Title:Hallucinations

Author:Ruby-Flame Jedi Queen

Rating:G

Feedback:WANTED!!!! *please* :)

Disclaimer: This story is my own creation, but all character's belong to George Lucas.

"Tell me, mama," the girl said to her mother, with her eyes wide and her little face for the first time afraid.  "Who was that bad man, the scary one?"

Children shouldn't know how to read faces at such a young age, but this one did under her blanket of innocence; she saw that her mother was afraid as well.

"That bad man was someone we never want to run into again.  That is why we run, sweetie."

"Oh."  Said the little girl, who's mind could not truly comprehend the capability of evil among the world but still tried to understand.

"Tell me, mama," the girl whispered this time.  "Why is he bad?"

Good and evil were something the child could hardly grasp at all; many children could associate evil with a bully figure, or the kid who wouldn't share, but this child, a princess, had never felt anything but adoration and the best of care.  She had nothing to compare evil with.  That is why she had to be protected all the more.

"He is bad because he hurts people, baby," the mother replied, and her voice choked at the end, bringing tears in its place.

The little girl had shadows reflecting in her eyes as she asked in her high-pitched innocent voice, "Why?"

The mother glanced around herself, nervously.  Paraniod. For a moment she hesitated, not quite sure herself and trying to find a simple explanation; one the child would understand.  Finally, she answered, "Because it makes him feel powerful, honey.  Now try to stay quiet if you want us to get away."

The little girl was quiet for a little while and then after coughing a few times asked, "Who are we running from?"

The mother gave her a worried and glance, wishing the girl would stop asking questions and think happier thoughts in silence--it would keep her safer--, but she did reply, "The bad man, remember."

"No," stated the little girl, as if the last phrase had been a question.

"You don't remember the bad man?" The mother asked, the noise now a welcome distraction from her mind's now frantic state.  Everything around them was too quiet.  Surreal.

"I remember the bad man. But we aren't running from him mamma," said the girl.

"Then tell me, sweetie, who are we running from?"

The little girl did not respond.

"Who, baby?"

She still would not speak.

"Sweetie?"  Her mother's voice began to break.

A cricket chirped in the distance.

"Talk to me Leia!" The mother pleaded.

But there was no one there. The mother looked up to the sky and screamed.

This was all because of him.