Book 3 of 3: Our Last Stand (Book 3 of "Family of Rebels")

Chapter 21: Reconcile

Zeb's POV

The crew's ship came back to base. I waved them down. They did it. They rescued Hera!

I walked up with a huge smile on my face.

But, it quickly fell when their faces came into view.

Sabine ran out, throwing her helmet on the ground, not looking up.

"What happened?" I asked. She ran right past me.

I looked back at the ship. Hera was walking out, too, arms around her waist, briskly walking in the opposite direction. Ezra and Sarah were together. Ezra had his arm over Sarah in a comforting way. Sarah "looked" at him and walked away. Ezra came in my direction.

I grabbed his shoulder lightly. "What happened? Why is everyone so down?"

Ezra barely looked at me. "Kanan's gone."

"He's gone?" I didn't want to believe it, so I asked, "You mean captured or—"

"NO!" Ezra answered, wavering. "He's gone."

I almost dropped dead then and there. Kanan was dead. He was truly gone. I brought Ezra into a hug. We both cried softly. Everything seemed to be falling apart.

And there was nothing I could do.

Sarah's POV

I walked out into the middle of nowhere. I was in no mood to be around anyone. I needed time to think.

But, they might want some comfort.

But, this is how I comfort myself.

I sat on a rock and sensed random people. There were people who were frightened, happy, sad, calm, furious, and sorrowful.

And me? I don't know. I have mixed emotions. I know Kanan was doing what he could do to save us. But, he could have let me help him. Maybe he was trying to protect us. But, that cost him his life. My father's life.

I just kicked a loose rock and sighed. I didn't know what to do now. The Empire still has control of the city, we are all struggling with Kanan's death, and I can't even see the city to figure out what we could do.

A breeze picked up. That breeze turned into a quick pull. I turned around to be face-to-snout with a Lothwolf. I stumbled back, not being shocked that they were there, but because I saw them.

I actually saw them. My sight seemed to be back!

But, all I saw was them. Nothing around them. Just... the wolf.

It growled at me. I stumbled a little bit further back. I felt something behind me. I turned to see another wolf, and another behind that. I stood up and turned to the first one. "Look, if this is about Kanan, I tried to help him. I really did."

It growled and then barked. I flinched; it wouldn't be as scary if I couldn't see the wolf. I slowly backed up, but one of the wolves behind me used their snout to shove me forward. The three wolves converged around me. They creeped up closer, putting me in a tighter circle.

I used the Force to boost me out of the circle. They all turned to me and growled.

Please tell me someone else sees this, I thought to myself.

Their yellow-and-red eyes stared me down.

They pounced.

Ezra's POV

I walked around the base. I didn't know what to think at that moment. Kanan was gone. My father was gone. And I stood there. I didn't even try to help. For some reason, I was frozen in place, holding Hera back, not even thinking, just paralyzed.