Chapter 2

"Lorelai."

I looked towards where the voice came from, but it was too dark to see a thing. I fumbled around for a moment, trying to find something that could help me.

My face collided with a wall, and the lights came up to show me flat on my back, rubbing my now sore forehead.

"Lorelai."

It was then that I noticed a looming presence behind me, seated in a throne shrouded in darkness.

I turned, lifting myself onto my feet to face whatever it was. "Who are you?"

The creature, its face sunken in and ancient looking, contorted its mouth to almost smile.

"I am your destiny."

~|~

I twisted restlessly in my restraints, refusing to open my eyes until a mechanical voice resounded throughout the small room.

"Resisting won't do you any good."

My eyes shot open to take in the figure before me. His cloak was gone, he stood in a black tunic and dark pants, but that mask was still obscuring his face. I glanced down at myself, taking in the tattered, ill-fitting cargo pants and tank top. I could feel the black strands of hair sticking to my sweaty brow as I shifted to look at the figure again.

Who is he?

"Kylo Ren," he responded casually, taking a step towards me. He had just read my mind. I would be impressed but considering my situation, I just stared. He took another step towards me, getting close enough for my fingers to brush against the fabric of his pants.

The visions of my dream came back in a rush and he nearly jumped back from me.

"Did the Supreme Leader send you as a test?" He growled, raising a gloved hand in my direction. I furiously shook my head as I felt my throat tighten, restricting my breaths. "Did he send you?"

"No, please, I don't know who you're talking about. Please, just stop." The metal at my wrists groaned as I tried to pull myself out, but I barely made a dent by the time Kylo noticed. My throat tightened even more. I thrashed around trying to look for something that could get me out. I grew desperate and I felt something shift in my gut as I attempted to scream.

The walls began to crumple in on themselves as I choked. A sudden relief washed through my throat as Kylo's grip dissipated. My eyes flew over to him as he ripped off his now crushed mask.

A young man now looked at me, pure terror and shock written all over his face. I didn't know what I was expecting under that mask, but he was definitely not it. Tousled curls of ebony flowed down to his shoulders, a thick scar ran down the side of his face, interrupted by dark brown eyes. The commotion ceased all around us.

He stared at me, full lips parted. I stared right back, panting.

He contemplated me for a minute, and I thought to myself that surely he was going to kill me. Especially after that stunt I just pulled. It took every ounce of my energy to keep myself from shaking. From crying out. Kylo sensed it, my fear. Of him. Of myself.

So, instead of reaching for his lightsaber, he waved his hand and I was tugged into unconsciousness.

~|~

A day had passed since my... interrogation. Afterwards I had woken up in a decent sized bed, of course, in a totally different room than before.

Oddly enough, it was much more welcoming than I had thought it would be. The only downside was that the door was locked. So, I was stuck. Alone.

I couldn't say that was new, I had been alone for nearly twelve years. Instead of foraging, I was left with assessing the stinging wound in my lower back. It had been wrapped and treated while I had been out, but the healing process wasn't nearly complete.

I tenderly pulled the wrap off of my wound, wincing when it rubbed against the raw skin. The sight of it was brutal. Charred skin surrounded a large, cauterized gash in the small of my back.

I quickly wrapped it back up. I had seen enough. It was disgusting, but it would heal with time, no doubt leaving an equally gruesome scar.

The door to my room slid open with a hiss, revealing a mask-less Kylo Ren. I didn't bother to pull down my hiked up shirt. He could only see bandages. And I doubted he cared enough to even glance at me.

He was still for a moment, looking at the wall behind me. His pink lips twitched up for a second, but dropped the moment my eyes locked in on them.

"I apologize for yesterday's inconvenience. It was only a precaution to make sure you weren't here as a spy for the rebellion." I cocked my head to the side. Since when was there a rebellion?

And what was it rebelling against?

"I see you are unaware of recent events in the galaxy. All will be explained soon, but not now." His eyes flew to mine. "The Supreme Leader wishes to speak with you immediately."

Well that didn't sound very inviting.

I swallowed hard and stood up, finally pulling my shirt down. Kylo visibly released the tension in his shoulders as he watched me, and I eyed him before stepping out into the hallway.

I looked down both ends of the hallway before turning to face him again. My hands gestured towards both directions.

He only pulled on his helmet, which I hadn't realized he had been holding, and brushed past me with large strides.

What a wonderful welcome.