The Second Choice | COMPLETED

Chapter 5

It was nearing ten o'clock. I paced around in my room, fear coursing through my veins. Room 502. Room 502. I repeated the number inside my head again and again, in hopes of remembering it. I glanced up at my clock again. Then I looked back. Oh no, I'd thought it was nearing ten but it was nearing eleven! I dashed outside, my suit coat flaring out behind me. I ran past Kriss, who was holding our tiny little boy. She quirked an eyebrow at me but didn't question it as I was normally like this; running around like a madman. I sprinted down the halls, my eyes skimming the numbers, my feet barely grazing the floor. Finally, finally, I found room 502. I opened it without a second glance and screamed. Maybe I have a girlish scream because everyone turned to me. Then they screamed. Muttering profuse apologies, I slammed the door closed and stepped back, my eyes wide in shock. I will never speak of it again. Never. (aka you guys will have to guess what he saw) I took a double take at the number and swore. It was room 503. I turned around and there it was. The real 502. I walked up and looked VERY carefully at the brass letters. 502. I sucked in a breath, hoping it was the right room. Then I grabbed the doorknob and pushed. A slender hand grabbed my arm and pulled me inside, closing the door gently. I smiled before realizing: this woman wasn't America. It was Daphne. She smiled, a glint of mischief in her ever so childish eyes.

"Daphne?" I stuttered, my heart pounding at the speed of light.

"Don't worry, Maxon, your dear America is... Safe." She purred, placing a thin, pale finger on my arm. I shrunk back, a sheen of sweat breaking out on my forehead. I felt sick, dizzy. I wavered on my two feet. This was all my fault. Why did I have to lose track of time? Why?

"What are... What are you doing to me?" I stammered, heart pounding faster and faster.

"Please... I'm here to bring you back to France with me." She smirked, a sly look in her eyes.

"Are you crazy? I can't! I have a country to rule! I have a wife to love and a son to care for." I said furiously, anger radiating from my tense stance.

"Love? You don't LOVE Kriss and you know it. She may be your wife but she isn't your love. I know you love America." I merely stared at her, shock and fear filling my eyes. I shook with emotion, not even sure if I was sad or angry. I slowly but surely moved backwards until I was pressed up against the wall. I shifted my hands behind my back, my wrist brushing cold metal. I was against the door! Slowly, my wrist twisted and I pushed open the door, stumbling out into the bright, glaring hall lights. I squinted at her, hoping it looked like a glare and ran. Daphne shrieked as I ran. I spotted guards and directed them to where she was hiding, telling them to capture her and to bring her to the prisons. I was absolutely furious. I stalked down the halls, my shoes clacking loudly against the white tiles. I clenched my fists. Where was America if Daphne was in room 502? The one time I regretted not having security cameras everywhere. I was lost in thought when I heard a muffled shifting coming from room 321. I frowned, my forehead creased. I held my fist up to knock and hesitated but went for it. Then, I heard another muffled mumble and opened the door. My eyes widened in shock.

"America." I breathed, rushing over. I undid her bonds and she fell into my arms, sobbing.

"Maxon. Maxon. I was s-so scared." This wasn't the strong, stubborn America Singer I once knew. The minute I proposed to Kriss, she had become broken, fragile even. I held her close to me, inhaling her wonderfully sweet scent.

"You're safe. I'm here. You're safe." I whispered into her pale ear. She shuddered in my arms.

"It's okay, it's okay. I'm here, America. I'm here and I love you." She snuggled close to me. I closed my eyes and buried my face in her long blonde hair, slowly falling asleep to her steady, smooth breathing.

A/N: Short chapter and I apologize but it's been a while and I wanted to give you guys something. Hope you like it!

Stay fab,
Val.