The setting sun cast orange and purple hues across the sands of Venice Beach, creating a living canvas around Rey Kenobi. Brush in hand, she added the finishing touches to a giant mural that adorned the wall of a souvenir shop. The image of a woman with seagull wings, flying through the hazy Los Angeles sky, was nearly complete.

The walls of the shop where Rey was painting were painted bright yellow, contrasting with the curved, ocean-blue roof. Next door, a bohemian-style building with colorful mosaics and whimsical statues stood, as if out of a dream. Across the street, a row of souvenir shops with colorful facades and flashing neon signs caught the attention of tourists.

The shop’s owner, a middle-aged man named Sal, stood near the entrance, watching Rey with a smug smile. Sal was a stocky man with gray hair tied back in a ponytail and a flashy Hawaiian shirt. He had kind eyes and always wore sunglasses, even as the sun began to set.

“Good job, Rey!” he called out in a hoarse voice. 

"This mural will attract a lot of customers to my shop. You really have talent!"

Rey smiled faintly, not really caring about Sal's compliment. She preferred painting for himself, expressing her feelings through color and shape. However, she needed money to survive, and Sal was one of her regular customers.

Sal then turned and entered the shop, unaware of two figures lurking behind Rey. They were thin men with wild eyes, wearing black hoodies and cargo pants. One of them held a shiny pocket knife.

"Look at that, bro," one whispered to the other, his eyes fixed on Rey's canvas bag lying on the ground. 

"There must be a lot of money in there. Just look at those brushes, they must be expensive."

The two of them moved forward, their steps barely audible amidst the noise of the Venice Beach streets. The sound of cheerful street music mixed with the laughter of tourists and the shouts of ice cream vendors. Rey, too focused on his painting, was unaware of the danger lurking. When they were almost in her bag, the man with the knife reached out.

"Hey, sweetie," he said in a hoarse voice.

 "Your bag looks nice. I'll take it."

Rey gasped, turning around with wide eyes. She saw the gleaming knife and the rough faces of the two men. Her instincts kicked in, and she reached for the spray can lying nearby.

"Stay away," she said, her voice shaking but firm. 

"I won't let you take anything."

The man laughed mockingly. 

"Oh yeah? What are you going to do, spray paint us?"

Before Rey could answer, the man lunged at her, knife raised. Rey jumped to the side, avoiding the attack. She sprayed the man's face with paint, causing him to scream and curse. Another man tried to grab her bag, but Rey kicked him in the leg, tripping him.

The scene turned into chaos. Rey, though frightened, fought back fiercely. She used her spray can as a weapon, spraying paint into the eyes and faces of the muggers. People around them began to notice the commotion, some of them screaming and trying to help.

The muggers, however, were too determined. They managed to grab Rey's bag and started running, pushing through the crowd. Rey, with rising anger, chased after them. He would not let them get away.

Without hesitation, Rey jumped over the souvenir tables that lined the street, pushing through the crowd of shocked tourists. She did not care about the screams and confused looks of the people. All she could think about was her bag containing her hard-earned money and the valuable sketches she had made.

The two snatchers ran quickly, weaving between food stalls and clothing stores. They turned into a narrow alley located between two colorful buildings. The alley was dark and dirty, with trash strewn on the ground and the pungent smell of urine.

Rey did not hesitate to follow them. She jumped onto a wooden box and ran as fast as she could, her feet stepping on dirty puddles. She saw the two snatchers running to the end of the alley, towards a tightly closed metal door.

"Stop!" Rey shouted, her voice echoing in the quiet alley.

The two snatchers ignored her. They opened the metal door roughly and disappeared into the darkness. Rey quickened her pace, her anger rising. She wasn't going to let them get away with this. When Rey reached the metal door, she paused, taking a deep breath. She knew she was entering dangerous territory. The alley was quiet and dark, and she had no idea what awaited her inside. But she didn't care. She was going to get her bag back, no matter what.

Before she stepped inside, Rey remembered the whispers she often heard on the streets of Venice Beach. This alley, and the area beyond it, was known as the territory of Rider Snoke, a feared biker gang in the city. They controlled the drug trade, protection, and all sorts of other illegal activities. Even the police were reluctant to enter their territory.

Rey swallowed, fear starting to creep into her heart. However, she would not back down. She would get her bag back, or die trying. With strong determination, Rey opened the metal door and stepped into the darkness.

Darkness greeted Rey as she entered the alley. The smell of damp and rust stung her nose, mixed with the scent of rotting garbage. She squinted, trying to get used to the darkness. The sound of her footsteps echoed in the narrow hallway, making her feel even more uncomfortable.

She walked slowly, her hands feeling the rough wall beside her. In the distance, she heard a soft laugh, followed by the sound of metal objects clanging. Rey quickened her pace, her heart pounding.

As she turned the corner of the alley, she saw the two muggers. They stood under the flashing neon lights, their faces grimacing.

"Look who's here," one of the muggers said, his voice mocking. 

"Our little artist wants his stuff back."

"You're pretty brave coming in here," another added, his eyes flashing. 

"You know this is our territory, right?"

Rey stopped, her eyes fixed on the two men. She knew she had made a mistake by following them here. She was alone, in enemy territory, and they owned this place.

"Give me back my stuff," Rey said, her voice shaking but firm. 

"It's not yours."

The muggers laughed. 

"Really? And what are you going to do if we don't?"

The two of them moved forward, surrounding Rey like wolves surrounding their prey. Rey backed away slowly, her back hitting the cold wall. She was cornered.

"You made a big mistake coming here, sweetie," one of the muggers said, holding out his hand toward Rey. 

"Now, let's see what we can get from you."

Rey clenched her fists, her anger rising. She wasn’t going to give up so easily. She jumped to the side, avoiding the first blow from the taller mugger. She reached out and clawed at the man’s face, making him scream and curse.

The shorter mugger lunged at Rey, trying to grab her arm. Rey kicked him in the stomach, sending him reeling back. She then grabbed a rusty metal pipe lying on the ground and used it as a weapon.

A fierce fight ensued in the dark, narrow alley. Rey, though smaller, was agile and nimble. She dodged the muggers’ attacks and retaliated with powerful punches and kicks.

However, the two muggers were stronger and more experienced. They managed to corner Rey against the wall, and one of them grabbed her arm, twisting it behind her back. Rey screamed in pain, and the metal pipe fell from her hand.

“That’s enough, sweetie,” the taller mugger said, smirking. 

“Now, let’s get what you’ve got.”

They both moved forward, ready to disarm Rey. Rey closed her eyes, resigned to her fate. Suddenly, the deafening roar of a motorcycle shattered the silence of the alley. The bright headlights dazzled the muggers, making them stumble back.

A large black motorcycle stopped at the entrance of the alley, its engine roaring like a wild animal. On top of it, a man dressed all in black sat haughtily. His face was covered by a black helmet, but his eyes gleamed coldly behind the visor.

"Let her go," the man said, his voice deep and menacing. 

"Or you'll regret it."

The muggers exchanged glances, fear beginning to creep into their hearts. They knew the sound of that motorcycle. They knew who the man standing before them was.

"Kylo Ren," the shorter mugger whispered, his voice shaking.

"Kylo Ren," the shorter one whispered, his voice shaking.

Kylo Ren nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving the two snatchers.

The two snatchers swallowed, fear evident on their faces. They knew Kylo Ren's reputation. They knew that he would not hesitate to punish them.

"We were just... we were just trying to take what was ours," the taller snatcher said, his voice shaking.

"It wasn't yours," Kylo Ren said, his voice cold.

"Now, get out of here. And don't ever come back."

The two snatchers nodded quickly and took off, running as fast as they could into the darkness of the alley. Kylo Ren revved his motorcycle, ready to drive away.

"Wait," Rey said, her voice low.

Kylo Ren stopped his motorcycle and turned to Rey. He stared at her with cold eyes, his face covered by a black helmet.

"Thank you for helping me," Rey said, her voice shaking slightly.

“I’m not helping you,” Kylo Ren said, his voice flat.

“I just don’t like petty crimes.”

“Who are you?” Rey asked, her eyes boring into Kylo Ren.

“Why are you… bothering them?”

“That’s none of your business,” Kylo Ren said, his voice cold.

“Now, leave. This is no safe place for you.”

“I’m not leaving,” Rey said, her voice firm.

“I want to know who you are.”

Kylo Ren stared at Rey intently. Rey approached him slowly, and as her face was illuminated by the flickering neon lights, Kylo was startled. There was something familiar about her face. A face that had been popping up in his dreams for the past few months.

“Kylo Ren,” he said, calmly.

“I’m Rey Kenobi.”

Rey felt something strange. Kylo Ren’s aura felt familiar, yet foreign. There was a darkness surrounding him, yet a hidden warmth. She didn’t know why, but she felt drawn to him.

They both knew that there was more than coincidence in their meeting.

Without a word, Kylo Ren turned his motorcycle around and rode away, disappearing into the darkness of the alley. Rey watched him go, confused and curious. There was something mysterious about the man, something that made her want to know more.

Rey then turned and walked out of the alley, back to the busy streets of Venice Beach. She saw Sal standing in front of his shop, his face full of concern.

"Rey! Oh my God, are you okay?" Sal called, running towards her.

"I heard a commotion. What happened?"

Rey told him what had happened, summarizing her encounter with Kylo Ren. Sal shook his head, worried.

"You're lucky Kylo Ren was there," he said.

"He's a dangerous man, but he has his own code of conduct. Never mess with Snoke's Rider gang, Rey. They're not good people."

Rey nodded, though her curiosity about Kylo Ren was growing. She picked up her bag that had been lying at Sal's feet, and thanked him.

"I have to get home," Rey said.

"It's getting late."

Rey walked down the streets of Venice Beach, heading towards her small apartment in Oakwood, a cheap apartment complex in Marina Del Rey. The apartment was located not far from Venice Beach, but far from its glitz and glamour.

Rey's apartment was on the second floor, a small, cramped but tidy room. The walls were painted a dull beige, and the furnishings consisted of a pull-out bed, a small desk, and a bookshelf filled with art books and sketchbooks. The large window overlooked the bustling street, providing a view of the twinkling city lights.

Rey turned on the desk lamp and let out a tired sigh. She went to the small bathroom in the corner of the room and took a warm shower. The running water washed away the dust and sweat from her body, as well as the tension from the long day.

After her shower, Rey put on some comfortable cotton pajamas and went to her small kitchen. She turned on the stove and boiled water for chamomile tea. The sweet scent of chamomile filled the room, calming her mind.

Rey sat at her desk, sipping her hot chamomile tea. She stared at the sketches scattered on the table, trying to banish the image of Kylo Ren from her mind. But the man's silhouette kept appearing in her mind, with his mysterious aura.

Rey sighed and turned off the table lamp. She lay down on her bed, pulling the covers up to her chin. She closed her eyes, trying to sleep. But her mind kept spinning, wondering about Kylo Ren and the secrets hidden behind him

-

Finally, Rey fell asleep. But her sleep was not restful. She had a strange and frightening dream. She dreamed that she was lost inside a tall, dark skyscraper. She walked down endless hallways, looking for a way out, but found no one.

The building was quiet and empty, only lit by flickering neon lights. She kept walking, hoping to find someone, but there was no one.

Suddenly, she heard someone calling her name. The voice was soft and distant, but Rey recognized it. She looked up and saw Kylo Ren standing on the top floor of the building, on the edge of the roof.

Rey knew, Kylo Ren was looking at Rey with a blank, emotionless expression from behind the helmet. He stepped forward and jumped off the roof, plunging into the darkness. Rey screamed, trying to stop him, but she couldn't. She watched Kylo Ren fall, his body disappearing into the night.

Rey woke up gasping for breath, sweat pouring down her forehead. She sat up in her bed, her heart pounding. The dream felt so real, so scary.

She looked around her room, trying to convince herself that it was just a dream. However, the feeling of fear and anxiety still enveloped her. She remembered that this was not the first time she had had a dream like this. The same dream had haunted her for the past five years, ever since she left the orphanage.

Rey sighed and looked out the window. It was morning, the sun was starting to rise over the city of Los Angeles. She got up from her bed and went to the bathroom, trying to wash herself of the remnants of her nightmare.

—

After getting dressed, Rey walked to The Daily Grind, a small coffee shop located not far from her apartment. This coffee shop was her favorite place to relax and drink coffee, and she often met her best friend, Rose Tico, there.

Rose was already sitting at one of the tables near the window, sipping her morning coffee. She waved at Rey, smiling brightly. Rose was a young woman of Chinese descent with chubby cheeks and cute dimples. She was very expressive, with eyes that always sparkled and agile hand movements.

"Rey! You're finally here," Rose said, her voice cheerful.

"I've been waiting for a long time."

Rey sat across from Rose and ordered a coffee. She told him about the mugging that happened the night before, and her encounter with Kylo Ren. Rose listened intently, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Kylo Ren?" Rose said, her voice a whisper. "You met Kylo Ren? He's a dangerous man, Rey. You're lucky he didn't hurt you."

"I know," Rey said, taking a sip of her coffee.

"But there's something about him... something off. I feel like I know him, even though I've never met him before."

Rose frowned. "Maybe it's just you, Rey. Don't think too much about it. The important thing is that you're safe."

Rey nodded, but she couldn't get Kylo Ren out of her mind. There was something mysterious about him, something that made her want to know more.

"I know this is crazy," Rey said,

"but I feel like there's something connecting us."

Rose looked at Rey with concern.

"Rey, you know this isn't a good idea. Kylo Ren is part of Rider Snoke's gang. They're not good people."

"I know," Rey said, sighing.

"But I can't ignore my feelings."

Rose sighed and shook her head.

"Okay, Rey. But be careful. Don't get hurt."

Rey smiled thinly.

"I'll be careful, Rose. Thank you."

They were both silent for a moment, sipping their coffee. Rey stared out the window, at the busy streets of Los Angeles. She wondered about Kylo Ren, and what would happen next.

–

After finishing their coffee, Rey said goodbye to Rose and walked back to Sal's shop. She needed to pick up payment for the mural she painted. Sal greeted her with a big smile, and handed her a thick envelope filled with money.

"Good job, Rey," Sal said.

"The mural makes my shop look a lot more inviting. I hope you'll paint for me again in the future."

Rey smiled and thanked him. She put the envelope in her bag and walked out of the shop. As she walked down the street, she saw a man standing in front of her mural. He was pale, tall, with sharp eyes and jet black hair. He stared at the mural with an unreadable expression.

Rey stopped and stared at the man. There was something familiar about him, something that made her feel uneasy. The man turned and looked at Rey. Their eyes met, and Rey felt a strange tug inside her. The man was looking at her with an unreadable expression, and Rey felt her heart pound.

"Hi," Rey said, trying to sound casual.

"Do you like the mural?"

The man nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving Rey's.

"What does it mean?"

Rey smiled thinly.

"It's about hope. About finding light in the darkness."

The man stared at the mural again, his expression still unreadable.

“darkness and light," he said quietly. "Two sides of the same coin."

"Are you an artist?" Rey asked, curious.

The man shook his head.

"I have a studio apartment," he replied.

"I want you to paint on the walls."

Rey hesitated. She wasn't sure if she should trust this man. There was something mysterious and dangerous about him.

"I’m Kylo Ren," the man said.

–

Rey sat cross-legged on the cold wooden floor, facing the blank matte black wall of Kylo Ren’s studio apartment. The evening light from the large window across from her only managed to highlight the silhouette of her body. She bit the tip of her pencil, her eyes glazed over.

Why did I agree to this? she thought.

Her doubts returned to haunt her. There was something illogical about being here, in the apartment of a stranger she had just met the night before, a man involved with a dangerous biker gang.

The apartment was almost ten times the size of her small apartment in Oakwood. And why was everything black? Black walls, black leather couches, cold steel desks. Even the bookshelves were dark, though they were nearly empty.

The monochrome color scheme felt odd, reflecting an emptiness that contrasted with the simplicity of her cramped apartment filled with paint and sketches.

Was this just her taste, or was there something deeper behind it?

She wondered why someone would choose to live in such darkness, when the view of the city outside the window was so dazzling.

Rey stared at the black wall in front of her.

Kylo Ren just said he wanted her to paint here, on that big empty wall. But what should she paint? He gave no instructions, no specific theme, no color preferences. He just told Rey to submit any ideas she liked later, when Kylo returned to the apartment.

Rey was confused. Usually, people who asked her to paint had a clear vision. Why was this man so hands-off? Was this a trap? Or did he really not care about what she was going to paint?

Unconsciously, her fingers began to move on the sketch pad. Her mind was blank, but her hands seemed to have a will of their own. Slowly, an image of a space shuttle was created, hurtling at the speed of light along a space tunnel. At the end of the tunnel, there was a burning flame, as if pulling the shuttle towards destruction. Rey frowned, staring at the sketch. Where did this idea come from?

—

Suddenly, Rey's stomach growled loudly, breaking the silence of the cold apartment. She just realized that she hadn't had lunch. With a little hesitation, she got up and headed to the kitchen area located in the corner of the room.

The kitchen was as minimalist as the rest of the apartment, with plain black cabinets and barely used stainless steel appliances.

Rey opened the refrigerator, hoping to find something to eat. However, it contained only a few bottles of cold mineral water, a pack of fresh-looking green vegetables, and a few unappealing apples. No leftovers, no snacks, nothing to fill her rumbling stomach.

As Rey closed the refrigerator door with a little disappointment, she thought again. This man, Kylo Ren, was truly a mystery. He brought her to his luxurious apartment, asked her to paint, and then just left. He didn't even check to see if she had eaten or had anything to do. And what was even strange was why he trusted her so much? He had only met Rey the night before, under tense circumstances. How could he be sure that she wouldn't steal something from his apartment that was clearly filled with expensive items, or betray him in some other way?

—

With an uncontrollable curiosity, Rey began to wander around Kylo Ren's apartment. She walked past a bookshelf filled with only a few classic leather-bound volumes and a single photograph framed in silver, facing down so that its contents were not visible. She observed a clean work desk without a speck of dust, only a sleek laptop and a few neatly closed documents. There was no trace of real personality, as if its owner was trying to hide himself from the world.

Rey's steps took her to the sleeping area, which was only visually separated from the main room by the arrangement of furniture.

There, a large bed dominated the room, covered with a sleek yet cold jet black bed cover. Beside the bed, a simple nightstand with a modern reading lamp stood. Rey stopped in front of the large window that stretched near the bed. From there, she could see the view of the city that was starting to sparkle with the lights of the evening. The cold night air felt through the glass. She stared at the view, trying to find answers to the questions that were spinning in her mind about the mysterious man named Kylo Ren who brought her to this place.

Fatigue from lack of sleep and a chaotic mind finally took over. Unconsciously, Rey stepped closer and sat on the edge of the bed. The surface of the bed cover felt cold and slippery beneath her hands. He leaned his back against the soft headboard, still looking at the city lights twinkling in the distance. The unexpected comfort and ease of the luxurious bed slowly relaxed her. Her eyes felt heavy, and before she knew it, Rey's consciousness faded, leading her into a deep sleep.

She didn't know how long she had been asleep. Suddenly, she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder, followed by a deep voice calling her name.

"Rey."

She blinked, trying to gather her senses. The dim light of the floor lamp illuminated the silhouette of a man standing near the bed. A faint masculine scent pierced her senses.

"Rey," the voice repeated, this time a little more firmly.

"You fell asleep."

Rey finally recognized the figure. Kylo Ren. He was back. Rey immediately straightened up, feeling a little embarrassed to have fallen asleep in a stranger's bed.

"Sorry," Rey mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

"I didn't mean to..."

Kylo Ren just stared at her with an expression that was hard to read in the dim light.

"You must be tired."

—

Just then, Rey's stomach growled again, this time louder and clearer amidst the silence of the apartment. Rey blushed, lowering her head.

Kylo Ren paused for a moment, then a barely perceptible smile curled the corners of his lips. "Looks like someone's hungry," he said, his tone slightly softer than before.

"I brought something for dinner. Spaghetti."

Rey looked up, slightly surprised.

"You... brought dinner?"

Kylo Ren gave a small nod.

"I'm not sure what you like. Spaghetti is usually safe. Let's eat, and after that, I'd like to hear your painting ideas."

He turned and walked into the kitchen area, leaving Rey still stunned on the edge of the bed. Awkwardness and curiosity mixed in her mind. Why was this man so unpredictable?

—

Rey followed Kylo Ren into the kitchen area. She watched as he pulled out containers of spaghetti and sauce from a dark shopping bag. He also took out two plates and some silverware. They ate in silence for a while, only the sound of forks clinking to break the silence of the modern, cold apartment.

After a few bites, Kylo Ren looked up at Rey.

"So," he said, setting down his fork,

"tell me about your idea for the painting."

Rey took a deep breath. She wasn't entirely sure about the idea of a space shuttle that had just come to her. But there was something compelling and powerful about the image.

As she explained her concept, she began to share a little about herself.

"I... I don't have a family," she said quietly, looking down at her spaghetti.

"I grew up in an orphanage. Then I went through the foster system a few times. I got out eight years ago because I was old enough."

Kylo Ren listened intently, his gaze intense but not judgmental.

Rey continued,

"Since then, I've been trying to make a living on my own. Painting murals, doing odd jobs... I'm saving up money to go to college, majoring in art."

There was a hint of hope and vulnerability in her voice.

Kylo Ren asked a few questions, wanting to know more about Rey's experiences in the orphanage and the foster system, about the kind of art she enjoyed most, and her dreams for the future. She seemed interested, listening intently without interrupting.

When Rey felt comfortable enough to ask back,

"What about you, Kylo?" she asked cautiously.

"What do you do? Why are you interested in art?"

Kylo Ren paused for a moment, his expression softening slightly once more to a blank, reserved one.

"I... did this and that for Rider Snoke," he replied simply, avoiding Rey's gaze. "And I appreciate art. That's all."

He then turned the conversation back to the mural, asking for more details about the shuttle sketch and its meaning. Rey felt an invisible wall rise between them again, a barrier that clearly showed that there was a part of Kylo Ren that he did not want to share.

—

When Kylo Ren asked again about the details of the shuttle sketch, Rey nodded and began to explain, but her mind wandered. As she spoke about the symbolism of fire and travel, her eyes silently studied the man before her.

Kylo Ren was tall and sturdy, with broad shoulders and a slightly hunched posture, giving the impression of being intense and a little burdened.

His skin was pale, contrasting with his jet black hair that was wavy and fell slightly untidy on his forehead. His facial features were sharp, with a sharp and slightly aquiline nose, and a strong jaw. His lips were thin and often flat, but Rey had seen a slight curve at the corners when he smiled slightly earlier. His eyes were dark and sharp, able to glare with an intensity that made Rey feel like she was being stripped naked.

There was a thin scar that was faintly visible near his eyebrow, adding to the impression of mystery and a possibly turbulent past.

His appearance tonight was simple plain black shirt and dark pants, but they fit snugly against his body, accentuating his athletic physique. There was an aura of power radiating from him, a dangerous calm.

As Rey took in every detail of his appearance, she became more and more convinced that Kylo Ren's past must have had a profound effect on his life today. There was a sadness hidden behind his piercing eyes, and the emptiness of his apartment felt like a reflection of the emptiness inside her own.

Rey felt a strong urge to find out more about this mysterious man. Not just out of simple curiosity, but because she felt a strange resonance between them, a faint bond she had felt since their first meeting in that dark alley.

As she finished the mural in this apartment, Rey resolved in her heart, she would find out the secrets behind Kylo Ren's defensive walls, bit by bit, with the strokes of her brush.

With a little hesitation, Rey held out her sketchbook to Kylo Ren, showing him a drawing of a space shuttle hurtling toward flames. Kylo took the book, his eyebrows slightly raised at the image. He stared at the sketch for a moment, his expression unreadable.

Finally, he looked up at Rey. "This is interesting," he said, his tone flat but not dismissive.

"There's... an intensity to it. I'm all for this idea."

Rey felt an unexpected relief. She had thought Kylo would have more specific preferences, or even reject the idea that had just come to her.

"Can you start right away?" Kylo Ren asked, handing Rey the sketchbook.

"When do you need supplies? Paints, brushes, and such. Just name a budget."

Rey was a little surprised by Kylo's seriousness.

"I... I can start tomorrow. As for supplies, I need to make a list first. I'll probably have a figure in the morning after I check the art store."

Kylo nodded. He reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a key.

"This is a duplicate key to the apartment. You can come and go whenever you need. I may not always be here."

He handed the key to Rey. Their fingers touched briefly but deeply. Rey took the key with a little nervousness, feeling a new responsibility now in her hands.

"Thank you,"

Rey said, gripping the key tightly. She felt like a new chapter in their strange interaction had just begun.

—