A/N: Thank you to everyone who has been reading and reviewing! Like I said on Saturday I will be having a major surgery! I probably won't have a chance to update for about 2 weeks, I might post a new chapter tomorrow but it all depends on school work. I know that 2 weeks is a while, but please keep reading my story! I come home from school and see all of the readers and reviewers, and it just makes my day! You guys are awesome!
Chapter 4: The Rebels
Before I can answer the screaming begins!
Maxon dashes out of the room, nearly colliding with a terrified Kriss. "Maxon, the rebels! Elise! They shot her; I couldn't go back they were coming after me! They grabbed Celeste and me –"the rest of Kriss's sentence falls on deaf ears. Maxon and I have already reached the Great Hall. Elise is screaming as one of the rebels tries to get her to stand, that is when I notice her scarlet dyed dress. Hands grab my waist pulling against the wall. "Maxon, help! MAXON!" he finally heard me, but not before two rebels restrain him.
"Isn't this sweet?" a man emerged from the shelter of half a dozen rebels. Maxon and I struggled to free ourselves, but we both knew it was useless. "Listen up men; I want our guests positioned around the room in pairs of threes with four of you stationed on each side! MOVE NOW!" Maxon and I are hauled over to a corner, along with one of the guards. My heart stops; it's Aspen! Discreetly, Aspen slides his hand over mine. Maxon does the same to my other hand, completely unaware of Aspen's actions. "Are you alright Darling?" Maxon whispers. I feel Aspen's entire body tense. "Yes." I say quietly.
"You're Officer Leger, right?" Maxon tries to make light of our surroundings but I can tell that Aspen only wants to be ignored. "Yes sir." Aspen replies. I look around the room; the wall to my left caters to a very pale and incoherent Elise that leans against Celeste. They're accompanied by an unconscious guard slumped against the marble wall on the other side of Elise. I feel my heart break as I see my sweet Lucy weeping silently in the corner to my right squished by another maid and an unarmed guard. Finally, mustering my courage I look to the wall opposite me; Mary, Anne and Queen Amberly are clustered together.
"So folks, we're going to make this time spent together as enjoyable as possible. We'll be making changes in the seating arrangements as we see it necessary. Some of you ladies may even get one on one time with some of my fellow gentlemen out in the hall." I shiver as I see the rebels surveying us, deciding which woman he wants to have a chat with. "However, I think we'll start with introductions. I will go around the room, you will tell us your name and what you do in the palace. My name is Wesley, I am here to kill the royal family and the Elite." He says it like a task on his to-do list just itching to be checked off, though I fear he has every intention of prolonging it; cherishing it.
My stomach knots as he walks over to Lucy "You first." He whispers, now at eye-level with her. I wince as Lucy begins to shake violently; both of my "suitors" give my hand a reassuring squeeze. Wesley reaches out to "comfort" her, his hand just barely touching her arm. On instinct she yelps and jerks away. "I'm waiting." he purrs. "L-l-l-lucy. A m-m-maid. "she manages to stammer out. I feel Aspen harden, for a moment I forget where I am; I'm genuinely curious about his reaction. I suppose he is just a selfless person and doesn't like seeing her like that, I think. My attention is drawn back to Wesley who is still perched perfectly on his knees just a foot in front of Lucy. "It's lovely to meet you Lucy. I'm sure we'll find some way for you to enjoy yourself." He flashes an evil grin, then retreats continuing his ridiculous activity.
I see at least two of the rebels are staring intently at Lucy, one of them even winks and I feel sick. Wesley makes his way around the room, and even Elise manages to mention her name along with a round of rambling which leads me to believe she won't last long.
"And you my dear?", it takes me a moment to realize he's talking to me. Dear, Maxon called me that when we first met, we weren't close then but the name was a sign of his kindness, the use of it now seemed wrong. "America, and like the country I don't intend to go down without a fight. You'll do well to remember that." I hiss. Aspen crushes my hand, begging me to fly below the radar. Maxon just stares at me like I am a different person. Despite it all, Wesley's facial expression is the most peculiar; he is smiling, my look of triumph slowly begins to fade. I don't like the way he's looking at me. "That is a very good point America, they put up quite a fight. In the end though, they fell to their knees, I trust you know that to be true." All of a sudden he brushes his hand against me cheek, and I smack at it. He just gives a dark, ominous laugh and walks away.
I don't listen to any other "introductions"; I only hear the shallow breaths of Maxon, and see the fury behind his eyes. In any other setting his protective instinct toward me would be attractive, but all I see is a time bomb. Tick, tick, tick!