Prologue

Since as far as she can remember, there are five sentences inked across Rey's skin. Like a tattoo, they are permanently there since she was but a child.

The sentences vary in size and are scattered in different parts of Rey's body. One odder and curious than the other.

Rey doesn't know how she got them, or what they mean, but she promises to herself that she will find out someday.

And she will.

.

The first noticeable word can be seen right on the skin over her ribcage. It is the size of a fist and written in bold and italic letters.

You! It says, with an exclamation point to match, and every time Rey touches the word, she feels the emotion of surprise projected from the bold, black letters.

It is a curious thing, to feel the faint emotion that wasn't hers to begin with. More so, when Rey doesn't understand how she is able to sense something on her inked skin.

.

The second sentence that Rey find curious can be seen on her right side. The words stretches from her right hip to her upper thigh and written in a lazy scrawl.

The girl I've heard so much about. It says.

Rey can practically sense the nonchalant drawl from the words as she touches the sentence. But what do they mean?

The girl I've heard so much about? It implies that Rey has become well-known somehow, but that is impossible. She is only a scavenger. A nobody living in a backwater planet. Yet the words imply something else altogether.

But as much as Rey wants to think that she is destined for something greater, she can't afford to entertain such thoughts, not while she lives in a wasteland, and not when she can barely acquire food portions from Unkar Plutt after days of scavenging.

Such silly notions has no place in Rey's life.

For Rey is first and foremost a survivor, and a scavenger, a girl with nothing to her name.

And the only thing that keeps her moving forward is the hope of her family returning.

.

You're my guest.

The third sentence that she can see on her inner forearm is enigmatic. Yet such simple words fills Rey with a sense of apprehension as she runs her finger over the letters.

She silently wonders its meaning.

Is she going to be a guest in someone else's house after being invited to stay?

Whatever it is.

Rey hopes that the words will turn out to be true.

For she certainly needs a friend or acquaintance in her life, and perhaps a place to belong to.

.

Now, now, don't be rude, are the words written on her right calve. Like the other sentence, there is a ghost of an emotion projected from the scrawl.

This one, however, Rey can sense the annoyance rolling off from the words as she touches the small letters.

Rey doesn't question it much like the others. But she does touches the mark frequently as a way for her to chase the feeling of loneliness away and replace it with one of indignation.

.

The last and final sentence is nestled on her right hand, from her forearm to her wrist, and is a strange one. Because the words are faded and nearly indecipherable.

I beg your pardon?! She manages to read.

The sentence projects a feeling of distance and emptiness. It lacks the emotion she usually feels when she touches the other sentences.

Something Rey has been puzzling over since she first notices it.

This sentence Rey often forgets about and is only reminded of its existence when she turns her hand, or unwraps the cloth bindings from her forearm.

Perhaps she should have noted the sentence as often as she has the others.

Because even though Rey doesn't know it yet, but this will be the sentence that will seal her fate forever.

.

As she grew older, Rey finally discovers about soul mates, and soon enough, she doesn't feel so lonely anymore as her gaze locks into the sentences etch on her skin.

Because she knew that the emotions she feels from the sentences is a testament that her soul mate exist, and is out there somewhere waiting for her, or even looking for her. Somehow, this new discovery made living in Jakku far more easier. It comforts her that someday she will no longer be alone. If her family doesn't come back, then she has someone else to wait for. A person who is connected to her soul.

.

Rey is ten when she learns that she is different. So much different than the others.

"These sentences inked on your skin, child, are your way to determine your soulmate." Rey was informed by an old woman named Ienera in the Niima Outpost when Rey had asked about the subject.

"Three sentence to seal the bond with your other half." The woman had said. "One sentence is for recognition. The other sentence is for assertion. And the last sentence is for validation. Either sentences are spoken in different order. But you must remember that all the sentences should be spoken in an interchange - a conversation, if you will. If these three sentences are spoken within a conversational setting, it is a validation where you must then consider yourself soul-bonded forever."

"You said there are three sentences?" Rey had said. "But how come I have five?"

"Five?" Ienera had asked. "Are you sure you counted them right, little one?"

"Yes,"

"Well, if you have five, perhaps you are an exception to the rule of soul-bonding, because I have never heard of such thing happening before."

.

After learning that, Rey made it her mission to search for the answer. Thereafter, she often lingers in Niima Outpost to asks strangers who comes from the other nearby star system in regards to her situation.

And one day, she does learn the reason behind the five sentences inked on her skin.

"You have something rare, young one. It means that you may have more than one soul mate." A man from Naboo said, "But be warn, child, a soulmate bond is a fragile thing once validated. If you find your other halves, you must remember to take care of them always, and protect them at all cost. For sometimes in a strong bond, if one of the other half dies, the other one will not be too far behind. He or she will follow their beloved to the grave."

Author's Note: Please check out the edits and aesthetics that I made in my profile!