Once Upon a Slave...

Chapter 6

Ezra's P.O.V

   I don't know when but I had fallen asleep and waking up tired. I see that I still had the same meal from last night sitting there. They probably won't let me stash food so they just left that for my morning meal. I looked over at Hera's cell to see that she wasn't there. I stood up and looked around but no trace of her. Don't tell me she was sent back to the room of nightmares to get punished again because of me. Especially when I was asleep and had no idea about it!

   I feel my blood run cold until I see two guards walking Hera down the hall to her cell. She looked better than she did yesterday and I sighed in relief. The guards opened the cell door and shoved the Twi'lek into the cell then closed the door. "Sit tight princess and don't let the rat get to your head next time," a guard said and spit into Hera's cell.

   Hera didn't reply as the guards walked off. She looked over at me and smiled. "Good morning," she said. I gave a worried look then looked at the ground in shame. "Ezra, what's wrong?" She asked worried about me. I wrapped my arms around me protectively and walked back a couple steps. "What's the matter?" Hera asked then perked up and said, "Do you blame yourself for what I did?"

   I glanced over at her before turning away. "Hey, this was in no way your fault for what they did to me," she said in her normal voice, "I was just doing what was right, no one should be treated like you have been." I didn't believe her and sat on the ground shaking. "Ezra, you didn't beat me up, you didn't hurt me, I did that to myself cause I knew that it was the right thing to do," she explained, "I did it because I wanted to and I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant that you stayed safe."

   I looked up at her and felt tears streaming down my face. How did I deserve such an amazing person like Hera to just walk into my life? I stood up and walked over to the door of my cell, wiping my tears away. I looked up at Hera and smiled in a way of saying 'thank you.'

   She smiled back and I heard the buzzard blare. The cell doors open and we were off to work. Hera had different jobs than me so I never get to see her until the last meal of the day. She was an amazing role model and maybe she is my friend. Was she my friend? I guess we were. I didn't know what a friendship is like since I never had any friends.

   The whole day, I couldn't wait to get back to my cell to see Hera again and get some food. I regret not eating my meal from last night and this morning. But luckily, time flies and I'm back in my cell, devouring my food down. I see Hera enter her cell with a disgusted look on her face. I raised an eyebrow and she said, "You don't want to know." I was worried then nodded and just let it slide.

   They probably did something that went past her comfort zone. They did that with all Twi'lek dancers and it got worse as it goes. It sounded awful and I hope that Hera wouldn't ever have to go through what others were forced into.

When I hear the whistle, I walk excitedly back to my cell but I had hold it in or else punishment. I am just realizing that there are a lot of stupid reasons to get punishment. It's like you have to be sad and depressed, brainwashed worker. I'll tell ya, it's a terrible feeling and feeling like a could fly right now is the best thing I could ask for at this moment.

I walked into my cell and sat in front of my meal, eating it. Hera wasn't back yet and my worry started to build. That's when I see her walking down the hall with the guards behind her. They put her in her cell and walked away. She smiled warmly at me and waved 'hi.' I did the same as I watch her sit and start to eat her food. "How was your day?" She asked me. I have Hera a thumbs up which made her smile widen. "I'm glad that you had a great day," she said.

I pointed at her with a raised eyebrow. "It wasn't to bad now that I'm getting used to this place," she said. I raised an eyebrow in confusion. What does she mean 'getting used to this new place?' "You know, cause I'm new here sort of," she said and I nodded unsure if I believed it or not. I shrugged and ate the rest of my food. I set my plate aside and listened to Hera talk.

"Ezra?" Hera asked setting her plate aside. I looked up with my attention on the Twi'lek. "Have you ever been off Lothal before?" She asked but I was confused. What was Lothal? Was it this planet's name? I never knew since I don't get out and hear much. To answer her question, I shook my head no. "I'll make you a promise," Hera said, "Once we find a way out of here, I'm going to show you space."

I looked at her in astonishment and shock. I didn't know if she could keep her promise since we were sort of trapped in here but I guess anything is possible if you use your head. I smiled and nodded in appreciation. "One more question, then we should get some sleep, ok?" She said. I nodded in agreement and yawned a little silently.

I tried my best into translating my questions the whole time so this was going to be my last until some other time. I did the best I could to tell her, 'Where did you come from?' When Hera finally figured out what I was saying she said, "I came from Ryloth but I wanted a bigger purpose so I started to travel until I was caught and sent here," she said and I felt bad for her.

"It's ok, I'm sure we all will be free someday," she said, "and until then, I'm sure we will be great friends." I agreed and waited for her to ask her last question. "You don't have to tell me now cause I don't want to force you into telling me," she reassured and I wondered what her question was until she said it. "Where are your parents?"

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