MAXON

I wondered as to why the guards started to put a red cloth across their foreheads. Kriss and I were busy chatting on a topic I no longer care about. I caught a glimpse of America also seeing the guards.

I soon knew what the red bandana was for. One of the guards, or should I say rebel, shot Celeste squarely in the head chaos ensued after that. A mix of screaming and gunshot triggered Kriss and soon, she was a hysterical mess. I was busy comforting her yet I can't seem to calm her when America is also behind me, frozen in fear.

I focused on Kriss at the moment when in fact she would be my fiancé in mere minutes. I tried to calm her but America kept on nagging me on a supposed attacker. Yeah right. You just want the attention you clearly dont deserve. I heard a sickening bang clearly a gunshot and caught a blur of America's blue dress followed by a sickening thud. Oh, no.

Oh no.

I looked at America's direction and I regret it. Her beautiful blue dress was growing purple in her chest tainted by her own blood. She was lying on the floor clearly in a huge amount of pain

"Oh my god America" I said, tears threatening to spill out.

"I'm so sorry Maxon, I'm so sorry" What is she being sorry about? I had done this to her. If it weren't for her, I'd be in her place right now.

"There is nothing for you to feel sorry about America, it is I that must thank you."

"Don't talk America. Just focus, okay?" I said trying to calm her down.

"Maxon look at me" she said her voice barely audible cracking at the end.

"Maxon I need to tell you something. We don't have much time. I need you to remember that-"

"Your Majesty we need to get you the safe rooms." Aspen interrupted. I looked around for Kriss but failed to find her. She must be in one of the safe rooms right now.

"Maxon go. I need you to live for me. For the country. For Iléa" America pleaded. No. I cant leave her like this. She must live. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if she died.

"But America-" I started to potest.

"Maxon, please it would be my last wish to make sure you are safe and sound" She looked so beautiful even in pain. Strangely though she looks so calm, so serene even though she could die at any moment now.

Knowing this would be her last wish, I dejectedly followed Aspen out of the Great Room and into one of the safe rooms just outside of it.

I don't know how how long I had sat there and it seems that I had fallen asleep. I tried to listen outside the door even though I knew it would be useless. I really hated for me to be separated from my America

I pinched my eyes together , begging God to keep her alive. They wouldn't let her die ; they couldn't.

But was it too late?

She looked so pale. Even her last words were so weak.

She loved me. She really loved me. And I loved her. In spite of everything that keeps us apart we were supposed to be together.

I shouldn't be hiding. I should be with her. Especially now, while she lay dying. Heck, she might have died already. I stood up and looked for a light switch in a wall. I slapped the wall until I had found it.

I surveyed the space. It was smaller than most of the safe rooms. This is probably for the maids.

It had a small sink but had to toilet, just a bucket in one corner. It had much smaller amount of supplies than the other rooms. It also had a bench pressed up against the wall by the door. I surveyed the supplies I had at the moment. A small packet of food that would probably last me for a day, a litre of clean water and blankets lined at the back.

I went to the shelf getting the blankets and making a makeshift bed to lie upon.

Every so often I'd try to guess at the time that had passed , though I had no knowing if I was right. Why I'd didn't wear my watch today I had no idea. Each trickling moment was maddening me. I've never felt so powerless, and the worry is slowly killing me.

After an eternity, I finally heard a click of the lock. Someone was coming for me. I didn't know if it was a friend or not. The door cracked open and the light from the window glared in. Is it still the same day? Or is it the next already? Is America safe? Is she still alive?

"I've found King Maxon!" A guard shouted.

Wait. Why did he call me king?

"Where is America?" I asked

"She at the infirmary, your highness" At that I ran to the infirmary faster that I could've ever thought