The Flipsyde

The realization

I'm just gonna put an ultralong sentence here because no matter what I say right here I know you'll read until the very end of this authors note hoping for a spoiler which may or may not come, and while I (takes deep breath) am ranting about this I know you guys are wondering what is wrong with me for going on about this so long- but that's not actually the question here, the correct one being what is wrong with you for reading this author's note for so long because (face turning blue) it's pretty obvious from my previous chapters that I'm heartless and mean to my readers and I'm pretty much only doing this to prolong the suspense from last chapter. (Falls over and takes deep breaths)

Wow.. 129 words.. Not bad xD

this chapter goes out to pranjaliaditi- who after going absolutely crazy on my story at first, turns out to have inspired another great book I have read (aliens land in india) besides making her own great book :)

Anyways, on to the next chapter :)

------------ chapter 25.5------------

As I walked towards the daily meeting point, ahead of me- in the distance-  I saw Marcus turning and walking back under the bridge.

I hid behind the nearest tree. Did I dare tell him about it? What if he hated me for it? I wasn't sure if I could stand that. Besides.. I didn't know if I even should tell him about it..

It was a problem too big for me to face alone... So I had to tell him.. 

-----------------------------------------

A week before

As I sat under the bridge waiting for Marcus, I heard footsteps approaching.

I stood up. He was early.. Why would he be early? I was here because my guitar classes got over ahead of schedule. But him? He actually had his work to do.

As I neared the vines, I saw a hand reach through them and grab my neck.

I couldn't shout out for help! Marcus would be here in ten minutes. And there was a chance he'd get caught by any police I attracted to the scene.

As I struggled with the hand, unable to release the grip, I saw another hand appear and part the vines to reveal a face. The face of a person whom I had respected so much. The one person who would risk his own life to help his side. One who I had never dreamed would lay a hand on a woman- let alone be on the verge of throttling one.

But his expression said it all. He showed one of desperation. The look that drove the masses to support him. The one that made him the face of our rebel committee.

"Hans Mortensen"

"And what is your name young lady?" He asked mockingly.

"Isa." I spat out the name with disgust. He didn't deserve to be able to say it. All my respect for him had gone out the door when he put his hand to my neck. Now he was nothing more than a petty thug.

"Here's how it's going to work.. Isa." He said- spitting out my name in disgust. He obviously hated my guts. "You're gonna help me put a little plan of mine in motion." He continued.

I laughed. He couldn't possibly be more wrong.. There was no way I was going to help him with anything.. Not after what he just did at least." 

"Tell me, what does a girl meet up with a guy every day for? Is it friendship? Is it love? Is it worth risking?"

My face started to turn pale. He couldn't possibly know about Marcus.. Marcus couldn't possibly be in danger..

------------------------------------------------

That night

I sat on my bed considering my options.. I didn't have very many.. 

Half a year ago, I might've sacrificed Marcus's life.. It would have been nothing compared to this.. But now, I couldn't. I was a changed person.. The life Alex had shown me.. And the life which I'd lost.. And which Marcus had given me again..

If only Alex was here.. He'd have shown me the right way through this.. Or at least been by my side- taking the burden of the consequences off my shoulders.

I lifted up the right sleeve of my t-shirt to look at the scar- Alex. Despite my best intentions, he was gone.. And I could do nothing about it.. His scar would haunt me for the rest of my life.. Taunting me. 

He was gone.. But Marcus wasn't.. 

I remembered the words of Hans.. Despite being an enemy, he was still wise.. And those words echoed in my mind. Is it friendship? Is it love? Is it worth risking?

Was it worth risking? 

Everything I've done with him.. Every feeling he had felt for me.. The confidence I had that he'd never leave my side.. Every time he helped me out emotionally, and every time he made me laugh..

It wasn't worth risking..

"Alex" a small voice in the back of my mind repeated.

I pushed it away. Alex was just an excuse.. An excuse I had made not to get hurt again.. An excuse I had made to justify me hurting Marcus- every day. An excuse to deny the fact that I loved Marcus..

The thought itself brought butterflies to my stomach. Did I? 

Was everything I had done to Marcus just a way to mask my true feelings? I tried to tell myself it wasn't.. That I had done everything perfect. But deep in my heart I knew it was wrong.

I did..

------------end of chapter 25.5------------

Boo yeah guys xD I'm back with a big chapter! The one you've all been waiting for! Isa truly does love Marcus ;-; + <3

Party with me guys 🌈

Oh and just FYI, I wasn't sure where this chapter was going to end when I started it, so y'all can thank me for being super nice and ending it like this xD