I was going to break this one into parts, but I decided keeping it in one might work better, since it's not as long as some of the others.

Zanatos Drayen - Chiss Age: 47

I feel a lot of eyes on me. I get that many species never see us Chiss, but it was highly unnecessary to stare. Some may not look as I pass, but I could definitely tell my back was some kind of commodity. I may still be considered young, but I wasn't reckless. Nor stupid. My skin was blue, but my hair was black. It seemed that slaves were allowed on this planet. Well, since the Galactic Empire ruled full grasp, slaves are allowed almost anywhere. In my eyes, the empire is a joke. Something that is quickly outliving its youth. I've heard of a growing army of rebels, but to many, they are just shadows. Myths, legends. At one time when I believed that the rebels could have a chance, I would have joined them. They are few and scattered far out. I left home since I didn't belong there and thought I had the worth to give aid to this growing rebellion, that only turned out to be another stray shadow I chase. So I can do nothing, for anything, or anyone. There won't be anyone who would depend on me like I though. I was told that the Jedi use to teach that everything happens for a reason. Everything has a purpose. How could that be true if I have nothing? To just run, spending credits to get out of this horrid system. I left my people. There is no reason for me to return.

Something stirred in the darkness of a dead end alley. My vision cut through the darkness, allowing me to see the boy that tried to hide in the corner. I looked up and down the busy street, and walked over to him. He was so thin and pale. Hardly any meat on his bones. He backed up as far as the walls would let him, as I crouched down, a little below his height. He couldn't be any older than twelve. I stayed perfectly still, hoping this boy would come to me. After a little time, the boy fidgeted. I spotted a black, circle patch, on the right shoulder of his jacket. There was a light grey figure in the circle, that resembled a bird. I had nothing to call him, so, I thought of the first name that came to mind.

"It's alright Spero. I won't hurt you." I said calmly. Something in his stance changed. Almost as if he was surprised. He hesitantly moved, enough for me to notice some scrapes and scars. "But apparently someone else has." I mumbled. I reached out, and Spero pulled back once more, uncertainly lined his movements. "It's okay Spero. I don't want to hurt you. I just want to take a look." I motioned to his arms. It seemed as if time froze, as Spero hesitated and thought. Then he stepped over to me, testing me. This kid may not look strong, or well nourished. But, something about the way he moved and thought about things. Almost as if he was analyzing me and the situation. Spero was smart. I hardly touched his arm, watching carefully how he'd react. The cuts on his arms could use a little cleaning out, but other than that he was fine. I looked up at Spero, and dropped my knee down and he cocked his head slightly.

"Do you have parents?" His wide, brown eyes angled down at me. He shook his head. I spotted a group of freckles by his nose. Spero's dark hair was a little messy, with some of it covering his forehead. I stood, holding my hand toward him. "Come along Spero. I'll make sure nothing hurts you."

There has to be someone that this kid stays with.

I looked down at his widened eyes, feeling a little silver making it's way along with the brown. Spero took a step forward, then another. I matched his pace, my hand hovering near his shoulder. Spero narrowed his eyes as we stepped into the sunlight and I noticed his hair was a reddish-brown. Once his eyes adjusted to the light, he looked around, then stepped back. When his back hit my arm, he looked up at me. The same fear shone in his eyes, like it did when I first found in in the alley.

"Boy!" A man yelled, raising a cain like staff as he approached. Spero took another step back, this time, behind me. His eyes were big, like a spooked animal. I grabbed the staff before it could come close to hitting Spero. The merchant looked up at me, trying to pull the staff from my grasp. He was outmatched in strength and size. I yanked the staff from his hand and broke it in two.

"Oy! Why don't you mind your own business!" He yelled at me. I blew out a large breath and threw the remnants away from us. I still glared down at the merchant, but I could still see Spero was looking up at me.

"This is starting to become my business." I growled down at him. The way this man was treating Spero, two possibilities came to my mind. I don't like either one of them. We looked at each other.

"The only way for that to be true if you actually wanted to buy that runt." The merchant laughed. "If you were. I want fifteen."

"Four."

"Four?" He scoffed.

"You said yourself he's a runt." I kept my expression hard.

The merchant narrowed his eyes. I handed him the credits, and walked off, Spero trailing me. We walked close to the edge of town before I turned to Spero.

"You're free now Spero. Go. Shoo." I waved my hand at him, before continuing on to the station. Not very long after, I looked back down to see those silver-brown eyes not as wide. "Why are you still following me? You're free kid." Spero's soft eyes looked up at me. Hair covered close to all of his forehead. It needed cutting badly, along with a wash. He was a good size for being so skinny, but I could see in his eyes, he was figuring things out. "Can you speak?" I was hoping that he wasn't a slave anymore, he might be encouraged to speak. I noticed he was also more relaxed. Spero pointed to me, then to himself and repeated.

"F..f..fr..frien..d. Friend." My look softened as I sighed, putting my hand on his shoulder.

"Let's go kid."

~ several years later (same year in the next chapter)~

This market was overcrowded. It almost made me nerves. Spero has warmed up to me and speaks very well. He turned out three times smarter than I thought him to be. He gets almost jumpy around strangers, which was the reason why I don't like him bringing him into crowded places like this. But he gets really cautious and on guard. I like to know that he's by my side. I may have been more of a loner before, but, I wasn't the type to just leave him to have a panic attack.

"Hey Spero, how are you do-"

Oh no

I turned around, looking in all directions. Damn it. Where was the kid? Oh, no. Oh, no. Oh, no. Shit. Where was he? I stopped, taking in as deep of a breath as I could, not letting panic send me any further. I was going to find him….

I was going to find him…

Alright, one to two more chapters before Chapter one of Every Road that Leads Home is up. I'll still try to explain some of these characters for some people who didn't read these chapters. So I'll get the next on to two up asap, but no promises for this weekend, but I'll try!