Hope In The Face Of Fear!

Chapter 8: Runaway?

Hi my wonderful followers :)
Sorry it's been so long, everything's just been quite busy lately, but the book will continue!
Thank you for all your support, especially @THEGOATLORD12 who's comments have been really encouraging :).

Ezra's POV:
As I ran through the streets I felt the cool breeze on my face and felt absence of freedom, but I also felt really bad. Kanan trusted me and I left.

I pushed my feelings aside and ran on. This was for my friends, and besides, I had to catch up to Hondo and Mulch if I wanted to find the Rebels.

It took a while of running and my lungs felt like they were burning by the time I got to 'Hondo's "entirely legal" antique shop' it was literally on fire, most of it burnt down. Even the ashes that remained where barely even ashes at all, yet somehow a small banjo lay at my feet, strings snapped but otherwise unharmed.

I laughed at the memory of retrieving it with Zare and Jai.

Flashback:
"WHY IN HELL WOULD HONDO SEND US HALFWAY ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR A BANJO?!?!" Jai practically screamed as he burned red with anger.

"It's Hondo. Don't ask questions. Nothing is ever what it seems with him" I replied with a smirk, trying to sound mysterious.

"He seems like a crook that wants us to steel a banjo" Jai deadpanned.

I paused. "Okay, I guess it's exactly how it seems" I answered, a smile creeping on my face before all three of us broke into laughter.

"Wait!" Zare shouted and we all went silent. Well, except for Jai who literally jumped and we all stared at him.

"Sorry, I don't know why I'm so jumpy all the time"

"Hm..." Zare said sarcastically. "Do you think it's because of all the unsolved crime videos, disappearance shows and murder podcasts you listen to?" All three of us burst out laughing and my memory began to fade.

End of flashback.

A hand suddenly landed in my shoulder, and upon instinct I swung the banjo around and hit the person straight in the face and the toppled backwards and landed in the floor.

Getting a better look at the figure I noticed it was... oh no... it was Sabine.

"Did you... Did You Just Hit Me With A BANJO?!!" She yelled.

"Uh..." I quickly hide it behind my back. "No, no. Of coarse not. Why would I hit my sister with a banjo?" I laughed nervously and she scowled at me.

Reality hit me. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?! I LEFT A NOTE!"

"I know. I went to your room to see if you were okay and to make sure you wouldn't do anything stupid. But, apparently I was too late"

I was about to argue when she spoke again. "What kind of a sister would I be if I let you do all the stupid stuff alone?" She laughed punching my upper right arm playfully.

We were quickly cut off by a meowing sound. Both of us jumped but saw the White cat sitting by us. "It's the white cat!" I yelled before it ran off and I quickly followed suit. "After it!" I yelled.

"Ezra! Why Are We Chasing A Cat?!" Sabine asked, extremely confused.

"I think it knows where Hondo Is!" I yell back, even if she was only a few strides behind me.

There was a silent pause.

"ITS A CAT!" She yelled again but I ignored her.

................... Time Skip .....................

Sabine and I came to a stop by a dockyard, and we saw Hondo attempting to smuggle himself onboard a cargo ship, with little success.

"My good sir. My friend and I would really appreciate it if you would humbly let us steal- I mean stay on your ship until it reaches its destination" he pleaded.

"No" the dockyard person said bleakly. "As I told you 20 seconds ago we will not allow a pirate on our ship Hondo Ohnaka" the trader exclaimed bravely.

"Pirate?!" Sabine freaked. "Your friends with a pirate?!"

"Uh, well, Hondo used to have a ship. And a crew"

"What happened to them?"

"I'm not too sure..." I replied "best not to ask questions"

"My Friends!!!" Hondo cheered and the sailor looked at us in shock and confusion.

"Do you kids know this lunatic?" The sailor asked wearily.

"Well..." I started but got cut off.

"Know me?! Ha! This boy used to work for me!" Hondo swung his arm over my shoulders and I smiled sheepishly at the sailor.

The sailor looked suspiciously at me and Sabine. "Is this true kid?".

I put on my con smile. "Of coarse, I'm part of the crew. Hondo's like family" I lied.

"Whatever. Just don't do anything illegal again Hondo" the sailor scowled before walking off.

"Illegal?! How dare you! I would never even dream of it!" He lied, before practically dragging Sabine and I on board the cargo ship.
"I cannot tell you how happy I am to see you Phantom! I knew you would see things my way!" He smiled and looked at Sabine. "And you brought a Mandalorian! Great plan. We'll need strong fighters where we're going" Hondo said as I felt the ship beginning to sail forward.

"Why. Where are we going?" I asked.

Hondo grinned. "Why... My friends, we are going to the great city of Mandalor!!!"