Hidden thoughts

Chapter 21

I heard shouting outside my door and, groaning in pain I turned my head.  I could hear Rey, could hear anger and aggression in her voice "I swear to god I will kill her.  Let me take him away with me and Leia and she will go unharmed", I could hear a girl screaming and then my door was thrown open and Leia rushed in, "Ben, Ben it's ok, myself and Rey are taking you but you need to stand up, right now".  She pulled at my arm and I cried out but she kept pulling, "Get up Ben, you have to, it's the only way".  The pain from my back was intense but I was shocked out of it by the sound of Rey calling urgently to me, "Hold on Ben, Chewbacca is coming to get you!" Leia looked at me with relief and the next thing I knew I was being swept up into Chewbacca's arms like a rag doll, smelling the damp fur. He carried me outside.  It was dark, just the light from flickering torches illuminating the scene,  Rey was stood, a blaster to Rose's head, her arm around her neck.  Poe, Finn and the other resistance fighters stood still, their eyes moving from Rey to me.  Chewbacca carried me on board the Falcon and lay me down in a sick bay and then he headed outside again, roaring noisily.  Moments later Rey and my mother boarded with him.  "Chewy get us into the sky!" Rey shouted coming to stand in front of me, "Ben we need to get you to a treatment area.  Leia says she knows a place on Cantonica where they will treat you, we will get you there as soon as we can, just hold on".  I nodded and she lay a blanket over me, leaving my mother to sit with me whilst she joined Chewy at the controls.  "My son" Leia said smiling, taking my hand, "do you know when you were born you had the darkest mop of hair, used to fall right over your eyes?"  I watched her weakly, unable to answer but soothed by her words and the familiarity of her voice.  She touched my cheek, letting her fingers trace over my scar, "So much has happened, so much change.  But you are still my son and I love you Ben", I watched tears fill her eyes as she stroked my cheek and suddenly I was crying too, feeling fresh tears on my cheeks.  I tried to tell her that I had missed her but I was so weak that I couldn't form the words.  "Shh, rest Ben" she soothed kissing my sweaty forehead. 

When we landed at the hospital on Cantonica a group of medical droids rushed inside and carried me off on a stretcher.  Leia and Rey followed close behind whilst Chewbacca stayed with the Falcon.  When we reached the medical room they cut off my clothes until I was just in my black boxer shorts and then they rolled me on my side, ignoring my cries of pain.  A large needle went into my back, numbing the area and then they began to clean and stitch the wound.  Rey and my mother had been made to wait outside which I had been half pleased about.  It was easier to handle pain alone. 

When the medical droids had finished they left me on my side, various drips running into my veins.  Rey came in a moment later and sat by my bed, her lips travelling down to kiss my cheek, "They say by tomorrow evening you will be able to go" I nodded and reached out to hold her warm, soft hand, "Go where? I have nowhere to go" I stated blankly, my mind still whirring at the loss of all I knew, "Ben, you're coming with us, me and your mother and Chewbacca.  We will keep you safe" she said, smoothing my hair.  I reached up my other hand to touch her sweet face but the pain stopped me and I groaned, leaning my head back on the bed and dropping my arm. Rey gingerly pulled the covers back and gasped when she saw my side and back.  The blaster shot was stitched but ugly bruises surrounded it where Finn and Poe had kicked me, "Oh Ben, look what they've done to you" she said leaning her head on my arm, "I will look after you Ben, whatever happens, I will protect you".  I smiled and met her eyes.  I would die for her and I knew it and someday she would know it too.