Could this be three in a day?

Song Suggestion: Flicker (cover) by the Piano Guys

MARE

It's bright.

It hurts my eyes and I have to blink several times before I can see clearly. Once I do I survey my surroundings. The first thing I notice is I'm in a bed, a very large one. The sheets, pillows cases, and comforter are all white. And they are smooth against my skin. The next thing that catches my attention is I'm not wearing pants. My feet and legs are bare under the sheets. The shirt the I thought I was wearing is actually a dress, scrunched up at my hips.

The room is filled with light filtered through two glass balcony doors.

I sit up and examine the room more. There is nothing to it other than the bed. No furniture decorates the room other than a nightstand and a lamp. But there is plenty room for more. Above, a small chandelier sparkles in the light of the room. Sheer drapes hang on the side of the balcony door. But from what I can see the balcony is half the size of the one outside Maven's bedroom.

Then I feel it, a sharp pain in my chest.

Maven.

"You're awake."

I jump at the voice but my pulse calms once I see Alex standing in the doorway. Seeing her brings me a bit of relief and a dozen questions.

"Alex," I say. But instead of displaying her usual bright smile, she swallows hard, almost like she's worried. Or scared.

"Is something wrong, Alex?"

"Uh-um, you're awake."

"Is that the problem?" I joke. But Alex still doesn't smile. "Alex, your beginning to scare me. What wrong? Where are we?"

Her neck bobs again and she moves away from the door and comes to sit at the foot of the bed.

"Mare, what is the last thing you remember?"

I sit back on my hands, confused by the question. I close my eyes and try to think. My mind feels scrambled, but a few images pop into my head.

"I was with Maven, in his room...wait, where is he?"

"Tell me what else you remember," she insists.

I try to focus more. "I came into his bedroom and...he was awake. He knew we were coming, but he did nothing to stop it. I...I told him I was pregnant…" I run a hand over my stomach. "I asked him to run away with me and..he said yes."

Alex leans in, "And then?"

The pain in my chest returns and my hand drifts from my stomach to wear my heart beats. Its pulse is clear and strong. And yet…

"Mare," Alex presses.

Images flash in my head. Me telling Maven that I love him. Embracing him. I was supposed to call Riley and then...the spray of silver and red blood.

"What happened to me, Alex? Where-Where is Maven?"

"Mare-," she tries to take my hand but I pull away.

"No, tell me, Alex," my vision begins to blur. "Alex, tell me where he is."

"I'm sorry. Mare," she breathes.

The tears begin to fall. I can barely think. My heart pounds and the pain in my chest intensifies. Beside me, the lamp flickers on and off. Outside the bedroom door, I see more lights flicker from a grander chandelier. A white railing stands just outside the room. So I'm on the second floor of this place. I feel sick.

"Mare," Alex warns.

The lights pulse with my heart and then with a loud crash the bulb to the lamp bursts. Alex jumps back.

She comes to lean over me and grabs my shoulders, "Mare, stop this."

But I can't and then Alex's grip tightens on my shoulders. But it's not in a like she's trying to enforce her words but like she can't pull away. Her eyelids flutter and then her hands slip from my shoulders and she collapses onto the carpeted floor.

Before I can go to her, a figure appears in the doorway. Davidson looks me in the eyes as if startled, but quickly turns his attention to Alex. Her dark hair splayed around her and her face is pale. He runs over to where she lies, falling to his knees, Davidson takes her in his arms.

Her breaths are labored but she's alive.

He looks to me, but he doesn't seem angry, just concerned. "What happened?"

"I-I," I struggle to find the words.

"We were talking about Maven," Alex whispers. Her eyes begin to open and sweat blooms on her forehead. "I tried to calm her down, but…"

"It was an accident," I plead. "I swear, I didn't mean to. Alex, I'm so sorry."

She shakes her head. "It's not your fault."

"It's the child."

We all turn our heads to see Jon watching over us.

"What?"

"Your child is responsible for all this."

My hand drifts to my stomach again. "I don't understand."

"It's what I was trying to tell you," Alex says.

"Maven wasn't the only one that died that day," Davidson inserts.

My heart drops, I can't bare to hear anymore. I can't lose anyone else.

"Who?"

But his answer isn't what I expect, "You."

ANALYSIS

Yes, Mare is alive and so is the child, hooray!

So, Mare and Maven's deaths were not faked, they were very real.

And I"m sorry this chapter is short and obvious from a reader's POV. But for Mare, she doesn't remember anything. And there should be more to this chapter, but I ran across an error in my planning. It won't affect the plot at all, just what goes into what chapter.

Next chapter is when all the questions are answered.

OMG, 5 Chapter left!

Stay tuned.