Disclaimer: I don't own Red Queen

A/N: Please read the note at end of the chapter.

Chapter Two

""The sky is blinded, the night is awake
Water will be cold and the beat will fade
Water will be cold and the beat will fade
Heroes will be afraid
Heroes will be afraid
Heroes will be afraid
Heroes will be afraid
on his way to the flame"

Shang Wenjie (尚雯婕) – Before the Doom

There was nothing she could use to write with. Instead, she dragged her fingertip across the wall, marking another imaginary tally. Marking off another day in her head, it has been maybe twenty days or so. She could never really tell what time it was exactly. There was a small amount of light coming from a slit under the door.

Maybe she should express her thanks to Maven for the accommodations. At least there is a toilet in her cell. It could have been only bucket in the corner. She lay on her back; at least she had this ratty comforter as a makeshift bed. She could see dust piles in every corner and spider webs near the ceiling. As usual, she tried to get some sleep, but lying on the cemented floor of a dark and moist room will be unsurprisingly uncomfortable. Add the collar to the discomfort. Turning on to her side, she had long since given up trying to figure out an escape, even if it was something at least fun to keep her mind occupied.

Even though her eyes were closed, she was awake. She tried to think of something new, anything to distract herself from having various unpleasant things that could happen to her. At least it always helped pass the time. Soon images of Cal took place in her mind…, his hand edged toward hers ever so slightly, until she felt his fingertips brush her hand. Mare unfurled her fingers and let his slip around hers. She could see that the entwining of their fingers were showing the trust and calm of the moment, but it was far from it, she knew that. Maven-

Mare must have dozed off, she did not hear anyone speak, and she did not hear the footsteps. She was fully awake when the locks clicked and the door opened. Pulling herself up, she stood up, back against the wall. Well, Maven had come, anyways.

Taking in the details, he was tall, tall as Cal, dwarfing her short stature. He was about her age, but from the continuous battles, he looked older, his eyes were so pale, so blue, his stare distant. It held no warmth at all. It felt as if it could pierce through her skin, looking directly through her, his stare turning her blood to ice.

Maven said nothing, stood a few feet away, and observed Mare for a time.
Oh, how much she hated that silence.

Mare kept her eyes focused anywhere but him. He then spoke to her. His voice was clear and…condescending. He told her he just thought he would have a little chat. He remarked that she looked lovely, and maybe she is a little too comfortable in here. His words were empty just as his heart. To think that Mare had allowed him or anyone else to talk to her so sweetly…

Oh, how much she wanted to silence him.

He closed the distance; Mare forced herself against the wall, wishing it would just swallow her up. He touched her chin, almost gently turning her face so that Mare looked at him. Her eyes watched his mouth move, to think that mouth kissed her. To think she actually liked it too…

She continued to watch his mouth, ignoring his voice. She did not want to hear him. But what caught her attention…"was finding another Newblood…"

No…

His mouth curved into a sickly smirk. "Another one… so young."

Mare, could feel the blood roar in her ears. She could feel the pulse beating in her ears, blocking out all other sound. Except the breath that was raggedly moving in and out of her mouth at regular, gasping intervals. A feeling of dread crept up from the pit of her stomach. Please…don't say anymore!

"He perhaps could have one day become something, maybe invincible."

Stop it! She choked back a sob, repulsively jerking her head away, only for Maven to tighten his grip.

"And I just plucked off another bud."

Not another word!

"Just like that. I just nipped another worthless life in the bud."

Stop, stop, stop! Mare held her breath and closed her eyes willing for that moment to be just a dream. Opening her eyes, with the only thing to do is face how very real and cruel it was. Trying to remind herself that it was just another of his daily mind games.

"Just swooped in, crushing one of those abominations…," he continued with his lips curving more with malice. "Trampling and destroying them…with… So. Much. Ease."

He then lifted his hand from Mare, turning away, leaving. Leaving Mare in the dark alone.

Crying was indefinite. The tears flowed, uncontrolled as she collapsed down to the ground.

I thought that I would wait until I had my chance for vengeance…that I will overcome whatever is thrown at me…that I will endure it. That I will have faith in Cal, Kilorn...the others will do what they can… No, I know we can all stand against any danger as long as we keep standing. It has to be….
Nothing mattered as of right now. Her shattered heart just knew that she could nothing. The despair kept creeping back. What could she do now?

I even thought I was no longer afraid…But I…I was shaken.

A/N: Thanks for reading!

-I'm thankful that readers liked it enough to want to read more of it. It was interesting that in some of the comments, readers wanted to know what happens next. Well, I decided to try continue it. But the next chapter will be the last one.

-Anyways, the story was suppose to be a one-shot. XDDD

-Also, I apologize for any grammar mistakes/errors. My beta is MIA. It's been quite some time since I've written anything.

-I hope I was consistent with the characterization and with what happened from the book. It's been a while since I've read it so...