Chapter 5: The Choice
"Now that we know each other a little better I want you to know that I mean business." I barely have time to sort out what Wesley is saying before
I hear a loud Pop! I don't feel it at first, all I see is the blood flowing from my leg, I hear the screams of the girls, but no pain. Aspen is trying to stop it; he
tears off part of my sleeve, though within a minute it's soaked. " Mer, can you hear me?" I can tell Aspen is trying to keep his voice calm, but it shakes with
worry. "Yes, I just- I'm so tired." I whisper. Maxon appears to have frozen, I grab his hand and whatever holds him there releases. He strokes my hair and
begins to help Aspen. "Stay awake. You're going to be fine. I promise." Maxon looks to his mother who nods her head in encouragement.
Anne abruptly stands up and makes her way over. "Did I tell you to do that?" Wesley asks with mock curiosity. Anne ignores him and turns to me,
"Are you alright Miss?" I see the agony behind her eyes. "It just hurts." That is an understatement, my leg is on fire. "Go back to your spot now." Wesley
commands. Anne just stands there, her eyes locked on mine. With a quick wave of his hand his hand Wesley motions for the rebels. "Take her to another
room." They obediently drag her from the room, her eyes never leaving mine until she reaches the door.
"I think everyone has received your message, so get on with it." It's not the statement Aspen made, it's the fire behind it that has Wesley, for
whatever reason, amused. He thinks this is a game, and Aspen just became his new opponent.
Wesley smirks, "Well then Maxon, it appears you have competition." Maxon stops abruptly and gives a questioning look to Aspen. I can feel the
tension radiating between them. Aspen holds Maxon gaze, clenches his fists and finally turns his head. He didn't deny it, Maxon knows that and now so
does everyone else. I try to summon a dissuading idea, "Maybe he just doesn't like to see innocent people get shot, he's not a sadistic animal. I wouldn't
expect you to understand.". I'm not afraid of Wesley, only the power he has over me. I realize that the palace guards wouldn't dare stop the rebels, they
have the royal family. They have no idea that Wesley is planning on killing us anyway.
"I thought shooting you in the leg would teach you to keep your mouth shut, if that's not enough I can fire again." Wesley threatens. He strides
over to me, his gun poised. Instead of aiming it at me, I watch as he presses it to Aspen's head. My heart jumps into my throat, all the people I care about;
Aspen, Maxon, my maids, the Queen, he has them all in one little package. Wesley has my weakness.
I strive to compose myself before I speak, Maxon is already suspicious of Aspen. "Put the gun down." I whisper. "Or what?" Wesley taunts. I see
a glimmer in his eyes, he thinks this is fun, enjoys it even. In a swift movement, Wesley removes the gun from Aspen's head, relaxing his rigid posture,
and wrenches me to my feet. I scream, and Maxon recoils at the sound. "Walk." Wesley is partially holding me up, and can't breathe from the pain. How
am I supposed to walk? "You're joking." I glare at Wesley. His head gives a slight shake and he shoves me forward.
Aspen and Maxon both lunge forward. They both catch me, exchanging menacing looks between one another. My eyes begin to flutter I can't think
straight. The world dips and sways, "Maxon, help me." I plead. "I-" The darkness consumes me.
"America, open your eyes." I feel a cold rag on my head. It was a dream, thank goodness! When I open them, I'm met with the nightmare that is
reality. Celeste and Lucy are leaning over me. Lucy is clutching my hand, tears in her eyes. I let out a whimper, the pain in my leg reminds me that this is
an all too real nightmare. Celeste supports me as I try to sit up, Aspen is with the Queen and another guard on the wall parallel to me. I skim the room; no
Maxon.
"America, so happy you could rejoin us." Wesley smiles, then addresses the group, "This party is coming to have to end shortly, my friends and I
came with a purpose. Go get Maxon and the maid." He commands a rebel. I turn to Celeste, " What happened while I was out?", "Maxon took a swing
at Wesley and he retaliated by having one of his "buddies" escort Maxon from the room. He also told the guy to teach Maxon a lesson." I shiver and she
looks at me with a funny expression. "You really love him don't you?". I don't respond right away, but after a minute I nod. "He loves you. You should have
seen him when you passed out, I thought he was going to tear Wesley apart." She gives a look that says she done with this subject.
The rebel comes back with Anne, who seems unharmed. Another with Maxon, he has a bruise over his eye and a cut on his lip. When he sees me,
he noticeably relaxes. "As much as I've enjoyed your company, it is unfortunately time to shoot most of you." Despite his words, he says the sentence
without emotion. However, when he turns to me there is a large smile plastered on his face. "What better way to decide whose first, than make one of you
decide?" Wesley raises his eyebrows at me. "You don't honestly think I'm going to-", "Let me make it easier for you; Maxon or the guard?" Wesley gives me
a malicious grin. Aspen or Maxon? The question has bounced around in my brain for weeks, now I have to decide.
"Oh America, why are you hesitating? Don't you love Maxon?" I grind my teeth and wish I could kill Wesley. The silence grows, everyone is looking at
me. Aspen is pale, he loves me and I love him. Maxon looks heartbroken, he loves me and I love him. "America, tell Wesley he's wrong." Maxon begs. "Tell
him." Maxon yells. "Maxon, I… just… can't." I whisper. "Mer, it's ok really. He's a prince, he loves you just be with him." Aspen's reassurance is only half-
hearted. Tears stream down my cheeks. "I can't Aspen. You know I can't." "So all this time he was the one, the boyfriend that left you. You never told me!"
Maxon yells. "I didn't leave her, she got chosen for your stupid Selection and I knew I couldn't compete with that! What was I supposed to do?" Aspen yells
back. I look away only to see Queen Amberly shattered. "As entertaining as this is, you have ten seconds." Wesley warns me. "Maxon, you know that I care
about you." I tried to explain. "It was all a lie. I trusted you, I protected you. I loved you." He whispers the last part, and my heart breaks. "The walks in
the garden, the Halloween party, those weren't lies. You accepted Aspen, I told you about this." , "That was when I thought he was in Carolina!" , "Stop
yelling at her! I know her better than anyone here. I saw the way she looked at you in the halls, at the party, she loves you! I knew it then, even if I didn't
want to accept it! I'm the one who kept trying to fight for her! It's not her fault!" Aspen comes to my defense, always set on being my hero even if it costs
him his life.
"The hell it isn't! I told both of you that I needed more time, or I wasn't ready. I let this go on! So here's the truth; I love you both! And that's why I
choose me." I love them, I just can't choose. The rage leaves both of their eyes. "Thank you , finally." Wesley's gratitude or lack thereof is mute in my
mind, I only see Maxon and Aspen. Wesley walks toward me, "America, don't do this. Live ok, please don't do this. Tell him to kill me, I don't care!" Aspen
begs. In all the years I've known him he has only cried once. When his brother was whipped, but now tears run down his perfect face. "We don't care who
you pick, so stop him America!" Maxon makes his last effort as Wesley places the gun to my head.
My eyes dart back and forth between Aspen and Maxon wanting to savor them. I finally close my eyes and wait…..
I'm truly sorry to leave it there! I will try to update this weekend! Thank you to all my amazing readers and reviewers! Tell me what you think! Please vote on the poll to decide what happens next!