A Blessing and a Curse

Chapter 14

I sat quietly in the passenger seat looking out the window, as the mission started. Hera parked on the side of the road. I heard the door in the other room open and close as the others left to do their parts. We sat in silence for a while until Hera spoke up.

"He was just worried about you, you know."

"I know," I replied.

"Do you really though?" She asked and I stayed silent. No, it was hard because no had cared for me until meeting the crew. Everyone would look at me in disgust or pity.

"Does he need to yell at me? It was just a small mistake," I said, facing her.

"Small? Ezra, you almost walked out onto a busy highway ," she said.

"Why would you do that?" She asked.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," I replied.

"Amuse me," she replied and leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. I sighed and sat up in my chair, "I saw something...ominous."

"What did you see?"

"Someone stood in the alleyway across the street. A cloak covered them but the only thing I saw was their eyes," I explained, "I don't know how to explain this but it was like I was in some kind of...trance and being lured in."

Hera stayed silent. I didn't look over at her. She probably thinks I'm crazy now.

"You probably think I'm going insane," I muttered then looked out the window again and slouching in the seat.

"No, I don't. Actually, I know-knew someone that had that same problem," she said. I turned to face her interested in what she said.

"Who?" I asked.

"A very old friend of mine told me he felt like he was being watched everywhere he went. Giving me that same description," Hera said.

   "Did he know how to get rid of it or who it was?" I asked.

   "Not that I know of. Sorry," she apologized and I sighed.

   "How long have you been seeing it?" She asked.

   "That was my first time but it felt like I already knew who it was," I tried to explain. Hera was about to reply but her com link whistled.

"Abort mission! This was all a trap! I repeat, abort mission!" Kanan yelled into the comm. I perked up and Hera was already driving madly down the road. I clutched the arm rests for dear life. She reached over and pressed a button on the radio.

"Come in, Specter 1. Where is your location?" Hera shouted.

"In an alleyway near the building. Specter 5 is captured and Specter 4 has not contacted me," Kanan replied. I felt my stomach do flips, Sabine and Zeb were captured. The Ghost jerked to a stop, almost sending me flying out of the passenger's seat.

"I'm coming too," I said. Hera didn't argue and just nodded.

"Chopper, I need you to make sure we have a quick escape," she ordered. The small droid rolled out of his small room and beeped in confirmation.

The two of us exited the RV and traveled about two blocks before Hera stopped me. She peeked into the alleyway then motioned me to follow. We turned the corner and hastily walked through the alleyway. There were crates, machines, garbage, glass, possibly water, and rats all over the place.

"Specter 1, where are you?" Hera called quietly.

"Over here," Kanan's voice called and we followed it over to some crates. Behind the crates was the man, sitting up against the wall with a gun in his hands. He was also in a brown cloak sort of coat thing with the hood down.

He was supposed to be a criminal while Zeb was a bounty hunter so they could get in. I don't know why they didn't just sneak in but that's just my tactic.

"You're hurt," Hera noted, kneeling down to his level and scanning the wound on his leg.

"Worry about me later. Right now, we need to get out of here before more of us get caught," he said. I looked at Kanan in disbelief, "Wait, we're just going to leave them here?"

"Ezra, you and Kanan are in no condition to fight and I can't just go in alone or I might as well be caught," Hera said. She helped Kanan stand up and positioned himself to lean against her.

"But, we can't just leave them," I argued.

"And we won't. They'll be fine until we get back. First we regroup and come up with a rescue plan," he said. Hera helped Kanan out from behind the crates.

"Ok, let's...," Hera paused before going quiet. That's when I heard troopers talking and getting closer to the alleyway. I almost panicked but luckily, Hera had a plan.

   "Ezra, get behind the crates," she whispered loudly.

   "But, what about you two. There is no way we all can fit back there. I'm surprised Kanan could even fit," I replied.

   "Don't worry. I have an idea," she reassured me then shooed me behind the crates. I hid behind the crates and began to worry. What if they get caught? I can't save them on my own. I've grown so close to them over the past two weeks. Losing them would be like it was with my parents, mentally painful.

   That's when I heard troopers walking down the alleyway. I couldn't help myself and peeked over a crate. Hera quickly pulled Kanan's hood over his head but didn't let go. Instead, she yanked it more and brought his head down just enough for her to kiss him.

That was a smart move because troopers are very uncomfortable with public affection. Luckily, that's not outlawed.

I ducked back under the crate when the troopers were getting closer. It went silent, holding my breathe for a moment before a trooper said, "You two, this is a restricted area. Go somewhere else and do that or you will be locked up for invading private property."

"Sorry sir, it won't happen again," was that Hera? I never knew she had a French accent. I heard footsteps walk away then heard a sigh of relief.

"Ezra, come out. We need to go before more come," Kanan spoke. I scrambled out from behind the crates and could see Kanan still had the hood up.

"You didn't see any of that, right?" He asked.

"See what?" I asked innocently then turn devious, "The part where you two kissed or Hera has a French accent?"

Kanan groaned while Hera rolled her eyes but a faint blush could be seen on both faces. "I only talk like that when I'm mad, annoyed, or upset," she answered.

"So you were upset that they interrupted you?" I teased and they glared at me through red faces. We began to quietly make our way back to the Ghost. I had to stifle back my laughter at their embarrassment.

"You're never going to let that down," Kanan whispered, "Are you?"

"Nope," I whispered back, smirking.

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