The Rebel (#Wattys2016)

45. Treadmills and Letters

He ran on the treadmill, sweat dripping down his red face, his breaths short and fast. When Skander couldn't stand the speed anymore, he reached a shaky hand to the treadmill's computer and tapped the + button, and soon enough the treadmill picked up even more speed.

He closed his eyes and heard his steps on the treadmill, his quick breaths, his heart pounding in his ears. Prince Skander imagined he was in his Palace, running through the corridors, looking for the right room. He imagined himself opening a room, and finding Adeen, dressed in a beautiful red gown, grinning at him. But something was off, she was wearing make up, she was covering who she was. Adeen was not herself.

So he shut the door and continued down the hallway, faster than before. He imagined himself opening a new door and finding a grim faced Adeen. She wore the Freedom Fighters' uniform, and she glared at him. From the moment he walked in, Skander could feel the heat in the room, but again something was off. Adeen was wearing his necklace. Maybe it was her telling him she still possessed a part of him? Maybe she was showing that although she'd let him run from the Palace, he'd always be linked to her?

Skander found no use in thinking about her, and shut the door. Again, he ran and ran and ran. Until he tripped. Skander opened his eyes just as he tripped on the treadmill and stumbled a couple of steps. The red safety band he wore on his right hand separated from the treadmill, and it automatically stopped. Skander recovered his balance and lied his hands on the treadmill's bars. With shaky legs, hands and breaths, he looked down at his feet. Skander's head hung limp between his arms.

Maybe that was what Adeen had done, he thought.

Maybe she liked him, not romantically of course, but as a friend, as someone who deserved to live. But she didn't like him as the Prince, as the King. Maybe she didn't like the monarchy, and she let him go, saving his life, but making sure he'd never get his throne back. It made sense, she and the Freedom Fighters would get what they wanted -the monarchy to die-, and Adeen would get what she wanted, to finally do some good, to save a life instead of ending it.

Skander looked up and smashed his fist on the treadmill's computer. It turned on, and he turned the speed all the way up. The treadmill obeyed, and Skander ran and ran and ran again.

It was all wishful thinking.

Adeen didn't like him.

For some reason she'd let him go, but she didn't like him, she never did.

He ran faster.

Was she already seeing someone else?

Was she happy she'd won? Glad to have Skander out of her life for once and for all?

Or was she sad she'd let him go?

Skander shook his head so violently he lost his balance once again. Once again, he stumbled and the treadmill stopped. Frustrated, Skander screamed.

"If you keep that up, you'll end up running to your death." A voice said from behind Skander, in the direction of the gym's door.

Skander ignored him and turned the treadmill on again. This time though, he started slow.

"You can't keep ignoring me forever."

Skander looked sideways at his brother. Prince Jasper frowned at him, and leaned back on the wall opposite from Skander. Skander could do nothing but watch, as Jasper had positioned himself directly in front of him. Jasper crossed his arms. Skander stumbled but regained his balance and kept going.

"Skander. Stop." Jasper used his army voice, but Skander didn't give in. "You are going to hurt yourself!" He screamed. SKander ignored him.

Finally, deciding he'd had enough, Jasper sat on the floor, and in one swift movement, disconnected the treadmill from the wall's connector. The treadmill slowly came to a stop, and Skander glared at his brother. He could barely make it to the bench besides the treadmill before his knees buckled and he collapsed. Skander sat on the bench, head in his hands, feeling the pounding of his heart against his ribcage. He couldn't hear Jasper seating besides him over the pounding of his heart in his ears.