Kylo stood watch over Rey as she slept, tucked underneath a light cover, on the waiting room's couch. He had just come back from his matched and was unsurprised to find her still out. The standings had been made; both of them would proceed into the next match tomorrow. The other two fighters, each from different slave owners, would face off against them. After the results were announced there had been discussion about how to set up the fights for the next day. While it was not uncommon for owners to pin their own fighters up against each other, Snoke had never had two fighters at once before, so for him it was new. In the end his master decided that Rey and he would be the first fight to see who would go against the winner of the other two.

Kylo sat down at the chair next to the couch and peered down at the girl's small frame. For as strong as she was, she looked weak and defeated lying there. Just by watching the match on the hologram screen from inside the room Kylo could see that Rey was having an inner war with herself the entire time. Once she killed the man she had triumphed over, a pure look and aura of despair cloaked her. Rey was breaking; and he couldn't stop it. Kylo's humanity and will had shattered long ago; there was nothing for him to do to stop the same from happening to Rey. The only thing possible for him was to ease the pain that comes with losing oneself.

That's why Kylo wouldn't let her win tomorrow, or ever again. Every time they are to fight to face off another, he won't allow her a chance. By taking on more of the blood, she'll be able to wipe some off.

He could only hope his master will not mind that.

A knock on the door brought his attention from his somber thought and back to the waking world. He replied for the knocker to come in, and in they came. A servant-slave announced that dinner for the fighters would be served in one hour. Kylo thanked him, and set the boy on his way.

Ah, yes, the dinner of champions, a meal given to commemorate the winners of the first day. Some sick ploy master Snoke had created years ago to make it seem like he cared for the fighters. It was really used as a way for Kylo to scope out his competition the day before, look for weaknesses and follies. Normally the other champion would be too busy scoffing, scarfing, or squirming in their seat to understand the point of the dinner. Nonetheless, it had served its purpose up till now, and it will continue to do so beyond now.

The only matter now was to wake Rey. Yet he had no clue how to do so. Moving with uncertainty, Kylo awkwardly kneeled beside her sleeping form, and tapped her forehead. Nothing. Tapped again. A twitch. Kylo kept doing this until he was able to get her to open her eyes. However, his small moment of success quickly back-tracked a Rey fearfully aimed a punch directly at his jaw. Kylo stopped the attack, narrowly stopping the second that followed after.

"You're awake." He stated.

"No kriff." She replied hotly and ripped her fists out of his hold. It didn't show on his face, but Kylo laughed at that. Rey sat up on the couch, so Kylo stood and took a step back to give her space.

"Dinner in the hall will be in thirty, I advise that you change clothes before then." He announced to her.

"In the dining hall? Why, is something going on?" She questioned with curiosity and slight hesitance in her hazel eyes.

"Yes, a meal is held after every match to celebrate the champions and victor among all the masters."

"Sounds like a scam." She wrinkled her nose in distaste. Kylo found it quite adorable.

"It most certainly is." He ever so lightly chuckled before becoming serious again, "be sure to use this time to watch the others. If by any chance you proceed into the final round, any information picked up will serve as an advantage."

Kylo then proceeded to inform Rey about the scheduled fight between them tomorrow, and after she simply nodded and said nothing, he left without a goodbye. He could only guess that she had either guessed their match, or have seen two fighters from the same master pinned up against each other, because she showed no sign of surprise at the arrangement. Perhaps Rey was even delighted at the chance to fight him again and try to take him out. Kylo would like to think he has moved beyond being enemies, but that was a futile delusion and he knew it. Kylo was very well aware that Rey may never be comfortable around him, and while that may leave a distasteful twinge in his chest, he was okay with it.

Well, whether or not she was expecting their fight, he has to end it soon. He hasn't been training Rey long, and while she is an exceptionally skilled fighter, she doesn't know how to use or block his nerve attacks. All he needs is an opening, and then it'll be over.

Heading over to the bathroom, Kylo quickly rinsed off the blood and sweat from his skin in the shower, then went to his room to change. Wearing an all black three piece suit, Kylo then pulled his long hair back into a bun to get it out of the way. Since he was done getting ready, Kylo checked the clock for the time; twenty-five minutes before dinner. Taking a seat by the cold fireplace, Kylo opened a book and began to read when he last left off. Snoke often provided him with little things to entertain him when he was in his downtime. Originally it was to keep him from wanting to run away, but now it was like a reward for loyalty, a trade even, a comfortable life in exchange for beating others to death and nearly getting killed himself. It is how it is, Kylo had long sense accepted that.

As he read over the pages of the biology book, he wasn't allowed to read anything that might give him 'ideas' of freedom, his thoughts began to shift to Rey. Mashra was still teacher her both mathematics and literature, was she getting the hang of it yet? According to his last update a week ago, her mathematics were coming along just fine, she had mastered addition and subtraction in the hundreds, and was moving onto multiplication and division by tens. However, there was only so much a slave with limited education could teach, if Rey wanted to learn more she'd have to come to him; but he already knew she would never even consider it. As long as she wasn't dimwitted he supposed it was fine.

Realizing what he was thinking about, Kylo let out a rough sigh and closed his book harshly, setting it down and headed for the window. Gazing out he noticed the leaves of the forest around them were turning colors of gold, red, and orange; signaling the coming of autumn. Looking out at its beauty, he pondered if Rey had ever seen autumn leaves.

Kylo tripped over his thoughts and caught himself once again. With a light growl, he decided to head to dinner early.

Kylo was unsure whether bringing the girl into his life was a good idea. Throughout the hours of the day his mind was consumed by her, and he knew not why. Be it serious pondering, or a simple reminder of her, Rey was constantly there at the back of his mind. He was beginning to change, he was beginning to care again, but not in the way he used to. No, these emotions were warped and disturbed. He wanted to protect her from their cruel reality, yet he also craved to break that thin sheet of ignorance she wears as a veil over her life. He wanted to keep her safe from himself, but also turn her into himself. Break her to the point that he has been broken, but piece her back together like he never has been. Whatever this feeling was, it was an obsession, cold and dark with a fierce desire for her.

Kylo knew he had to withdraw, for if he doesn't, he may not be able to stop himself from taking action. From what action he himself was still blind, but he knew it wasn't safe. Nevertheless, he was now at the point where he could not bear the thought of staying away, despite the fact that he was hated. Kylo had no choice but to suffer and fight for control.

…

Rey was delighted to change out of her rather unnecessary gladiator outfit and change into something more practical. However any hopes she had previously of wearing her favored top and shorts was then by crushed when Mashra appeared with an off-white dress in hand. Apparently she was required to where this as well. After taking a short rinse in the bath, Rey was shoved into her very fist dress, and she had to say that she hated it. The dress went over only one shoulder in a clip; it was slim-fitting and much too tight around her waist, the bottom of the dress split on both sides, showing off both of her legs up to the hips. One wrong move and Rey knew she'd be showing off more than she ever wished to. Her cream colored, knee-length boots thankfully covered more skin, but the soles had little traction and made them a bit slippery. Her hair was put into three buns, maybe the only thing she actually liked about the whole ordeal.

Once ready, Rey was then escorted by her guard to the dining hall, which she had never been to before. It seemed to be on the second floor underneath the living spaces where she was kept. The room was decorated with vibrant gold and red carpets and curtains, the tables were large and grand, piled with an amazing assortment of foods. It was harder to tell who was a fighter and who wasn't here than it was in Jakku. Everyone was dressed up and stuffing themselves and wore fake faces when addressing once another.

After a few seconds of scanning, Rey spotted Kylo sitting at the back table along with one other. Both looked down with no words, so Rey took that as a sign they were both fighters. Walking over to join the other dolled up slaves, Rey was stopped when she felt a cold and stiff hand grasp her shoulder. A shill ran down her spin and spread an eerie feeling down her body. Swinging around to confront the stranger Rey was met with none other than her new master, Snoke. He towered over her by more than a foot, his thin and wrinkled, seemingly fragile, body was able to exert a sense of power strong enough to make her quiver. His steel gaze pierced her with speculative and calculating eyes. Come to think of it now, Rey doesn't believe the two have ever exchanged a single word before now.

"My dear child, may I congratulate you on your win this afternoon, it was a delightful sight to see." He praised her with a gentle voice that somehow creep her out far more than anything else about him.

"Thank you master, I am pleased to have entertained you." Rey said with a low bow, bile threatening its way up her throat at her own words. Snoke monitored her actions closely, analyzing her every move and intent, Rey felt like she couldn't hide anything from him and her ploy was as see through as glass; yet he smiled at her words.

"Excellent, I hope you put on quite a show tomorrow against Ren, although I doubt you'll win I surely will be a sight to see." He chuckled darkly to himself in a way that made Rey's stomach churn.

"Indeed sir." Rey nodded lightly in fake agreement. Snoke, apparently done with their small talk, began to walk past her, but froze directly beside her to whisper into her ear.

"If for some reason you do happen to win, make sure not to kill him will you?" He muttered, "But make sure it hurts."

"…Yes sir."

Appearing satisfied with her answer, Snoke walked off to the head, center table to join the other masters. Rey took that as her leave and hastily made her way for the fighter's table. Nothing, not the fabulous meal, not the peculiar way Kylo was dressed or his steady gaze, not the noisy chatter of the room, could take Rey's thoughts off of her master's words. Her brain could think of nothing, do nothing, but replaying his words in her mind's ear.

She had lost her appetite.

The meal went on around her without Rey noticing it pass, completely forgetting to utilize this time to her advantage; instead she was just brain-dead and hallowed. She had maybe five bites of her food before she could stomach no more, but she did not leave, if she were too she would look like a weak fool not only in front of the other fighters, masters, and her own master, but in front of Kylo as well. Rey didn't understand why her thoughts came to him, and she wasn't in the mood to mull it over. Rey simply wanted this night to end as soon as it can. So when she was prodded at on her shoulder and snapped out of her clouded thoughts, Rey was stunned to find the dining hall was clearing out.

"Supper is over," Kylo said with an outreached hand, "come along it's time to sleep."

Rey was about to take his hand and allow her to help her out of her seat, but pulled back and stood up herself with a huff of air.

"Very well, then." She replied and strutted for the entrance. Over by a nearby table Rey spotted Mashra and a few other slaves. Rey waved to her, but Mashra ignored her, she guessed that the older women probably didn't notice her.

"I don't suggest becoming friendly with the other slaves." Kylo asserted under his breath as he walked at her side.

"Excuse me?" Rey hissed with a glare, turning away from the table to look at him.

"I've found that those in bitter circumstances will seek comfort by finding blame or hate in those who have it better."

"But we're all slaves." Rey argued pointedly.

"That may be, but we are not like them, and they are not treated the same way." Kylo informed her as they turned up the stairs towards their rooms.

"I don't think that's how it should be. Back under Plutt all the slaves were treated equally."

Kylo didn't give a response, walking along in silence. Rey guessed that he had decided to drop the subject. They made it to the entrance of the hall in silence before he decided to speak again on the matter.

"So you'd rather be unfed and forced to sleep in cages?" He challenged in a strangely small voice.

"Either we all are in cages, or we all are in suits." Rey replied firmly with a dedicated conviction. Kylo came to a stop, as they had reached his room first, and gazed at her. Rey stopped as well, albeit she didn't know why, her room was just around the corner. Kylo's eyes softened ever so slightly before turning harsh again, not in anger, but in… worry.

"So innocent." Kylo shook his head and grabbed the handle of his door. "If you keep this line of thought in tack then you'll only shatter that much harder." He warned.

"And if I don't I'll become cold like you." She refuted.

Kylo looked over at her, the intensity of his nameless expression causing her to flinch. They studied each other for a good long moment, each daring the other to turn away first. In the end, Kylo was the one to break their war. With a slight chuckle he excused himself into his room, bidding her goodnight as the door closed behind him. Kylo's two guards then stationed themselves at his door, and Rey's guard beckoned her to return to her own room as well.

Once the door shut behind her Rey allowed her knees to fail and slid to the ground, resting her back against the door. Rey let out a heavy breath of air that she didn't know she was holding. The air of the expansive room seemed to be more chilled than usual, and she began to shiver, but she suspected that there was another cause for it.

Hopping to her feet, Rey slipped out of her dress and boots, leaving them on the ground as she searched her wardrobe for a nightgown. Rey then went to her project, and feverishly began cutting away with new found determination and energy. Rey could not stay here, out of all her years of hardening herself to her own suffering, Rey would not allow someone such as Kylo Ren to undo her and break her down. He was aggravating, prideful, and cold; everything she had sworn to hate. Yet, she didn't hate him, no not anymore. This emotion… it was stronger, it was strange, and it was terrifying. Rey didn't want to acknowledge its existence, no; the only thing she could ever possibly feel towards that man was pure anger and disgust. She had to stop herself from whatever was happening.

Rey's not a monster like him. But you are. She's not a murder. But you are. She's no different from the other slaves. But you are. Rey understands what he's closed himself off to, she's not ignorant. You are.

Suddenly a stinging pain ran through Rey's hand and forcibly ripped her away from her desperate plea to sanity. Rey had accidentally cut her palm with the knife whilst not paying attention. She looked around for bandages but found none. The blood began to seep out faster and spilled over the palms of her hands. This was not the first time she had seen them like this, and if she stayed here, it would not be the last.

Rey was leaving tonight.

Gathering up all the cloth she had torn, Rey cut off the last piece and got to work forging the rope, ignoring the burning that spread up her arm. Working swiftly, Rey thought of nothing but leaving this place behind, going back to Jakku, and finding her parents. Perhaps after their reunion Rey could convince them to help her bring the authorities back to this place and free Mashra and the others. Maybe she could even make that her life's purpose once she got out.

A knock at the door made it known that there was someone else at the door waiting to come in. Quickly stashing the completed rope, Rey went over to answer the caller, hiding her harmed appendage behind her back. On the other side of the thick wood stood Mashra, a cup of tea on a platter in her hands.

"Evening My Lady." She greeted. Rey stepped aside and let her in, speedily closing the door before Slip could notice anything. By the time she closed the door and swung around to confront Mashra, the other was already at the small table pouring a cup into the porcelain glass.

"Would you like one lump or two, My Lady?" Mashra inquired.

"None, Mashra I need your help." Rey stated and walked over to the small table where she stood. "Can you keep a secret?" Rey asked, to which Mashra nodded. Skidding over to the curtain and back Rey brought over the rope and showed it to Mashra. "There's a small door on the ceiling, if one of us can push it open and tie this rope to something, then we'll both be able to escape from here!" Rey said in a low and excited voice. Mashra looked between Rey and the rope, a shared gleam in her eyes.

"Okay then, let's do this." She agreed. "But can I go first; I fear I am not strong enough to hold you."

"Of course!" Rey chimed in with a grin, "just make sure you tie the rope onto something firmly."

Thus Rey and Mashra began the break out, stepping on top of the bookshelf under the door. Picking up Mashra by the waist, Rey held her up until she stood on her shoulders. Mashra reached up as high as she could and propped open the hidden door, jumping up and pulling herself through, dangling and flailing as she went through, the much needed rope wrapped around her shoulder. Rey hadn't initially planned for someone to come along with her in the escape, but she supposed it made it much less lonely to have a friend. Rey was glad she was able to find trust in another inside this horrid place. At last Mashra had climbed to the top of the roof, and peered back in down on Rey.

"Okay, throw the rope down so can get up!" Rey whisper-yelled up at her through the small opening. Just then, all the sweetness and care disappeared from Mashra's face, replaced with what Rey could only identify as cold blooded hatred.

"Fuck off, Rey." She spat, closing the door on Rey.

Rey loosely heard the sound of footsteps walking away as she felt herself destruct in a way she didn't think possible. A storm of utter pain, torment, and anguish engulfed her and consumed her very being. It was as if she was a precious jewel, discovered to be a fake and discarded without a second thought, shattering when she hit the ground, or in this place, reality.

Rey didn't scream, she didn't cry, she just stood there paralyzed on the bookshelf. As her world began to turn, so did her body, as her soul fell so did she. Crashing to the ground felt like nothing compared to what her heart just went through. The sound of her body contacting the floor fell on deaf ears as her head was filled with endless screams. Rey laid there on the ground in shock and fear, the agony shredding her apart into nothingness.

Kylo was right, and that thought made her scream. But with the thickness of the stone walls that trapped her, Rey doubted anyone heard her wails.

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Welp sorry that took so long, school ended just last week and I kept losing my motivation. Hope you guys enjoyed and be warned that this story is only going to get darker. Love y'all bye!

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