Running.
Rey held Kylo's hand as they ran back to the base. Rey had no thoughts of the hand holding besides the fact that she wanted to make sure Kylo was with her. It's not that she didn't trust him, but more so the fact that she didn't want to be alone in her escape. She didn't have the heart to return back to Leia empty handed. It would've been useless to come all this way, go through what she had, and go back with nothing.
Meanwhile, Kylo clutched Rey's hand a little bit tighter as they both ran. It was a matter of time before Snoke would get wind of their thoughts, especially Rey's. Kylo continuously glanced at Rey, her face still wet with tears. She seemed scared, which she had a right to be. Kylo was too.
The two of them were kicking up dust and dirt as they booked it, leaving the random village far behind them. The air was harsh and windy, making it difficult to see as the dirt started up. Both of them had the same idea.
"At least they were doing this together."
Once they approached the First Order base, they stopped in front of the elevator.
"Do you think they caught on?" Rey breathlessly questioned, looking at Kylo, also painfully panting.
Kylo shook his head no, unable to breathe, bending slightly to hold his knees. The village was probably a half a mile run. Rey was used to running and being active, but Kylo had always watched people do his dirty work for him.
Rey had called the elevator and let Kylo catch his breath. "Stand straight," Rey ordered. "It will make it easier to breathe."
Kylo did what she suggested and began to feel slightly better after a few seconds. The elevator had finally reached the top. They both stepped in and watched the glass doors close shut.
"We need a plan," Kylo looked over to Rey. "It won't be easy leaving once Snoke knows of our doings."
Rey closed her eyes and took deep breaths. She needed to think; mostly meditate. However, under the circumstances that would be difficult.
"Okay. We quickly grab our items. That should take five minutes at the most. Don't pack too much or else it will weigh us down. Then we grab Finn-"
"We're seriously taking him?!" Kylo raised his voice.
Rey gave him a look that he couldn't resist. She was tired, scared, and honestly didn't need his protesting right now. Kylo read her mind, and let out a sharp breath, giving in.
"Fine. Then what?" He sourly asked.
"I came here in a ship. I'd just have to track my previous footsteps and-"
"That's idiotic! There's a storm starting out there! Even then, your footprints would have disappeared since you've been here a week," Kylo argued with her.
"Okay, then I'll try to remember where I went. I have an idea," Rey told him.
The elevator hit the first floor, and Kylo took Rey aside. "We're going off of an 'idea'?" Kylo motioned the quotations, sneering as he spoke harshly.
Rey stared into Kylo's dark eyes confidently before retaliating. "What would you rather have? Snoke find out and kill us first, or have us get a head start at running?"
The two held eye contact for a strong few seconds before Kylo gave in. "Fine. Let us not waste time with all of this discussion. Let's make haste."
As Kylo almost walked away, Rey grabbed his arm. "Hey. Let's agree to work together telepathically in case we need to talk and we aren't together," Rey suggested.
Kylo nodded, staring at her grip. She immediately let go and watched Kylo walk away.
Rey smiled to herself before thinking "I won."
"No you didn't," Kylo replied in her mind.
"I totally did," she responded. She heard Kylo scoff down the hall. Rey realized she was wasting her time gloating instead of rushing. She dashed down the hall after Kylo, running to her room.
FIFTEEN MINUTES PRIOR
Snoke watched in his mind as he controlled Rey like a puppet. She shakily pointed her pistol at the man holding his child.
"Do it child! Take the first step into the dark side," Snoke hissed with delight. He was nearly on the edge of his seat, trying to make her pull the trigger. It was difficult, but he pushed on.
Snoke watched as Kylo took the gun, hovering it over to him.
"NO!" Snoke boomed, his voice echoing in the room, slamming his fist down on the arm of his chair.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?! Snap out of it!" Snoke heard Kylo shout, before trying to push Snoke out.
It was a difficult fight, pushing against the forces.
"Please," Snoke heard Rey sob in his mind, almost as if he was keeping her in a cage. The cage had disappeared once Kylo neared it. Rey was crying and violently shaking on the floor. Snoke couldn't control Kylo picking her up and taking her sanity away from his clutch.
Snoke shouted in anger, the noise bouncing off the walls before disappearing. The Supreme Leader had never gotten this agitated before and knew he would make rash decisions if he was angry. He gave himself five minutes to meditate and calm down, taking deep breaths and reaching his inner self. Once he felt himself, he called Hux to join him.
After five minutes, Hux finally approached the cold dark room. He stood up and looked at Snoke.
"General Hux… have you noticed anything strange about Kylo Ren?" Snoke questioned.
"Why yes. He nearly killed me last night by force choking me!" Hux exaggerated greatly. "I was trying to force the girl into the darkness but was unsuccessful, unfortunately. I feel like if I had her shoot two or three more peasants, she would grow used to the sensation. However, Ren stopped me and let her flee back here," Hux described to the Supreme Leader sourly.
Snoke stared down at the red haired man with disappointment. "You stand before me, tattling on Ren when he inconveniences you and you don't even bother to tell me the second he began acting suspiciously? Do you know what this means?!" Snoke raised his gritty voice.
Hux replied to Snoke by fearfully saying "T-To be fair, my leader, you never asked yesterday and-"
Snoke began choking Hux, much worse than Kylo Ren had done previously. Hux's eyes widened, revealing the whites of his eyes. Snoke released him, letting him fall to the floor.
"Forgive me…" Hux heaved, forcing himself to speak.
Snoke leaned down to the general. "Redeem your worth, General. Kylo and the scavenger have too much light in them and need to be exterminated. Find them. Do what you do best."
Hux nodded, fighting for air as Snoke faded out. After a few extra minutes, Hux was on his feet and ready to find the two annoyances. He knew exactly where they would go.
CURRENT TIME
Rey hurriedly packed her items into a khaki bag Kylo had given her. It was the only thing that he found lying in one of the storage rooms along with another bag for himself. Rey took some suits from the closet and tossed them in, thinking she could utilize them as clothing or rags. Rey also added a pillow and some books that seemed interesting.
In the other room, Kylo was desperately grabbing everything he had. His pillow for the long travels to come, books, antiques, and even his hygienic items.
He paused in front of the mask. Darth Vader's mask. He contemplated taking it with him. If you had asked Kylo a week ago "If you had to leave in an emergency, what would you take first?" He would reply with "The mask."
He couldn't even decide in time. Stormtroopers flooded into his room, beating Kylo down to the ground as he tried to fight them back with the force.
One of the stormtroopers kicked his face, causing him to fall backward with a bloody nose.
"That's for choking me that one time!" The trooper laughed at him.
Rey heard the commotion down the hall before hearing in her mind
"Help me."
Rey took her saber out and immediately ran into a stormtrooper, before using the saber on him. Rey rushed over to Kylo's room and pushed every single one of the stormtroopers to the wall, holding them all there. Kylo quickly gathered himself, brushing the dirt off of his dark clothing.
Kylo looked at Rey, about to thank her before he realized that she was struggling.
"Hurry Kylo!" She shouted, pained by the weight of the force.
Kylo grabbed his bag and took Rey's, before waving his hand in front of all the stormtroopers. Each of them passed out, and Rey let go.
"Let's go find your friend," Kylo told Rey with a slight smile. Rey smiled back, noticing small changes in Kylo. She felt confident that she could call him Ben soon enough.
The two fugitives ran down the hall, shooting at stormtroopers and combining both of their forces to blow them out of the way.
Once they approached the door Finn supposedly was in, Kylo turned to Rey.
"You grab him while I bring the bags to the elevator," Kylo rapidly spoke, before running down the hall. Rey watched Kylo turn a corner, hoping he would be alright without her. She saw a stormtrooper soar in the air from the way Kylo went, hitting the wall in the hallway.
"He'll be fine," Rey assured herself out loud, nodding quickly with wide panicked eyes.
Rey opened to door and quietly gasped when she saw Finn's appearance. He was burned in some areas, had a swollen eye, a bloody face, and some nails pulled off his fingers.
"Finn!" Rey cried out, running up to him. She hurriedly looked at each cuff for a button or at least something to release him from the hellish prison.
"I… it's a trap…" Finn forced out, looking at Rey with tears arising. Rey turned to see a bloody Hux. His hands had blood, his white apron had blood, and he had a blood splatter on his cheek. Hux knocked the saber out of Rey's hand. Once Rey pulled out her gun, her safety was on.
Stupid!
Hux took her gun out of her hand, like stealing candy from a child.
"You need a lesson about respect," Hux snarled, stepping towards Rey quickly.
They fought, but it was mostly Rey desperately trying to dodge Hux's swipes at her with the incredibly sharp blade. Rey tried blowing him away with the force, but it seemed that Snoke was shielding Hux. Finally, Rey shielded herself and was sliced in the arm. It wasn't a vital area thankfully, however, she was bleeding a decent amount by the time she kicked the scalpel out of Hux's hand.
Finn weakly tried to watch, but his head kept falling down. He was so exhausted from those long three days. He wanted to go home. He wanted to confess everything to Rey.
Finn wanted a do-over.
Hux pulled out his gun and pointed it at Rey's head.
"See you in hell," Hux taunted, pulling the trigger.
Rey screamed, closing her eyes.
She felt immense heat on her forehead. She peeked her eye open to see the red laser beam stuck in mid air. It was almost touching her forehead.
She looked over to see Kylo storm into the room, fists clenched. Hux stepped backward, tripping over Rey's saber.
"K-K-Kylo wait now," Hux's voice trembled, his entire body shook as he crawled backward.
Rey stepped away from the beam and tried to help Finn as Hux and Kylo had their little dispute.
"It's okay Finn. We're getting out of here," Rey heavily breathed, cupping her hands around his moist cheeks. Finn was basically dripping sweat from all the pain and blood loss.
Kylo took a deep breath and leaned down to Hux.
"I'm tricking the girl you fool," Kylo whispered to Hux. Hux looked incredibly relieved, allowing his muscles to relax and his body to stop shivering in fear of death. Kylo helped Hux stand up.
The General confidently stood, approaching Rey. Rey noticed him from the corner of her eye and took a step back.
"Hey, Hux."
Hux turned around to Kylo, listening carefully since he owed Kylo his life.
"Yes, Ren?" Hux replied innocently.
Kylo clenched his fist while maintaining a calm face, before saying "Fuck you."
Kylo pulled back his fist and sucker punched Hux square in the face. Kylo grabbed the General's collar before decking him two more times to make sure he was out cold.
Suddenly, Kylo wielded his lightsaber, the red nearly touching Hux's face. Kylo held it up, about to swing. All of the pent up rage he had towards Hux was all about to go away.
"WAIT!" Rey shouted, eyes wide in a panic. Kylo paused, looking at Rey for her input.
"Why shouldn't I kill this bastard?" Kylo gritted his teeth.
"We aren't like this anymore. Not anymore. No more deaths," Rey pleaded with Kylo. "Consider this your first step."
Kylo looked at the General's lifeless face, even though he was still breathing. Kylo sheathed his saber, before taking a deep breath to calm himself down.
Kylo hovered his palm over Hux, who was sprawled out on the floor. The keys to the cuffs peeked out of his pocket and ascended into Kylo's hand.
Rey watched as Kylo approached her with the key. "I know you may not agree, but we should hold Hux as a prisoner. I think your mother would appreciate it," Rey suggested.
Kylo looked over at Hux, fondly thinking of his mother. He never really thought about returning to her. He felt like she wouldn't forgive him after all he had done. She must hate his guts at this point.
"Yeah… Good idea…"
He dropped the keys into Rey's palm. She rushed over to Finn, now making him her number one priority.
Finn fell on top of her, partially on purpose.
"Maker! You don't look as heavy as you are!" Rey struggled to hold him up.
"I can take him," Kylo sighed, annoyed that he even had to offer.
Rey passed Finn over to Kylo.
"They… they shot my leg when I got here. I can't walk, but I still have my other leg," Finn forced himself to say.
"Then use it. We have a long way to go from here," Rey encouraged Finn. Rey then looked up to Kylo before saying "Thank you."
Kylo gave a firm nod, before rushing out of the doors with Rey.
Kylo ended up throwing Hux over his shoulder as he threw Finn's arm around him. Holding Hux was more of a challenge than holding Rey since she was thinner and shorter.
While Kylo was the offense, Rey was the defense. She shot through countless stormtroopers and threw bodies everywhere all the way to the end. They got into the elevator, which held their bags. Rey hurriedly hit the button as beams flew past all of them. The door shut, finally allowing them to relax. Rey slid down the wall of the elevator as it began to rise.
Kylo set Hux and Finn down, allowing them to regain their strength.
"You got your blood all over me," Kylo told Finn with disgust.
Finn glared at Kylo before saying "My bad. I'll try and hold it in next time."
The elevator grew hot from all of them panting like dogs on a warm summer day. To Rey, the boys smelled like dogs too. Rey took the clothing she grabbed earlier and tore some fabric off of it. She took Hux's hands and tied them together behind his back, also stuffing his mouth. Hux began to awake, but Kylo immediately wavered his hand over his eyes. Hux was passed out again. However, Hux would be asleep until Kylo decided to wake him.
Suddenly, the elevator stopped. All three of them looked at each other with worry and fear across their faces. Then, in a second they could not see. The lights turned off.
"Damn!" Kylo scolded. "They turned off the power for the elevator."
Kylo lit up his saber to look around. Rey did the same before the two silently decided that touching sabers would be a magnificent idea.
They clashed together, illuminating the elevator.
"Yay… teamwork," Finn said rather dully.
Kylo reached his saber to the top of the elevator before seeing a vent.
"How will we get up there?" Rey questioned, looking at Kylo. She thought Kylo would have to jump up there somehow and pull the two of them up. However, Kylo had another idea.
Kylo used his saber to cut open the vent, letting it fall in the middle of the floor. He then knelt down on one knee.
"Climb on my back," Kylo ordered.
"What?!" Rey gasped in confusion.
"Just-… Trust me. Okay?" Kylo looked up at Rey, the red glow illuminated his serious face.
Rey nodded before she put away her saber. She climbed on Kylo's back and he lifted her up, banging her head on the roof.
"Ow!"
"Sorry."
"Idiot," Finn muttered under his breath.
Finn was truly annoying Kylo, just as much as Kylo annoyed Finn. Both of them decided to not start anything, for the sake of Rey.
Once Rey crawled onto the roof of the elevator, she could see the surface, which wasn't far at all.
"Hey! We're close!" Rey excitedly told them.
Kylo looked down at Finn before holding out his hand. Finn wouldn't have taken it if he wasn't so badly injured. Once Finn climbed Kylo's back, Kylo boosted Finn up to the roof of the elevator. Rey pulled him up, and then helped Kylo up with Hux.
They all did the same thing to reach the surface.
The wind was blowing, tossing around the fabrics on Rey and Kylo's clothing since they both wore messy robes. The dirt was kicking up in the air, making it hard to breathe. The dark sky was no help either.
"Follow me," Rey spoke over the loud winds. Kylo put Finn's arm around his waist and then threw Hux over his shoulder once again. It was difficult dragging Finn along with the weight of Hux slowing Kylo down. At least Rey was holding the bags.
They walked for at least ten minutes until Rey realized she had no idea where she was going. It took twenty minutes for her to start breaking down. Rey collapsed onto the ground, covering her face in tears.
"What's wrong?" Kylo took her shoulder. Finn gave a concerned expression as well.
Rey sniffled before crying "I-I don't know where the ship is. I got us lost and they're going to kill us!"
"Hey! That won't happen," Kylo nudged Rey's shoulder. "You've helped so much already. The least I owe you is my life."
As the skies grew darker, and the wind became more ferocious, a pair of lights came from the sky and through the clouds. Rey, Kylo, and Finn were blinded from the light.
"The First Order found us!" Rey shouted, scurrying to her feet.
AN: You guys are going to hate me, but I'm going to Canada for 2 weeks. I won't be able to publish for two weeks. So sorry for leaving you guys with such a big cliffhanger. Once I come back from Canada, I'll try my best to pump out as many chapters as I can before school starts again for me early August (like, the first or second week of August)
Thanks for your reviews, and wish me luck for my first time out of America!