The Broken Ones | REYLO [Complete]

4. Nightmares and Daydreams

--REY--

I don't want to sleep tonight.

In fact, I haven't wanted to sleep for many nights, but this lack of rest is taking its toll on my body and I'm fighting to keep my eyes open. Luke noticed the change almost immediately and stopped my training, much to my dismay, but I can understand him not wanting history to repeat itself. Even though I think I'm fine.

It's been a week since Kylo Ren first made his presence in my mind known, and I haven't slept much since. I'm too afraid of what will happen if I really fall asleep. For all I know, the First Order is just waiting for me to slip and let down the defenses I've built up in my mind. I won't risk Luke's or my safety. Luke tells me it's not healthy, that it's not worth my sanity or well-being, but I'll be damned if I bring the wrath of the Order down on him.

I sense Luke behind me before I hear him. "I'm not having this discussion again," I tell him, glancing over my shoulder. He smiles at me and crosses his arms over his robe-clad chest.

"I know, I wasn't going to argue with you again. We both know I can't win," he chuckles. "I was going to ask for a favor."

"Favor?" I ask, standing up and stretching my meditation-stiff muscles.

Luke nods. "I think it might bring us both a little peace of mind, but you're not going to like it."

"I'm not going to sleep."

"I know," he sighs. "This might be worse though."

"Worse? Worse how?" I narrow my eyes at my master.

"I want you to investigate the connection."

I raise my eyebrows, questioning his judgment. Surely he can't mean... Oh, who am I kidding? This is Luke Skywalker we're talking about. He's insane.

He gives me his best 'I'm serious' expression. "I'm going to give you something Master Yoda once gave me to help me focus on feeling the Force within me. It's a special tea that tastes like a garbage compactor, but it'll get you close to sleep, but conscious enough to still be in control."

I mull this over for a moment, and I can tell my Master thinks he's won. "Will I be able to keep him from infiltrating my mind?" I ask him.

"If you're able to do it awake, you'll be able to do it with the tea. It all depends on your abilities and will-power."

The next few moments are filled with tense silence as I try to decide if this is worth the risk. Master Luke knows I will always do whatever he asks of me (as long as it would not put him in danger), and I can sense the grim victory smile even before I sigh in defeat.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Ten minutes later, Luke brings me a steaming cup of what smells like the luggabeasts' water troughs back on Jakku. I try not to inhale as the disgusting concoction is placed in front of me. He tells me to drink up, then disappears to wait for the effects to set in. Deep breath in. Deep breath out. You can do this, Rey. It's hardly the worst thing you've ever had to consume. Luke chuckles from his position near the edge of the cliff, presumably sensing the mental encouragement I'm giving myself.

The first sip burns my tongue and sends chills down my spine. It's an odd sensation, feeling nerve endings come to life while my entire body seems to grow heavy with sleep at the same time. The second sip numbs me from head to toe, and lulls me deeper into that strange sense of heavy weightlessness. Everything blurs together after that until every last drop is drained from the cup. I shift into a comfortable meditative position and the world spins in sickening circles around me. Just as my eyes drift shut, I see the blurry figure of my Master settling in front of me.