Star Wars: the Chosen One

Entry 4

I opened my eyes, waking fast. I panted hard and didn’t go back to sleep. When light came over the horizon, I got up and went outside. I stood on the balcony as if I was looking out on the lake, but my eyes were closed. I used the Force to control my thoughts. I let it flow in me and through me. I could feel it inside me, whispering to me. I could feel my mother, wherever she was.

She was in pain. She needed me. The fear inside me grew until I could barely stand it. I searched inside myself for anything besides that feeling, but all I found was the need to find her, to be with her, to help her. An image of my mother flashed in my mind and I could feel her again, calling my name.

I heard the voice again, calling my name, but this time it wasn’t in my head. My eyes still closed, still facing the lake, I could sense Padme behind me. Her presence calmed me. It gave me something to think about besides the dream and my mother.

Love took over and almost overpowered the fear. But the fear was always there, and it lurked deep inside me.

Padme’s presence started to fade. “Don’t go,” I said.

“I don’t wanna disturb you,” she murmured.

“Your presence is soothing,” I told her. I sighed deeply, letting the Force fill my mind, every muscle, every thought.

“You had another nightmare last night,” she noted. Deep inside my mind I wondered how she knew about that.

“Jedi don’t have nightmares,” I lied.

“I heard you,” she protested.

I knew she was waiting for my answer. I sighed and opened my eyes, gazing out at the lake for the first time that morning. “I saw my mother,” I admitted to her at last. I turned to look at her. She stepped closer to me. She was in her night dress and her hair hung down her back. “She is suffering, Padme. I saw her as clearly as I see you now,” I continued. It was almost unbearable to look at Padme’s face, so I turned around, back toward the lake. I put my hands on my hips and sighed deeply. I knew I had to do something, but what could I do without disobeying the Council?

I continued speaking to Padme. “She is in pain,” I said. I turned back to Padme. “I know I’d be disobeying my mandate to protect you, Senator, but I have to go. I have to help her.” I walked back over to Padme. My voice sounded almost desperate.

“I’ll go with you,” she said.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have a choice.”

We took Padme’s mother’s ship to Tatooine. We got there sooner than I expected. The first place we went looking—Watto’s shop. As we approached, I said hello in Huttese. He was working on a part for a speeder, so I asked him if he needed help.

He didn’t answer so I took the part from him. It was a complete mess, I don’ think he knew what he was doing.

“Let me help you with that,” I said to him in Huttese.

“What, whattya want?” he asked in a gruff voice. “Hey, you’re a Jedi! What business does a Jedi have on Tatooine? Well, whatever it is, I didn’t do it! You’ve got the wrong guy!” He seemed to be yelling to anyone else, but I knew how he used to be; he does that when he gets nervous. Very nervous.

As I put the top back onto the speeder part, I told him I was looking for Shmi Skywalker. Even as I focused on the part I was fixing, I could feel his eyes on me. Padme was quiet by my side.

“Annie? Little Annie?” he asked. “Nah,” he said, shaking his head. “It couldn’t be! He left me over ten years ago!” he said, in Huttese. His voice sounded amused. I sat the part down on the table in front of him. He got an astounded look and spoke in English this time. “You are Annie! It is you! Whattya know! A Jedi! Woo! You’ve sure sprouted, huh? Maybe you could help with a bunch of deadbeats who owe me a lot of money!”