Hidden thoughts

Chapter 9

It was hot and humid as I made my way through the dense undergrowth.  Flies buzzed around my head, pausing to sip my sweat.  I swatted at them furiously.  And then the rain started.  It poured down, soaking me to the skin, my hair plastered to my face.  I carried on, finding a narrow passageway through the mountain.  The rain stopped abruptly and the sun broke through the clouds just as I headed out of the mountains and into a clearing and then suddenly the Millennium Falcon was in front of me and so was she.

Rey stood at the bottom of the ramp a smile on her face.  I paused, suddenly terrified of how I would be received.  Rey was smiling but what about the others?  Before I could think anymore Rey ran towards me and threw her arms around my neck, pulling me close to her.  I kept my hands close to my side, my heart thumping.  I must have looked a mess with my hair hanging over my eyes but as she pulled away from our hug her smile remained and her hand rose up to brush my cheek tenderly, "Ben, you're here. Thank you for being here", she hugged me again and this time my arms rose up to hold her waist.  It was so tiny and again I felt myself struggling to control my arousal with her body pressed to mine.  Embarrassed, I pulled away and spoke quickly "I have killed the Tie fighter pilots , the only person left on this planet from the First Order is the pilot of my shuttle and he thinks I am searching the island.  How many of you are there?", "Ten including me" Rey said, glancing back at the Falcon, "I can take some of you, maybe four, the shuttle has a hidden hatch.  I can hide you and then trick Hux into thinking you're dead.  I can't hide you all though", Rey nodded slowly, "I understand", I looked at the ground unsure of what to say next but then suddenly I heard my mother's voice "Ben?"

I looked up slowly, feeling myself beginning to shake.  She was there, stood at the bottom of the ramp, I swallowed hard, battling my emotions.  I felt Rey take my hand and lead me over to my mother. I was grateful for her support and I made no move to take my hand away.  We stopped just in front of my mother and I dropped my eyes, unable to look at her.  I felt her step close to me, "Ben, my beautiful boy" and then her arm were around me. Rey let go of my hand and I found myself wrapping my arms around my mother and leaning down to rest my head on her soft hair.  The tears came, falling freely and I didn't even try to stop them.  My mother was crying too, I could feel her body shaking with sobs.  Rey stood by, her eyes misted with tears.  "Leia, what's our next move?" Came a voice from behind us.  We pulled apart quickly and I drew the backs of my gloved hands over my eyes, furiously wiping at tears. The pilot that I had beaten and intimidated back at my base stood before me and he wasn't smiling.