Salvation

Chapter 26

He had only one minute before he had to find the nearest escape craft and leave the base. He found one and rushed in, placing Rey on the nearest seat and running to the pilot chair. Within a few seconds they blasted away, speeding out into the distance.

Ben heard a rumbling behind him and he looked back to to see the entire base engulfing in flames as it exploded in several sections, pieces floating away and some other crafts speeding away just in time.

He went on, placing the ship on auto pilot when he felt he was at a decent distance away. He got up and walked back to check on Rey who laid  unconscious on the seat.

He knelt down to scoop some hair away from her face, revealing bruise on her cheek and a cut injury on her forehead by her hair line. Her bottom lip was bleeding as well. He looked her over and realized she had several scrapes and bruises covering her arms and her knuckles were swollen.

He placed his hand over head and pulled her memory of what transpired since he had left her alone. He saw it all. His body started to shake in rage as he saw how Hux drugged the quarters, had a guard carry her out, how he had her bound to a chair tightly. He felt nearly sick when he saw Hux touch her skim, torturing her as he tried to make her fear him. But Rey was strong and he was pleased to see her bite him hard even though it costed some blows to her face and stomach.

Then he saw how they paralyzed her, treated her like a feral animal. He started to feel his chest twist in painful knots as he watched Rey completely helpless. But he was beyond amazed when he watched her focus with all her might on turning off her binders. She fought through all the pain it costed her just for a small chance to escape.

He couldn't believe his eyes when he saw her face Snoke head on...and win! It was excruciating for her but she wouldn't hold back. She didn't know how she was doing it but she was focused. Killing him, then the remaining guards in the room, he saw her consumed with so much hatred. He felt in her mind how her motivation was the threats to her, the way Hux had tortured her, Snokes cruel intentions and most of all, hearing that he would be publically executed.

She fought the guards who stormed in the room beautifully. Each stab and slice she endured never slowed her down. She was determined and had it not been the circumstances it was under, he would have felt proud for her. But his heart sank.

He opened his eyes to see her sleeping peacefully. She had never wanted to be a part of any of this. She's fought like hell her whole life, she didn't deserve any more cruelty. He knew he cared for her well being before but now it was even more evident. He truly cared for her, more than he could have ever realized.

Looking into her eyes in the conference room, he saw that he meant something to her too. She hacked into the entire ship with the intentions of destroying herself but begged him to leave. That meant something to him in that moment.

He knelt down and kissed her lips very lightly. Then he rose up and headed back to the pilot seat, placing coordinates for where they will be landing.

He walked down the bridge, cradling Rey in his arms. Several members of the resistance, including Finn and his mother hurried over to him.

"What happened? Is she okay?" Finn shouted.

"She's gonna be okay." Ben said.

"How hard did she get hit?" Finn looked over at her with worry in his eyes.

"She didn't get hit. She's under force sleep." Ben quietly replied.

"Why would you-" Finn started angrily.

"It was either this or she would have died." Ben cut him off. "Where can I bring her?" He looked over at Leia.

"There's a medical team taking place inside the building were using. Come."