Forget Me Not

20

There was a step.

There was a chirp.

There was a step.

There was a heartbeat.

There was a step.

There was a teardrop.

With each step, the chirps chirruped louder. The heartbeats beat harder. And the teardrops dropped faster.

The pain grew more intense. The heartache ached more. And the desire to return became unbearable.

They were trying to help me. He was trying to help me. They didn't trust me, but he trusted me. He was offering me something I thought I could never be given, never accept, and definitely never give back. He was offering me friendship.

I was lonely, exhausted, and injured. Everyone always spoke so highly of him. What if they were right? What if he wasn't trying to hurt? What if ... what if I could offer him my trust?

But I knew what I had seen, what I had experienced. I knew what he could do.

I shook my head, roughly brushing away the tears that sneaked down my cheeks. I was too old to be crying over such a small problem as this. I had chosen this life. I couldn't go back.

The moist grass squelched softly under my feet, reminding me that with every step I was walking farther from the comfort and the safety that he offered. A light rainfall sprinkled over me, falling from the clouds that dodged the star-studded sky. The cool droplets splatted on my hot cheeks, chasing away the wet tracks left by my childish tears. The sleeping city lay to my left, twinkling with a hundred orange, white, and blue lights that brightened homes and illuminated the streets. And around me coiled a gentle breeze, carrying the raindrops and the faintest sound of conversation from those who indulged in a friendly night party.

I stopped in the middle of the expanse of green, sliding my hands around the back of my neck and gazing up at the inky black sky. The rain dropped like crystalline orbs, trickling down my face as I closed my eyes, breathing out a sigh. My heart ached for my brother, and I missed my sister more than I wanted to admit. I missed my family.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as a shudder ran down my spine. An extra large droplet splashed over my face, and the rustling of the wind through the sparse trees doubled. Its force pushed me backwards, willing me to return the way I had come. A cold feeling of dread settled in the pit of my stomach, and I knew something was wrong. I didn't hesitate.

Turning and retracing my steps at a sprint, I yanked the material around my waist tighter, gritted my teeth against the stabbing in my side, and fitted my mask in its proper place. The wind followed me, nudging behind me in approval.

The shadows huddled around me, hiding my approach, and the rumble of the rain loudened, dampening the sound of my footsteps. The small homestead sat innocently, just where I had left it, no lights glowing in its dark windows.

I crept around the side, keeping my back pressed against the wall, my gloved fingers trailing along the loose pebbles of the synthstone. Voices sounded from around the corner, a casual conversation held by a tense atmosphere.

"You should listen to her," someone commented. "You're better to be safe than sorry, aren't you?"

A sudden hiss preceded the buzz of a lightsaber. "Leave us alone," the fierce voice of Ahsoka warned. "You aren't welcome here."

"I go where I please," was the uncaring response. "After all, little Tano, I thought you might have questions to ask of me. You know, to do with Anakin's –"