My Brother's Keeper

Chapter Two

It's been a few weeks since I returned to the Resistance. A few weeks since Ben turned to the Dark. I don't do much, being only eight. I have no job, yet. Instead, I've taken to wandering around the base. Rarely can I focus on anything but the memories of my last night at the Jedi Academy, where Ben turned. I hardly eat, hardly sleep, and never smile, it seems. I must look sad, because a young pilot with tan skin and brown hair approaches me.

"Hey, son, what's the matter?" he asks.

In a moment of indignation, I kick the man in the shin. "I'm a girl!" I snap. "I just like my hair short. It gets in the way."

"Ow!" the man yelps. "Sorry, sorry. My name is Poe. What's your's?"

"Adi," I answer quietly, giving my nickname. "My mumma is the general."

"You're General Leia Organa-Solo's daughter?" Poe questions in shock, glancing over the long scar on my left forearm. "I've heard about you from some of the other pilots, Adi. It's nice to finally meet you."

A small orange and white spherical droid rolls out from behind Poe and nudges my leg.

"Oh, that's BB-8," Poe smiles. "He wants you to pet him. It's weird, I know, but he likes it."

Scrunching my eyebrows, I gently pat the little droid's head. "He's cute," I admit.

"Yes, he is," I hear Mumma chuckle from behind me. "Captain Dameron, I see you've met my daughter, Adalee."

"Yes, ma'am," Poe grins. Then, in a whisper he thinks I can't hear, he asks, "Permission to try and cheer her up?"

"Permission granted," Mumma says.

Poe then kneels down before me. "Do you know how to fly?" When I shake my head no, he continues, "Why don't you come out with me and I can teach you? I've been needing to practice with a copilot."

"Really?" I ask, brightening at the thought of something to do. Then I remember something. "Are you sure I'm not too little? I'm only eight..."

"Oh, you're never too little," Poe assures. "I started learning to fly when I was six years old. What do you say, are you up for it?"

I glance nervously at Mumma and she nods approval. Giving a tiny smile, the most I can muster, I look back at Poe and tell him I would love to learn to fly with him.

When we return after the flying lesson, I immediately begin telling Mumma all about it, with occasional interruptions from Poe, who seems just as excited.

Mumma smiles with tears in her eyes. She hugs Poe, saying softly, "That's the most she's spoken since we lost her brother, Ben. Thank you, Poe."

"I'm sorry about your son. He was a friend. And don't thank me, ma'am," Poe answers. "Besides, I really did need some copilot practice. She's great, a fast learner."

"You knew Ben?" I ask, tugging on Poe's sleeve. "You knew my brother?"

Poe gives a sad smile. "Yes, I did. He was a prodigy pilot before you both went to the Jedi Academy. We flew together all the time."

Hesitating only a moment, I throw my arms around Poe's waist, trying to hold back my tears. He wraps his arms around me, rubbing my back in soothing circles.

"I miss him," I cry. "I try to talk to him, through our mind bridge, but he ignores me. I know he sees me, but he won't answer."

Mumma sighs, before explaining to Poe about my mind's connection to Ben's. Then, she turns to me.

"Adalee, you need to stop trying to contact him," she says sternly. "His mind is a dark place now. You know it and I know it. I don't want you following in his footsteps. That's not who you are. Understood?"

"Yes, Mumma," I sigh. "I'm sorry. I just want him to turn back so bad."

"You and me both, dear," Mumma answers.

Poe let's me sit in his lap until I'm nearly asleep, at which point he takes me to my bunk and tucks me into the covers.

"Goodnight, Adi," he says softly.

For a moment, I hear my brother's voice in the nickname, and I answer, "Goodnight, Ben." Then, catching myself, "I'm sorry! I meant to say 'Goodnight, Poe'."

"It's ok," Poe assures. "Sleep well."

Poe closes the door gently, and soon I am fast asleep. Or at least pretending to be asleep.

In my mind, I see my brother, sitting at the foot of a bed in a stark white bedroom. He is meditating, legs crossed and arms relaxed in his lap.

Ben, I call. Ben, I know you can hear me. I can see you, just like always. Ben, answer me!

I pause, waiting for a reply, praying he will at least open his eyes and look at me. He doesn't. But he surprises me.

What did I tell you about interrupting my meditations? he asks coldly.

That isn't entirely true. We used to meditate together, at the base, then at the Temple. He would let me sit in his lap while we synced our breathing, completely calm and at peace. Sometimes, when I would become bored, I would pick the little flowers in the fields and put them in my brother's hair while he only pretended to mind. Despite the warm memories, tears form in my eyes.

Ben! I cry out. I thought you would just ignore me forever.

As if I could, Ben grimaces. You won't leave me alone. Surely Mother and Father have told you to quit contacting me by now?

Mumma has, I admit. But Dad... Ben, Dad left when I told him about you. He and Chewie abandoned us. They didn't even say goodbye. And Master Skywalker refused to continue teaching me and has gone into hiding. No one knows where he went.

Finally, Ben opens his eyes. They are darker than I remember, and anger flashes in them. Thank you for this helpful information, Adi. Though I admit I thought Skywalker to be dead. I will find him, and I will kill him.

No, Ben, you don't understand, I press. He didn't want to kill you. He thought you were too far gone. He really wanted to keep you safe.

My name is Kylo, Ben seethes once more before cutting off our connection.

I can't help but cry. How could I be so stupid? Not only did I give my brother even more reason to be angry and full of hate, but I told the Dark Side that Master Skywalker is alive.

Stupid, stupid, stupid!

But I can't give up on Ben. He's my brother. I failed him once, when I didn't stop him from turning. I won't fail him again.