I woke up curled in Daddy's arms that afternoon. He was working on something, but I don't think he'd put me down since I'd gone to sleep in his arms.
"Daddy?"
Daddy looked down, "Oh, you're awake. Good afternoon."
"Daddy, Cliegg's crying for you." I could feel him through the Force. He just kept screaming for Daddy again and again.
"I know, Luke. Don't worry that I'm trying to shut him out."
"They're not keeping him warm."
"I know." Daddy kept working.
"They haven't let him eat even a little bit. Not even leftovers."
"They're not required to."
"He's scared."
"I'm not surprised."
"You don't care, do you?" I looked at him and made my eyes as big as I could.
"I'm not allowed to care." Daddy smiled weakly at me. "Forget about it, okay?"
"Okay. Why did you sing 'I'm sorry, Luke. I'm sorry' earlier?"
"Because I was so upset that I'd told you so much about how I felt. I should be able to keep those feelings inside. But instead I burdened you with feelings you don't need yet. It's unfair, how I treat you sometimes."
"I don't mind. If it makes you feel better." I snuggled Daddy. He didn't seem to be about to put me down, and I didn't want him to. I could snuggle him forever.
"You don't need those feelings yet." Daddy repeated.
"I don't care."
I nuzzled his chest and he laughed. But the sound died so quickly. Like Cliegg. Cliegg's dying fast. I might never see him again. He's still calling for Daddy.
It's gonna be okay, Cliegg.
Why are you talking to me, Luke?
I want you to know that I love you. I don't want them to hurt you. I haven't forgotten you. Don't give up, Cliegg.
I won't give up. You keep Daddy happy, all right? That's your job. If you can keep Daddy happy, I can survive. Can you do that for me?
Okay. Promise you won't let them get you?
I promise. Don't do this again, do you understand?
I want you to tell me you're okay every day. I want to be able to talk to you whenever I want to. Can't I? Please?
No, Luke. I'm sorry. I'll contact you every day, but don't try to talk to me when I haven't started the conversation, okay?
I guess. Why do you cry for Daddy?
Because they're hurting me.
Don't you want your parents?
I do. But they can't answer me. I still hope your daddy might.
Oh.
Goodnight, Luke.
Goodnight, Cliegg.
I looked at Daddy, "He's scared. He's crying for you."
"Tell him not to." Daddy was giving me the feeling again. When I think about it, he'd been giving me the feeling the whole time. Longer than that. I think it was here the whole time Cliegg was. And it didn't leave when he did.
"I can't. He said not to call him."
"All right then. Would you like to go to bed? They will be treating him more roughly than ever and you can bet they won't let him sleep enough, so you'll start to feel sleep deprived again."
"Okay. Will I start to feel him hurting too?" I didn't really care, if it made him feel better, I could take it.
"No. They took precautions to make sure you wouldn't. Let's get you up to bed, huh?" Daddy asked nicely and picked me up to carry me to my room. I put my arms tight around his neck and he took me up.