Shadow Desires

Chapter 6

It was 4 in the morning. I woke up and got ready for the gym. After getting dressed, I walked out of my cell and headed towards the gym. I nodded at a few stormtroopers who passed by, and they greeted me with a "Captain" and a respectful nod.

I returned the gesture. When I reached the gym, I noticed the walls were covered with red lights and more of the stark black decor typical of the First Order.

I walked towards the treadmill, glancing around to see that there weren't many people today. I preferred it that way—the gym mostly empty, the space to myself.

Suddenly, I felt a heavy bump on my shoulder.

Startled, I turned to apologize, but the tall guy who had bumped me gave me the coldest, most terrifying stare I had ever seen.

He had piercing brown eyes and a sharp nose, and there was something undeniably intense about him.

He walked away without a word, and I frowned, deciding to ignore it. I started running on the treadmill, pushing the encounter out of my mind.

After a few rounds of cardio and some reps, I sat down on the floor, catching my breath. It had been an hour, and I could still feel the adrenaline coursing through me. I looked up as I saw two legs approaching me. When I looked up further, I saw a beautiful woman standing there. She was blonde, with piercing gray eyes, and she smiled at me.

"You're early, Captain," she said, her tone friendly.

I smiled back. "Yes, and you as well."

She stood there tall, her posture commanding.

"I wanted to mention that the tactics from yesterday could use some improvement, but we'll go over them later this morning."

I blinked, realizing who she was. "Oh, Captain Phasma! I didn't recognize you without the helmet. I'm sorry."

She smiled again. "That's okay. Have a good workout, Captain."

I nodded. "You too."

As she walked away, I watched her approach the man I had bumped into earlier. I could hear their conversation clearly enough, even from where I sat.

"Kylo Ren! Surprised to see you here," she said, her voice carrying a note of surprise.

My eyes widened, and I immediately looked away. That was Kylo Ren?

This was the first time I had seen his face. He looked nothing like I had imagined. Seeing him like this—unmasked, just a man among others—shook me. There was a strange vulnerability in seeing him without the helmet, his human features exposed.