Song Suggestion: Count on Me by Bruno Mars

We don't give it a name. We don't speak about what it is exactly between us. We just know it's precious to both of us. No one knows or even suspects. Not even Farley.

And it's perhaps the happiest days I've had since...well, ever. Kilorn has told me he understands that I may not love him like he wants me too, but he's satisfied as long as I'm happy.

"I am happy," I reassure him one night at the Hideout.

Being with him has definitely given me something strive for. The last few months I've felt like I was dying, a part of me fading after away every tragedy.

"You've brought me back to life," I tell him. And I mean it. I get even less sleep than before but I don't mind.

One morning Kilorn and I lose track of time, so we have to run back to the house. As we come to the front door, Kilorn digs in the bag for the key. I watch as he begins to frantically search for it.

"Uh, we may have a problem." He begins to search his pockets.

"What do you mean?"

"I can't find the key."

Now we both begin to panic. I grab the backpack and begin searching every pocket. I pour everything out of the bag, but to no avail.

"Kilorn…" Everything is going to fall apart if we don't get in the house before mom wakes up.

"I swear I put it in the bag for safe keeping. I don't understand." He runs a hand through his tawny hair.

"Okay," I say trying to calm us both down. "It's just like old times, right? We can just break in like we did back home. We just need to find a to a window to climb through, come on." We begin running around the house to find a window to climb into. But everything is locked and I don't have anything to pick the lock on the windows or doors. Thoughts of my mom and brothers begin to concern me. Mom gets up early to make breakfast. She's really taken a liking to it now that she has more to work with. But Bree and Trammy and my father were in the army for years and they've learned to wake at a minuscule sound. But Kilorn's sea legs never fail him and neither does my thief's feet.

But then I frantically run around a corner and smash into Kilorn. He grabs me by the shoulders and speaks quickly. "Wait, wait a second I just remembered something. Remember during the winter when the house would get to so hot from the fireplace. Who was it that always went to open the window?"

Before I can get too annoyed that he chooses now to reminisce it occurs to me what he's getting at. Of course, he was like a living furnace himself. And even before he was forced to put up with the cold of the Choke, he couldn't stand the heat. He would always have to sleep with an open window. And due to the Piedmont heat, it must be a habit he still continues.

"Bree." I whisper. Kilorn nods and grabs my hand and leads me to where his room should be and sure enough thin curtains blow through the threshold of the window. The only problem is the window is on the second floor.

"Okay, it's not that bad," Kilorn says taking another chance to joke at the most inopportune moment. "I could do it in my sleep."

Although most might think all hope is lost, Kilorn is right. We used to do this all the time. When we would get really desperate, we snuck into a random house and grab anything.

"It's a routine lift," I say. Kilorn understands and squats down and interlocks his hands. I then put my foot in his hands and he lifts me high enough so I can grab the ledge of the window. Suppressing a grunt, I pull myself in. Bree is sleeping on his stomach next to the window, one arm hanging off the bed. Hopefully, his snores are enough to cover up the next few seconds.

In the Stilts, I would always have a rope, but now that is not an option. But one of the things I love about mom is she always has a surplus of blankets lying around. I take three and tie them together. Then I wrap them around my waist and let the other half fall out the window. I begin to feel a small tug, a heads up that Kilorn is about to climb. The blankets begin to strain and I brace myself as Kilorn climbs. Over the years I had gotten used to Kilorn's weight. Although he is not particularly heavy, he scampers up the wall like a cat as quickly as possible.

Once both of his arms are in I move to help him, putting the makeshift rope aside, I hook my arms under his, but before his legs touch the floor Breed stirs in his sleep and his snores cease. I watch in horror as his eyes begin to flutter. Kilorn and I hold our breath, his legs still dangling out of the window. To our relief, Bree's snores continue and Kilorn's feet quietly find the floor.

We move swiftly to cover our tracks, folding the blankets and placing them where they were before. I hear Bree stir once more, but we're out the door before he can open his eyes.

Kilorn and I take a collective sigh of relief and lean against the wall of the hallway. I close my eyes willing my heartbeat to slow.

"Like you said," Kilorn whispers. "A routine lift."

I smile.

But the moment has to be savored for another time. Bree is not the only one beginning to wake up. I hear mom move about in her room. Probably helping dad. He's getting better at walking but he still needs help.

"I should get back to my room before Gisa wakes up," I whisper. He nods.

I don't realize it until we part ways: we were holding hands.

I wanted to make this chapter quick and light. Sort of like comic relief. Mare and Kilorn are reduced to two teenagers trying to sneak into the house without anyone finding out. Lol.

It takes me time find a song suitable for each chapter. Once again if anyone has a song suggestion don't be afraid to review or PM me. It might help me post faster. Thanks!

I don't own any of the characters and other Red Queen stuff, Victoria Aveyard does.

Thank you guys, for even bothering to click on this story.

Stay tuned and Stay Awesome!

Love ya!

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

Ooo, what happened to the key?

Are we sure no one suspects Mare and Kilorn?

Why is it so important that Mare doesn't realize she's holding hands with Kilorn?

Also, Mare has to reassure Kilorn that she's happy, just sayin'.

ANALYSIS

I'll keep it short like I did the chapter. Mare and Kilorn were holding on to each other's hand at the end of this chapter. But Mare didn't realize until they let go. Not only does this show how comfortable that they are with each other or how their bond is growing. But it also shows how Mare is becoming completely unaware she's displaying these feelings. Which can get her get in trouble if it happens at the wrong time and in the wrong place.

Also, I'm giving chapters actual names and they are lyrics but have special meaning.