Again, this chapter is darker. Please be cautious.

-CL


I take in my surroundings. The room is naturally lit with glass in the ceiling and the room only has one door. Then I glance at the floor. And I see Bella naked on her hands and knees with a Southern rebel over her with his dick hanging out, ready to fuck her. I hear Bella whimpering and my vision turns red. I silently walk over to the sick fucker and take out my knife. And then I slit his throat. Bella gasps, feeling the blood spray from his jugular onto her bare body. She cries out in surprise when she turns and sees me. "Maxon?" she whimpers.

I drop to the ground next to her and bring her to my chest. She starts sobbing and I gently work her clothes back on. "Shh…it's ok, my dear. I'm right here." I rock her back and forth and glance up, noticing America, Ledger, Marlee, and Woodwork standing near the entrance. "Can you give us a minute? Just guard the room." They all nod and leave without a word. I rub circles on her back and kiss her on her head. "Let's go, Bella, alright? I'll get you home safely." She nods, still gripping my shirt. I lift both of us up and walk to the door. I glance down at Bella and she's still sobbing and shaking, grabbing onto my shirt. I look back at the rebel and see his blood draining. I almost regret letting him off so easily. I sigh and open the door. All of them are waiting outside and glance up when I exit the room. They take in the shaking Bella in my arms and start walking, providing cover for Bella and me. We go as fast as we can without disturbing Bella too much and finally make it outside the warehouse. We reach the truck and pile in. "I have to put you down, Bella." She nods and I help her up the truck. I trail in after her and sit on the bench next to her. She grabs my arm and presses herself against me, holding me tight. I make sure the others are in before I bang on the truck to start driving. There's a jerk and Bella cries out, squeezing my arm tighter. I whisper reassurances to her, calming her. I glance up and notice Ames trying to get my attention.

"Can I do anything to help?" America whispers, gesturing to Bella.

I shake my head. "Thanks, though." She nods and smiles, turning back to quietly chat with Marlee. I look down to check and Bella and she's looking at me. "Bella?" I whisper, pressing my lips to her hair.

"I'm-I'm going to stand up for a second. Can you help me?" Bella whispers.

I nod and gently take her hands off my arm. She sits up straight and reaches out for my hand. I reach out and place one arm around her back, supporting her weight, and the other hand is in hers. "Careful," I say, guiding her. She stands up straight and walks to the center and grabs the handle on the ceiling. "You ok?" I murmur, giving a gentle kiss on her neck.

"Yeah. I just want to stand," she says quietly.

"Alright, my dear. I'm going to sit back down." She nods and smiles a small smile. I head over to sit over by America, planning to tell her what happened.

America jumps on me as soon as I sit down. "What happened?" she whispers.

"I'm not entirely sure. How much did you see?" I whisper back

"You didn't say if it was safe or not, so nothing until you were rocking Bella in your arms."

"I went in there and the sick fucker was going to rape her. I killed him right away and helped Bella get dressed. Then I was just trying to comfort her-" I gesture to Bella, making sure that she's ok. She looks at me before her eyes roll to the back of her head and she crumples to the ground. "Bella!" I cry out, diving down to her. I miss and she hits the ground with a big thump. "Fuck!" I shout.

America kneels next to me. "Check her pulse." I nod, frantically trying to find it.

When I finally feel it, I breathe a sigh of relief. "Found it."

"Carter, how much longer until we're at the palace?" America asks, helping me get Bella in a more comfortable position.

"Not much. I would say five minutes or so," he responds, gripping Marlee's hand. "Is she ok?"
"I think she'll make it," Ames replies, glancing at me. "Maxon, are you ok?"

I notice that my hands are shaking. "I-Yes," I respond.

"It's ok not to be ok, Maxon. You just save your wife from sick, sick people," Marlee says.

"I-No, I'm not ok," I say before breaking. I try not to let the tears fall, but they do. Ames comes over and pulls my head onto her shoulder, and I let myself cry. "What if-what if she's not ok, Ames? What-what if they did something to her that-" I get out before the sobs overtook me.

"Shh, Maxon, shh. I'll call Dr. Corden and make sure there's someone out ready to take you and her to the hospital right away."

"I'm on it, Ames," Marlee says. I hear her murmuring into the phone a few seconds later.

I get a hold of myself and look at Bella. She looks so peaceful like she's sleeping. "Bella," I say, crawling to her. "If you can hear me, my dear, please wake up." I kiss her lips and grab her hand, squeezing it. "Please, Bella."

"Maxon," Ames says, placing a hand on my shoulder. "It's a trauma response. Her body is trying to shield her from what happened. Don't try to wake her."

I nod. "Alright. Alright," I whisper, scooting back. "Just-how much longer?"

"We're here," Woodwork says. "What did Dr. Corden say, Marlee?"

"He's ready when we are. Can you carry Bella, Maxon?"

"I wouldn't allow it any other way."

"Then let's go," Ames says. I pick up Bella gently, holding her. Ledger opens the door and Ames and I rush to Dr. Corden, following him to the hospital.