A Star Wars TFA Prequel: "Why Aren't You Scared of Me?"

Late Again

My cloak weighs down heavy on me as I walk into Master's office, pockets full of rocks. I took them from the river as a surprise for Rey and didn't have time to drop them off in my room first, before coming here.

"You're late," Master says as I step in front of his desk.

"And for that I know..." I start to say then stop. I really don't want get punished again. "And for that I know I should be sorry," I say instead.

"Sit down," Master Snoke says, seeming less composed than usual. I quickly take a seat.

"I don't have time for your lack of discipline. Hux has brought something important to my attention, information I need to attend to."

My heart speeds up but I don't reply.

"Tell me," Master continues. "Did you practice reading minds?"

"Yes, Your Supreme Leadership."

"With whom?"

"Phasma," I lie.

"And who else?"

"Hux."

Master frowns. "Tomorrow I want you to try with someone outside of your friends. Now let's get on with it." He leans forward in his seat. "I want to see how well you can force into my mind."

I swallow hard and sit up straighter. Should I try hard? Or just a little? The thought of seeing into Grand Master's mind is terrifying. I raise my hand toward him and close my eyes, then start with his surface level feelings. A sick feeling crawls over me. There are no surface feelings. I try again. Grand Master is emotionless, like a dark and empty void. I want to pull away but I know I haven't tried hard enough to be convincing. I push further, but all I find is more darkness and emptiness, as though he's got no soul.

"You never did read Phasma's mind, did you?" Grand Master says. "She was asking you questions to get information for Hux."

He's reading my thoughts! I want to pull away but can't. I quickly think of Hux, pushing all my feelings and thoughts about him to the forefront of my mind to hide everything else that has been going on, with Rey. I bring up images of Hux, attacking me in the forest, and how uncomfortable he makes me feel when he's on top of me, holding me down, or when he talks too close to my face.

Master releases my mind and I fall back into my seat. I knew he wouldn't want to see those thoughts for too long.

He tricked me. He knew I'd never be able to see into his mind but it gave him access to mine, and I was unprepared for it.

"I'll have a talk with Hux," he says, slowly getting up. "That is all for today."

I get up too. "Yes, Your Supreme Leadership."

"Tomorrow there will be no tests, but I'd like you to continue using your mind reading powers. Try influencing people to do your will, especially Hux. Make him stop when you want him to stop. You have my permission to use your Force powers now, however you please. But keep Hux alive."

"Yes, Your Supreme Leadership."

"I will not be in my study tomorrow." Master looks over at me. "Now go and take your rest. You will need it."

I nod and hurry out of the room.

* * *

All the food has been put away by the time I reach the dining hall. Even the baskets of fruit which usually get left out all day are gone. I walk to the kitchen area to look for something to eat. A nervousness eats away at my empty stomach. Is Rey waiting for me? Is she scared all alone in her room?

The sun has gone down and the kitchen is dark. Only the halls are lit with torches, but there's still a bit of lingering light coming from outside and I can see my way around.

I grab some slices of cheese and a bag of blue grapes for myself, then look for chocolate squares for Rey. All I can find is baker's chocolate. There's also milk. Should I make Rey some hot cocoa, the way my mom used to make for me?

I look around the kitchen and see the various sized pans hanging over the large wood burning stove. I hold my hand above the iron surface. It's still hot. If I can get the chocolate to melt then I'll take Rey some hot cocoa.

I set the food down on the counter and open the large stove door to look inside. There's a small fire going, I just need to throw some kindling on it to get it burning high again. I throw an armload of kindling in then pour milk into a small pot. It doesn't take long for the milk to boil and steam, the froth rising up quickly. I throw in small chunks of the chocolate and stir. The warm smell makes me smile. I put in more and more chunks of chocolate. Maybe I'll make myself a mug too, there's enough milk in the pot.

By the time I reach Rey's room it's already past our bedtime. Her door is slightly open and I push it with my food, my arms full. I look inside and see that she isn't there. My stomach tightens. Did she go to my room? I'm at the next building but it won't take me long to get back there and check.

I walk fast, careful not to spill the two mugs of cocoa which are still steaming.

When I enter the next building through the tall archway I see a little lump in front of my door like a sack of potatoes. It's Rey curled up and sitting at my door. I hurry over.

She lifts her head and I kneel down in front of her. "Rey, you can't come here," I say, a little more sternly than I intended to. I'm not mad at her, I'm mad at myself for always making her worry or sad. Why is she always looking for me?

Rey frowns and lowers her head again.

"I'm sorry I took so long," I say. "I made us hot cocoa. I went to your room-"

"What's that?" Rey looks at the steaming mugs in my hand. She probably doesn't get a lot of hot desserts living in a place like Jakku, where it's hot all day and night.

"It's like melted chocolate squares," I say.

Rey's eyes go wide. "Really?"

"Yeah. Come on, let's go to your room." I glance over my shoulder, half expecting to see Hux or Grand Master standing there.

"I thought you weren't coming," Rey says.

"Of course I was." I look back to her. "I know I break my promises sometimes, but from now on when I make you a promise, I'll keep it okay?"

"Okay."

"And if I break my promise, it's not because I..." I shift the food in my arms. "It's not because I don't like you. It's because something happened, like I had to go see Grand Master or I got into trouble or something."

"Are we going to play with Mr. Rock?" she says.

I smile. "Yes, and... I have a surprise for you."