A Blessing and a Curse

Chapter 38

We were here for just a couple of hours...and Cornelius has already gotten himself into trouble.

I wasn't sure what he did but it was enough for the rebels to lock him up in a small cellar. No guards stood post because of Cornelius's constant annoyance and he wasn't going anywhere anytime.

Tua offered to check up on him every once in a while and bring him food. I would so often see and talk with him a bit when no one was looking. That was my plan at least.

So here I am, standing in front of his electrical field cellar door. It has now been two days since our arrival and everything seems different. Kanan still has not been found. The rebels have been quiet and the so called 'leaders' were hiding something. I could see it when they whisper to each other and glance my way.

"What do you think they are talking?" I asked, Cornelius.

"Well, you obviously," he said like I'm the most dense person on Earth.

"I know they're talking about me but what about me," I asked again. He hummed in thought and pursed his lips.

"Well...maybe they are talking about how oddly small you are Subject Pipsqueak. You are a very small guy for your age, don't you think?" he said, seriously. I glared at him a bit. Why does he always make everything seem like rainbows and unicorns, like life is one big joke?

This was a serious conversation and he's taking it like I'm just an oblivious child. I wasn't. I can tell when things have changed. I've seen it over the years of my life on instinct. And I'm not about to go against my instincts when they've gotten me this far.

"I think you're a crazy old man," I stated, bitterly. He sighed like I wasn't getting his point.

"Look, if it was something about you..." he started, forming his words carefully.

"...maybe they are trying to keep you safe from something or so you won't freak out."

"Are you kidding me? That's your best excuse?" I said in disbelief.

Then continued, "I've seen about as much as it gets to scar an adult for life and you think that there is something more that can get to me? Some scientist you are."

"And tell me this right here and now, Ezra...," he began, looking me straight in the eyes.

"Are you still scared?"

I opened my mouth to retort but thought over his words a bit more. Am I still scared? My mouth slowly closed as realization hit harder than a crate of rocks. Every time I see an Infected, I still freeze up in fear. The cold from the shadow figure does get on my nerves but at the same time, strikes fear into its prey.

The cannibals in the woods, the Empire, the crew's thoughts on me. Abandonment. It all breaks down to one thing when I see the rebels whisper behind my back and I don't know what's going on.

I am but a scared child in everyone's eyes.

I wonder if Sabine feels the same way when the crew talks behind her back. Except...she doesn't have to worry a lot about the things that I'm afraid of.

I bowed my head in defeat as Cornelius got his answer.

"In time..." he began. I raised my head to see him sit back down on his bed.

"You will know what is going on."

I nodded and gave the old man a smile.

"Thanks for the talk and sorry for yelling at you," I said