Authors note: Thank you guys for all your nice reviews. I really appreciate it! I'm kind of stuck on what to do next, so if you have any suggestions, please message me and give me some ideas! I'm pretty much up to anything! Also, tell me what you would like more of: Thrill, Drama, or some more Romance. Thanks again! LOVE YOU GUYS!

(America's POV)

Small recap:

And at that, despite my burning side, I screamed and lunged myself at him.

Jay turned right as my angry fist hit his nose. He bent over in pain, hands at his face, blood dripping slightly from the creases in his fingers. I was unsure of what to do. Honestly, I didn't think I would get this far or that my fist could be so painfully powerful. I went with my first impulse as soon as my eyes locked on the door. Sprinting, I grabbed May and prayed the door wasn't locked.

I twisted the knob and heard a loud click; my eyes widened, almost tearing up. It's unlocked. I swung open the door and pushed May out into a dimly lit hall, "Run May!" May slipped out of my hands and ran down the hall until all I could see was a faint whisper of a silhouette in the far hall. I calmed a bit, knowing that May was at least safe. It only took a few seconds for me to start running.

Every breathing step I took, the gauze on my side became more and more red.

Step. Sting. Blood.

Step. Sting. Blood.

I ran until I knew Jay was far behind me. It seemed as if the long hallway had no end. I sat on the cold, concrete floor and pulled my knees to my chest. I could hear May's footsteps ahead of me like padded drums. Jay's screams were behind me, shrill and full of anguish, whether it was from pain or loss of his "love", I didn't know. And I didn't care. All I knew was that I was cold, scared, and ready to give up from the pain. I felt light-headed now. I didn't need this! I was already stressed from the selection and me and Maxon's fights in the first place! I let out a small chuckle in spite of myself.

Just a few days ago, I was fighting again with Maxon, and I thought it was the end of the world. Now, the little fights were the least of my problems. I would trade everything right now just to be back in the palace with only a broken heart to worry about.

My eyes welled up when I thought of Maxon. I needed him so much right now. My head fell into the crevices of my closed knees and tears fell onto the concrete soaking my thin tights. Goosebumps ran up and down my arms, which were clutched to my side. The pressure felt good, but as soon as I took my arm off the wound, more blood spurted out and dripped down my leg. My left leg was covered in blood. My feet were dirty. My hair was a tangled mess. My face probably looked awful from all the crying and passing out.

I was done. I felt like passing out one last time; but not waking up. The only reason I wanted to stay alive was for May. And Maxon. And Aspen.

My throat closed up just thinking about them. My mind wandered. What would they do if I died? Who would Maxon pick? Probably Kriss. And Aspen? Was he ever going to get his happily ever after?

The more I thought the louder I cried. Jay's screams were silent now, and I knew if I didn't shut up, he would find me. But I didn't care. Let him come. I'm not worth anything anymore anyway. I felt my eyes roll into the back of my head and I felt like my skull was filled with helium. I let out the loudest, most anger filled scream I could let out before collapsing on the floor, passing out for what I hoped was the last time.

(ASPEN POV)

As soon as I was up and saw that Maxon had left me, my face turned red and I balled up my fists in utter anger. How could he have left me? I stood up and broke into a sprint down the hallway. As soon as I saw the open door I ran.

Where was Maxon? My mind filled with the most awful thoughts. No, not of Maxon. I wondered if Maxon knocked me out, grabbed America and left. I thought he let it go! I hadn't had time to tell America about my new feelings for Lucy. But he should understand that I didn't love her anymore! Okay, so I kissed her. One last time. I didn't know what was going to happen. I knew Jay didn't check out. I was close to most guards on my level.

Our uniforms had small, colored pins that coordinated to where we did our rounds. Red was mine. I found it odd that I didn't recognize Jay, even though he wore a red pin. Something about him was just off. Especially his eyes. They were filled with some sort of anger and darkness, that made him more mysterious just by taking a glance at them.

So I pulled America close to me, for what I had thought was the last time. I gave her a kiss. I needed her to know that even though I may not love her like I used to, I would always have feelings for her. Just this time, they were more friendly, family feelings.

If Jay took America, which was the most reasonable answer, I knew he would've taken her into a rebel base. I had just found one of them hidden deep underneath the palace, and I had broken in, interrogated one of the rebels, and had discovered the code to get in. But more importantly, I discovered that the same code, was used to get out.

I knew America was smart. She had an incredible memory. I regret just telling her numbers and not explaining anything. No doubt she would've remembered the numbers. But they were no use if she didn't know what they were for.

I thought as I ran. Goodness, this hallway was so long! It felt like it was never ending! I kept running. Well, until I heard it. A shrill, pain-filled scream that lasted a few seconds before a thud, like a body hitting the floor, followed closely behind it. It was about a hundred feet away, but in the dim lighting, I couldn't see a thing.

So I kept running towards the sound. Whoever just screamed must've gone unconscious or, I gulped, already died, because the sound wasn't present anymore.

All of a sudden, my foot caught on something, someone, and it brought me tumbling to the ground. I groaned out in pain and humiliation, though nobody else saw me. I looked behind me, standing up and brushing myself off. Who was the mysterious person who screamed like they were being killed?

I froze as my eyes adjusted to the light and I got a clear picture of the person lying there, unconscious, but still breathing. "America." I breathed.

I crouched down and examined her timid body. Someone had taken off her dress, leaving her in just some thin, tan tights and her white bra. Her waist was covered in a red wrapping of some sort… My heart stopped as I realized what it was. It wasn't red wrapping. It was blood-soaked gauze. A trail of blood tricked down America's leg and I noticed that she looked impossibly pale. No wonder she passed out; she was losing too much blood.

I gently lifted her into my arms, making sure not to touch her wound. I took deep, strained breaths. My lungs were on fire; I still hadn't fully recovered from what apparently was a collapsed lung. But I didn't care. My America was hurt, and I was going to do anything in my power to keep her alive.

I ran until I saw a small glimmer of light and I heard shrill, excited screams and slow moans coming from a slightly cracked door. What was going on? I crept closer, beads of sweat forming on my head. America was definitely heavier than I remembered. I let my eyes adjust to the light, then bust the door open. I almost gasped at what I saw. A few dozen girls were pressing Maxon up against the wall while one of them was totally making out with him. And what disgusted me even more, is that Maxon was kissing back!

Maxon's eyes met mine and I stared into his soul. But instead of finding embarrassment or passion, I saw a plea for help.