Hey guys,

Back for another chapter?

Well, here we gooooo... R&R

I don't own the characters, that brilliance goes to Keira Cass

xx faithinfools


AMERICA

I kept singing as Cameron began to relax on my shoulder as I kept walking through the gardens. I had no idea where I was going and soon enough I was in an area of the gardens I was unfamiliar with. I had no idea where I was, I hadn't had the chance to explore out here much, I always thought we weren't supposed to go out here. Oh well... I stopped singing as Cameron started to snore on my hip. I smiled down at him as he slept, he was so cute, much like Gerad when he was younger.

My nose wrinkled as I smelt the unmistakable odour of horses. We must be near the stables I thought. I walked up to the building, clearly the stables. I approached one of the stableboys working there when the alarm sounded. We both froze for a millisecond when Cameron woke up, screaming and sobbing, clearly upset at the siren. The boy looked into my eyes and decided to throw all propriety out of the window when he grabbed my arm.

"Quick Miss! We must get to the safe room!" We quickly ran together as he grabbed my guitar and I held onto Cameron as we ran for our lives. Soon we reached a small grove on the edge of the forest. The boy reached down and pulled at a hidden circular door handle. He pulled and ushered us in before running in behind us and shutting the door securely, pushing the lock into place. He felt the walls of the compartment and found the switch for the meagre light in the middle of the room. "SSshhhhhhh!" He whispered harshly. I looked at Cameron on my hip and immediately tried to quiet him, singing a soft lullaby and soon enough his crying had slowed to the occasional sob. I looked at the boy who was watching us.

"What's your name?" I asked quietly.

"Daniel."

"Thank you Daniel, for saving both of us." He nodded in response. "I'm America."

"I know." I looked at him questioningly. "The Selection." Ahh. I nodded in understanding. "How'd you find him?" He nodded towards Cameron.

"He came out of the bushes while I was singing, he got lost." Daniel chuckled and shook his head in bemusement.

"He's always getting lost that one is." He said, smiling at Cameron who shied away. "It's amazing he allowed you to touch him." I looked at him, confusion in my eyes.

"He's extremely shy. He never lets anyone touch him except for Todd." He explained.

"Who's Todd?"

"The Master of the Stables. It's a pretty prestigious job around here."

"I see…"

"Actually… You might know his daughter." I looked at him confused. "Lucy." My face lit up.

"Oh yes, she's wonderful." I smiled. "Is he her brother then?"

"Of sorts… A year ago, when Todd was out buying food in the markets, he found Cameron all curled up in one of the side streets, starving. His family had left him for dead. They couldn't afford to feed another mouth so Todd brought him back here and he keeps all of us at the stables entertained. He already has a way with the horses." He smiled ruefully. "Don't you mate?"

Cameron nodded seriously. I smiled. "How long until they'll be gone do you think?"

"It varies… But this one sounded real serious. I think we better stay the night here and I'll take a look in the morning." I nodded.

"Is there anything to eat?"

"Plenty."

"Well… If we're going to be stuck in here for a night, I say we make a feast." Daniel cracked a smile.

"Deal."

We had eaten enough food to feed at least 10 people between the three of us. Cameron was quietly asleep on a nearby bed as Daniel and I sat across from each other at the table in silence, not knowing what to say to each other, sitting in an uncomfortable silence. I was startled when he spoke at random.

"You did a good thing you know."

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.

"Getting rid of the castes. It's a brilliant idea. No one truly understands how terrible it is to be an eight or a seven."

"I know." I murmured quietly. We lapsed off into silence until he spoke again.

"I'll stand up for you, you know. Everyone will. The majority of the country is hoping for you." I nodded him in acknowledge. "You're a true Queen, Lady America." He said solemnly. "Even if you don't win, you're destined for something great and I know it, we all do." My eyes got teary in response. People were behind me, people wanted me to win.

"Thank you Daniel, it means a lot. Especially because… Well…. The King was not happy with me and neither is Maxon."

"Yeah I know, the palace gossip gets around really quickly." He said. "You've got a fighting spirit America, one that can't be downed easily. Keep on fighting, because if you keep on fighting for what you believe in, someday, it'll all be worth it. That's what my father said."

"Your father must be a wise man."

"He was."

"Oh Daniel… I'm so sorry."

"It's okay." Daniel sighed. "He died a long time ago. Todd's like an adoptive father to me too." I smiled. I would have to meet and thank this man one day. "By the way, call me Dan, everyone does."

"Only if you drop the Lady when we don't have to be proper." I said back. He smiled.

"Sure." He stood up and stretched. "We better get some sleep America, it's getting dark and we have a long day ahead of us I am sure." I nodded and stood. There was only one other bed. "You can have the bed." I shook my head.

"No, you. I'll survive one night roughing it on the ground. I haven't done it for some time actually." I said thoughtfully.

"No, you should have it. You're a Lady and I'm a–" I cut him off.

"Not here. Here we're just America and Dan. And it looks like Dan hasn't gotten any decent sleep in a while so you get the bed. I can share with Cameron."

"If you're sure?" He asked, hesitant.

"Absolutely." He smiled.

"Thanks America, you really are the people's miracle."

"The what?" I asked confused.

"It's what the people of the lower castes call you, the people's miracle. You've brought us all some hope that maybe someday we won't have to live like this, someday we'll get a chance to live the lives we want to live." I blushed and smiled at his comment and gently moved Cameron over to one side of the bed and slid in next to him.

"Thanks Dan, and goodnight."

"Night America. Sweet dreams." I smiled as my eyelids closed from their own tiredness and I fell asleep dreaming of the days to come, the days when things would be better, when the castes were gone, when everyone was equal.


MAXON

By the time it was late afternoon, nearing night I had had enough. The meetings were completely preposterous and just stupid. Once again we were going nowhere, like a dog chasing it's tail, around in circles. I wanted to see America, I didn't know why but I felt that I just needed to see her. My feet started taking me to the gardens where I had last seen her, maybe she'd still be there but before I could get more than 2 steps in that direction, a guard was pulling me along.

"Quick Your Majesty! The rebels have broken through the outside gates! You must get to the safe room immediately!" We both ran in the direction of the safe room, I was quickly inside and the doors were shut behind me.

"Maxon! You're safe!" Mother came up to hug me tightly. "I was so worried, we all were."

"Mum… Can't…. Breathe…." She just smiled and hugged me tighter. "Is everyone else here?"

"Lady Elise, Lady Celeste and Lady Kriss are all here." She said but frowned. "But no one has seen Lady America since breakfast." My heart stopped. My breathing faltered.

"She…she.. she's not back from the gardens?" I asked, my voice just above a whisper.

"Oh god… No… Guards! Guards! Check the grounds for Lady America, she was last seen in the gardens."

"The Western Gardens!" I called out as two guards nodded and left the room through a secret passageway. "I need to sit down." I said as Amberley nodded.

"Get some rest honey, I'm sure she'll be fine, she's a strong girl." I put my head in my hands, where could she be?

"What are you sitting down for boy? Get up! Come help strategize with us men!" My father boomed from the other side of the room. Reluctantly I got up and walked over shakily. "What's gotten into you my boy?" He asked with mock concern.

"It's Lady America." I swallowed loudly. "She's not here with the rest of the Elite." The King hid a smile.

"Well that's too bad… If she's taken, I guess that narrows your choice down." He said as the other advisors laughed at his joke. All I could see was red. How could he? She could be dead for all we knew and he was making jokes about it. I balled my fists at my sides, closed my eyes and breathed deeply through my nose. Relax, I willed myself. She is safe. She is safe. She is safe. The voices of the advisors washed over me as they all turned into one. I couldn't concentrate. I couldn't knowing that America was out there somewhere, somewhere where I couldn't save her. I sighed. It was going to be one long sleepless night.


What do you think? Hopefully it was worth the wait, I shall return to write some more in a few weeks time when school isn't as hectic.

Adios for now,

Faithinfools xx