If It Ended Differently

Chapter 8

Whilst Hera, Sabine and Chopper stayed in the cockpit, Zeb decided to take a nap in his cabin; Kanan and Anakin were both playing some holochess whilst Ezra was sat in the corner watching them...or he was until his thoughts began to wonder. The teens mind was on what he was about to do, who he was about to see and confront; he had no idea had his face was showing these thoughts threw fear and worry. The two Jedi soon noticed this and paused their game "Ezra" Kanan spoke in an attempt to gain the boys attention; it didn't work and so he did it again. When Kanan received nothing still, he raised his voice slightly "Ezra!!" now that did work; Ezra's head shot up, clearly startled "huh?! Oh...what's up Master??". The two Jedi's shared a concerned glance "are you okay Ez?? You went quiet and...looked a little scared" Anakin asked earning a sigh; the fifteen year old mentally beat himself before standing up and moving seats so that he was nearer his friends. 

"I'm fine, just nervous I guess....the last time I saw Blue Eye - I mean Callum - was when I was six years old after he..." Ezra trailed off as he physically shivered at the memory; this worried the two men dramatically "what did he do kid??" Kanan asked as he reach over and placed a hand on his Padawan's shoulder "he...he gave me the worst beating by far....well that he had given me anyway...he burnt me, cut me, punched and kicked, as well as used his belt as a whip...that one was his favorite punishment to use on me". Of course, eyes were wide from this information as fear, horror, worry and anger filled the two men, especially Kanan "he what?!" he exclaimed "just wait till I get my hands on hims!! He'll wish a Sith had him instead!!" both of his friends were taken back by this sudden out burst "whoa!! Calm yourself Kanan" Anakin instructed "don't let your anger cloud your judgement and control your actions". 

It took five minutes but Kanan managed to calm down "I'm sorry, it's just...how could he do that to you?! A child?! A child of his own flesh and blood!?" he asked as he rubbed his forehead; the teenager shrugged, not really knowing the answer "I don't know...he would just say I deserved what he did to me" he sighed before mumbling "maybe he was right". Before either men could say anything, Hera could be heard through their com links "we'll be arriving in bay twelve in ten minutes so get ready" she stated "and Ezra, Chopper's heading your way, something's wrong with him, can you take a look for me??" the woman asked; the boy grabbed his com from his belt "you got it Hera" As told, the droid rolled in and stopped in front of the kid; Ezra got to work on fixing him - all that needed to be done was a few wires moved and some screws put back in place. As soon as Chopper was as good as new...sort of, Zeb was awoken by a harsh shock which earned many laughs. 

Hera landed the ship in bay twelve and they all left the ship - Chopper stayed with the Ghost as usual of course. "I never thought I would miss Tatooine" Ezra mumbled as they left the ship "you've been here before??" Sabine asked earning a nod "yeah, my parents and I would come here for two weeks once a year when I was younger until the Empire killed them". They entered the city when Zeb spoke up "so...where are we going exactly??" he asked as he looked around the area "he never actually gave us a location...just said you knew" the teenager was leading the way "whenever my parents and I stayed here, we stayed at the same place....we had to be careful due to the broadcasts". They could still hear the slight fear in the child's voice; they all could; Hera took the boys hand but before they could continue walking, the two Jedi stopped them. 

"Are you completely sure you want to do this?? See that...that...man??" Anakin asked as he spat the last word out; the teen sighed as he nodded "I...I have to - no...I need to do this...he might have something important to say and...and maybe if I see and confront him then I...I won't be scared anymore". Kanan placed his hand on his Padawan's slim and small shoulder "if you can't take it or change your mind at any time, tell us and we'll get you away from him and out of there" he reassured "and if he dares to try something, we will be getting you out of there, understood??" it wasn't an actual question but it earned a small smile and nod "yes Master". The group made their way through town until they reached an old and clearly abandoned small building....which had an Imperial mark painted on it.