Empire || A Kylo Ren Story

Silence

• Song - She's the Prettiest Girl at the Party, and She Can Prove It with a Solid Right Hook - Frank Iero •

My eyes fluttered open and were met with glaring white light. I squinted and struggled to sit up as I tried to survey my surroundings.

"Lay down," my mother commanded. She pressed her hands to my shoulders and pushed me back against the firm, uncomfortable mattress. "I'll get the doctor."

"Phoenix? Where is she? Is she okay? How long have I been out? What happened?"

"It's only been two days. I'll tell you everything," she promised with a kiss to my forehead. "But not right now."

She left and returned shortly after, accompanied by a tall woman in a white coat.

"You're awake," she said cheerfully. "How do you feel?"

I stretched my stiff fingers as I considered.

"Okay, I guess. Kind of...hazy."

"Probably the meds," the doctor whispered to my mother.

"I can hear you," I pointed out.

She didn't respond as she studied the instruments and panels near my bed.

"Your vitals are excellent," she said. "How would you rate your pain, on a scale from zero to ten?"

"Two or three," I grunted.

"What kind of pain are you experiencing? Shooting, stabbing, burning?"

"Achey."

"I could increase your dosage if it's too bad," she offered.

"No, thank you. That won't be necessary. When can I get out of here?"

My mother scoffed. "You need to focus on healing, Ben."

"I can't." I shook my head. "Not until I see her."

"You'll be spending another three or four days with us," the doctor piped up. "But you can roam the floor if you take an aide with you. And you'll need to use a wheelchair."

"Is she on this floor? She's still in the hospital?"

"She's not on this floor," Mom replied, exasperated.

"I've gotta get to her," I muttered as I threw the thin blanket off my legs. "I promised. I'll sign whatever you need me to."

"Ben," Mom sighed, "I'll take you to her in a couple of days, if you stay in bed."

I knew the expression on her face well. It told me she was not willing to negotiate further. If I didn't accept her offer, she'd take it off the table completely. My mother was a kind and compassionate woman, but she had very limited tolerance for things she deemed nonsensical.

"Very well." I grumbled as I settled back into the bed. "But could someone bring a wheelchair? I'd like to be able to get myself to the toilet."

"You have a catheter and a bedpan."

Mom's eyes were narrowed; she knew me just as well as I knew her. She was suspicious.

"I'd like to hold onto at least a little bit of dignity, Mother."

She reluctantly agreed. The catheter and bedpan were removed, and a wheelchair was parked near my bed. If I wanted to get into it, I was supposed to press the call button and ask for assistance.

Mom wouldn't answer any more questions about Phoenix. She would only tell me to focus on getting better. She stayed with me for a few more hours before announcing that, regretfully, she had some work to do. I assured her that I understood completely; she was the General, after all. There were treaties to be drafted, societies to be rebuilt.