Taking In An Orphan

Chapter 17

Happy Easter to everyone that celebrates! Please let me know your thoughts on the story! Thanks for reading!

After Ezra’s cough went away, Kanan started to train with Ezra some more. 

Ezra loved to train with Kanan. Kanan and Ezra usually meditated in the morning and lifted small items for mental practice. This morning, Kanan wanted to show Ezra some lightsaber training. He hoped Ezra would watch and learn some things so that he could start training him with the lightsaber soon.    

“I’m going to train outside for a bit if you want to come, Ezra,” Kanan called into the kitchen, where Ezra had just finished his space waffles. 

Ezra ran over and reached his arms up to be held. Kanan picked him up and brought him outside.

“I’m going to do some fight training today with my Jedi weapon.” He set Ezra down on the ground and walked a safe distance away before putting together his lightsaber and igniting it. 

Instantly, Ezra let out a loud scream, confusing Kanan.  

“Ezra, what’s wrong? Ezra?” Kanan could feel the panic coming off the boy. It was so strong that Kanan’s own heart started to beat faster in panic. Ezra was running back to the ship, still screaming. Kanan ran to catch up with him, but Ezra was too fast. 

On the ship, Zeb watched Ezra run past him in a flurry of loud screams and tears.

“Mama! Mama!” Kanan followed Ezra in. He saw Ezra reach the cargo bay ladder, but Ezra still wasn’t very secure on ladders and in his panic, he slipped and fell. Kanan was there just in time to catch him. Seeing who it was that caught him, Ezra’s small body wriggled free from the grasp and backed into the corner. Now Ezra was screaming even harder and couldn’t catch his breath. Kanan watched the boy starting to have a full on panic attack.    

“Zeb, watch him! I’m getting Hera.” As Kanan left, Ezra’s sobs died down, but his breathing was still quick. Zeb approached the boy. 

“You okay?” Without an answer, Zeb walked up to the boy and did the only thing he could think to do - he took him into his arms and hugged him. Ezra didn’t know how to respond to this hug. He was so panicked, he had no concept of who was with him, only that Kanan had left and the person hugging him was not Hera. 

“I want mama!” The kid cried into Zeb’s fur, gripping him tightly. Mama? Well, Hera was the closest thing to a mother that Ezra had at the moment. 

“Kanan’s getting Hera for you, kid.” At the mention of Kanan, the kid’s sobbing strengthened and his breath kept coming in short gasps. 

“Calm down or you’ll pass out.” A new voice came from behind Zeb. Sabine jumped down the ladder and came over to Ezra. 

“What’s up, buddy?” She asked. 

“Kanan…” He broke off with a sob. “I wan mama!” 

As the two continued to comfort Ezra, Kanan was looking everywhere for Hera. He checked the cockpit and the common area and her room. She must be fixing up the ship. He looked into the engine room and found Hera. 

“Oh, thank goodness. Hera, Ezra’s having a panic attack and he’s calling for you.” 

Hera immediately ran off to find the boy. Kanan came at a slower pace, still confused as to why Ezra was freaking out. Hera followed the screams and found Sabine and Zeb with Ezra in between them. He was shaking and screaming for “mama” and gasping for breath. The scene broke Hera’s heart. 

 Zeb saw Hera first. “Hey, bud, mama’s here.” Hera immediately kneeled down on the ground and took Ezra into her arms. Ezra’s screaming stopped, but his sobbing continued. Hera rubbed his back and told him to breathe.