the assembly hall was huge.
it gaped and echoed, reminding marwen of the shells that lined the lake shores surrounding nabooian villas. but instead of serenity, marwen was filled with dread. the anxiety she had been feeling for the past twenty hours had only amplified once they had entered. the crowd was massive, and extended far beyond the hall itself. it stretched to the royal courtyard, and beyond, into the city streets as giant screens projected an image of padme as she conducted her speech.
"i call upon you all here today as peacemaker. knowing you and your hearts, as well as the hearts of those sworn to keep you safe, i can say in confidence that we, as a people, have what is necessary to remain not only strong in arms, but in our faith and love as well." padme spoke. she had begun her speech a while before, but marwen couldnt seem to stay tuned in. she had constantly been scanning the crowd before her, arms crossed and rigid.
ahsoka was sitting next to the girl, and noticed her abrupt and uncomfortable mannerisms. "are you alright?" she whispered. marwen didn't respond at first, but ahsoka remained patient.
"no." she whispered firmly. ahsoka seemed to pick up on her agitation.
"what's happening?" she looked around.
"something isn't right.." she trailed off.
"i come here today to remind you of your strength. we are a system built to protect you, a reflection of you...." marwen chewed on the inside of her cheek. she let her hand hover over the blaster she had crammed into the back sash of her gown.
"is it padme? what's going on?" ahsoka had now seemed worried, unsure of what to make of marwen's demeanor. it was frozen, seemingly. cold and afraid.
"we are what it is the population wished to represent, and in my experience, i have seen nothing but wonderful..."
marwen's vision blurred for a split second. what is happening, she wondered to herself. she blinked, trying simply to regain her focus.
"....because the jedi council have elected to prioritize the peace and protection of the..."
ahsoka began to worry in marwen's lack of response. there was a bit of a manic look in her eye, one that marwen had seldom experienced.
"marwen, tell me what's going on. what do you see?" ahsoka's voice was hushed and agitated. from behind them, anakin and obiwan seemed to notice the interaction.
"is there a problem?" obiwan whispered. his arms were crossed, keeping a calm and quiet demeanor.
"something's wrong." ahsoka ushered. this time, anakin's worry made an appearance. he reached for his saber.
"....the republic is doing all that it can in order to ensure..."
"what's going on?" he hissed. marwen's head felt as if it were spinning, and suddenly, it came to a halt, hyperfocusing into a loud hum. marwen's eyes darted to an air duct on the opposing corner of the stage.
"the vent." she said quietly. and then the hum buzzed. go. a push caused her to take a step, hesitant at first, and then a sprint.
"marwen!" ahsoka called from her point behind the stage. it had been too late, marwen had already flung herself towards where padme stood. the crowd held a millisecond of whispering, time slowing as padme noticed the girl. she opened her mouth to speak when a screaming erupted from the auditorium. marwen squeezed her eyes shut, spreading herself over her friend. sound blurred, a feeling of being underwater. and then a burning bloomed on her lower shoulder. marwen brought herself to open her eyes only to be met by a horrified padme, in shock at what had happened all in mere seconds.
chaos ensued, the crowd fleeing towards the doors. ahsoka and obiwan rushed to aid them, while anakin lept towards the vent that a shot rang from.
a shot.
marwen suddenly became conscious of the fact that she had flung herself in the direct fire of a blaster, and the burning in her shoulder had been a direct result. her mouth went dry as she fell to her knees. padme fell with her, holding the girl up.
"marwen? marri, can you hear me?" she held her face as marwen struggled to keep her eyes open. she hadn't been fatally shot, but she was exhausted and suddenly so cold. "marwen? marwen!"
the room's swirling colors seemed to level out, and it felt as though the girl could see clearly again, but only for a moment. as soon as she could focus again, her eyes fell shut, and didn't want to open.
YOU ARE READING
WALK AWAY || a.s.
Fanfic"it's difficult to trust people that hold no real trust for people like us." "people like us?" "people that question their perception of what is right and what is wrong." in a galaxy ravaged by war, the good was muffled. those sensitive to the force...
