Shane's POV

I look down at the child who is buried into Claire's arms, her heavy brown curls creating a frame around her small petite face. For an unfathomable amount of time I've found myself unable to look away from the child, this morning we had no idea existed. I felt a shift in myself as I heard myself and Claire being made parents, it wasn't the most traditional way but I think it's right. I think in all this horror this is our torch, lighting the way to our survival.

Before Claire I would never have envisaged this for myself. Never of thought of myself as a father or a husband. I was on the road to ruin: no job, no life, no real family. But then look at me now in the middle of a disaster but I'm a survivor- also I'm a husband and a father. I vowed to myself I wouldn't be my father; and now is my chance to prove myself and protect my family…

Wow. I have a family.

Amelie' POV

I take a final glance of the red stained snow at my feet, littered with still bodies. It's not every day that one feels emotional, I've learnt a long while ago how it is simpler to just deal with life detached from emotion- to not feel when the world dissolves around me. Today has proven to me just how much everything has changed, how much I have become to change and begun to feel again.

Watching Michelle hand over her baby, pulled at something inside of me- Claire's face told me she will protect that child with everything she has left; but I felt responsible for her death and the drastic circumstances in which young Claire and Shane became parents; my desperate need for action meant that I took the first idea that came to the table and took no notice as too what could become an outcome, only that I wanted to show my town I could still win and take control.

I feel Oliver's strong arm on my shoulder, directing me on the snow covered path leading back into the Elders building, I don't want to leave my citizens both children and mother alike dead on the icy street but I know it's no longer safe; and now the immediate danger is over its only right that we step back into the safety of the building and try to complete some form of census of who is left and what the next step is. I'd asked one of my guards to check each body for any-one alive, I couldn't bring myself to leave anyone alive out here but each body has been checked and search leading to a sorrow filled shake of his head, before he too returned to safety.

'Let us go back to our room Amelie, you need rest.' I can do nothing but nod keeping my eyes firmly on the path ahead of me; if I had a heart it would be broken.

We walk like this through the building me pulled close to Oliver's side, my powerful exterior all but a piece of the imagination as my mind replays the moment in which the bus was overtook by snow, and the screaming began. I felt myself freeze, felt my body clench in anticipation. I'm yet to unfreeze.

We walk into my chambers, a deluxe three room abode; in which I have the freedom to be myself, to immerse myself in my own wins and fails. It's in this room I don't have to pretend I'm not afraid, I'm allowed to show just how petrified I am.

I sit on my oversized sofa, the overstuffed cushions gentle and smell of safety. I breathe deeply stretching my lungs to their maximum; something I have of recent done more times than I can remember. I close my eyes and revel in the feeling of peace and freedom…

'Amelie…' Oliver's voice sounds a little off, his husky voice breaking in the final syllable of my name. I open my eyes to find him looking down at me, closer than I expected, making me jump slightly from shock- something I until very recently hadn't experienced since my very early fledging days.

'What Oliver?' I ask, my voice laced with uncertain fear, he never does this too me; he is the fighter- the warrior of the good days of battle. He just stares at me doesn't even blink, as I stare deeply into his face- fearing he has been petrified.

'Oliver!' I yell at him, tears beginning to sting in my eyes. In my emotional state, I am beyond the cool queen, I feel younger and at the point of sobbing- something I have yet to be brought to, even after all of the disasters Morganville has experienced over my ruling years.

Oliver's hand reaches out lightning fast to grip my wrist, pulling me up from the couch so fast I find myself throwing my arms round his neck to steady myself.

'Oliver?' I questioned. He crashes his lips to mine as an answer, his hands winding their way around my waist pulling me impossibly close to his body. His tongue pushes its way into my mouth; exploring as I moan low in my throat, in shock from his sudden assault. I feel myself groan as he again pulls me impossibly closer, but my head is beginning to play catch up- and I'm finally realising how all this began.

I move my head to the side, pulling my lips away from Oliver's.

'Oliver…' I whisper.

'Shh… Amelie…' He breathes back, but my head is spinning with what brought on this sudden attack.

'Oliver what has changed? What's happened?' I ask taken back by his sudden change in mood.

'Amelie don't make me be the one who has to tell you…' His tone sends shivers down my spine, I know something has changed.

'Oliver.' I warn.

'Look.' Oliver says, passing me a single sheet of paper without taking his eyes away from my face.

I look down curiously at the sheet of paper in his hand, a simple A4 sheet of office paper something so ultimately modern. I glance down from Oliver's gaze to read what's written on the sheet.

One word.

A single word.

In antique spiked writing.

Run.

I feel myself get rather breathless, I feel my knees falter beneath me. Oliver's arm catch me before I fall.

'No…' I whisper.

'I'm so sorry my queen…' He murmurs, kissing my temple. 'I will protect you.' He vows. 'I love you.'

I look up into his face, seeing him watching me intently.

'I love you too.' I whisper. For us this is a vow, an old time vow in which we are bonded together. Love too us is not as simple of a concept as it is for these young ones. And for some reason, most likely struck by the sheer magnitude of the situation I'm in, I find myself crying- pulling myself closer to Oliver, burying myself to his chest.

I thought this time I was free. But no…

This time they are taunting us. They are telling us to run.

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