Chapter 7! one of the reviews mentioned Kriss and Aspen... hmmmm... ANYWAYS... you guys make me feel awesome! I have never had writing classes and things so all these positive comments make me soo happy! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I opened my eyes to complete darkness, but I was not alone. I was in the rebel camp, or trap as I would call it. They had me next to a tree, my feet still locked up. I sat there trying to recollect my thoughts, my mind was still a bit fuzzy from being under so long. Once I had everything organized, I started to recall my plan.

I started looking around for a guard that would typically be watching my every move, but there wasn't one. Strange, but I wasn't going to question it, it just made me somewhat uneasy. As my eyes adjusted to the nightlight I began to see outlines of trees, tents, and of course, people. I was desperately trying to figure which way the place was, because when I got a chance I was bolting out of here. Although there was a flaw in my scheme, my feet. I analyzed my irons, looking for the key hole. It is very small, but I found it. I rubbed the thin ropes that held my hands against the rough tree bark. It took me a while, and by the time the ropes gave way my arms were sore and my writs bled from the friction. Yet my hands were free, that is a step in a good direction. With my hands untied I discreetly slid my hand up to my hair searching for a pin. Digging through my hair I was about to grab a pin when I saw 2 guards approaching me. Immediately stopped, placing my hands behind my back.

"Hello your highness," one of them said mockingly, "ready to return to your beloved prince yet?" the other snorted, laughing at themselves. I just raised my head high, and tilted it the opposite direction of them. I didn't faze them, and they just walked on by.

Once they were out of earshot and my line of vision, I reached up again the pulled out two pins. Instantaneously I began to work on the lock, checking for rebels every second. I could hear them laughing, yelling, some sounded drunk. Stupid, I though to myself. You are trying to sabotage the royal family and you decide to become intoxicated, that's more like idiotic.

It seemed like forever before I made some progress with the lock. No matter how much I felt like giving up, I didn't. I looked into the sky, it had to be nearing 8 o'clock, I was running out of time. Dang, these rebels might be primitive but they sure make some pretty tough locks. I heard a second click of the latch, I was close to unlocking it. I felt the notch inside it, I was about to pull it when their leader started walking to me. I hid my hand again.

He looked into my eyes, "It's show time sweetie." He reached to pick me up, he noticed my hands were untied, "Clever my dear, clever."

I heard a guard ask if he wanted to tie my hands again, he just shook his head, "No, she can't go anywhere with those on," he pointed to my shackles, "besides, she worked so hard to free herself, I hate to undo that work," he smirked, followed by a slight chuckle.

He led me to an open clearing, explaining how this was going to work. Basically, the dairies and the money are on the far side of the clearing, and I was going with a group of the rebels at gunpoint to fetch them. If they are not there or things are out-of-order, the signal will be given I will be killed, instantly. Comforting, I thought. Honestly I knew how this was actually going to pan out if Maxon didn't get my signal. I would go with them, the diaries might be there, if they are they take them and me back or take them and kill me. On the other hand if the diaries aren't there, I will die or be tortured.

Once he finished his monologue about what would happen if I tried any funny business he sat me back down next to another tree. Okay, now I had to finish this lock. It took me a second but I did it, but things are trickier now. I'm in the middle of the camp, if I try to escape ill be shot. So I decided I'd run when I had to, thus I had a second plan forming. I positioned the shackles so that the wouldn't come off unless I gave them a slight push. This would work, I though, it had to.

As soon as everything was ready I heard a man say, "Get up!" I did, slowly. They grabbed me, and positioned me a gunpoint at the front of the 'pack'.

We stared walking slowly, and with every step I became more alert. Without tilting my head I listened for sounds, and peered around for a sign. We kept moving, very slow. The rebels were very relaxed, they though they were in control. I hoped with everything in me that Maxon was here somewhere, and that's when I saw it.

Attached to a tree limb directly to my left was a small green apple. It was about 10 yards from the diaries. As we approached the tree I knew it was time.

I kicked my shackles, they fell off, then I ran like the wind. I ducked, zigzagging, and trying to dodge bullets, one grazed my right arm, I felt searing pain shoot through me, but I had to keep moving. I sprinted under the apple's limb, and rounded the tree trunk, but before I could turn I felt a mans arm on me. He held me tight, shushing my scream with a hand. He held a gun, armed with multiple daggers, but he wasn't alone. I looked around and saw men, camouflaged in green in the trees, some in black, like the night sky on the ground. They aimed for the rebels, and started firing. The rebels dropped, but more came, however Maxon was prepared. Our men surrounded their camp from the back, circling them in a round pen of gunmen. The rebels weren't out numbered, but the were pitifully out gunned. They started to flee, but our men chased after them.

I remembered the palace, I turned to the man who held me and urgently whispered, "The palace, have the-" he cut me off, "Darling, I made sure we were prepared, we called in extra men from the village patrols, and barricaded the gates. Everyone is safe." I didn't realize it was Maxon, his face painted black and his clothes were so different.

Once he saw the rebels were far away and we were safe, he told the men to pull back, taking all prisoners with them and head for the palace. The prisoners were put in a heavily guarded van and their leader was unconscious, and tied up. How ironic I though, you knocked me out and tied me up, now its your turn.

We got in a truck and left, then Maxon took out a bandage and wrapped my arm, being careful not to hurt me. Once he patched me up I sat in his lap, he held me so tight. Oh, how I had missed him. I leaned up and gently kissed him on the chin. He was pleasantly surprised and returned my affection with a soft kiss on my nose, then my cheek, and slowly moved to my lips. He lingered there for a moment, I felt that thing again, and I never wanted to let go. After he pulled back he whispered in my ear, "My sweet darling America, I've missed you so much." He moved his mouth to behind my ear and kissed me, then gently placed a quick peck on my neck. He told me to get some rest, that I would need it when I returned. I did not like the feeling of losing sight of him, but being in his arms I felt safe, and I slowly drifted off.

There no cliffhanger this time! :) Hope you enjoy!