Fear and Sabers | (The Push of a Button #1)

Run

  White dust. Choking white dust- why did there have to be so much dust? My infatuation with the beauty of this planet was quickly fading as I sprinted through the mounds of fallen leaves, waving my hands in front of my face in a vain attempt to rid the air of the powdery whiteness. I glanced behind me a couple times, making sure I wasn't being followed. In my belt securely fastened was my blaster, and I patted my pockets once again, making sure I had everything else.

Rey and Kylo had found their sabers and were busy locating Dauntless. According to Kylo's comlink, Zonder had landed and he and his men were about to take out the village guards.

Boy, I was glad to be away from all this.

I finally slowed my pace, breathing hard, putting my hands on my knees as I looked around. The trees were blocking my view of the village, but I knew it wasn't far away. To my right, the forest deepened, but to the left, there was a small rise and a break in the trees. Maybe I could see the village from there.

I collapsed onto the ridge and crawled up towards the peak.

Man, I needed to work out more. My limbs felt like jelly, or maybe it was just my fear.

Sure enough, I caught a glimpse of the village. It looked so...perfect. So beautiful. I sniffed the air again, my nostrils filling with the sweet scent again. Maybe it was coming from the trees. I examined the ground I was stretched out on; the grass was a strange shade of gray....with little shimmers reflecting the white sunshine from the star above. It was like a fairy-land. I sighed, wishing I could stay here longer and explore. But as soon as Rey and Kylo freed the villagers and captured Dauntless, I'd be on my way home.

At least, that was the plan. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the tracker, pressing the switch and saw a red light begin to blink. Rey should know my location.

Now, all I could do was wait.

And wait.

The minutes ticked by.

I counted clouds, I picked apart grass stalks, I tinkered with my phone, searching for a signal. I checked my inbox, but there were no new notifications. I wondered how I had been able to call my mom in the first place. My battery was at sixty-percent. Not bad.

And then,

Boom.

A distant explosion shuddered the ground. I rolled over and peered at the village, seeing a rise of smoke coming from a few miles behind it. Another explosion soon followed.

"Kenna?"

I nearly jumped at the crackle from my pocket. I whipped out the tracker and looked at it.

"Flip that switch on the side to talk to me," Rey's voice crackled out from what I now realized was a tiny speaker. I did it, then swallowed hard.

"Rey?"

"You're in position?" Her voice was hurried. 

"Yeah."

"Those explosions are Dauntless's ships being blown up. The villagers are freed, and they are fleeing into the trees. Stay low. The Bonepickers are headed this way."

"Okay. And- Rey?" I ventured.

"Yes?"

"May the force be with you."

"And with you, Kenna."

The link went silent, and I tucked it carefully back into my large pockets as I grinned to myself. I'd wanted to say that ever since I'd arrived in this universe.

I looked around me a bit sadly, wishing I could feel what Rey and Kylo did. They said this planet was alive with the Force. But maybe, I could imagine it. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, remembering Luke's words of just breathing. Just feeling. I could hear the leaves rustling, the gentle creaking of tree limbs, and the screams-

Oh no. My eyes popped open. Screaming, coming from the village. From my vantage point, I could see people fleeing the huts as blaster fire erupted. My gut clenched, and I shrank back against the dirt. The people were headed for the safety of the trees, just like Rey had said.

And then, I saw the ships. They suddenly appeared in the skies above, heading straight for the village. And- there in the distance was Kylo. I knew it was him, obviously. His red blade was held ignited at his side as he pointed towards the trees, guiding the villagers away from the incoming attack. There was so much I still didn't know. Why was he good now, but still had his red saber? Maybe it was for sentimental reasons. I looked for Rey but couldn't pick her out among the rush of people.

The battle was beginning. Already, ships were meeting in the skies, exchanging blaster fire. And then, they turned towards the trees.

Uh...was that supposed to happen?

"Kenna!" Rey's voice was urgent from the comlink. "Kenna, you need to run as fast as you can. Go now!"

"Go where?" I shrieked, taking off towards the village.

"Further into the trees."

I made a u-turn and bolted the other way.

"What's happ-"

"Dauntless knows he can't face Kylo or me. He's taking out the villagers." The link went dead.

I freaked out as I ran. My heart was racing. I screamed as men burst from the trees, blasters pointed straight at me.

"Keep running!" One man shouted at me. He fired, I screamed again, but his bolt wasn't headed for me. I turned as I saw a Dun fall to the ground, clutching his chest. Hundreds of Dauntless's men were coming from the village.

I ran.

"Run!" I screamed at any villager I saw. They obeyed, sprinting ahead of me, carrying their children on their backs. The trees began to sway at the rush of ship engines as they swooped over the tree tops.