~Author's Note~

Hey! Guys thank you so much for the reviews for the last chapter! :3. I hope you'll like this one a lot too! Oh yah, PLEASE WRITE DOWN YOUR REVIEWS PLEASE! Thanks! :)

p.s. sorry for the goey and morbid parts later on. but I was just being scientific.

p.p.s. there are still more chapters to go!

I have momentarily lost track of time.

I have forgotten what date or time it is. It has been like this every time my consciousness slips into reality between the nightmares and hallucinations that I have gone through. Even if I was just able to sink into reality for merely 4 seconds, I was able to feel the throbbing ache in my lower abdomen and I was able to endure the heavy poundings in my head and the spinning carousel of my pupils. Though How fortunate am I to endure this? I thought to myself. Not all are capable to survive this long alone, in the forest and in this kind of condition. A concussion perhaps? Then before I could process more of myself and my surroundings, the familiar numb coldness of the dark have enwrapped itself in me and I am once again lost in the coat of darkness. Endlessly seeking light.

Suddenly my eyes flew open to the sound of a loud piercing voice that shrilled through my numb ears. My whole throbbing and aching body temporarily forgotten. To the light of hope.

"Lady America!" someone said. "Where are you?"

"Lady America?" another voice called. Then after a while, in a loud voice, a command came.

"Be sure to look everywhere. If they've killed her, they might have hung her or tried to bury her. Pay attention."

"Yes, Sir." men chorused back.

I peeked through the gaping hole of the bush beside me, focusing on the sound. I squinted even with my uneven pupils rolling around, to solidify the three figures in front of me. Unsure if they were actually here to save me.

Then there he was.

Aspen Leger. Still limping but fine, in the words, alive and better.

I was about to prance about towards them and scream for salvation. When the words died in my mouth, and only a soft whimper coming out of it. I was nearly standing when I collapsed again on the ground with a thud as I was claimed by the cold void of darkness.

~Aspen's 3rd PPOV~

Though that was enough for Aspen to crane his head towards the sound. He went through the thorny bushes then saw her. He gasped as his eyes scanned the scene of his Mer lying stiff and unmoving on the ground. Her hands, cold and numb, and her eyes constantly moving behind her closed eyelids. His eyes skimmed downwards and examined her dress. It was torn apart in shreds and it was just miraculous that it was still hanging on the her, even in tatters. But that wasn't all. There was this big red dampness in her bottom skirt. He gently pushed it aside and nearly stumbled back in surprise. Her skin was torn open by a big swelling gash. The wound was obviously there for days now because it was scabbing at the ends already, though the blood was still flowing fresh and freely as small red dew drops over her soft white skin. He felt his eyes moisten as he remembered their promise when they were little.

" I won't ever let you get hurt again," America had said to him while he was too busy grieving over his little brother's whippings because of the stolen food. He looked up at America, whose face plastered determination and care. For him. He looked at her now and felt his heart harden as the guilt settled in. America had fulfilled her promise, but she was the one who ended up hurt in the end.

As if by instinct he stooped down to America's unmoving body and cradled her in his arms. He gently lifted her off the ground and untangled the twigs of leaves and stray branches in her hair. This would've been a funny picture if it wasn't for America's situation right now. But before standing up and facing his companions with an unconscious Lady America in his arms. He sneaked a little swift kiss to her lips and forehead and held her more tight and secure in his arms.

Then suddenly he felt her shift in his arms. Or was he hallucinating? And without warning she screamed and trashed in his arms, her body shook and trembled from the constant nightmares.

When she lifted her eyes to meet his. It was as if she didn't recognize Aspen.