Maxon's PoV
I run toward her scream, the forest, not stopping until I hear voices. I come to a halt behind a tree, peeking out, and see America, tied to a tree, surrounded by three men. There is a wet red spot in the middle of her dress by her stomach.
"I'm going to ask you again," One man says. "Where are the entrances to the royal safe rooms?"
America presses her lips together tightly.
The man talking to her, he must be in charge, motions to the man on his right. The man goes to her side and presses a knife into her stomach, where the already bloodied spot is.
She screams.
"Where are the Royal Safe Rooms!" The man yells again.
She glares at him and he motions to the guy with the knife. He starts towards her again..
"Stop!" I yell jumping out from behind the tree and push the knife out of his hand so it sticks into the ground at America's feet..
I grab the gun from my waistband, quickly shooting one in the shoulder. "Get out of here!" I yell. "Now!"
I back towards America, watching to make sure the Rebels are gone before I turn and untie her as she collapses against me. "America!"
"I'm, I'm fine. Just a little, un-unsteady is all. I'm okay." She tries to stand up but just falls against me again.
"Okay, okay! I'm gonna take you back to the castle okay?"
"No! The rebels are still there! I won't make it back in without them seeing me. You can go and I'll stay here until they're gone. I'll be fine."
"No, you won't. I'll stay here with you."
"But if they come-"
"America! I'm staying."
I help her to sit down. "Now what happened?"
She sighs.
Five minutes later-after America tells Maxon what happened.
Maxon you should have stayed in the safe room. I'm going home anyway."
"America," I sigh. "You are not going home!"
She looks down. "You know I was gonna tell you I love you? The guard from my home town? That's Aspen, though you know him as the guy who broke my heart. He came into my room after our dinner in the garden, tried to apologize. I told him no, I told him I loved you! And then..."
"America please! I promise you I didn't say those things!"
She sighs and leans against me but gasps and presses a hand to her stomach.
I gasp, "America I have to, we have to-"
"Maxon. Really I'm okay."
"No." I lean her against the tree and stand, turning and pressing a hand to my forehead. "That's it," I say. "I'm taking you back to the castle. The rebels are probably gone by now and you won't last much longer out here." I slip one arm under her knees and one behind her back, lifting her up.
"Maxon."
"I'm not discussing this."