It was dark, Luke was alone in the midst of a corridor.
He was cold. After running nonstop, Luke paused to catch his breath. He couldn't see who or what was chasing him, but he could feel it. He could feel the darkness, anger and hatred flowing around him - or rather - behind him, getting closer. It all seemed to be radiating from this unknown source that he couldn't explain. Along with this urging need in him that he didn't understand. A need to move forward.
He limped along, going deeper into the maze of narrow corridors. Luke couldn't tell in which direction he was headed. He was scared and starting to feel like a hunted nuna.
That boy has been nothing but trouble from the start!
He kept his right hand on the stone wall for support. Luke could feel the damp blocks scuff his fingers slightly as he shuffled forward. Everything hurt, his head was pounding, and his body was functioning off pure adrenaline, struggling to comply with his mind.
You are not ready to face the galaxy just yet, Luke. It is a very dangerous place, in more ways than you know.
The small boy stumbled in the dark. Unable to regain his balance, he collapsed onto the stone floor with in a heap. There was a sharp pain on his side, and if he didn't know any better, he'd of thought one of his lungs exploded.
He felt the source of the darkness surrounding him getting closer. He wasn't exactly sure what that was - although for once, Luke's curiosity didn't get the best of him - he certainly didn't want to stick around and find out. Luke told himself to get up, but his mind and body simply weren't on cooperating terms. His mind was urgently telling him to keep going - quickly. While his body was telling him that lying on the cold, hard floor felt more inviting than to continue dragging himself off to an unknown destination.
Luke reached out and tried to pull himself forward - his hand hit stone before reaching the floor. His brain struggled to comprehend. Stone?
His gritty hand moved along the stone block in front of him. There was another one, off to the right, one on top. Another to the far left, one on top of that.
A wall, he realized. There was a wall in front of him. Luke didn't know whether to feel relieved or terrified. The darkness was closing in on him, and now he had no where to go.
A strange metallic breathing broke through the silence. Growing louder with every agonizing second that ticked by. It was a constant, steady inhale - exhale.
Luke scurried into a sitting position and pushed himself against the wall. He couldn't run, couldn't hide, and in his state, putting up a fight wasn't an option. Luke squeezed his eyes shut. You are much braver than you realize, Luke.
Inhale... Exhale.
He had no other choice than to wait for whatever was coming at him.
Luke shifted in his sleep, just as Ahsoka was about to wake him.
The boy had crashed on the couch in the ships living area. She readjusted the blanket around his shoulders. He slept facing the wall, curled up with both hands tucked underneath his left cheek. Luke's right hand slowly extended in front of him, as if reaching for something.
Ahsoka watched him for a second. He looks so peaceful...
They'd dropped out of hyperspace and had a few more minutes before they landed on Dantooine. There was no harm in letting him sleep until then, right? She continued to walk past him towards the cockpit.
The toy store resembled a battlefield.
It was a simple mission. Get Luke a toy - Get out alive. Unfortunately, he had lost Luke the moment they stepped through the doors. Ahsoka's never gonna' let me live this one down.
There was so many screaming children of every species imaginable. Everywhere. Dragging their parents, older siblings, or whoever had the credits towards the newest, coolest, overpriced toys out on the market.
With the crowds of people surrounding him, Rex could barely move. He dodged the stuffed bantha being thrown over his head. Alright think Rex, think! If you were a kid set loose in a toy store, where would you go?
He surveyed his chaotic surroundings. Starships here, stuffed wampas there, and - Was that a stormtrooper action figure over there? He frowned. ..Well, I don't see a 'Heavy Artillery' section anywhere..
A man with strikingly similar features as his own bumped into Rex, "Fives?!"
"Hello, welcome! May I help you find something today, sir? I'm sure we'll have whatever you're looking for in our wide variety of children's toys!" Fives shouted enthusiastically. He was wearing a dark blue apron with the toy stores name proudly displayed in orange.
"Fives! You have to help me find this boy! He's about this tall," Rex held up a hand by his hips, "With blue eyes, blonde hair! His name is Luke!"
Fives turned his head aimlessly, shouting, "Luke! Luke!"
Rex spotted a mop of blond hair a bit off to his right. I think I see him!
Fives turned back to face Rex, an utterly disappointed look on his face, "I'm sorry, sir. I regret to inform you that there seemsto be no 'Luke' in our wide variety of children's toys." His face lit up suddenly, "But I assure you, sir - We have a wide variety of children on display here!" Fives started to make his way through the crowd of kids, "I'm sure you'll find one to your liking.."
"No, Fives!" Rex called out.
"..With their guardians consent, of course.."
"Fives!" Rex shouted, trying to reach him. But the sea of children between the two men were pushing them farther and farther apart..
I have to find Luke!
With the other occupants waiting with the rebels, the ship was fairly quiet. Feels a bit lonely, Ahsoka thought while making her way down to the cockpit. Maybe it's just too quiet. The steady hum of the engines was the only thing she heard, apart from Rex's snoring - of course. That she could hear halfway down the corridor. Ahsoka snorted and shook her head, smiling to herself.
Upon entering said cockpit, she lightly smacked the top of Rex's semi-bald head. His snoring abruptly stopped and he started the process of rejoining the rest of the galaxy, "Huh?"
"We're landing in a few." Ahsoka told him, "You'll need these." She handed him a datapad containing the base's coordinates and their clearance codes.
He nodded groggily and looked down at the pale blue screen, he couldn't make out what the hastily scribbled digits represented with his vision still blurred from sleep. Rex scratched behind his head, What in the galaxy did Ahsoka just give me? He looked up and saw her heading out.
"Where are you going?" He asked.
"To go get Luke." She said.
Rex shot up from the pilots seat, "You lost him?"
She stopped at the doorway and turned to look at him, giving him a funny look. "He's sleeping."
"Oh, uh - right." He shook his head and was quick to recompose himself. Nothing to worry about..
Happy New Years! (it's a bit late..) I hope you all had an awesome 2013, and make this year even awesomer! I realized as this year (or last year) came to a close, that it's been three years since I posted this story and it barely has three chapters, so I want to thank all of you for bearing with me to this point, I promise faster updates, hope you enjoyed this chapter!