The Runaway {Hunter} (WATTYS 2022)

Chapter 23

Cora found herself back towards the front of the house. She watched Omega play with the two young children. Her heart was low in her chest as she fiddled with her fingers. She tried to fight her tears, feeling it choke up in her chest. Cut saw the poor Senator in her state, sitting on the steps next to her, he sighed and looked to his children.

"I'm surprised to see you with the guys." He said, "I thought you'd be with Captain Lark. Hearing his name being said out loud made Cora wince. Cut saw this and looked away from the Senator. "I'm sorry." Cut mumbled.

"No, it's okay." Cora whispered back. She sniffed her tears back and took a big deep breath. "This must be so confusing for Omega."

"She's smart. I think she's starting to understand." Cut said softly.

"I wish she didn't have too." Cora admitted. "I wish I didn't."

Cut looked at the frown painted across the Senators face. He reached for her hand, holding it. "This war is over. You can rest."

"I feel like I can't," She looked at him, "I feel like I've earned nothing from this."

"War isn't about earning," Cut's voice was soft, "it's about gaining." Cora stayed quiet. "You've gained many friends, Lark, the Generals, Rex, the Bad Batch. Omega."

Cora looked out to the young girl. She was laughing and enjoying herself. "You know, I promised to stay with her, because she felt alone." Cora kept her eyes on Omega, "I know Hunter wants her to leave with you and Suu. I can tell he wants that." She looked down to her hands, "How do I break that to her? How do I break another promise?"

Cora's tears threatened to fall. Cut looked to her, unsure of what to do for her. "Come with us."

"No." Cora swallowed and shook her head. "I can't. You know that."

"Why not? You could take care of Omega, finally be at peace."

"I killed Lark." She blurted. Cut straightened his back, looking to her.

Lark was close with Cut, when they were in training. Lark thought his friend was dead, but Cora and Rex were the only ones who knew he was alive. Cora promised Cut that she wouldn't tell Lark that Cut was alive. It was a promise that made it to Lark's death.

"I didn't have a choice." Cora gasped out. "I tried to stop him but I-"

"It's alright." Cut stopped her.

The two were silent.

"I can't go with you. This new order, t-they'll be looking for me. For them." She pointed towards the guys who were inside the house. "I can't put someone else in danger."

Cut nodded. He understood where she was coming from. The two sat there, looking to the children.

"Promise me one thing?" Cora mumbled.

"Anything."

Cora looked to Omega, "Promise me that she won't be alone." She took a breath, "Promise me you'll be there for her."

Cora looked at Cut, his face calm. "I promise."

-

Cut and Cora joined with Hunter. They made their way towards town, taking the old dirt path that Cut had used so many times.

"So how did you meet with them?" Cut asked as he walked between Cora and Hunter. He nodded towards Hunter, as Cora and Hunter gave a glance between each other.

"I was called away to Anaxes by Rex." Cora said. "Commander Cody called Hunter in."

"We worked together to save Echo from Separatist forces." Hunter piped in.

"Good team work?" Cut asked with a smirk.

Cora shrugged. Hunter chuckled. "The Senator's reputation doesn't tell enough of her true ability."

"I was only doing my job." She said plainly. Cut and Hunter exchanged a worried look as they entered town.

The trio walked into town as Cut hid his face away from others eyes with his hat. They passed a group of clone troopers, earning an uneasy feeling from everyone, even Cora.

"Troops should be pulling their forces, not securing a post. The war is over." Hunter said turning his head so he wouldn't be seen.

Cut chuckled, "Well, it doesn't feel that way."

The murmurs of people around them filled the air. They passed stands with people selling goods and even more troopers. Hunter and Cut stopped, causing Cora to follow suit. Looking up to the sky, a ship being held was headed further into the city.

Cut looked to the two with uneasiness. "They started seizing ships about a week ago."

"Military ships?" Hunter asked.

"All ships." Cut said. The group looked ahead towards where the ship landed. "They're tagging them inside the impound lot." Cut turned away. "The stall's up ahead. Let's book the shuttle before we're spotted." He patted Hunter's shoulder.

"How did you get away without being seen all these years?" Cora asked as she jogged up next to Cut.

"Clones never occupied this planet until a week ago. There were some here and there but," he looked around. "There's more coming everyday."

Hunter kept his voice low. "So, where will you and your family go next?"

Cut out his hand out and lightly hit Hunter's chest, the three ducking into a small booth to the side as a group of clone troopers passed by. The two men kept their heads down, trying to not be seen.

"I suppose find a remote piece of land on a distant planet." Cut said picking up the native fruit. Hunter leaned on the side of the stand as Cora crossed her arms. "That's all we really need."

"That's the key to not being found?" Hunter asked after he watched the troopers walk away.

"You wanna know how to disappear?" Cut chuckled. "Put being a soldier behind you and make a new life for yourself." Cut turned to Cora. "You've got a beautiful Senator standing across from you." Cut said smirking. "It only takes the courage to put the blasters away and settle down somewhere."

Cora's face got red and she looked towards Hunter. His eyes were down, as if he was thinking on Cut's words. Thanking the gods above, the store owner game out from the side and sat down on the small stool in front of them. She was a small purple looking frog. Her voice raspy as she spoke to the trio.

"What do you want?" She asked narrowing her eyes.

Cut glanced around, taking out credits from his bag. "I need to book passage on the next shuttle out of here." His voice was in a low whisper.

The owner looked between the three. "Those credits won't do you any good without a chain code. New galactic policy."

"My what?" Cut asked as he glanced at Hunter.

The small woman sighed and rolled her eyes at Cut. "Your chain code." She said sternly. She looked towards the town square.

The three lifted their heads towards the PA hologram that was playing for all to see. Cora's heart dropped on her chest. The wasn't listening to the words of the man speaking over the hologram, rather, her eyes focused on his face. She knew him.

Her breathing became rough as she felt her anxiety build up in her chest. Her hand went to her throat as she tried to breathe but she felt trapped. She felt trapped in her own body. She swallowed back her anxiety as Hunter and Cut kept their attention on a man trying to get on a shuttle. Cora turned away as Hunter spoke with Cut. Her eyes landed back on the PA as it played the same message again. Her eyes were fixed on him, the man she knew but wished she didn't.

Cora caught the eye of Hunter and he stepped next to her. He looked at her face then towards the man on the PA. "Do you... know him?" Hunter asked.

Cora swallowed and inhaled. "No." She said sternly before turning away and following Cut back towards their house.