Saving the Monster

Chapter 32

"Anyone for wine?"

The mess hall had all but emptied.  Rey, Poe, Finn, Rose and Zorri had been sat huddled together talking when Zorri had suddenly reached under the table and produced a bottle filled with a vivid red liquid.

Rey had never tasted wine before, in fact she'd never tasted alcohol before and now, watching the liquid move around in the bottle, Rey was intrigued.

"Where the hell did you get that?" Poe hissed, making a grab for the bottle.

Zorri whipped it backwards from him, laughing, "I have my suppliers. Whilst you were gone Dameron I was busy making connections of my own. Now who wants some?"

Zorri poured each of them half a mug of wine and then began regaling them with the story of her night spent sleeping in Ewoks trees on the Forrest moon of Endor, drinking wine and enjoying her new furry friends company.

Rey was only half listening. She was sipping at the wine, feeling the tang on her tongue, fruity and sweet, ending in an almost vanilla like flavour. Rey decided that she liked it and that was why, when Zorri offered her more, she happily accepted.

Rey drank two more after that and when she stood to head back to her hut she stumbled, being caught by Finn who seemed far more steady on his feet than Rey. "Looks like someone enjoyed the party a little too much, come on, I'll walk you home".

Rose hugged Rey, as did Zorri. When Poe didn't follow suit, Rey hugged him and they all laughed when the pilot huffed his objections.

"I think I drank too much Finn". Rey mumbled against Finns chest as he helped her back to her hut.

"Was it your first time?" Finn asked as he pushed open the door to Rey's hut. Rey noddded, vaguely aware that she was nodding way too fast. Finn laughed, "Prepare to feel rough in the morning!"

Rey breathed in slowly as Finn eased off her boots and helped her to lay down. The room seemed to be moving, swaying from side to side, and even Finns face, when it loomed above her appeared to be moving from side to side. He leant down to her and kissed her forehead, "Sweet Dreams".

The hut fell silent and Rey was left alone, her head feeling as if it weren't attached to her body, her mind hazy. She was almost asleep when an all too familiar humming began. Rey's eyes snapped open and she slowly sat up. it was him, and she was not ready.