Hopes

Chapter 13.

Obi-Wan's POV

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"No, stay," I croaked, gritting my teeth through the throbbing in my arms. I could see the dark shape moving, crawling away from me. My heart ached, wanting him to know how much I truly cared for him.

He paused, gingerly holding his hurt shoulder and watching me tensely.

I adjusted my position, ignoring the urge to rub my bruising cheek. "Don't go. I'm not angry with you."

He froze, his face turned to me but his eyes hidden.

"I'm not," I repeated. The pain had subsided enough for me to manage a small smile. "This isn't you. I know Anakin, and I know Maul. He's crafty, and he's cruel. Anakin isn't."

A soft breeze seemed to usher in hushed whispers of danger, and the fog of pain had lifted enough for me to isolate it. A heavy covering of trouble had been brewing, but I suddenly realized that it wasn't coming from Solus. He seemed to sense something, too, sitting up straight and watching.

An eerie silence hung close, but I had the uncanny feeling of being watched. I didn't think it was by Solus. There was a rustle, a crunch, and then a breath. This time I knew it wasn't Solus; I hadn't heard him make a sound since I had met him.

"Where do you want to go next, Solus?" I spoke normally, casually. If we were being hunted, I wanted them to think they had the upper hand.

He didn't look at me, but his body language suggested he was listening to me.

"Maybe we should –" 

My sentence was cut off by someone clicking their fingers. Solus immediately stood up, every muscle coiled like a spring. Another snap sounded, and he whipped his gaze towards me. Unlike the past times, I was ready for him.

He leapt for me, his aim badly off, and I rolled out of the way. He hooked his foot under my leg and jerked me towards himself, sending a wimpy punch at my face. Again, I avoided it with no difficulty, trying to throw him off me. He was unsteady but strong, and his attempt at pinning my arm was easy to circumvent. Either he was playfighting, or he couldn't see me properly. 

Then his weight moved off me, and I felt invisible fingers wrapping around my throat. A cold chill ran down my spine, and I scrambled to shove my mental shields up. They must have slipped.

I was lifted off the ground, legs dangling and hands uselessly grabbing at my neck. The Force was tight enough to restrict my airways but not so tight that I was choking. Then the shadowy person stepped away from a pair of white figures, and he came into my view, yellow eyes burning and a fierce scowl contorting his features.

"Hello, Kenobi," he greeted me coolly, his expression twisting into a pleased smirk. He flicked his hand, and Solus stepped forwards, watching him. He clicked his fingers, then pointed to me. 

Solus hesitated, swaying slightly but otherwise staying still.

Maul glowered at him. "Do it."

He moved towards me, but his head was down. To the untrained eye, he would have seemed tired or even rebellious, but I could see he was fearful. Apparently Maul could, too.

"Stand up straight," he growled, and Solus obliged instantaneously, but I didn't miss the tremble in his fingers as he searched my belt.

"He ... won't find it," I choked out, sucking in what little oxygen Maul allowed. Instead of tightening his grip, as I had expected, he held me still. Evidently, he had more faith in Solus's abilities than in my word.