When Light Meets Dark - Kylo's Sister

Weapons of War

"War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend."

~J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers

Kylo

It was Friday or Thursday, I wasn't really sure. My attention wandered often and my mind was filled with questions, but no answers. When I wasn't so detached was when I was at the arena, or talking to someone, or buying something. Then I could focus my attention on something solid. But when I was lying in bed, or in the shower, or taking a walk, everything else felt so far away, and I would drift off.

I looked away from the dark window through which I had been staring through and saw Zanna walk through the doors of the men's locker room. I turned abruptly as she entered.

"What are you doing in here?" I asked, shocked.

"Looking for you, obviously," she rolled her eyes. "Why are you in here all by yourself?"

Zanna was wearing a black fitted top which had straps that crossed at the waist, and black trousers with matching black boots. I couldn't help it, I started to smile.

"What?" 

"You almost look like me," I said, glancing over her head at the entrance of the room. She looked down at herself and then back up at me.

"Well with skin like mine you can't really walk around in bright clothes can you?" she said with a half-smile.

"No, I guess not." 

There was deep, rough laughter from outside and the sound of male voices approaching. I tensed. Seconds later, Mack, Rizlo and Cyrus bustled in. 

"Hey guys take a look," Mack said as he came in first and then stopped. His eyes were narrowed slightly and he elbowed Cyrus who turned to the two of us.

"Well look at what we have here," he said in his slithery voice. "This isn't the ladies room Zanna."

"Shut up Cyrus," she said flatly.

Rizlo poked his head out from behind the two of them and flashed his teeth. The looked like rusty worn out chunks of metal embedded in reddish gums.

"Look, Ben," Mack said looking at me, "If the two of you want to make out you can always go to the storeroom. That's where Rizlo takes his female clients, isn't it Rizlo?" It felt like the five of us were in a school playground and Zanna and I were being bullied out of our lunch.

Rizlo had huge meaty hands, in fact, most of him was very meaty, and he punched Mack in the arm. It made a loud thump but Mack hardly flinched. Cyrus just cackled.

Zanna suddenly seemed very angry.

"Look if you three idiots are quite finished you can just go back upstairs and watch the match." she blurted out. The three of them stared at her.

"Hey you're not even supposed to be in here," Mack said, stepping forward. Any amusement he felt before was gone and his black hairy eyebrows pulled together. The others straightened up, and suddenly they no longer looked like oafs. If they didn't work at the arena I would've assumed that they were mercenaries of some kind.

Zanna took a few steps towards them.

"And what business is that of yours?" She had her back to me but her head was tilted to the side slightly, challenging them.