Chain Reaction

Chapter 4 - Jakku

(sorry about the pov change, sticking to 3rd person now)

Paige

Sand. Everywhere. The wind would blow and bring sand to her eyes, sticking it to her skin, getting all over her clothes. It had only been a few minutes since she'd walked from where she woke up, and she'd started to develop a hatred for sand, heat, and the entire planet. The sun was merciless as it dragged on the day. She was feeling thirsty now, looking around, there wasn't an oasis or anything of the sort in sight. Clutching her disabled arm, she pushed forward still. The strong heat must have been getting to her, as she noticed a pair of footprints ahead of her. She shook her head, which was a bad idea for it made her head ache, and squinted at the prints. They were real, or at least they seemed to be. Weird, they weren't in a straight line, they went in a zigzag, as if the person that made them weren't sure where to go, or were looking for something. Up ahead, she tried to look for anything that might have caused them, and she did. Some distance ahead of her walked a lone human, she quickened her pace and soon realized it to be the man that piloted their vehicle earlier.

"Poe Dameron!" she called out.

The person stopped in his tracks and slowly turned around to face Paige. His forehead was bloody, but overall, he didn't suffer any serious injuries from what she could see. He shielded his eyes from the heat and squinted to look at the person that called out his name. When he realized it was Paige, he smiled. He'd take this chance to take her back to the Resistance base and open her eyes to what the First Order has been hiding from her.

"Paige!" he called back.

Paige staggered to finally reach where Poe was standing, she almost fell if not for Poe's arms wrapping around her and keeping her upright. She took a deep breath and pulled away from him the instant she was steady. For a moment, they just stood there regarding each other. Paige did not even know why she called out to the pilot. She was in no shape to use her powers, she couldn't even throw a punch without wincing at her shoulder. So she just stood there, staring at Poe, readying herself for anything he'd do.

Poe noticed the girl clutching at her badly bandaged arm, she'd taken the most injuries from the crash, he noticed. Truth be told, he felt sorry for her. Not because she suffered physically, but because the First Order had twisted her mind and he just knew it. She must have been from one of the planets that had been destroyed. She must be an orphan. And she didn't even know it. Thinking this made his teeth clench. He wanted to help her. He wanted her to find out who she really was, before whatever the First Order had done to her.

"Come with me." He said, extending out his hand.

Paige stared at the hand and thought for a moment. Where would she go, if not with him. She was hurt, dehydrated, hungry, and in need of a shower. Then again, she couldn't trust the rebel. How could she, for all she knew he could be leading her to her doom. The Resistance would take one look at her uniform and sentence her to death.

"I can help you. We can help you." He took a step closer to her. "You were someone before the First Order happened to you, whatever they did, I will undo it."

"I... I shouldn't." Paige stammered.

She was scared. Scared of what Poe was saying, what he meant, and what she'd find out about herself if he was telling the truth.

"Well, I'm not leaving you here." He said with a shrug. "You gotta trust me on this."

He took another step closer.

"I won't hurt you."

Paige bit her lip, thinking hard. She was curious now more than ever. She could tell him about the vision she had. The conversation with the man with yellow eyes. Maybe she could trust Poe for now. He did keep saying he wanted to help her. After much contemplating, Paige nodded and took Poe's hand. He gave her a lopsided grin in response.