.Blind eyes.

Chapter 5-Bizaare Occurances


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Tension builds,

adrenaline rises,

heart pounds,

muscles tighten,

fear strikes,

and screams are heard...

Despair swarms, spiteful things are said, true colors fade in...

They pierce the heart,

tearing apart at feelings, emotions, and minds.

Tears fall, shrieks echo, lies strike...

Take me away from this dreaded memory.

Take me away from this shattered past.

Take me away from this horrid dream.

Take me away from my distant, forgotten thought...

Take me away,

let me sway across oceans,

roads,

mountains,

deserts...

Take me away...

---

My head collided with my pillow. My eyes made a working effort to stay open, though they failed miserably. I allowed myself to drift to sleep. I curled up into a ball on my bed, attempting to keep warmth from escaping the blankets.

I pulled the covers over myself, and I fell asleep quicker than a wink. All tension in myslef weakened; I felt so calm, scerene, tranquil, relaxed. All was well; nothing could change this content, warming moment...

My ears rang inside of my head. My head flew up from the pillow in a sudden reaction. 'The alarm clock going off already!?' I thought. 'Why does sleep go by so fast?' I sighed in earnest frustration.

I sat up in my bed a moment until realization kicked in. My eyes widened in dismay, I fumbled around frantically, apparently hoping that would help me, though it did not. I was a complete nutcase.

"Today's the day!" I shrieked dashing to the bathroom. As I ran, I didn't even take notice of my surroundings. I darted head on into the bathroom door, afterward standing their to my own amazement and distraught expression.

I shrugged the stupefied feeling away as I strolled casually into the lavatory. I tidied myself up a bit, and dashed for the door. I walked out of my little humble abode, and felt the morning air as it swarmed around me.

I took a big wiff of oxygen to start the day. I was ready. My adrenaline was going, an anxious feeling took over, and my heart rate was going faster than a jack rabbit on a hot date. Oh, I definitely was reeady.

I went to walk on, but I ran right into someone while doing so. "Oh," I dryly stuttered. "Excuse me! I didn't even know you were there!" "Oh, it's fine-Leeua! Hey!" I heard the voice of Anakin. I smiled widely as my gaze turned in his direction.

"Hey, Anakin!" I exclaimed as he pulled me into a hug. "How are you?" It had been such a while since I had seen him last. "I'm good, and yourself?" I nodded. "I can't complain, just staying busy." I chuckled.

"Well, at least you aren't getting bored," he laughed, as did I. "So, where are you headed?" I replied, running my fingers through my hair, "Well, actually, today's a pretty big day for me. I'm going with Master Obi Wan Kenobi to Utapah to track down General Grievous."

"Wow, really?" He asked in dismay. "That's a surprise... They don't usually allow padiwans to go on a mission at such an early stage in their Jedi rank. Hmmm." I shook my head, saying, "I was blown back; it happened so randomly."

He chuckled, "Well, I won't keep you from your mission, huh, Leeua? I'll be off. Take care." He patted me on the back, and I gave him my goodbyes. At that, I began shoving my way off towards Master Obi Wan.

---

I strolled through the corridors of the Jedi Training facility. My ears darted to here and there as I attempted to track down the voice of Master Kenobi. I finally heard footsteps coming in my direction. I stopped and turned towards them.

"Pardon me," I gained their attention. "Would you happen to know where Master Obi Wan Kenobi is at the moment?" "Yes, he's in the Ship hangar as of now," the young man replied. I presumed it to be a clone trooper.

"Thank you," I said, smiling. I strolled over to where I hypothesized to be the ship hangar, and thankfully, my guess was correct. My hearing picked up his nonchalant voice as he gave the troopers commands. I walked over towards him.

"This will be a fierce battle, troopers," Master Obi Wan Kenobi stated in a serious tone. "I want you to give this fight your all, every once of energy that lies inside of you all today, let it out as we attack the opposing team. Do not hold back, show no mercy. Every single one of them are much too perilous and dangerous to be kept alive." His speech was quite invigorating. It really inspired me in ways that I can't describe. The clones gave an enthusiastic cheer as I heard their footsteps echo. With that, they dispersed.

"Very encouraging speech, Master Obi Wan Kenobi," I commented, bowing. "Why thank you, Leeua," he replied in a kind voice. I grinned, "So, are we ready to take off?" I heard a sigh escape his lips. 'Oh no,' I thought. 'Bad news.'

"Leeua," he continued, "I was meaning to tell you earlier this morning, but Master Yoda called in late last night. Both, me and him had an earnest discussion, and he feels that this battle might be too much for you to handle seeing as how you are still a padiwan and all. My deepest sympathies, Leeua, I knew how intersted you were in going."

I shook my head with slight disappointment, saying, "It's fine, Master. I understand completely. I'll just... find something to do here." I forced a smile as my eyes drooped a bit.

"Thank you for your kind understanding, Leeua," Obi Wan replied in an appreciative tone. "I must be off, but I do have one more thing to tell you... May the force be with you." I bowed, grinning broadly.

"Thank you, master," I said. "May the force be with you also, as well." We exchanged goodbyes, and we were both on our own ways. I stood at the entrance of the hangar. I felt the air come in contact with my face as my ears picked up the sounds of the ships taking off. As their engines accelerated by each passing second, my gaze spun around.

I made my way out of the ship hangar. My feet collided with the ground, but suddenly I collided with something... or someone. It was a clone trooper, I can most definitely tell you that, but by his greeting, he seemed familiar.

"Pardon me, sir," I apologized for my accident. "I did not even know you were there." "It's fine- Hey, I know you," He stated. I tilted my head. "You are that girl I ran into while I was escorting Chancellor Palpetine." I thought hard for a moment...

Flashback...

My eyes followed to where he was headed as a clone trooper ran head on into me. "Watch it," he hissed in my ear, menacingly. I could tell it was a trooper by the way his footsteps sounded, metal, hard, and rugged.

I was stunned. Usually, they were quite nice folk, but he must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed. I shrugged the feeling away as I headed back to my room...

End of flashback...

"Oh yeah," I remembered, faintly. "You sounded a bit... upset when I ran into you. Sorry about that." "Oh, it's not your fault. I'm sorry for my rude behavior," He stated; I smiled. "Apology accepted, sir," I bowed.

"May I ask, though," I continued, "why you were so upset that day?" He sighed, "Well, they were pushing me a little harder than normal that day. I'm not sure why, but I felt... dimunitive. Everyone was acting as if I meant nothing to them, like I was useless."

My eyes dropped. I felt sorry for him; how could anyone do that, especially to such a hard working trooper as himself? "My apologizes, sir," I replied. "I had no idea." "It's fine, kid," he replied. "By the way, my name's Zeke. Yourself?" "Leeua," I outstretched my hand as he shook it.

"Nice meeting you, Leeua," he said kindly. I nodded, "Likewise." "By the way, I've heard rumors going around," Zeke went on, "Many are saying that there is a blind person training to become a jedi. I was just curious if these rumors had reached yourself?"

I laughed. I could tell it distraught him as I heard him step back. "Yes, sir. They are true," I replied. "... I'm that person." There was silence; he chuckled. "No, really?" Zeke laughed. "Who is it?" I nodded while pointing to myself.

"You'er looking at her," I replied, dryly. "I wouldn't have run into you that day if I could have been able to see." He let out an amazed scoff saying, "Well... I'll be. You are the one I've heard so much about. Wow. You are to be commended, Leeua. You are mastering a skill that not all can accomplish, and lacking a sense at that."

"Blindness isn't a disability," I said, smiling. "I've gained another sense." "Is that so?" He asked, inquisitively. "How?" I responded, "My hearing is quite different of that of a normal person. I can hear ten times better than the average human." "Really?"

"Yes," I nodded. "It's rather unique, if I may say." I flashed a cheeky grin. He chuckled. "You'er right, that is unique," Zeke continued, "That's a great attitude to keep, very optimistic. Keep it up, Leeua."

"Thanks!" I exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. "Well, I best be on my way," he said. "I'll see you around, kid. Take care!" "You, as well," I replied. I bid my dues, and we were both off.

'What a kind person,' I thought. 'That just goes to show that you can't always judge by first impressions.' I walked off with a smile on my face, realizing I had made a new friend. My thoughts wandered.

---

About half the day was over, and I decided to take a little nap inside of my room. My eyes felt slightly heavy anyway, so I allowed myself to drift off to sleep. Thoughts revolved around my head, memories fludded my mind, and rememberance welled up inside.

I dozed on my bed with my head on my pillow. It's cool, crisp feeling felt so soft and gentle against my face. I felt as though everything was scerene, tranquil, comfortable... I felt at ease.

My eye lids proceeded to stay closed as my mind wandered. I dreamt... of an odd occurance. It frightened me. I was terrified. I was scared. I was... screaming. It was so odd...

I wanted to wake up...

In a dark, bleak, dim-lighten room, a young girl was strapped down to a verticle table-like contraption. There were cuts, bruises, and wounds all over her battered body. Her screams echoed through the air as she was shocked by a rather large device.

The girl was of short stature, her green eyes forced themselves to stay open from her weakness, her wavy, dark, ash brown hair fell to her shoulders as it hung in front of her face. Her skin was as pale as moonlight with rosy cheeks and pink lips. The beaten child shook violently as she hung from the structure.

Her eyes wandered from here to there, she attempted to struggle to break away, though it was useless. A single tear escaped her eye. Her lips quivered. She shook with fear, anguish, hope... Her spine sent a chill up her back.

Footsteps echoed in her head. She let out slight shrieks, trying her hardest to break free. Once the person was close enough to her, she felt a hand grab her by the chin.

It was sharp, strong, full of torment... Her lips quivered in earnest shock and fear. Her eyes glittered with a shimmer of hope. Her gaze drifted towards the person. She tried terribly hard to speak, though it was useless. Weakness had overwhelmed her in its grasp.

The person let out a malicious chuckle. As he spoke, it was menacing, yet smooth, "Today's the day, jedi." She replied with nothing. Her voice cracked as she attempted to speak. He laughed once more, patting her on the cheek.

"Saying anything won't help you, kid," He stated, deviously. "You might as well give in." The girl fell to the ground, her wrists had been set free from the devices' powerful grip. She laid on the ground, motionless. She was lacking too much energy to even move.

The girl's breathing had weakened, dramatically. Her lungs felt as if they were going to collapse. She coughed up blood as she struggled to her feet, though it was useless.

She felt a strong hand placed on her cheek. It soothed her gently, almost as if they felt her pain as well. The hand stroked her cheek with their thumb, gently. Her breathing became more at ease as her eyelids closed, softly.

"Save your strength, jedi," stated the man from before as he calmed the child. "You'll need it." The girl remained there as she flinched from the touch. Her eyes finally closed all the way as everything went dark...

I woke up screaming bloody murder. I was drenched in sweat, and I found myself shaking without letup. I wrapped my arms around myself to try and calm myself down. 'Wat was that?' I asked myself aloud.

It was one of the strangest things I had ever experienced. I shook my head to try and sway all those disturbing thoughts away. My ears were ringing and, I grasped them. I let out sighs of dismay, yet I was relieved that it was over.

There was a forceful knock at my door. "Open up!" I heard the voice of a clone trooper. He seemed as though he was quite urgent and and full of malice. My gaze turned towards the door. I was rather uncomfortable.

'That can't be good,' I thought. I got up and grabbed a robe that Master Yoda had given me in our last training session. I wrapped it around myself, and pulled the hood over my head. I walked to the door, and my hand outstretched for the doorknob to open it...

tbc...