Let's just skip to shout-outs shall we? Lady Kalee girl you're awesome! Thanks for following me and my story and having it as a favorite! Also for the review! I felt like things weren't dramatic enough and the America thing just mixes it up a bit! jonelle I assure you Alex is going to be okay! Don't you care about Olivia too though? ;) Meg-sters52 that makes more sense! Okay I get it and thanks! babysister1997 yes they got her :( Princess America I knew a lot of people were! lilythemermaid it's not that good! But thanks anyways girl! Keep up your writing too! Idk: idk ;) 191838 I update almost everyday lol! Guest what did the King do? He's dead! Cute Irish Gal did you get braces? If you did I'm sorry! But look forward to a good smile! The children will be alright! Juliana Rose thanks! Here's your update!

Thanks everyone and I'm glad you're enjoying the story!

Love Smashleigh

Chapter 43:

"Shhh Alex. Shhh." I say walking around the room with him on my shoulder.

Ever since America was taken we've had no trace of her, the rebels, nothing! Alex has cried non-stop for a week since she was taken and I just know he realizes his Mother is not around. I'll give the kid credit, he's smart. Olivia lets a whimper out every once and a while but she's always been my little girl since day one. Though I'm sure she misses her Mother she always lights up when I'm in the room.

"Here give him to me." my Mother says coming into the room. She's wearing a robe over her nightgown and I realize she can't sleep either. We both have been a wreck since losing my Father and America.

I move to Olivia and find she is sound asleep. Her small hands are curled around her favorite tiger and her soft little black lashes rest on her rosy cheeks. I can't look away from her because she looks so peaceful. I envy her her peace and wish we could all be like that, if only for an hour.

"When do you think she'll be back?" I ask without taking my eyes from the baby.

"I'm not sure." my Mother says. "They've always left a clue or something but this seems to be worse."

I cringe internally at her words. It cannot be worse. I can't afford to think that way. America isn't dead, I would've felt it. But I don't know if she's alright either. Obviously not since she was kidnapped but still. I miss her too much.

The floor sways beneath me as I raise my head. It's been way too long since I've been down here. One person just comes around to make sure I've had enough food and water but that's it. There's no sunlight, just a dull bulb hanging in the far corner of the room. I see no doors or windows, just a small latch in the ceiling that only opens from the outside. The person opens that latch now and peers in. I shield my eyes from the flashlight being shown inside and cringe. Then a familiar voice breaks through the air.

"YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO HER! WE MADE A DEAL!" Aspen screams.

"Oh my boy." the man says flipping off the flashlight. "You are so naïve."

The man reaches down and pulls me out. I yelp when my cramped joints protest but I manage to stand. Glancing around with blurry vision I make out three other people. Two of them restrain Aspen, who looks furious that I'm surprised they can restrain him at all.

"How are you missy?" the man asks running a hand along my jaw.

I pull back repulsed and regain my senses. Where am I really? The place around the palace is so unfamiliar to me. It's all forest and rebel compounds.

"Don't. Touch. Me." I say in my best kick-ass voice.

He chuckles. "Glad to see nothing's changed."

I take a step back from him because something about him screams creep. That and he just smells as if he hasn't bathed in a year. I finally take in his appearance for the first time. He doesn't remind me of the normal ratty looking rebels – quite opposite actually. His clothes are a little bit more formal and not shredded anywhere. But the facial hair and scruffy hair speak otherwise.

"Oh look at her. Judging based on how I look, huh?" he snickers. "Well, tell me my dear, how do I look?"

I rolled my eyes and looked away. His fingers grazed my chin again and I pulled back and slapped him. He just chuckled and rubbed the spot. Aspen struggled even more.

"Leave her alone!" he snapped.

"Boy you were the one who gave me the directions. Are you regretting that now?" the man asked.

I stared at Aspen in disbelief. "Why did you do that?"

"T-they said they w-were…" but he couldn't finish. He just looked away.

"Darling he is saving you so we can finish what we started." the man chuckled.

"No!" I exclaimed. "Y-you can't!" I turn to Aspen and almost strangle him myself. "Alex…Olivia…"

Aspen sees the hurt on my face and has the guts to feel bad. But that's it. I need to get away and I don't care if I die trying. I can't be near some lovesick ex and a bunch of rebel scum. So I do the one thing I planned to do in the first place. RUN!

Turning on my heel I dashed in the opposite direction. No one yelled. No one chased me. All I heard was the man's low chuckle. "She'll be dead either way."

"Any news?" I asked my advisors after the meeting ended. Everyone was clearing out but I held aside Daniel, the only man I truly trust out of all my advisors. "Have you heard anything?"

He nodded his head. "Remember the ring? You asked me to have a signal emitted when she pushed the little chink on the side?"

A weight was lifted off my shoulders and I let out a long sigh. "Thank God. When can she come home?"

"That's the problem. We have the signal but…she's sort of in the middle of the camp." he told me.

"We have to get her! I don't care how! We need to!" I tell him.

"Well she's been moving further towards us somehow, I think she may have escaped but her signal is fading fast." he said.

"Show me the map." I tell him rushing to the computer in the corner of the room.

I collapse on the forest floor and bury my face in my arms. It's no use. I have no idea where I'm going, it's almost pitch black outside and I can already feel myself shutting down. What's the use if I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere with no food, water, or shelter? I mind as well be dead already. No! Think of Alex and Olivia. They need you and so does Maxon. Come on America, come on!

"Maxon Schreave don't you dare!" my Mother says rushing to grab my sleeve.

I stare down at her before pulling on my other black glove. "Mother I have to." I tell her. "We know where she is and I want to make sure I never lose her again."

She sighs. "What if I lose you both?"

"Then I trust you to take care of Alex and Olivia." I tell her. "Promise?"

"Of course I promise!" she exclaims. "But it won't happen."

I nod confidently. "No, it won't."

"There's our little princess." someone said, right in my ear.

I whip around and my head bumps the persons chin. It's reached the point where I can no longer see anything but I could make out this man's features. He was tall, about six foot, and very brawny. Taking a step back he mimicked my movement.

"What do you want?" I asked weakly. I'm in no mood for games. If they want something fine, but leave me alone.

"Hmmm." the man runs a chubby finger along my jaw. What's with rebels and women? Did they not have any? Because I remember Celeste, Daphne, and Elise would be perfect. "What do you think Marcus?"

"Definitely cute." he chuckles softly. "But I'd say perfect."

What?! I take even more steps back but trip on a tree root. The man still stalks me slowly, like prey. I crab walk away until my back hits the tree. "Oh don't worry darling. It'll only hurt for a second." he chuckled.

"NO!" I scream. "STAY AWAY FROM ME!"

He covers my mouth with his hand. His eyes burning for me to challenge him. So I do. I bite down as hard as I can on his hand until I the coppery tasting blood oozes into my mouth. The man yelps and pulls back his hand, bringing it across my face. His blood leaves a mark across my cheek and I find a new intensity in me now. Kicking him in the stomach he doubles over and I leap up. But my plan is short lived when I'm grabbed from behind with my arms pinned behind my back.

"NO!" I struggle in his grip. "LET ME GO!"

She screams. I know it's hers and I want to know where she is. NOW! Following the sound we all rush through the trees, avoiding the no-noise rule. Luckily if anyone were to look into the forest they'd see nothing because our all black ensembles.

Finally we near a group of three that are struggling against one another. Well rather America is attempting to fight off two large men. Before anyone does anything more I ram my shoulder into the one holding America. He stumbles and loses his grip on her. Then we all attack. The twenty or so guards and I surround them but they just hold up their hands in surrender. I narrow my eyes at the men who cringe under my gaze. Then I turn to America. She doesn't know what's going on and her eyes roam around the circle of men before resting on me. I kneel next to her and remove my mask. She throws her arms around my neck and kisses me in front of everyone. I pull back and give her a look before scooping her up.

"Phillips, do what you want." I tell the head of the guards. "Half of you come with me back to the palace."

"M-Maxon?" she whispers. I turn my head to look at her. "T-thank you."

I offer her a small smile. "I'm never going to lose you again. Got it?"

She nods. "Yes."

The rest of the walk was silent. Only the occasional crunch of twigs and leaves broke through. Finally we neared the palace walls and went to the small door hidden in the side. It'd take us underground to the safe room; it's always been our escape route if ever need be. A guard unlocks the door and I walk in. The narrow tunnel stretches about a mile long. I debate running this tunnel since it'd be shorter but I'm not sure America's up for being jostled. Right now she seems to be attempting to fight off sleep as is. But a sudden thought hits her and she leaps out of my arms. Now she's the one rushing to get to the palace.

"Easy there, America!" I say grabbing her waist. "What's gotten into you?"

"Alex! Olivia!" she says happily. "I want to see them!"

I chuckle. "You will. Just take it easy, okay?"

She shakes her head and breaks my grasp. "You'll have to catch me first!"

I laugh and race after her. Her dress slows her down and I almost reach her when she gets to the door. But she slips through before I can get her. Reaching the other side I slip through and she attacks me. I'm wrapped in a hug before I can catch my balance and stumble onto the floor. She lets out a squeal and lands on top of me laughing. I meet her eyes in the dimness of the room and smile.

"You're a strange woman, America Schreave." I tell her kissing her nose.

She smiles. "And you're a crazy man for marrying me."

"A man who's crazy in love with her." I tell her. She searches my eyes a moment before leaning down to kiss me. I return her kiss before pulling away. "I thought you wanted to see the children?"

"Oh I almost forgot!" she says leaping up. After helping me she rushes to the door. "Aren't you coming?"

"They're all yours! Little heathens missed you too much." I joked.

She squealed before disappearing out the door. Oh yes she's definitely a strange woman indeed. But I've got to love her, she's all mine.