Chapter 15

Summer POV

I've been in the infirmary for the past week, getting multiple bacta dips and other treatments to help heal my wound faster. But what worried me more than my recovery was Kylo Ren's sudden absence. He hasn't visited since he left for the meeting with General Hux and Snoke. What could have become of him? It doesn't seem likely that he suddenly disappeared. I blame Snoke for this.

Or is this my fault? What if Kylo took responsibility for my freeing of Poe?

I shook off the thought, for what would happen to him is too much for me to handle.

*  *  *  *  *  *

Two more weeks have passed and I've been healing quickly. Kylo still hasn't returned to the room but I keep my thoughts occupied with the physical therapy the medics ordered.

I carefully but forcefully did pull ups with rubber resistance bands in the small gym. Some stormtroopers without uniform were using other equipment, keeping themselves in the required fit condition. For me, I haven't used the formerly injured muscles in weeks and the last thing I need on top of everything is atrophy.

I took a small break, lying down on the padded seat. A shadow appeared over me and I opened my eyes to see the red-haired general and...a female that looked vaguely familiar. He was in his normal uniform but she was wearing a sports bra and capris like me. I tried not to show disappointment. I was really expecting (well, hoping) for Kylo.

"You seem to be progressing well," Hux spoke, sounding more condescending than complimentary. His eyes wandered where they probably shouldn't, due to my lack of clothing.

"The best that I can," I replied out of breath from exercising. Then I couldn't resist asking the question that's been bothering me for weeks. "Hey um, has Ren been around?"

"Of course. He works here. Why wouldn't he be?"

My face fell. "He hasn't been in to see me. Is he alright?"

My concern didn't even faze Hux nor whoever the woman was. "As far as I know, though Ren is so fickle with his emotions. It could be the littlest things and he won't speak to me for days. Not that I care, but work has to get done somehow."

Even though my body was exhausted and I've done the required time, I went back to working out, hopefully giving them the message that I want to be alone. I heard Hux mutter something probably derogatory before leaving but the woman stuck around. "I can sympathize with you on the fact that General Hux is quite annoying."

I stopped on hearing her voice. Now I know who she is. I turned around, wincing slightly from the sore muscles. "Phasma?"

"Who else?" she spoke, as if stating the obvious. "Were you expecting my appearance to be different?"

I shook my head. "No, not at all. I know what you look like. I just...haven't seen you without a helmet before."

She crossed her arms, eyeing me suspiciously. "We have only met once. Tell me, where I've revealed my face to you before?"

"Nevermind. I'm confusing you with someone else. So Hux gets on your nerves too?" I tried to change the subject, not wanting to go down that road.

"He gets on everyone's nerves, but due to my rank I don't show it-" Her head snapped to the right, eyeing one of her stormtroopers not able to a life a barbell. "FN-1309. Why are suddenly having trouble lifting weights? Do you not come here as much as I demand?"

The stormtrooper was shaking in his boots. "No Captain, I-"

"Report to my division later to discuss this disappointment. We shall proceed from there with what to do with you."

"Yes, Captain." He walked away, ashamed and embarrassed.

"New trainee," she explained to me, eyes still on him until he was out of sight. "He's failing miserably. He doesn't have what it takes to be a First Order stormtrooper. I don't know how he survived the academy."

"I must say, it's nice to have another female around here. There's so few, apart from me," Phasma continued, leaning against my workout machine. She pumped her fist in the air. "Girl power!"

I smiled but it faded. "Don't get too used to it. I'm leaving soon."

"Going to watch over our new base?"

"No, it's..." I hesitated. Am I supposed to say? Does it really matter at this point?

"It's Snoke, isn't it?" she guessed. Seeing my face, she knew her assumption was correct. "He's relieving you of duty due to your recent...activity."

Oh great. She knows too. "He wants to personally train me but now since you mention it...I don't know." What if it's a trap and Kylo is sending me away to not train but to be executed? Does he know that could happen? Is he conniving with him?

"Force to Shadow," Phasma said, bringing me back to reality.

"Sorry. My mind is pretty crazy right now," I apologized. "It's being a little paranoid."

"After committing such a heinous crime, I'd be concerned about what would happen to myself too. Not like I would ever even think of betraying the Order. We have no room for traitors here."

I stared at her, not liking her change of attitude. "Well, at least I know right from wrong."

Her eyes narrowed. "As do I. You don't free prisoners."

"I owed him a favor so I repaid him."

"By freeing him? He used you!"

"He did not! I did that out of the kindness of my heart!"

She laughed mockingly. "Kindness of your heart? Give me a break. This is the FIRST ORDER. It's kill or be killed. Whatever the pilot tricked you into doing, you were stupid enough to fall for it."

Phasma walked away, leaving me boiling and wanting to shout words I should never use at her. But what's the point? I'm leaving from here in a week anyway.

I went back to exercising. Not for physical therapy, but now for stress relief.

Poe Dameron POV

"Sorry I'm late, General Organa," I apologized, rushing into the private room with a holographic table in the center. "BB-8 needed his oil changed."

"That's quite alright Commander Dameron, we were just about to begin," Leia replied, nodding towards the officers around the table. There was no need for introduction.

Admiral Ackbar stood to the far side of table, his exceedingly large eyes blinking at me. "Glad to see you are feeling better Commander," he said in an gravelly but friendly voice.

"Yes, the bacta treatments really helped," I replied, not going to correct how I was released weeks ago from the medical ward.

Apart from Ackbar, Major Ematt was also present in the room. We bid each other hello before Leia cleared her throat, grabbing everyone's attention.

"Alright, now we know why we are here, correct?" She met eyes with each of us. "There are rumors the First Order is planning a counterstrike on us for the destruction of their base. We knew this was only a matter of time but I believe we should consider moving our base to a new location while we can. Thoughts?"

Ackbar was the first to speak. "I agree with you, Leia." He spoke personally to her since their friendship dates back longer than I've been alive. "But another rumor swirling around is the Order just received a major support boost from a nearby system. Their fleet is growing to nearly ten times what it originally was."

"There still is no proof of any of this," Ematt said. "Rumors are rumors."

"Rumors also need to be taken into consideration," Ackbar countered. "If the news is even partially true, then we have a real problem on our hands for we could barely handle the Order at normal size. How do you expect us to defend ourselves against a raiding fleet?"

"That is only if they throw every resource they have at us, which is a quite stupid move for General Hux to pursue. They have nothing to back up what they lose."

"Why wouldn't they? We destroyed their base with every ship we had. The Order has no heart for its men. You think Hux cares about which pilots live or die?"

"It's resources Admiral," Ematt argued. "It's a power play."

"No, it's a shell game," Leia interrupted, sick of their bickering. "We don't know if or how the Order will attack us, but I just have a feeling they will. General Hux didn't take that defeat easily; I'm sure it left a nasty scar on his pride. He isn't going to let us get away with blowing up Starkiller Base without some sort of payback."

"So if we move the Resistance before they strike, then we can at least save some if not all our resources," I said, eager to be part of the conversation. "The question is: can we do it undetected?"

"You're asking the impossible," Ematt said. "There is no way we could move this entire base without giving at least a hint away to the Order."

"But moving the base before the attack may give us better odds at self defense. Just standing here waiting around for them to make the first move is a waste of time. At least now we will be prepared."

"We would be prepared either way, if we decide to take these rumors seriously." He then lowered his voice, as if someone may be eavesdropping. "We must be careful with whichever way we choose to proceed. There are too many spies around. We don't even know if they're in our own army."

"We have to trust our men, Major," Leia stated. "We can't look at each like they're a potential traitor. Although..." She eyed each of us again. "This is why I'm having this conversation with just the four of us, because I trust you each of you with my life."

Ematt smiled and Ackbar nodded. I, on the other hand, tried not to blush from flattery. That's just what I need to do, embarrass myself in an important meeting like this. "Thank you, General Organa. I am honored that you have that much faith in me."

"We shall have a vote," Leia suggested. "Those in favor of making an attempt to move the Resistance base location, raise his hand."

My hand shot up first, followed by Ackbar. Leia was of course in agreement. All eyes fell on Ematt. He sighed and raised his hand. "I suppose I agree as well."

"Excellent. Start researching on safe and secure planets we could move to. We meet back here as soon as possible. The longer we take, the less time we have to leave safely. I await your suggestions."

Major Ematt bowed his head and Admiral Ackbar meaningfully touched her arm before leaving. I stayed behind, hoping to talk to Leia in private.

Noticing my presence still in the room, she adressed me. Not as a soldier, but as a friend. "Poe? Do you wish to speak with me?"

"Yes, General. Or, um, Leia," I replied nervously. "There is something on my mind that has been bothering me. Do you have a couple minutes?"

"Of course I do," Leia said, her voice gentle and motherly. She walked around the display table to me. "Go ahead Poe."

"Do you remember that apprentice I told you about that helped me escape the Order?"

She nodded.

"Well...it's just..." I can't keep holding this in. I have to let it out. "That girl is different. She doesn't deserve to die with the Order. I owe her one for saving my life."

Leia now understood my issue. She meaningfully grasped my hands. "Poe, I know how you feel about this but sometimes sacrifices have to be made. She chose to stay behind, remember that. And just because the First Order may attack us, doesn't mean that she will die then. If she is that prized by Snoke, then she will not be on the raiding fleet."

I lowered my head, embarrassed. I never thought it through, I just assumed. "Sorry to bother you with this then, Leia."

"You're not a bother to me because I have something for you." She smiled, removing a small box from a compartment of the holotable. "Poe, I know things have been so hectic since the destruction of Starkiller Base and I also know that you were the one primarily responsible for taking it down."

"It was a group effort. Believe me, I couldn't have done it on my own," I said, not wanting to steal credit from my fellow pilots.

"I understand that, but were you not the one who bravely flew into the thermal oscillator, thus making the planet implode?"

I nodded. "Only thanks to Han and Chewbacca's wise use of explosives. They gave me an opening so I took it."

She shut her eyes and held her heart for a moment at the mention of Han. I didn't speak, letting her have her moment. Then she directed her attention back at me. "Still, that was a very heroic move you made and because of that we temporarily disabled the First Order. And even though this may not be the most formal way to give you this, I believe you well deserve it."

Leia opened the box and held up a gold medal as shiny as the sun. "This is the medal I presented to Han after he helped blow up the Death Star. Now I want you to have it, as a symbol of my personal thanks."

I admired the medal, knowing that to be given something that belonged to Han Solo is just rewarding as is. My eyes were watering from flattery. I stood up straight as she laid the medal around my neck. "On behalf of the Resistance, you have our gratitude for your bravery. Congratulations Commmader Dameron."

My smile grew so large I thought my face was going to tear apart. "Seriously?"

Leia smiled back, nodding. "Yes, seriously."

I was so happy I hugged her, not caring about how unprofessional it was. "Thank you so much, Leia."

She hugged back, giving me a warm feeling I haven't felt since my mother was alive. It's true, I looked to her as a mother. And maybe I'm wrong, but I think she sees me as another son since hers is, well...absent.

But I wouldn't trade this moment for the galaxy.

Summer POV

The day finally came to be released from the infirmary. I stepped out of that medical center feeling better than I ever have, though still somewhat tender around the former injured areas.

Still no sign of Kylo. He hasn't visited, didn't greet me on my day of release...how can someone become suddenly antisocial?

I walked the corridors of the Finalizer, making my way back to the only place here that felt a bit more comforting than the rest. But now it will probably be just darn awkward.

I approached Kylo's room and the door lifted automatically at my presence. I stepped inside and paused at sight of the robed man across the room. He had his back to me, taking in the majestic view of space through the parallel windows.

He either heard me enter or sensed me. Either way, his voice revealed no emotion. "The infirmary finally released you." His voice was deep and electronic due to the mask he donned. "You must be glad to be out of that prison."

"I feel like I walked into another," I felt like saying but instead said, "The doctors said I made a full enough recovery to leave. I will have to return for bacta dips weekly for the next month though."

A light nod of acknowledgment was all I received.

I attempted to remain patient, knowing he could sense my aura. "So how have you been occupying yourself since I've been absent?"

His head turned halfway back to me. "I don't understand your question."

"Well, you had to adjust to me being here, then leaving-"

"I 'adjusted' without any issue. I lived my whole life without you Summer, I just went back to that frame of mind."

Ouch. I bit my tongue from a hot reply. "Okay...am I still allowed to sleep in here or do I have to book a hotel at the nearest star system?"

It was a moment before reply. Contemplation. Better think wisely Ren. "You may but it's your last night here."

I couldn't hold myself back any longer. "Now you're kicking me out?! Why?!"

Kylo fully faced me. "The Supreme Leader has requested your presence tomorrow morning. Have you forgotten that you are now his apprentice?"

Now his attitude made sense to me. It was stupid, but it made sense. "Kylo, I was just released from the infirmary. I still have to get bacta treatments. How am I supposed to train when I'm not even one hundred percent?"

"You will have to 'adjust'," Kylo said, mocking me. "When you see the obstacles you will face, you will force yourself to conquer them, for death is your only other option."

I stared at him, not knowing the person standing before me anymore. "What happened to you..."

He took a few steps away from the window. I held my ground. "I am the same person you knew before, though stronger and not foolish to succumb to such weaknesses."

I can't believe what I'm hearing. "Weaknesses? You mean the love you have for me? That's weak?"

"You are delusional from the medications the infirmary has given you," Kylo said, avoiding the question. More steps forward. "You need rest."

"I have been lying in the bed for the past flipping month! And I've been waiting for you to come see me because I actually thought you cared about me!"

We were now face to face. His voice still showed no sympathy. "Sorry to disappoint you."

I stared at the reflective, black shades of his helmet, picturing eyes looking back. "Take off that mask...you don't need to conceal yourself around me."

Kylo didn't move. I questioned if he even breathed.

I focused on him, using a more firm tone. "You will remove your mask."

His head lowered to look at me better. An intimidation tactic due to his heighth that I have not yet been able to conquer. "Did you just try a mind trick on me?"

I swallowed hard to conceal my nerves. "Maybe..."

Another long, awkward stare. "Your powers are growing I see, but you will not be able to penetrate my defenses. That Force trick only works on the weak minded, which I am not." He brushed past me, heading for the exit.

Oh no you don't. I reached out to him again, not to his mind but to his heart. Using the Force with as little training as I had, I attempted to spark the light in him simply by focusing.

Kylo paused in midstep, feeling me. He turned back to me. "Such a naive move." His arm also outstretched, he pushed against my Force until he overpowered me and sent me flying back against the wall. "You are foolish to even make such an attempt on me. This is who I am. Accept it...or stay away from me."

He abruptly left the room, leaving me stunned and confused. Tears quickly formed and trailed down my face. "What happened to you..." I muttered, barely able to speak. "What happened..."

*  *  *  *  *  *

A girl is tied up in a room. A very dark room, with many walls. Or tall structures, like poles perhaps?

She is being beaten, flogged I believed. I can't see by whom...a shadow is the person.

The one torturing her shows no mercy. She is going to die here.

I try to see the girl's face but there is not enough light in the room. Finally the girl collapses to the floor, either unconscious or dead. And the shadow comes running at me with his whip...

I awoke from my nightmare as the bed shifted. Kylo climbed into bed and went into a comfortable position, keeping his distance from me.

My back to Kylo, I didn't stir nor move, hoping to allude him that I was still alseep. After a few moments, the shaking stopped and he thankfully didn't notice me.

I didn't want to sleep in here tonight but honestly, where am I to go? Hux is definitely not an option... Besides, this is my last night here. I can make it through.

But now since this is the last night...I don't want it to end. Apart from the horrors and drama I've faced, I wish I could do it all over again. Some parts anyway. Getting stabbed? No. Kissing Kylo? Seeing him out of the shower with a little towel around his waist? The few moments he was kind to me? Yes please. I'll take it on repeat right now.

After separating dream from reality and making sure Kylo was well enough asleep, I laid on my back, breathing heavily. What was that? It felt so real, like I was actually there witnessing this torture play out. Was it a vision in the Force? A premonition maybe? Or because of the stress and concern from Kylo, my brain just wanted to me to suffer.

I dared to wake Kylo up over this but restrained myself, knowing that would only lead to a bigger headache and possibly my own self destruction. I needed to vent about this though, but to who? No one cares about me here.

But there is one person who I might convince to let me talk to him...

*  *  *  *  *  *

"Hux?" I called, pounding on the door to his private quarters. I'm not sure if this is considered normal up here because my knuckles sure hurt from the steel. "Hux? General Hux!"

I know he's in there, he's just ignoring me. I leaned my head against the door, nearly giving up. "Armitage...please..."

The door suddenly lifted and I jumped back, startled.

Hux was wearing a silk, olive green robe but didn't look pleased to be disturbed. Not because he was sleeping (he appeared wide awake to me) but probably just because it was me at the door.

"That is not how we greet people at this hour." His tone matched his expression. "What do you even want, traitor?"

Ah, I see how this conservation is going to be. I may be better off with Kylo. "Hux, I really need to discuss something with you-"

"I don't care what it pertains to," he interrupted. "I'm not in the mood for talking."

"But my dream-"

"Oh you had a bad dream? That makes things different now. Come inside and let me console you. Poor baby..."

I crossed my arms. "I can do without the extra sarcasm."

"Well, what do you expect me from?" he sneered. "I'm not going to throw some pity party for you because you had a nightmare and Kylo won't talk to you!"

How did he know...nevermind. "Look, I'm Force-Sensitive. My dreams could turn into reality, and if this dream plays out, I may be in serious trouble!"

"Did I mention that I don't care..." With that, he shut the door in my face.

"Hux!" I shouted through the door again. "Please! I know what I saw last night and it wasn't good." I lowered my voice in case others were eavesdropping but spoke loud enough so the general could hear me. "I saw a girl, may or not be me, being tortured. I need answers and Kylo and I aren't on speaking terms. Even though you aren't  knowledgeable with such matters...could you at least lend an ear to me please?"

The door remained shut. I sighed, turning away. I should have known this was a stupid idea from the start.

I was about to leave when the door rose open. Hux motioned me inside with a nod of his head.

Wow. Maybe even he can have a heart deep down.

I smiled lightly to show my gratuity and walked inside.

General Hux's room was similar to Kylo's but also very different in ways, such as color and the posh elegance you feel entering the room. The room was more red than black, and a few works of art hung on the walls. Everything was so polished and clean you could eat off the floor (not like I ever would though).

Hux pointed to a red leather sofa with a coffee table in front of it. "Please sit. It's not often I get guests."

I wonder why. "Your room is quite lovely." I said, sitting on a cushiony seat.

"Thank you. I only want the best and nothing less." He walked up to the small connected kitchen, another feature Kylo's room lacked, and opened the cabinets, removing a wine bottle as well as two glasses. "Care for a drink?"

Why is he suddenly acting so gentlemanly? That scared me. "No thank you," I tried to say as politely as I could. "I don't drink."

Hux shrugged. "As you wish. Mind if I..."

"Not at all, help yourself."

He nodded and placed the wine down on the table along with the glasses in case I changed my mind. "Shall I get you something other to drink?"

Why, are you going to spit in it? "Water is fine, thank you."

Hux went back to the kitchen, taking an unusually long time with my drink before returning. I probably shouldn't touch it...

He handed it to me and I thanked him. He poured himself a glass of wine and sat down beside me. "Now tell me about this dream of yours."

"I thought you didn't care," I noted, glancing at my water, imagining the poisons within.

He glared at me over the rim of his glass. Enough said. "You can easily leave..."

"Okay, in the dream I saw this girl," I explained. "She was tied to...something. I don't know what. Something tall like a pillar. All I know was she was being beaten to death by this maniac." I looked longingly at him and lowered my voice for some reason. "Hux...I'm scared. What if this girl is me? What if this will happen to me when I'm sent away to Snoke tomorrow?"

Hux studied me, as if searching for the right answer. Then his expression and tone changed to something that could be labeled as sympathetic. Or as close to sympathetic as he will get. "Don't you think you're overreacting? Dreams in the Force, premonitions you call it? Just another way the old Jedi could scare the normal people into fearing them. And they wonder why they were slaughtered..."

"Hux, I'm serious!"

"As am I. Summer, don't waste your time dwindling on this any further. Instead..." He raised his glass. "Let's toast to your new beginning tomorrow. You will be so much better off with Snoke. Ren just isn't good enough for you."

Not wanting to argue, though very tempted to do so, I did as he requested. We lightly banged our glasses together but I refrained from drinking mine for precautionary measures. He eyed me. "Summer, you're supposed to take a drink after a toast."

I hesitated, looking at the "water". Should I?

Hux cleared his throat impatiently.

Fine. Whatever. If it kills me, then I'm free from Snoke. I sipped the drink, relieved to find it flavorless like water should be. Maybe I am overreacting.

Hux reclined back against the sofa, appearing more casual boy-next-door than general of the First Order. "I have just been informed by Snoke that our fleet shall be growing. We should have new destroyers and fighters very soon."

And he's telling me this why? Is this the same guy who didn't even want me standing in his office because I might read something "confidential" despite how I've told him repeatedly I'm not familiar with Aurebesh? How does he expect me to answer this? "That's great, Hux."

He raised his wine again. "A toast to the growth of the Order."

Is he just wanting an excuse to drink or...

Our glasses rang as they hit each other. I took another sip but ended up wearing it, due to the glass suddenly being elbowed by him. I coughed, gulping down a larger amount than I could swallow.

"My apologies," Hux apologized as much as a man of his nature could. "I misjudged our distance apart. Let me get you a towel."

He set his wine down and went into the kitchen, returning with a dish towel. "Here. Clean yourself up. Forget about the sofa. I'll just get a new one if it's ruined."

I wiped the water off my bare skin, not worrying about the damp robe. I handed the towel back to him after, which he immediately tossed into the hamper. It's not like I'm carrying a deadly disease here. "Again, my sincerest apologies Summer."

"It's fine," I said, now fighting off a headache from the glass being shoved against face. "Accidents happen."

"Don't they now," Hux replied in a tone that made me put a little more space between us.

"I should probably go back to Kylo's quarters. He will freak when he sees I'm missing, even if we're not on speaking terms," I said, starting for the door. I rubbed my head as it throbbed with every step I took.

Hux intercepted me before I reached the door. "You just got here though! Don't you want to stay a bit longer? We haven't even come across a good topic to discuss."

Either he's already drunk or really losing it. "I just came here to talk about my dream." Which was a complete waste of my time with you.

"Surely you can stay at least for another drink?"

"Hux, I'm only drinking water."

"So? There are no technicalities for a social drink."

He's getting too pushy now. Get me out of here. "Sorry. I just can't."

Hux nodded and stepped aside. "Very well. I won't hold you up any further. Have a good night."

"You as well," I replied, trying not to wince. Curse this sudden headache. I can barely keep my eyes open with how much pain I have.

Then I realized the struggle with my vision wasn't because my eyes were shutting, but because they were blurring.

"Hux..." I barely muttered before my knees went out and I collapsed into the ground, unconscious.

Kylo POV

My eyes shot open as I woke up from another nightmare. My heart was beating out of my chest and I was breathing as hard as if I ran a marathon. I was also drenched in sweat.

A tear of exhaustion fell down my face as I convinced myself I was no longer dreaming, but awake. Not like reality was so much different for me.

My nightmare flashed me back to Snoke's reconditioning, which came as a surprise to me the day after that meeting a month ago. He said it wouldn't be until Summer was at full strength, but then again it's not the first time I've been lied to.

I sat forward in bed, wincing at my aching muscles. The brutality my body has been through from his methods of torture he calls "reconditioning" has forced me back into the Kylo Ren I'm supposed to be. But not necessarily who I want to be.

I shook off that thought. Stop thinking that Kylo, Snoke knows your every move. You can't go through that again.

I was able to handle most of what he through at me, but the Force Lightning... Being strapped down to a chair and shocked until you're positive death is watching and waiting for you is the worst torture I endured. Snoke was so relentless...have I really fallen so far from the Dark Side? Has Summer ruined me this much?

Speaking of Summer, where is she?

I mentally slapped myself. No, don't care about her. She means nothing to you. Nothing.

Summer can handle herself. She's stronger than I'm letting her become. She needs to be with Snoke for proper training. But if I can barely handle Snoke, how can she?

This time I actually slapped myself. Stop it Kylo! You can't afford to screw up again!

I laid back down and pulled the covers up, trying to fall back to sleep despite the gnawing thought of Summer leaving my side permanently tomorrow. As much as I hate myself to believe, a piece of me will also be taken with her.

Summer POV

I awoke with a jolt and found myself panting from the shock. I blinked to make my eyes focus. Where am I?

A dark room, with lights so dim you could barely say they counted as functional. And...poles-no, columns were scattered all around me.

I tried to move but found myself chained to one of the columns. My arms wrapped around it like a hug and bound to the opposite side, I was stuck kneeling against it. I quickly found out the use of my legs have been taken away from me, feeling my ankles also in chains.

A light suddenly appeared to my right and I squinted as a person walked into the room. I couldn't make out who from the blinding light behind him. Once the door shut, he blended in with the rest of the shadows here.

"Who are you? Where am I?" I called out with as much courage as I could muster.

The person approached me, standing close enough so I could see his features.

"Hux?" I said in disbelief.

He smiled insincerely. "Me."

I swallowed hard as I put two and two together.

My vision.

"You...you're the person my dream was warning me about!" I exclaimed, almost at a shout from anger. "You're going to hurt me!"

"Wrong. I'm going to fix you," Hux corrected. My eyes adjusting to the dark, he was wearing a tank top with his usual trousers, and of course gloves.

"FIX ME?!" I'm so mad I could spit. "You sat there and listened to me talk when you knew exactly what I was referring to!"

"Not exactly." He casually began circling the column I was binded to, being more often than not in a blind spot due to my position. "I was assigned to give you my own form of 'reconditioning' before sending you off to Snoke, but once I heard you dreamt about being here...well, I improvised. Such as making sure you're unable to escape, as well as consider a treatment that would work best for your attitude."

My eyes tried to follow him but I soon gave up, forced to listen and imagine his place. "Is this all because I freed Poe? Can't you get over it?"

A hand grasped my chin and jerked my head sideways. Hux was now kneeling down to my height. "Unlike Ren, I reprimand those who need it."

"He killed me," I choked out. "What more do you want from him?"

"But he revived you after." His blue eyes drilled into mine as his grip tightened. Breathing was a struggle. "Such a stupid man he is. So soft and useless." Then he threw the knife. "A shame you have to be in love with such a person."

I couldn't hide my surprise at him knowing, but I tried to deny it. "You don't know a thing about my love life."

"True, and frankly I don't care, but I know enough to see you falling head over heels for that pathetic waste."

"The only pathetic waste here is you," I fired at him, wincing at the cramps in my neck from the awkward position.

A quick flex of his fingers and I wheezed. He leaned closer, whispering in my ear. "You really are in no position to stand up to me. Argue. Protest. None of it. I am in charge here, not you. If you wish to survive this today, then I suggest you watch your choice of words."

He finally released me and I coughed for air. I leaned my head against the pillar, not even wanting to look at the wretched creature.

I listened to his footsteps as they circled the column once more and now stood off to my right side. I glanced up at him when he suddenly became soundless.

I saw his expression. He was waiting for me to do just that. This must be some kind of game for him. Well, I don't want to play.

His arms crossed behind him, Hux studied me like a drill sergeant. "Summer, do you fear me?"

Before today, heck no. Right now, heck yes. But only because I'm bound to a stone. "What kind of question is that?"

"The question I want you to answer."

I shrugged with what little use I have of my upper body. "What do you want me to say?"

"Then I will make you answer." His eyes narrowed as he removed a weapon from his pocket.

My Star Wars fangirl mind recognized the shape and size but it couldn't be. "Is that a lightsaber?"

"Close." A long beam of light followed by an electric hum extended from the device. But instead of holding a sturdy shape, it fell loosely to the floor like a whip. As if I needed further demonstration for what the weapon would be used for, Hux cracked the "whip", looking like an Indiana Jones gone bad. The lights flickered and I saw the starvation to kill in his eyes. "This is a lightwhip."

"You're going to flog me," I said, not believing I am going to be tortured by this freak.

Hux's tone became darker than the room. "A proper form of punishment for a misbehaving officer, although for a traitor I did prefer something that would give me...better results. The only trouble is Supreme Leader has requested you to survive this treatment to continue with your training, but accidents do occur..."

I've kept my cool for this long, but now I'm losing it. I yanked and pulled with all my might against the chains, not having any other option to escape.

"You're wasting your time," Hux said, throwing his lightwhip around as if to warm it up. "But it's not you're going anywhere, so struggle and use up all your engery for all I care."

"I...will not...be contained..." I grunted in between my desperate failing attempts at freedom.

"Oh, I'm very afraid you will not be leaving this room anytime soon."

I finally gave up, my arms wanting to break (forget the chains) and my heart pounding in my chest. I was breathing harder than I ever have before.

Hux knelt down beside me again, touching my face but gently. Almost provoking or seductive, not sure which. His fingers traced my cheeks. "Give up?"

I didn't reply, not wanting to give him the satisfaction.

He leaned close again, whispering. "This will be so much easier for you if you're cooperative. Just answer a few questions for me."

I glanced sideways at him, waiting, contemplating.

He rose back to his full height, keeping his lightwhip at ready. "Why did you conspire with the Resistance pilot, Poe Dameron?"

I furrowed my brows. "Conspire? There was no conspiracy involved."

"The more you lie, the worse things will be..." 

"No, I'm serious," I pleaded. "I literally just decided at last minute to free him, honest!"

He stared at me like I was hooked up to a lie detecting device. "No conspiracy at all? No plans or secrets exchanged for freedom?"

I shook my head. "I did it because I wanted to help him, that's all."

He nodded, but didn't look at but convinced. "Very well. Perhaps you need some 'motivation' to reply properly."

Hux walked behind me, his lightwhip humming as it was dragged along the stone floor. I was breathing harder, panicking. "Hux! I'm not lying! Listen to me!"

As soon as his footsteps stopped, so did everything else. "You think it's amusing to lie to me?"

The lightwhip came down on my back and it felt like I struck with something on fire. I screamed out in pain, grinding my nails against the pillar.

"No one can hear your scream down here," his voice taunted. "It's just you, me, and..." He whipped me again. "This wonderful piece of equipment."

Hux continued to flog me, somehow finding joy from my pain and suffering. He finally stopped, but my back was already scarred. So many tears have fallen in the past minutes, I'm not sure I could cry anymore.

Footsteps followed a shadow, and Hux appeared beside kneeling beside me again. He gripped my face roughly. "Now you see I'm more than just a human in a fancy uniform. I have my own ways of inflicting pain on people, without wielding that stupid power you have. So...fear me now?"

I didn't reply but I'm sure my face was the only answer he needed. I was more than scared, I was terrified. But I wasn't about to let him know it.

"You can do as you wish to me, but the second I'm out of this priosn, Kylo will know about this," I threatened. "And you will die for this."

Hux lowered his voice again, which only made him more menacing and unnerving. "Kylo Ren can't save you. No one can. It's just us now."

"You underestimate the power of the Force."

"The Force? You're still relying on the stupid Force?" He barely laughed but it was more like a sneer. "Ren will never know you were here. Want to know why? Because you won't say a word about this to him."

Who does this guy think he is? "If you don't think that once I leave I'm going straight to him..."

"A few things wrong with that sentence," Hux said. "First of all, you're not going to say anything to him because you will end up like this unfortunate fellow-" He jerked my head aside and I gasped at a skeleton still tied to a column, just like me. "Second, I never said you ever get the ability to leave. It's only when I'm finished and satisfied with you. And last..." A smirk grew on his face. "Ren doesn't care about you anymore. If he did, he would have fought to keep you as his sidekick rather than toss you in Snoke's lap. He looked so relieved to get rid of you."

More tears fell, but not from the pain in my back but from my heart. "No...Kylo wouldn't. He cares about me."

"Kylo Ren doesn't care about anyone and it's about time you get that through that thick head of yours."

"He has more emotion than you," I threw at him.

Hux merely shook his head and stood back up. "Some people never learn..."

He went behind me again and I heard the lightwhip powering up. I tried pleading again but was only flogged in response.

I endured the pain again until he granted me another break. Once again, he returned by my side but remained standing. He actually seemed to be worn out from his "work out". Really? He's the one in pain? "I don't tolerate those who don't know when to keep their mouth shut. I suggest you quickly adapt for your own health's sake."

My body was trembling from the abuse and pain. "Snoke says he wanted me alive."

"And like I said, 'accidents' tend to occur with me..." he scoffed.

"What do you want from me?" I asked in a tone that showed complete surrender. "Just say what and I'll do it. Please just stop hurting me..."

"Crying gets you nowhere, nor does pleading for mercy. I don't sympathize with traitors."

"Stop calling me that!" I shouted with what breath I had. "I never wanted this alright? I was perfectly fine living my life on Earth until Kylo brought me here! All I'm trying to do is survive until I can get back home, that's it! I'm not fighting in this war, I'm not choosing sides, I just want to go home!"

Hux studied me again, as if he could read my mind. "You had your chance to leave with the pilot, why didn't you?"

The same reason I keep telling myself, but if what Hux said was true with Kylo, I'm regretting my decision. But I know what I saw with Anakin. Kylo has love for me, I know it's there.

"Summer, don't ignore my question."

"I stayed...for Kylo," I softly admitted. "I wanted to be with him."

"And you never thought you would be caught for your crime?"

I nearly shrugged but caught myself, knowing the pain would be too much to handle. "I just thought he changed, or at least a part of him did, enough to where we might be able to have some sort of relationship." I leaned my head against the pillar on disgust. "You're right Hux, I am stupid to love someone who can never love me in return. I'm just wasting my time here."

"Is that the only reason you're here, because of Ren? Not for the benefit of the First Order or Supreme Leader Snoke?"

I shook my head. "No. I'm only here because I'm forced to be, and because I thought Kylo and I had something special between us."

"I see. So you're not only a traitor to the Order, but you're using us to strengthen your powers, gain knowledge of our secrets, then ditch us!"

How did he twist my words that much?! "Hux, you're misunderstanding-"

"No, I understand perfectly what's going on." He marched behind me and I couldn't help but freak out.

"Hux! I answered your flipping question, didn't I?! I'm being cooperative," I mocked in his accent.

His answer was the lightwhip curling around my torso and hugging it like a lasso. I thought it was a mistake but I was never more wrong.

Electricity ran through the coils and into me, shooting pain like I've never felt across my body. I could barely hear Hux over how loud I was screaming. "The one thing...I have no patience for...is dealing with a traitor!"

I continued to cry out but he didn't let up the least.

Where is Kylo Ren when I need him...

Kylo POV

My eyes shot open as a frightening image suddenly appeared in front of my eyes. I was in the middle of meditation, as I usually do in the morning, but...there was a disturbance in the Force. "Summer..."

I shook my head. She must be with Snoke and he's torturing her. Although she never said goodbye to me...

"Ren, enough is enough!" I scolded myself. "She left, she's gone, big deal. It's better this way."

But no, I continued to argue with myself until I realized how insane I sounded. I tried to clear my mind again and go back to meditating.

I couldn't shake that image though. Summer is hurting, crying for help...the rest is foggy. I can't see why or the culprit.

Stop caring Ren, you're succumbing to your weaknes, I mentally repeated to myself. You endured a hefty 'treatment' so it's only fair for Summer to have her share.

No matter how hard I tried to tell myself that and focus on meditation, Summer wouldn't leave my mind. Frustrated, I stood up from the floor and paced the room.

"Just forget she was even here, that she even exists," I spoke aloud as if to be more convincing. "Summer is dead. Just picture her as being dead."

My heart sank as I thought back to her in the infirmary holding onto life by a shredding thread. My eyes wanted to tear but I shook it off, instead pacing the room more.

I have to be able to handle this. How can I be so different from before? I'm back to being the old Kylo Ren.

That last part made me pause. The old Kylo Ren. The heartless creature that killed without hesitation and acted upon command from Snoke. I was that way not long ago, have I changed so much I can't ever go back?

No, I have to. For my own life's sake I have to.

Or maybe I don't?

"Stop being so conflicted!" I yelled at myself, collapsing to my knees. "You're on the Dark Side, stay there!"

But do I have to be? Of course I do, how dare I think otherwise?

I was wanting to scream from my mind bouncing back and forth. I flashed back to the last moments with my father. I'm being torn apart. I want to be free of this pain. Those words continued to ring through my head every day since.

I glanced at my lightsaber, my only ticket out. It's not the first time I've been tempted but I don't know how much longer I can be in this existence. I'm at the point of surrender.

I just sprawled myself out on the floor in exasperation and bewilderment. "I don't know what to do...I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!"

Summer POV

I really thought Hux was going to torture me to literal death but he eventually stopped and came back beside me. I laid against the column, panting, still softly crying, praying that Kylo will hear my pleas and come to my rescue. Heck, I don't even know if he can hear me. I'm speaking in my mind buy I highly doubt I'm connected to the Force.

"That is satisfactory for now but we are not finished," Hux stated, turning off the lightwhip and returning it to his belt. "I will return after work to continue your punishment." His voice lowered to the tone that gave goosebumps goosebumps. "This is far from over. You haven't even come across the brink of what is yet to come. You are going to wish you never stepped foot on the Finalizer when I'm through with you."

Then he abruptly turned and left, leaving me alone in the dark room with the skeletons on other columns.

I have to get out of here because Hux is definitely going to kill me later, no question about it.

Now since I can think better, I tried to connect to the Force and alert Kylo. I couldn't seem to connect but I pleaded mentally anyway, praying that he would hear something...

Help me Kylo Ren, you're my only hope.

Kylo POV

Giving up on meditation, I went out to seek General Hux. And by looking for him, I mean whining and forcing him to tolerate me until he finally snaps. A day is never a good day until I can annoy Hux.

After receiving the odd news of the general leaving at unusual hours and as of yet not returned, I waited in the hangar for his arrival. I noticed things went a lot more smoothly (or at least that is how the troops have it portrayed for me) when I'm in presence of the workers here. But where they're wrong is I am always watching...always watching...

A shuttle came out of hyperspace and landed in this hangar. Finally. I've been standing here for like twenty minutes.

General Hux disembarked and I met him halfway across the hangar, walking along with him from there. "General Hux. Welcome back to the Finalizer." How about next time, never return.

"Thank you Ren," he replied, matching my facade tone of appreciation. "Things are still in one piece so you must have awakened only recently."

I shrugged off his insult. I only want answers on where he's been and why it didn't involve me. "Have a nice trip?"

He gave me a sideways glance. He knows I'm onto him. "I suppose."

"You left quite early this morning, General. Is everything alright?"

Another sideways glance. He doesn't like being questioned but I don't care. If Snoke and him are conniving behind my back, they're not going to want to know me. "Everything is fine Ren. It was a diplomatic mission. None of your concern."

I'm determined to catch him in a lie. "Who did you meet with?"

"Ambassadors from a new planet that have recently become allies with the First Order, if you must know." Hux added the last part with a sneer. "I have the situation handled, Ren. This is my department. Know your place."

I cut in front of him, standing face to face. "Don't tell me 'my place' here Hux. I outrank you."

His voice remained as smooth as silk, not showing the slightest bit of temper. "A minor complication that will soon be resolved."

I stared at him with a look that made nearby stormtroopers walk the opposite direction. "What are you scheming..."

Hux stepped closer. "I am doing nothing of the sort. Just following orders."

I was ready to snap the ginger in half. "Who's orders?! Snoke's?"

"Snoke?" A devious grin tugged at his lips. "I have Snoke's approval with anything I do Ren. I'm not a traitor like your girlfriend."

"She's not my girlfriend!" I shouted at him. He didn't waver, as if I never spoke. Others dared themselves to look but quickly moved on.

If he wasn't so posh, he would've shrugged. "I frankly don't care. That is something you have to answer for with Snoke."

"I can't be reprimanded for something I'm not doing."

"I'm not stupid Ren, I see the way you are with her. You care about her, don't you? That's why you're talking to me now, because you're concerned with her sudden disappearance, even though she's supposed to be with Snoke as planned."

I stared at him, using something other than eyes to provoke an answer. "What have you done with her..."

He stepped back, offended. "How dare you accuse me of such an act? I have done nothing of the sort!"

I stressed more power onto him. "Tell me where she is..."

"Now you're using the Force on me?!" Hux gasped, his temper now showing. "I have never been so disrespected! Though the spite is on you for that trick only works on the weak minded. And as you are finding out, whether you believe I am or not, your power is ineffective against my thoughts."

Sadly, he was correct. I couldn't break through his barrier. I gave up, breathing hard from the exhausting effort. "How can you resist me?"

"Because I'm better than you," Hux sneered before walking away. "Good day Ren."

"No, there's something you're hiding from me," I muttered once he was out of earshot. That's a completely different headache for another time.

What I do know is Hux is lying about not knowing of Summer's whereabouts. I may not have been able to read his thoughts, but I could sense his emotions. He was surprised to hear my asking of her. The mystery goes deeper with what involvement does he have with her disappearance and how can I get evidence?

Hux POV

I let my breath out once away from Ren. He's onto me. Desperate enough to have even used the Force for his answers.

He is flat out accusing me of being the reason behind Summer's disappearance. Even though I am, he can never figure out the truth for if he does...

I shook off that thought. I don't fear Ren but I know my limitations with his anger. The fire would be lit and nothing would be able to put it out. Except the elimination of me.

I then reassured myself I had nothing to worry about. The place Summer is imprisoned in is one Ren is actually aware of, for he has assisted me in disciplining misbehaving troopers in the past, but hopefully he is not wise enough to think I would ever take Summer there. Technically I have Snoke's approval on the whole thing which is my only ticket out if he ever figured it out.

"Get it together Hux," I mumbled, making myself get off that thought and go straight to work, for as soon as I'm finished I get to return to Summer. To eliminate the possibility of her discovery, I may have to permanently remove her from the picture. I smirked as I envisioned the horrors yet to come for the stupid girl.

Like I told Snoke, 'accidents' happen...

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Chapter 15 is finally done and I know I promised it by the the weekend, sorry it's a day late. Hope everyone still enjoys it anyway! As you know I like writing in cliffhangers ;) I'd love to hear your guesses on how Summer gets herself out of this one. Or does she... ;)

Comments are always welcome! I love to hear how I'm doing plus I love my notifs blown up so go ahead and comment away :)

Thank you to all my readers for support! And a shout out to my bestie @Real-Kylo-Ren :D

And who is loving the new The Last Jedi photoshoot bc I know I am! Kylo looks AMAZING as usual. I think his biceps got bigger.... ;)