Chapter 17

We sat there talking, even talking to Marlee, until the light filtering in from the tiny window in the corner turned to darkness. There was a light hanging in-between to the two cells, but it provided minimal light. My eyes grew heavy with sleep, "Maxon we have to find a way out of here. I feel like they're planning something big. It's why the kidnapped us, I mean they have never tried before, and now- there must be a reason!" She was right, there had to be a reason as to why we were here. The fact that they managed to kidnap us at all, would send fear through the country. How could they expect us to keep them safe when we were living in the most heavily guarded place in all of Illéa and still managed to be kidnapped? "Maxon, you're the only heir to the throne." "I know. If they kill me there's no more royal bloodline." "They won't kill you though. They won't." America stated. I think she was trying to make herself believe that, but I wasn't so sure anymore. They could easily kill me, and that's that; you can't have a monarchy without a monarch. It would be the first step to restoring the United States. It would be simple to; just one shot and that's it. The thoughts were filling me with dread, "America, we need to get out of here; soon."

We fell asleep, and I dreamed nightmares; Maxon dying, while I'm helplessly standing over his dead body. I woke up with in a sweat, panting. It was still pitch black outside. Maxon was still sleeping. I laid my head back down on his shoulder and fell back into a restless sleep. This time the dream was about Maxon, Marlee, and I escaping these cells and running. I woke up again; Maxon was once again the culprit. Of course instead of dreaming about him dying, this time he rolled on top of me, and woke me up with a kiss. "If we weren't locked in a cell right now I would say this is how I want to wake up every morning." I smile as I kiss him back. "I'm sorry for the gloomy talk last night, but we really do need to get out of here." "I know Maxon I-" "Well, well, look at these two love birds." I look up towards the door of the cell. The kid that waved us in through the gates was staring through the bars. "Will? Will!" I look over at Marlee, and see her frantically get up and run over to Will. This must be her brother. "Marlee not now." Will looks over at her, with an almost pained look in his eye before returning his eyes to us, with his stone cold gaze. "The president wants to have another talk with you. Let's go." I walk over to the door, as he unlocks it. He closes the door behind me just as quickly as it was open, and hastily locks it again. He seems nervous. We start along the same path as yesterday to get the president's office, "Will, you don't have to do this. You could go back with Marlee, we won't punish you just let us go Will." He snorts at this, "Oh ya go back to the caste system, where I will have to either be a farmer or join the army, barely making ends meet? You're a five you know what it's like, to have to choose between starving and not having heat. To always have to be careful with money." He was right; I knew what it was like. "I know what it's like, I've lived it, and yet I still wouldn't consider joining the rebels. There was still poverty in America, Will. People still had to choose, and you think that starting out again poverty won't be there? It will be even more present; the government will have to increase taxes to support itself. America has a bad name, so I doubt that many people will want to lend the U.S. money after they couldn't pay back their last debts. How do you know they will truly restore America? I mean your sister is locked up because she wouldn't join their cause. That doesn't exactly scream land of the free does it?" "It's different! They can't have their location given out and-" "It's your fault she's in there, Will! She wouldn't have told them anything if it weren't for you! Why is she even here anyways? She could have just as easily called and told them the information, but she came out here. Did you tell her you were hurt, scared, that she needed to come and save her little brother? Then the minute she comes you turn your back on her? Her eyes are red and raw from the constant crying, she barely moves, hardly speaks compared to what she used to be like, and that is not my doing; you abandoned her." His shoulders sagged forward as he looked down at the ground. "You don't think I know that. I thought she would join us! And, then when she didn't I thought they would let her go, I mean it's not like she was going to say anything after committing treason, but they didn't. I know okay, I saw her today I know what she's like, but it's too late now." He said, his voice quiet, sounding defeated. "It's never too late." I reply. We walk in silence down the rest of the corridor until arriving at the Presidents door. Will knocks on the door, and it flies open.

Every second away from her felt like days. I just, I had this feeling like something really bad was going to happen. It felt as though my life was hanging by a thread and the rebels were holding a pair of scissors. "Maxon?" I looked over at Marlee "Ya?" She had a serious look on her face as she replied, "I just- I'm getting this feeling like something bad might happen if we don't get out of here soon. I think we need to start coming up with some sort of plan to get out of here. I know you still might hate me, I understand why, but right now we have a common interest and working together would be beneficial." I smile, "Marlee I don't hate you at all, I understand why you did what you did. I agree with you, though, we need to find a way to get out of here and fast." She smiles, "Don't worry I've already looked for cameras, there aren't any. My cell's not bugged either, but you should check yours. I do as she says and turn my cell upside down, but don't find any microphones. "We're good, nothing in here." We get to work on a plan of escape.

I walk into his office, "Did you summon me to turn me against my own fiancé again? Or did you realise how dumb you were to even suggest that in the first place?" I saunter over to the couch, examining the room as I do. Looking for anything I could use as a weapon, or to pick the cell lock. He laughs at my words. "Still the lively one I see. But no America, I decided that I would tell you this out of common courtesy, and give you one last chance." He walks over and starts pouring his coffee, "You see America, I have carefully reviewed and looked over every possible strategy and well," he turns to face me coffee cup in hand, "I've decided that killing Maxon is the best strategy. Nothing personal of course." He sips his coffee and I feel my draw drop in disbelief. "Bu-but you need him to negotiate with the King." He smirks, "I've thought this through. If we kill Maxon, the royal line dies, and we kill off the rest with a stealth operation. Can't have a monarchy without a monarch right?" He takes another sip of coffee and I leap up out of my chair and knock the cup from his hands. Calm, you need to calm down! Get a hold of yourself, I tell myself. I turn and grip the edge of his desk for support, breathing in slowly. "Now see here is where you come in America. I want to start a revolution, but that can be hard to do when people don't trust you. So I am willing to make you one last deal; if you agree to join our cause, even just superficially, I will not kill Maxon." I breathe in and out, thinking of how to respond. I look everywhere for an escape, until my eyes rest on a letter opener sitting in with a jar of pens. There's no way he could have just overlooked this right? "Don't worry I won't make you decide right now, but I won't give you forever either. You have until tonight to make your decision." He calls for Will. "Sir?" "Take Ms. Singer back now, please." I hastily grab the opener and stuff it into my pocket. I head out the door, not saying a word as I pass the President. When we are far enough down the hall Will asks me, "What did he talk to you about?" "He gave me an ultimatum, join his cause or let Maxon die." "Oh. When do you have to tell him you answer?" I sigh, "By tonight." "You know what you said about never being too late?" What was he getting at, "Mm-hmm." "I agree, it's not too late." I stop dead in my tracks "What are you getting at Will?" "SHHH. Not here."

I hear America before I see her, "Will, I'm so glad." "But we can't do it right now, they always expect for you to try and make a break for it when you're in transition. But I'll be back in an hour." What were they talking about? Is Will going to help us? As they round the corner America is practically smiling, and Will is looking really nervous. He places America back in our cell, "Maxon, he's going to help us escape, as long as both Marlee and him are free of all charges." "Of course they'll be free of all charges." I turn to Will, "Thank you." "I'll be back in an hour to get you, and Marlee," he turns to face his sister, "I'm sorry, about everything." He quickly walks away. We sit in our cells for what must have been the longest hour of my life. I hear his footsteps around the corner, and stand up with anticipation, America and Marlee doing the same. He runs to the cells unlocking them both quickly, "Come on we have to run." We sprint up to the main floor, bursting out through the doors. It's a miracle that we made it most way through the city before someone spotted us, but I guess it was still relatively early. They sound an alarm and all four of us sprint even harder towards the gates.