A Light in the Darkness (Star Wars Rebels)

Visitors

Ezra led the way through the dark tunnels with Evelyn and Switch close behind. Evelyn was holding her blaster ready, keeping an eye out for danger as best she could.

After walking for what felt like hours, Switch started to complain about being tired. Evelyn and Ezra gratefully agreed to stop for a short rest. Within a few minutes Switch was fast asleep.

"Get some rest," Evelyn offered. "I can keep watch."

"No way," Ezra replied. "I slept while you checked out our surroundings. It's your turn to sleep."

"I'm not tired," Evelyn said. "Just go to sleep, Ezra. You look like you're about to fall asleep on your feet. I'll take first watch. I can wake you up later for your turn."

"Fine," Ezra reluctantly agreed. "But you better wake me up for my turn."

"I will," Evelyn promised. Ezra laid down on the stony ground and closed his eyes. Evelyn grabbed the lantern and peered into the darkness around them.

"Goodnight, Kitty," Ezra said.

"Go to sleep, Fluffy," Evelyn told him. Ezra smiled faintly without opening his eyes. Eventually the smile faded away and his breathing grew slow and even. Evelyn assumed he was sleeping.

Evelyn waited in tense silence. It was unnerving, sitting alone in the dark. At least Ezra and Switch were there, even if they were both sleeping. A cold breeze brushed past Evelyn, causing her to shiver.

"You can't protect him," a cold voice whispered. Evelyn jumped slightly, heart hammering in her chest as she glanced into the darkness.

"Who are you?" Evelyn asked, her voice echoing back at her.

"Even now the darkness calls to him," the cold voice said. Evelyn stood, lantern in hand.

"Show yourself coward!" Evelyn demanded. For a long moment there was nothing besides silence. A shadowy form stepped into the lantern-light. Evelyn found herself taking a step back. The matching circular scars on her stomach and back burned with an intense phantom pain.

"You can't be here," Evelyn gasped softly. "You're dead."

The figure grinned, eyes flashing dangerously. She looked different than she had in life. Her raven black hair seemed to swallow all of the light from the lantern. Her violet eyes had taken on a red tinge. A black cloak hid all but her hands and head from view, yet Evelyn knew that she had lightsaber injuries of her own hidden beneath the cloak.

"You should be as well, yet here you are," she told Evelyn. "You've cheated fate once before, but death is coming for you. It comes to all in time."

"Why can't you take a hint and just stay dead?" Evelyn growled. The girl laughed, a cold laugh without any humor.

"I may have lost my body," she began, "but I only became stronger. I am one with the dark side of the force. And I can still wield power in this world."

She extended a hand in a claw-shape, a look of fierce concentration on her face.  In the distance, an unseen beast screamed.

"You won't have long now," she said. "And then my dear Ezra and I will finally be reunited."

Evelyn felt a burst of pain in her head and her eyes flew open. She was lying on the stony ground. Ezra and Switch were sleeping nearby. There was no sign of their deadly visitor. Evelyn assumed she had fallen asleep, only to be jolted awake as her head hit the ground.

Evelyn forced a cheerful smile on her face as she leaned over to wake Ezra up. It was time to get moving.