A Blessing and a Curse

Chapter 43

"What's going on?" Hera said, coming up from behind Sabine.

"I don't know but he won't tell me," Sabine snapped. Hera laid a hand on her shoulder which calmed her down a bit.

"I'll talk to him, you get Rey to...Ahsoka," Hera said. Sabine sighed and I handed Rey over to her before they both left down the hall.

"Now, tell me what happened," she said.

"It's the shadow guy. Rey can see him too and calls himself the Puppet Master," I informed. Hera's eyes widen in shock and...fear? I raised an eyebrow. Sure he is evil but Hera doesn't know the half of it but maybe I'm wrong.

"What?" I asked.

"The Puppet Master," she muttered then cursed under her breath before turning and walking down the hall. Confused, I followed quickly behind. She knew about him too?

We entered Tua's room to see her awake and Cornelius was checking her. Ahsoka was sitting in a chair not to far away, watching carefully. Her eyes soon latched onto Hera and I with a small smile.

"The treatment works remarkably," Cornelius squealed.

"It's like you weren't close to transforming at all!"

   "Ahsoka, can I talk with you for a moment?" Hera asked, crossing her arms. The orange skinned woman grew worried but nodded. The two walked out of the room and I stayed, seeing how they won't let me come. I sat where Ahsoka was sitting and watched Cornelius examine Tua's fingers.

   "Tua, can I ask you something?" I asked. Tua turned to face me with confusion. She reluctantly nodded and waited for the question.

   "Did you have a child?" I asked. It was sort of hard to believe a seven year old with their imagination but she was also different too. I could feel it yet there was still a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach that needed reassurance.

   Tua's eyes widen in bewilderment and I could tell that it was a very touchy subject. Cornelius could even feel the tension grow but ignored it still working on his tests.

   Tua looked away sadly and answered, "Yes, I did a long time ago."

   "What happened?" I asked, guilt swirling through my veins. This was a painful topic and I making it feel like interrogation. She still thinks that her child is dead but how and why?

   She didn't even blink as she blankly answered, "The attack on the Lasat Village destroyed some dams and walls. I was separated from my child and I had to leave because of flash flooding was unusual. I didn't want to leave her behind but...no one could find her."

   I felt worse as the new information coiled and gripped my soul. I could feel the coldness in the situation.

   "What if I told you that you're child is alive?" I questioned. Tua's blank and sad stare turned into a different emotion, anger. For a woman who was always calm and dull, this was a new change.

   "Don't you dare try and make a fool out of me. I was tricked horribly once and I'm not falling for more lies. My child was all I had left. She was what I lived for and loved. After she disappeared, I had no meaning or purpose until meeting Cornelius," she spat.

   Taken back, I was about to reply when the door opened. All eyes went straight at the person who entered that room. Rey.

   Now that I have a good look at Rey, I could see the resemblance between the two. Their hair, eyes, and skin were the same. They could be almost twins if it wasn't for the age difference.

   Rey and Tua stared at each other for a long time. That's when I saw some black lettering on the blanket. How did I miss that?

   "What was your child's name?" I asked, almost in a whisper. It took a moment without moving away from the stare down to answer.

   "Kira?" She spoke, not meaning to sound like a question. The blanket said that exact same name in big, curvy letters slowly fading away. Rey didn't move from her spot or say a word.

"Rey, why don't you come in?" Cornelius said, breaking the awkward silence. The little girl glanced at him before doing as he said and walked over to me. She leaned her head against my arm as a way of seeking comfort. I awkwardly patted her back not totally sure how to comfort Rey.

   This was a huge step in her life that came unexpectedly to all of us. Who knows what is going around in her mind right now? Tua couldn't stop glancing over at us and desperate for answers.

   I am also curious and the only person that knows the story is Ahsoka. She's been caring for Rey over the years as a parent which means she was probably the one that found the little girl.

I made up my mind and stood up from the chair, letting Rey sit in the seat. I made a beeline for the door and was about to exit the room.

"Where ya going Subject Pipsqueak?" Cornelius asked.

"To get answers," I simply replied before hunting down Ahsoka. She is going to have the answers and where she is, so is Hera. I need to try and convince Hera to make a rescue team. We need to save him and I need to repay for all the times he's saved my life.

There was no way I was going to just sacrifice him like...like the people at the bomb fire. Shivers ran down my spin at the memories of that horrible part of the forest.

"Ezra," a familiar woman's voice taunted.

"The forest calls you. Doesn't it?"

Ignoring the voice, I stopped in front of a random door. I had a feeling and something wanted me to look inside. I could hear voices on the other side of the door whispering. I couldn't make out what they were saying.

My body had a mind of its own and reached for the handle. It twisted the knob and pushed the door open to reveal a small room with Ahsoka and Zeb sitting at a table.

Zeb gave me a cold look, asking, "How much did you hear?"

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