Hey guys, this is kind of just a filler chapter. Sorta short. Sorry!

Kriss's POV

I thought I hated America. She had stolen the heart of the only boy I had ever loved. But I was wrong. I missed America, I really, truly did. I would never have wished her fate on anyone. Almost murdered at an airport, a supposedly safe place. Bombed in the Italian Palace-of all places! And then, finally, coming out of a coma to face unknown horrors. I was devastated at what had happened to America. I vowed that if she ever came back, I would never, ever be mean to her again. Even if she hated me. Even if she never wanted to see my face again.

I think the other Elite agreed with me. Even though none of them were close to America, none wanted her gone-not like this. Even Celeste. We all missed Maxon, too. Some more than others, I would say. But all of us still were affected. I personally was doing horribly. There. I said it. Maybe everything in my world I thought would stay the same was changing, but one fact remained the same- I loved Maxon. I loved him with every part of my being, and I would have gone in his place, died for him even. But unrequited love hurts. He can pretend, because Maxon doesn't want to hurt anyone, but this I know too. He doesn't love me. He loves America.

There was a time when I was willing to do anything to get him back, but like a balloon, that burning passion was gone. Now I knew I would have to settle for having him alive. I knew it would hurt, but what people don't understand is that when you're in love, you will do anything, anything for them.

And this is how I knew- I had to leave. I had to leave this palace, my family, Illea. Because all of them were better without me. Plus, a small part of me thought that maybe this was better for me, too.

A tear rolled down my cheek as I made plans to do the boldest thing I had ever done in my life.


Maxon's POV

Darkness. A small patch of light. The damp scent of dying... rats? I didn't really care to find out, if I was being perfectly honest. But... how had I gotten here? From the looks, I was surrounded by bars- it suddenly clicked in my mind, and I remembered everything. The run down that never-ending hall, the men in uniforms, America... Wait, America! I glanced around, all panicky.

"Your girlfriend is perfectly fine," a voice said from somewhere in the shadows.

My cage (detect the sarcasm) was relatively small, and the voice seemed to be coming from further off. I crawled to the iron bars and squinted into the darkness.

"Who are you?" I growled.

"No one you would know," he said. I could almost feel the waves of amusement radiating off of him. If I could just punch him... Ah well. I had a feeling this wouldn't help my case much.

So instead I settled for biting my lip- hard.

"Well, get up then," he said.

"Where are we going?" I said suspiciously.

He hushed me and grabbed a key. He unlocked the door and put a finger to his lips as he sauntered off. He seemed to expect me to follow him, and as much as I hated to admit it, I wasn't going to be getting anywhere without him. Maybe he would lead me to America.

He stopped suddenly, and I bumped into him abruptly.

"Sorry," I muttered. I could feel my face turning red.

He muttered something about spoiled brats, but I could detect a note of friendly teasing in there, which didn't make sense if he was about to lead me to my death or something. I grinned in the dark. At least I would die knowing on a happy note, perhaps.

He started walking again, his key ring jingling against his pocket. My eyes had adjusted enough to see a few details. He was younger, with a red full beard. Taller than me, but not by much. He was muscular, wearing a tight cotton shirt and a pair of jeans that seemed to have seen better days. Not that my clothes were in much better shape.

Soon, he lead me to another... cage. I was being moved? No wait... I found myself again squinting. There was a lump in there. So, I had a prison-mate? Is that what they called them? I didn't have much experience with jails...

"I can see that. And no, she's not your "prison-mate". Take a closer look, but then lets go because we only have a few minutes before they notice you're gone," he said. I had said that aloud? Embarrassing.

But as I leaned for a closer look, I suddenly knew exactly who it was.

"America? Mer!"

I threw myself at her. She was still asleep, but alive. And that's all that matters.

"Now, lets get out of here," he said.

He walked off, glancing to make sure I followed. I stood, staring dumbstruck at him. He was letting me escape? But-

"Well, you coming?" he questioned, interrupting my thoughts. I blinked thankfully at him before scooping America up and following. What seemed like seconds, or maybe hours later, there was a beam of light. I raced towards it without a second thought. And then glanced back. He had started walking off like nothing had just happened.

"Wait-" I said, and he turned around curiously. "Thanks... Why? What's your name? How can I repay you?"

"Oh, a polite prince? This is new.." he said, smirking at me. I didn't know whether to be offended or not, but then he laughed, and so did I.

"Well there is one thing... Find the maid named Lucy, and tell her... tell her I'm sorry. Oh, and my name is Josh."

And then he was gone, leaving me to gape after him. And then there was one thing left to do- run.

So I ran, as hard as I could. Through endless stretches of forests- as the prison/hole I seemed to have been caged in was in the middle of nowhere. Then, through plains. Still no signs of civilization. And I finally had to stop, a few hours later. I had been filled with adrenaline, but America's weight was making my arms and legs start to hurt. Not that she was heavy- I guess it was just good old me.

I collapsed onto the cold ground, surrounded by tall grasses. My throat burned and I had a headache from lack of water, and my legs were scratched from prickly thorns that had decided my legs were a more interesting home than the grasslands. Should I have been flattered?

I wearily glanced around for water, not that it helped any. I noticed the sky was turning pink as I laid down carefully. Then I heard a noise. I perked up immediately, expecting enemies, or maybe, a rescue squad. I found neither. But I did find... a deer. Bounding off into the sunset.

Wait, a deer? That means there must be water around here, if there are animals. I sprinted after the deer, the pain in my body felt in every step. Luckily, it proved to be worth it. The deer had led me straight to a stream, camouflaged by the golden sticks that waved in the breeze. It was a truly beautiful sight, and I collapsed and crawled towards it. Thirstily, I put my mouth to the stream. The water was cool and refreshing, a pleasant surprise.

I cupped some in my hand and poured a few drips into America's dry mouth. She seemed to not choke, so I kept dripping bit by bit into her mouth well past sunset.

Finally, I decided it was time to sleep. Maybe we hadn't had food, and maybe tonight some animal of the night would eat us, but I simply was too tired to go on. The moment my head hit the ground, my eyes were closed and I slept heavily, my sleep thankfully lacking any dreams.

It was the first peaceful moment I had had in, well, a long time.

Ahaha I updated! And I promise I will post another chapter within the next two days. You can hold me to this. This story is set to have about 10-15 more chapters on it and if I reach 200 reviews, I will do a sequel. My reviewers are so loyal, so I believe in you guys :) And I will try and update more often. Maybe I will just write all of it now and post twice a week. Y'all know that probably won't happen, but we'll see, I suppose. Thanks so much for reading! Reviews are appreciated, even if they are constructive rather than, well, yeah.

(IGNORE THAT RAMBLING IF YOU'RE STILL SANE, I BEG YOU)

Today's Question: Are you that girl who thinks grammar is evil, or are you the type who gets mad when people write things wrongly?

My answer: I'm in the middle, if that makes any sense. Lol. Honestly, I couldn't care less :P

EruditeAbnegationMockinjay: You rock girl! I couldn't agree more. I literally cried when Celeste died in The One, it was just SOO SAD!

Someone The World Forgot: Hehehe. It's funny how you tell me to keep updating but I never do. Lol. Wait, that isn't very funny, is it? For some reason I'm cracking up. :P

myfavebookistheselection: Yeah that would be cool! By the way, couldn't agree more with your username! :D I'll be a selectioner forever.