Daring to Dream

Chapter Fifteen

Not Omega. Anyone but Omega. She's just a kid, for God's sake.

I tapped my knee against the floor as I waited for Dad to pick my transmission up. He'll understand. I know he will.

He finally picked it up. "Hey, sweetie."

"Hi, Dad."

"Ready to come home?"

"Uh-huh."

He viewed my smile for a while before saying, "what's wrong? Something's going on with you?"

"Yeah."

"Don't wanna come yet? You know, if you want-"

"No, it's not that I don't want to come home, but..." and then I spilled to him. Each and every bombing that occurred until Omega's abduction.

"Dad, that family took really good care of me. They've been such good friends, and now that their sister's missing, I can't just leave them. Not like this. And I can't leave you alone either," I ended, tears in my eyes.

"Sweetie," Dad said, voice slow, tone gentle, "you've the heart of a soldier. The fact you feel loyalty to your friends is a thing that makes me so proud of you. Do you think you can help them?"

"Yes."

"Then I'll tell you to stay. They need you right now. And as for me, well, I lived for three months without you, eh? I guess I can live a few more days. In the end, Zoe, it's going to be your choice. So, what do you say?"

"You...not mad at me?"

"Why would I be? My daughter's got a heart of gold, and now that she can use it, I'm not going to get enraged just for her to bury it. Be honest, dear."

"Yes, Dad. I'm staying for them."

"Well then, best of luck, Zoya. And stay safe. If you need anything, I'll be right here, understand?"

"Yes dad."

With one final blown kiss, he ended the transmission. I turned to find Mom at the doorstep.

"Mom-"

She raised one hand. "You don't have to explain. I may have problems with your friends, but the girl you're fighting for is a child, and every child deserves to live a peaceful life. And if we don't stop them now, they'll destroy the world as we know it."

"Thanks for understanding, Mom."

"If you need any help, head to the Jedi Order and tell them to contact me."

"Wait. You won't be here?"

"No. I figured out that in this age, your father needs someone by his side, and I haven't seen him for ages," she cracked a small, fond smile. "So, while you stay here, I will go for him and be back in a few weeks."

"Mom, that's perfect!" I ran to hug her.

"But I wanted to ask you that you sure you can live here without me?"

"Absolutely mom. Like, I mean, you can go, I can manage. Honora will be here, right?"

"Yes. Now, if you intend to save the kids, I suggest you begin working now."

My mind rammed into an invisible wall. I am good at working, not strategizing. "But, I don't know where to begin," I admitted ashamed.

"I think you should go to your friends' house. They might have some leads."

Within ten minutes, my droid had dropped me at Emerie's house and I rang the bell. Emerie opened it and her eyes went wide at seeing me.

"Zoya, is everything alright? You were supposed to have gone home."