The Lucky One (a Star Wars fanfic)

Chapter 19

Anakin's pov

In.

Out.

In.

Out.

After taking a few deep breaths to calm my nerves, I step off the ramp and immediately find myself smiling as I see a familiar figure approach me.

The man is in his early forties, with short, wavy ginger hair that matches his ginger beard. His gray-blue eyes scan over me nervously as he quickly closes the distance between us.

Less than a minute later, when he reaches me, in a tone filled with both concern and alarm, he asks, "Anakin, are you okay?"

I can't help but grimace, hating when he asks me if I am okay when it is obvious that I am not. If, once again, I am missing my arm, how could I possibly be okay?

"Never been better, Master," I say in a sarcastic tone.

"I see that your sense of humor is still intact," Obi-Wan says with an exasperated sigh, causing me to chuckle.

"I am glad that you find this amusing, Anakin, but you getting hurt for nearly the hundredth time is no laughing matter," Obi-Wan says, scolding me, causing my smile to turn into a scowl.

Then, concern entering his features once again, he asks, "Anakin, who did this to you?"

After a few seconds of hesitation, while looking at the golden brown sand beneath me to avoid seeing the look on his face when he finds out who did this, I whisper, "My future Padawan."

When the silence my words bring seems to last for hours, no longer able to take it, I cautiously raise my head to see his face.

The look on his face causes me to wince, the shock, horror, and confusion are much more than I anticipated.

"Why?" Obi-Wan asks just above a whisper, his voice filled with disbelief.

"I-I don't know," I say after a few seconds of debating whether or not to tell him that Shawn is being controlled by a Sith, but I decide against it, a little worried that, if I tell Obi-Wan the truth, he might kill Shawn.

"Okay. For now, let's not worry about that. Once you are well again we can find out why he would hurt you like this," Obi-Wan says, causing me to smile slightly, glad that he isn't pressing for more information or asking why I just lied to him about not knowing the reason behind Shawn hurting me.

I just nod my head 'yes' in response, causing us to fall into silence as we begin walking toward the ship.

I don't mind the silence for once, it giving me a chance to attempt to process everything that has happened in such a short amount of time.

I almost died today.

If Rider hadn't gotten there when he did, I would be dead.

While suppressing a shiver, I push away those thoughts, not wanting to think about what could have happened when what will happen is a much more pressing matter.

Why is Rider so afraid of what will happen next?

What will happen next?

Why won't he just tell me?

Why is he keeping this a secret from me?

Are there more secrets that he is keeping from me?

Why doesn't he trust me?

I trust him with my life, yet he can't even trust me enough to tell me what has him so afraid.

Before more questions can race through my mind at a dizzying rate, we reach the ship.