoticed by Anakin.

"Is something wrong?" he asked her, narrowing his eyes.

She blinked many times. "No… I—I am just tired. I can't wait to go to sleep."

He released a strange chuckle. "I feel like that's the last thing you're gonna do."

"Uh?" she backed away in her seat. "W—what do you mean?"

"Listen to that noise, Padmé?" he said, opening the door for her, allowing her to hear the loud music coming from the house. "Sounds like they're having a party…"

Padmé again released air in relief. "Yes. I'm sorry, I know you wanted to spend the night with me-if you want," she said, not sounding very convinced. "I can spend the night in your room."

"No," he said. "It's Friday, love. There's probably a party there, too. So there is no point. Go, try to rest, and I'll see you tomorrow. Okay?"

"Okay." She accepted and tried to walk out of the car. A strong hand grabbed her, preventing her from leaving.

"What?" she asked, trembling.

"You forgot to kiss me goodbye," he smiled.

She laughed nervously and leaned back to kiss him. After an all too passionate kiss, she walked into her house; foolishly thinking that at last she'll have a moment of peace. In reality, entering that sorority house was the beginning of the end for Padmé's sanity, and life. Had she known what was coming, she would've never crossed that door.

"Padmé Amidala!" Came the loud cry of joy when she entered Kappa Kappa Delta. A drunk, blurry voice she knew to be her roommate, and as of lately, least favorite friend.

"Hi, Dormé," Padmé said weakly, her voice dying behind the loud music.

"What?" Dormé cried, running to her side. "It's so good to see you again!" she pressed Padmé's cheeks till they turned red and hurt.

Dormé balanced herself on her friend's arms, till she clumsily tripped, taking Padmé down with her on the floor.

The drunk sorority sister laughed for a long time, while Padmé struggled to get rid of her to get up again. "Stop it!" Padmé cried angrily. "Leave me alone!"

Dormé just grabbed her more tightly.

As she fought her friend on the floor, Padmé felt as something licked on her legs and feet, at first she was startled, till she managed to turn around and see two beautiful puppies. She couldn't actually hear their small barking, so loud was the noise and music in that sorority, but she imagined it, which almost took away all her anger and past woes. She let them both on top of her, tears of happiness almost reaching her sad eyes. "Artoo! Threepio!" she cried, clasping them both under her arms.

The smaller one was her own, a Yorkshire terrier she called Artoo; the slightly bigger one was a cocker spaniel, and he belonged to Anakin, as mentioned he was called Threepio.

As of lately the little dogs had been left under the care of Anakin's uncle Qui-Gon, but since the old man had to driven to Nevada to Shmi's funeral, and he had no one else to keep an eye on them, Padmé left them, seemingly concealed, with her two roommates.

"It's good to see you took care of them like I asked you," Padmé cried, sarcastically, finally getting up and helping Dormé do that too.

She looked down, "Sorry, I must've left the door open…"

Each girl took a dog in their arms and started walking towards their bedroom. Hoping to reach it in time before getting caught, of course, that's just what happened.

"Oh, shit," Dormé muttered, now upstairs.

"Girls," the house mother said, in a reproving manner. "What are you doing with those animals?"

The noise was somewhat less in that hallway, yet they still had to speak up.

"They're mine…" Padmé said. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Mothma. It's just that I had no one else to take care of them."

"It's good to see you again, Padmé," Mrs. Mon Mothma said. "I hope everything turned fine during your… trip."

Padmé nodded, sadly. "As fine as you could expect from a funeral."

Mothma looked compassionately at her. "I'm sorry, my dear. But rules are rules. You cannot have pets in here."

Padmé turned pleading eyes on her. "Please, Mrs. Mothma! I've had some really rough days; I could really use the company of my dogs! Please, don't tell anyone! Oh let me have them for a few days!"

Mothma seemed to consider that request for a few moments; Padmé could tell she was angry at herself when she answered. "Forgive me, dear. I want those dogs out of here, by tomorrow."

Mothma turned around to leave them, and walked into her own bedroom.

"Old bitch," Dormé muttered when she and Padmé entered their room.

Padmé threw herself on her bed, letting a hand fall so her small pets could reach her; she caressed both, faintly smiling.

"You know," Dormé said, speaking now more coherently. "We could keep them here without letting her know. After all, they were here for a week and she never even noticed… Padmé?" she turned to see her. "Goddamn, don't cry!"

"I'm sorry," Padmé couldn't help herself. "I really wish they could stay. Why does Mothma have to be so cruel? Why can't I keep my babies? I really need them—!"

"Padmé, stop crying!" Dormé lay on the bed next to her. "The old fool won't even notice, don't worry."

Padmé cleaned her face, though her tears did come from the fact that she didn't want to separate from her pets, there were other things hurting her…

"Why don't you come down to the party?" Dormé asked and all the bad feelings Padmé had hold against her were already erased. "It'll make you feel better."

"No," Padmé quickly denied. "I'm tired. It was a really long week, you know. And a long drive…"

Dormé nodded, understandingly, kissed her cheek and went back to the party.

Now all alone, Padmé turned all the lights off, she took her day clothes off, and put on a light short nightgown. She could still hear the noise from the party, but she ignored it.

She stood by the window looking at the night sky. From her room, she could see the ocean, and above it, the bright LA stars and moon.

"I missed Los Angeles so much…" she said, glancing at the dogs that sat by her sides. "And you guys, of course!" she cried, getting on her knees, reaching for the two little heads and kissing them. "I can't believe you guys have to go," she muttered sadly. "I hope Anakin at least gets the chance of seeing you again…" at the mention of her boyfriend, she got up and stopped any soft happy feeling that her pets had started. She again dropped her body on the mattress, and her weariness finally begin taken stole of her. She closed her eyes, she was falling asleep, when—

"Artoo! Threepio!" she cried. "Stop it!"

The two puppies were barking loudly, louder than Padmé had ever heard them.

She turned on a lamp and saw that they were biting and scratching at her closet. "Stop that!" she ordered but they didn't listen. They kept their strange actions, barking, biting, and scratching at her closet door. She was so tired and sick of everything, she just wanted to go to sleep.

"Please guys," she begged tiredly. "I want to sleep!"

Artoo and Threepio didn't stop.

Padmé then looked at her closet door, and a strange feeling reached her. Her dogs didn't have the custom of barking at nothing; they only barked at people…

"There's no one there," she said, pushing her dogs away. "Come on, guys…" she stared at the closet door one last time, and now, a strange cold shudder ran down her spine.

Without knowing why, she felt terrified. She hid under the covers of her bed, with each puppy by her side. They trembled as much as she did, till at last, they all fell asleep.

Padmé had left the window opened, letting the chilly night wind in the room, messing with her hair, and hurting her with its frightful coldness. As if caring for her comfort, the dark shadow of the night closed the window for her. It stared at the sweet scene of the young girl with her small pets for a long time, and finally walked out, closing the door behind him.

The party grew wild, the young girls and boys incredibly intoxicated now.

Dormé danced, grinding herself against a man she didn't even know what was called. The young man kissed her neck hungrily, tasting her hot skin and releasing moans that were lost under the loud music and the other noises coming from the screaming Frat boys.

Without realizing it, she was being dragged across the floor, till they reach the stairway, where the guy almost drop her, as it was hard to go up with the almost fainted girl in his arms.

When they had reached the bedroom, Dormé gained a little bit of consciousness. "Wait," she said. "We can't go into my room," she said.

The guy groaned angrily. "Why the fuck not?" he muttered, his voice as drunk and incoherent as Dormé's.

She laughed. "My roommate is sleeping… and she's not feeling well."

"We can be quiet," the frat boy offered.

She laughed again. "Maybe you can. I can't. Come on, let's find another room."

As they walked looking for a room, Dormé sang happily, feeling the man's strong body supporting her, she could almost feel the pleasure he would bring to her; she could almost hear the moans he'd make her release… but wait. She actually heard moans. Oh, she was hearing them clearly, coming from the least expected bedroom.

"Holy shit," she laughed, getting the guy's attention.

"What?" he asked.

She ran and stood behind a large door.

"It's that where we're gonna do it?" the guy asked.

Her laugh was now as loud as the music. "Yeah, right," she commented. "That's our house mother's bedroom!" she said, without hiding her great shock. "Do you hear? Man, Old Mothma is loud!"

Mrs. Mon Mothma had gone into her bedroom after scolding her two girls, one of them her favorite (Padmé, of course) with a large feeling of guilt burdening her shoulders. As she got ready for bed, she couldn't help but feeling she had acted too severely towards Miss Amidala, after all, the poor girl was just returning from a funeral and long journey. She decided that tomorrow, she would allow Padmé to keep her dogs for a few days, at least, till the girl recovered from the great sadness she was currently carrying.

She was deep in sleep, her slumber being quiet and void of dreams, till the heat of the night made her suddenly open her eyes. But, that didn't seem right; wasn't that fall evening very cold? She remembered it had been… and how strange, when she opened her eyes, in spite of having left one lamp on, she couldn't see anything…

She couldn't breathe… then she realized, she was dying!

When she could grasp the idea of what was happening, she tried to fight back, she tried to get her wide pillow off her smothered face, but the hands that were pressing her were too strong. When her strength was at last so weak she couldn't move anymore, the attacker threw the pillow away, allowing her to finally see.

But she could not see the face of the man who was about to murder her.

She only saw a strange dark shadow, a form she could barely distinguish to be a tall man, he was hooded, leathered, all in black. She barely managed to see a pair of bright crazy eyes, and a twisted mouth that was dripping saliva as he groaned.

She cried and cried as the Shadow's big hands wrapped around her neck, giving her enough freedom and air to release loud moans of pain.

Dormé grabbed the hand of the boy she was going to have sex with that night, she kissed him and walked, and as she did so, she said, mostly to herself, still laughing, "She's even louder than me!"

AN: And so it begins…

I had to re-write this chapter since I accidently deleted it—hope it turned out okay.

Not very fun fact: I was recently at a terrible party in which an old lady kept screaming she wanted to get rid of my friend's dogs—nobody hurt her, though, I'm sure :)

Thanks for reading! Please review!