I apologize to you all for not updating lately. I sort of stopped after I got sick and lost inspiration for a while after writing A Once-ler Carol (if you haven't read it, check it out for me, please!). It has been my intention to write for a couple of weeks now but I had midterm tests for all my classes and a larger-than-life essay to write so I was pretty busy. I finished this chapter just now and made sure it was extra long to make up for everything. The beginning may fall a little flat because I literally forced myself to write but my imagination gained momentum after. This note is pretty long already so enjoy...

Chapter Fourteen: War and Peace

"Once-ler!" The Once-ler though he heard Marilyn call his name from his office."Once-ler! Where are you?!"

He opened the big doors of his office slowly, as if there might be an intruder in his house. "Marilyn?"

Suddenly, a familiar weight jumped on his arms and wrapped its hands tightly around his neck. Even more familiar tears ran down his neck too.

"Oh Once, I'm so glad your alright!" said Marilyn, not wanting to let go.

The Once-ler stretched the free arm he had and desperately searched for the light switch around the wall. When the light filled the immense room, his gaze, looking over Marilyn's trembling shoulders, fell slowly around mud footprints in the carpet and then over their owner. Marilyn was a sorry sight, scratched, beaten, abused and scared.

"Wh-what happened to you?" he pulled away from her and, almost aggressively, inspected the scars and bruises over her body.

"Thank God you're alright! It's the mob, Once-ler, we must get out of here! The people of Thneedville will kill us if we stay!" Marilyn said between sobs as fast as she could and she weakly tried to pull The Once-ler away to his room but he resisted.

"They did this to you? Because of me?" The Once-ler couldn't believe that the same people who used to worship him can use the same force to turn against him. Marilyn was silent.

"I had to defend you," said Marilyn. "They wanted to— I had to— I—"

The Once-ler pulled Marilyn in a passionate embrace. "I'm just glad you're here with me."

"I was so scared for you, Once-ler. I don't know what I'll do without you..."

Marilyn fainted in his arms shortly after, and he carried her to his room.

"Mrs. Ellerbee!" he called for one of his maids but nobody came. "Mrs. Ellerbee!"

"Sir," Mr. Lavasseur, the butler came in, his face as calm and as neutral as ever.

"Where is Mrs. Ellerbee?" The Once-ler asked.

"Her, along with all the other servants, have left, sir."

"What? Where?"

"There is a protest led by a Aloyissus O'Hare, they have informed me, against you, sir."

"They ran away in fear?"

"Some did, others joined it, sir."

"And you stayed?" The butler nodded.

The Once-ler opened a secret compartment in the desk of his room and took out a large sum of money and handed it to his butler.

"Here, this is for you. Thank you for your loyalty. You must also leave," The Once-ler urged him.

"But sir, the lady..."

"I'll take care of her myself. Take your family somewhere safe, just out of this God forsaken place as soon as you can. Go!"

"Thank you sir," Mr. Lavasseur left as soon as he could. That was his first servant. He had endured violence with his family. He had witnessed his success. His rise. His fall. And now he was gone.

The Once-ler knew he should've felt alone, but with Marilyn by his side, he didn't. He took care of her and binded her wounds.

Chapter Fourteen (Part Two): The Mission

-Marilyn's POV-

I was half awake when I heard talking in a distance. It was as if my body and mind had separated into two different places. The was pain was there, but not with me. When the two came together, I finally could make sense of where I was and what had happened.

I didn't opened my eyes or sat up, enjoying the rest I was having. I could tell I was in The Once-ler's room, so I knew that what happened wasn't a dream but the smell of the room, his smell, made me feel safe. The voices came nearer and I knew them to be Norma's and Adam's. The Once-ler came in with both of them and I finally opened my eyes.

"Marilyn," Norma rushed to my side, "are you okay?"

I nodded and sat up. Nowhere did I saw the bleeding scratches and the dirt was wiped away from my bruises. I felt a tenderness in my heart for The Once-ler because he took care of me. I searched for him around the room, but he was no longer there. I gave Norma a questioning look.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Marilyn, we have to go back home, now," she answered.

"If they know I am there, they will kill me," I said about the mob earlier but I though Adam and Norma didn't know what I was talking about and I tried to explain before Adam cut me off.

"Don't worry, we will sneak you in," Adam said.

"Adam was chairman of the Truffula Conservation Association. They probably think he is on their side. They'll ask no questions," added Norma.

"If we go through the main gate they'll be suspicious. They'll know we came from The Once-ler's mansion," Norma waved her hand at the suggestion.

"We will circle around the city and enter through the back gate. You will be in the trunk of the car and Adam and I will say we came back from a short visit to my grandmother at Georgeville. They probably will think we know nothing about what happened to you," Norma said.

"How did you find out?" I asked.

"Your brothers sneaked into the city and watched it all happen. they came home as soon as possible and—" Norma stopped.

"What happened?" I asked when I saw Norma's perturbed face.

"It's your father," answered Adam. "He has been in a delicate state with his health lately and when he heard what happened to you he, well... he had a sudden panic attack."

With these news I quickly jumped out of bed and almost fell but Adam and Norma catched me and steadied me.

"But you are still weak," said Norma worried.

"We must go there as soon as possible!" I quickly put on my shoes and dashed through the door before I remembered about The Once-ler.

"I must talk to Once-ler. Just a few minutes," I told Norma and she nodded.

"We will get the car ready for you." They disappeared down the dark hallway.

I made a guess that The Once-ler was in his office. I entered and the room was darker than ever. I low light of the hallway illuminated the room through the door that was only opened a few inches. I knew The Once-ler was in his balcony, overlooking his mistake.

"Once," I said, slowly peering behind him, "are you okay?"

He turned around and I saw that his eyes were watery.

"Marilyn, just promise me that whatever happens, you won't be angry at me."

I took a few steps towards him. "Oh Once I—"

"Please, promise." He walked towards me and tenderly stroke my cheek.

"I promise." I knew very well why he made me make that promise, and for some reason, though I knew that I loved him with all my heart, just for one second, I doubted if I would keep it.

"Come back to me," he said, and I saw the same doubt in his eyes.

I leaned towards him but he stopped me and I knew it was time for me to leave.

I reluctantly left his mansion. My heart kept me there but at the same time sent me away. If I stayed, I shouldn't know if I would ever see my father again, but if I left, I shouldn't know if I would ever see The Once-ler again.

I got in the car's trunk. Neither of us realized how dangerous the mission was. The drive to the city would be almost two hours long because we had to circle around it's extensive perimeter and I should have no clean air in the trunk. It was bad enough outside, but we had to take the risk.

The ride to the city was as I thought, difficult. My body was sweating wildly and I felt as if I would collapse. It was difficult to breathe every second. But every second was valuable. Norma asked me if we should stop but I denied.

They had placed security around every entrance and exit of the city. Worst enough, they were inspecting every car that left and entered. Because of the traffic behind us, it was too late to turn back. We all prayed we were lucky, but at the same time knew it was impossible.

It was our turn now. Adam stopped the car and showed his identity to the police.

"Mr. Wiggins eh?" said one of the cops. "You were one of the leaders of the TCA, weren't you?"

"I was, yes. We just came back from Georgeville" Adam answered.

"Never seen such a righteous association of even more righteous folks such as you, sir." The cop went on talking about the 'virtuous mission' of the association (though he clearly supported the Thneed business on its earlier days).

"You know what, sir?" said the cop, "We have already spent enough time talking about your honorable, respectable, irreproachable, angelic and noble cause and no doubt you and, what I believe is your wife, Mrs. Wiggins here, are near saints. You may go."

When the cop finally stopped talking, we all let out a breath of relief, or the only breath I had left. I was nearly going to pass out.

"God — bless— you, sir," went on the cop, "And may you ever be prosperous in your li—"

"Yes, yes but we must go on now. Thank you, sir," Adam drove on and as soon as the cops were out of sight, he drove like a mad man. I felt the dark enclose around me and desperately gasped for air. I banged my fist around everything my hands touched, but soon lost my strength. I would've screamed but I couldn't. I felt nothing blur away from my sight because I was locked in darkness. My last thoughts were that either the next time I opened my eyes, I would see my father, or weather or not I would ever open my eyes again.

"Love is patient, love is kind...

It is not easily angered...

It keeps no record of wrongs...

Love never fails."

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

I tried my best to not create a 'kiss ready' scene so sorry if I disappointed you at any moment! But it's coming soon, don't worry! Please review to let me know if I'm doing okay! I re-read some of the old chapters (to gain inspiration and to see were I left of) and I noticed how much my writing has change. I learned how to write a story paragraph, wow. Anyway, I just want to say that I haven't given up on this story and I really hope I finish it. Byeee.

Later: This chapter is nearly two thousand words long!