New Beginnings

Chapter 25: Nightmares and Lightsabers

Anakin POV

Several weeks later and the nightmares hadn't stopped, I would wake up drenched in a cold sweat almost three times a week and nothing I could do would stop it. However over time the dream had changed slightly, now he could hear the painful, grief-stricken wails of the others, Maya and Rendal.

Tonight was different again though, this time she was still alive when I saw her. I heard her scream then raced to her side as I kneeled down next to her I saw her eyes flicker over to me and I watched as they struggled to focus on my face. I quickly felt her pulse, it was fading fast and I knew this dream would end the same as all the others, she wasn't going to make it.

"A.... Anakin....!"  She rasped, her voice was pained.

"Don't worry Alexa, I'm here..."  I cupped her face as tears started to flow down her cheeks which I wiped away with my thumbs.

"I-It huuuuurts....!"  She moaned.

"I'm sorry, I know it does."

"Ani.... I-"

"Hush....!  Don't talk, save your strength!"  I tried to stop her, but she shook her head slightly.

"I need to tell you....  I love you like a fath...."  Suddenly her breath hitched and I saw her eyes glaze over.

My eyes snapped open and I sat up in bed, my heart pounding and my chest heaving as I panted.

"Anakin?"

"Ah!"  I almost screamed upon hearing the voice which I knew to belong to the object of my nightmares.  "Alexa you nearly gave me a heart attack!"

"I'm sorry, Anakin, but I sensed your distress and I just had to come and see what was wrong."  She stared at me, her crystal blue eyes filled with worry.

"Alexa I'm-"

"I swear if you say "fine" I will punch you!"  She threatened and I cowered away from her.

"You're right, I'm not fine, I'm scared."

Alexa POV

"Scared?  Why?  What were you dreaming about?"  I asked concerned for my friend.

"I-I saw.... Your death!"  He buried his head in his hands and began to sob.

For a moment I just stared at him shocked.  He had witnessed my death?!  What had happened? How did I die?  I shook my head, I don't want to know. Knowing such things only lead to paranoia and we all have to die at some point...  But it scared me to think about it.

I gently began to rub my old masters back, whispering comforting words and trying to soothe the troubled man.

"Sh....  It's ok....  I'm still here, nothing has happened to me....  I'm alright...."

"But you died!  You were bleeding!  I heard you screaming!"  He shouted as his body was wracked with sobs.

"Anakin, it was only a nightmare, see?   I'm right here.  I promise I'm safe."  He turned and hugged me tightly, I thought he'd never let go as he held me against his bare chest and I felt his hot tears soak into my shirt.  "Hush....  It's alright Ani....  Nothing is going to happen to me."

"I can't loose you!"

"You're not going to, I promise."

After about half an hour of hugging and reassuring him his sobs started to subside into hiccups then I carefully lied him down in his bed, grabbing a cloth from the fresher to wipe away the cold sweat from his forehead and chest.