Permanent Mark

Chapter 36

Worthless boy….

Pathetic….

Think you can escape me….

Yes, keep her close….

I'll find her too….

Rip her apart while you watch….

Screams that sound all too feminine echo through the chamber. Screams and then his name. Screaming for help.

"BEN!!! SAVE ME!! NO!!! IT HURTS BEN IT HURTS!!"

He clamors in the dark, pain consuming him, broken bones refusing to move. His torn muscles begging to be still.

She needs him. She is calling for him.

He sees her broken body, curled on her side on a dirty floor. Her eyes are wide, unmoving.

No!!! Not Rey. Not my sweet girl. The one I saved. The only good I've ever done.

But it's too late. It's too late and he's too dark. There's no light in him to give to her.

So he holds her. He holds her and weeps.

He couldn't save her….Snoke had taken her from him as punishment for running.

He jolts awake, her name a shout from his lips. He gasps, heart pounding in his ears, air not entering his lungs.

As he sits up a voice….

Yes….I'll find her too….she'll scream your name as she dies, pathetic child.

"No!!" he screams into the dark of his room.

Yes…

But….

Return to me, Kylo Ren and your sweet girl will stay safe….

"You'll find her even if I do…."

Now, when have I ever gone back on my word? Never. Return to me and she will be safe.

"No….I won't leave her again."

Fine, my boy. You shall see.

And then silence. Peace. Quiet.

He lay there in the still of his room, no sounds other than the beeps of droids scurrying about the corridor. An occasional sound of a X wing above, patrolling.

He feels for the force signatures. First his parents, breathing softly together in their quarters, his father not on duty tonight. He feels better knowing Han is with her although it's clear who is the force to be reckoned with. His mother is much more powerful, able to tap into the force if needed. Still, his father is nearby her, ready to protect his beloved.

Rather he wants to admit it or not, he is impressed with their love. It is strong. Ben has sensed his mother's heart filling again with the return of her husband by her side. It gives him peace.

Then he reaches for Rey. Technically, he doesn't need to reach. She's right there, all around. All he has to do is wrap himself in her signature, like a blanket laying across his lap. Pull it up and over him. She's never not there. His awareness of her waxes and wanes, like waves on a shore. It pulls in then pulls back but it's always there.

How did he manage to keep it pushed away for so long? To keep her essence from enveloping him? It was there. It has been since the day he first saw her.

He can almost see her now.

Actually, it's like he can see her….

He barely makes out her face in his mind's eye, not a memory, actually her.