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A Beginning of Fear

Copyright Heather H. 1999

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NOTE: Most of the characters don't belong to me. The ones that do are the creations of my twisted little mind.

Chapter 4

"Skywalker..." Master Lonys murmured. "I am not familiar with that name."

Obi-Wan took a deep breath. "Master, the transport I was to take was destroyed. It exploded as it lifted into the air...all aboard were...killed."

"And you say it was the boy that warned you..."

It seemed to Obi-Wan that the Jedi Master was speaking more to himself than to his apprentice. "We must find the boy and bring him to the Council." "But Master!" Obi-Wan sputtered. "What if he won't come?!"

Placing a steady hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder, Master Lonys said, "Have faith, dear boy. The child will come." Obi-Wan sighed. "Yes, my Master." Master Lonys placed his hand on the cool stone wall of the building beside him and quietly murmured to himself. He slowly layed his head on his rough hand and said softly, "We must leave now."

"Is something wrong, Master Lonys?" Obi-Wan asked, his voice and heart full of alarm.

Master Lonys faced his young student. "I fear that the girl's life may be in danger. We must hurry." "Girl?" Obi-Wan asked. "What girl?"

Master Lonys began walking to the space port. "Do not let this information trouble you now. You will find our soon enough." Obi-Wan hurred to catch up the the Jedi Master. He hadn't planned on returning to Tatooine this soon...deep within his soul he _knew_ something terribly wrong awaited them there.

* * * *

Anakin stared glumly at the half-finished droid crumpled on his floor. He was _never_ going to finish it...there were too many parts he still needed to find...if only Mama would let him trade with Romi- "Anakin," a soft but firm voice called from the kitchen.

"It's time to eat, my darling!"

Anakin crawled off of his bed and hurried to the small eating nood. His home was small, but comfortable and perfect for him and his mother. Like all of the houses on the east side of town, the home had only four rooms (two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room/eating nook) and three windows - Anakin's room had no window. The walls were a very pale gray and curved up at the top to form a domed ceiling. Al lthere was of furniture was a crudely made table, a few rickety chairs, and two "beds" - which were, in actuality, slabs of wood that jutted out from the wall and covered with quilts.

Anakin's mother didn't make nearly enough money to afford the luxury of sending her son to school...so, she taught him what limited things she knew. She hoped that one day, he only child's life would amount to more than hers did...making wires that would someday be used in power converters is not much of a legacy to leave.

Anakin settled himself down on one of the chairs and semi-patiently waited for his mother to join him. It only took a few moments for her to do so, and as she set the flimsy tin plate in front of him, she said, "Where were you off to in such a hurry?" Anakin hungrily took a bite of the corn mush.

"I went for a walk."

"Who did you see on this...walk?"

Anakin swallowed nervously. "A jedi...but Mama! He wasn't anything like you said Jedi's were! He - "

"What have I told you about Jedi's?"

"To stay away from them," Anakin whispered, glancing down at his plate in embarassment.

"You disobeyed me," his mother calmy took a bite of corn mush. "Do not expect to play with Romi and Darna at _all_ this week."

"But Mama - "

"Anakin!" his mother said sharply. "I'm doing this for your own good! The Jedi's are nothing more that - " Her clear voice was suddenly cut off by the sound of a knock at the small metal door. As she rose from her seat, Anakin's mother said, "There will be no discussion of this matter today." The voices at the door were so low that Anakin almost didn't recognize them...but then he did.

Obi-Wan Kenobi had returned.

TO BE CONTINUED