Erstwhile

Existence

Something damp touched my forehead, and slowly my mind began to awaken. Layer by layer, I returned to consciousness, and as I did, memories blossomed and unfolded. I heard voices and felt an intense pain, and then nothing. What had happened?

Ahsoka.

I lurched forward. My eyes flew open, and I vaguely recognized a forest around me, and off in the distance, a downed ship. Hands were on me at once, and I heard those same voices, but for some reason, I couldn't understand them. Their mouths were moving, but it was like they were speaking a different language.

At once, panic seized me, and I struggled against the hands restraining me. As I had feared, the soldiers around me were much stronger than I was, and I had no choice but to still. However, before I calmed, pain shot through my leg, and I shrieked.

What was wrong? What had happened to my leg? I struggled to remember, and slowly I recalled a jagged piece of glass that had torn through my flesh. Was it still there? Had it been removed? I couldn't remember, and slowly, my eyesight dimmed.

I was lifted off the ground, and more pain bloomed from my leg as my body was jostled. I might've moaned, but I couldn't tell. I might've said something, but I couldn't remember.

I was on someone's back. The ground moved. Every step sent a jolt up my leg. Metal reflected. Was that a droid? It looked familiar, but how did I know it? Questions spiraled. Darkness descended, and I struggled to hold onto this confusing world.

I saw a menacing profile. It was coated in charred metal and ash: a shell of what it had once been. It created a great shadow, and as we moved, we were enveloped by the shadow, and I grew cold.

"We're almost there, Ezra," I heard a voice say, but his voice was muffled, like he was talking through a wall, or across a great distance. "Just hold on."

I didn't know who these people were or why I had to obey them, but for some reason, I felt inclined to do so. They were important to me. They were trying to...help me? Yes, although the shadows around me grew denser by the moment, I'd hold on for them, and only them.

However, if they said the word, I'd let go of this existence and be off.

Hello!

Sorry this was a short chapter, but I hope you enjoyed it, nonetheless. Tell me what you thought! Don't forget to vote!

Just letting you all know, I'm leaving on a mission trip on Sunday and will be gone until Saturday. I won't be able to update until I get back, but I'll type up a chapter now in preparation.

Thank you all for undying support!!

May the force be with you all. ;)

Julie