𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘 - DIN DJARIN

Chapter 55: The Torment

chapter 55: the torment •••

You know the scream you suppress with your hand would be bloodcurdling if you were to let it be revealed to the open air of the tunnel.

You remain pinned down in the dirt by the giant droid's leg that's lodged itself into your shoulder. Your hand is glued to your mouth to keep any sounds of pain tucked away. Your children need at least one of their parents to protect them, and with Din now motionless inside the droid's trap, you prepare yourself to take on that role. Making sudden noises would only reveal your presence to the droid who's chosen to remain focused on Din.

The droid moves and you screw your eyes shut in your struggle not to scream again as the metal leg leaves your shoulder. Most of the pain of your wound is blinded by shock for now, though you're aware that it won't last long. You're devastated to watch your husband get carried away by one of his only fears in the galaxy, but before you can let yourself worry even more about him, you have to focus on finding and protecting your children.

It's Grogu who finds you first. You've just managed to sit up using your good arm when the pram floats beside you. You're surprised to see Zora asleep beside Grogu, though his frantic babblings towards you and his tiny hand brushing over her forehead inform you that it must've been Grogu's doing to keep his sister quiet.

"Good job, ad'ika," you breathe, running your good hand over his ear. "It's very important that we all stay quiet."

Despite your words, Grogu releases a loud and horrified shriek at the sight of your bleeding wound. you glances at it and curses at its severity. You work as quickly as you can to remove the medkit you'd packed on your belt and open it up. Grogu hops out of the pod and approaches the wound, closing his eyes and lifting a hand towards it. You shake your head and cover his hand with your own.

"No, Grogu," you insist. "Not right now." You run your hand over his head when he coos at you with confusion and desperation. "I know it's bad, but you need to save your energy. You already put your sister to sleep, and I'm gonna need your help to keep protecting her." You offer the most reassuring smile you can muster, despite your circumstances. "I'm okay. Don't worry."

Grogu's ears lower and then lift again. You pick up the small container of bacta spray and grit your teeth as you administer it. The groan that escapes you is tight, a result of you trying to keep the sound tucked away from your children. Once it's covered, you take a wrap and tie it around your shoulder as best as you can with only one hand to help you. The end result is messier than you would've liked, but it'll at least serve its purpose.

"Okay," you sigh, reassembling your medkit and securing it on your belt once again. "Did you see where they took your father?"

Grogu hops back in the pram and points towards the passageway. You nod and stand to your feet, grunting at the effort it requires from your injured arm. You take a hold of your blaster and let Grogu lead the way in his pod, though you stay close to keep him safe. Each step you take is calculated and cautious, your focus set on your children but your fears settled with your husband. The image of his helmet hanging from the droid is stuck in your mind and you can't bring yourself to think about what was done to him to make that possible.

"Did you see what they did to him?" you ask Grogu, your voice remaining hushed.

Grogu's ears lower as he babbles and points to the side of his neck. You grit your teeth, recognizing the gesture. It's similar to what Mayfeld did to you on that prison ship so long ago, the day you got your scar. You give your haphazardly wrapped wound a quick glance. Another scar to join the others, you think, though you pray to the stars that for Din's sake it'll remain more hidden.