The Second Choice | COMPLETED

Chapter 15

Hey! So I know I've been gone for a long time and that most of you have already given up. But I've decided to at least end the book here. So here it is, hope y'all enjoy (even though it's not that great because I wrote it in an hour) Warning, there might be some triggering thoughts in this chapter, though I'm not completely certain. Please be careful.

It was about four weeks later and we were boarding a humongous, white cruise ship named the Amberly to set sail to the Bahamas. I was sure anyone could guess who the boat was named after. Kriss was holding Kriston in the crook of her arm, the other looped through my own. The sun was shining and I could tell, it was going to be a good day. There were about ten guards and five staff members boarding with us, two maids, a butler and two chefs. I had only requested the aid of one maid but eventually had been swayed to let them all aboard. It wasn't that I didn't want the help, it just wasn't always necessary and I didn't want anyone to do something they didn't want to do. However, America has somehow managed to find a place as one of the maids that would help out on the boat. She had fully awaken about three weeks ago and despite the many protests from Marlee and the others, she had gone straight to work. She hadn't spoken to be though. I guess I understood. So I managed to spend a lot more time with my family, and especially Kriss.

"Maxon?" Kriss hummed as she set down one of her bags that she had insisted on carrying.

"Yes, darling?" I replied, kissing her cheek.

"Isn't this wonderful?" She sighed dreamily and I chuckled.

"It really is, my love." Kriss smiled at me, and it was a wonderful, beautiful smile that could light up the world.

We set sail at noon, the ship pulling away from the dock. Kriss, Kriston and I spent the day, mostly on the top deck. It was a wonderful day. Evening fell, and while Kriss was putting Kriston to sleep, I had decided to change into nightclothes. It was when I had just finished that I heard a loud, horrifyingly familiar bang and an even more terrifying scream. I threw open the closet door, to see a guard, fully dressed in uniform, laying on the ground, a spot of blood rapidly growing on his chest. A second scream erupted from Kriss as I hear another shot let loose. My eyes widened and I was frozen. I was too slow and too late and everything was on me. No. Please, no.

I watched as she fell to her knees, grasping at the wound in her chest. I rushed forward and there was so much blood.

"Please, Kriss, don't leave me. Please don't leave me." Tears began to stream from my eyes. I felt her fingers slip between mine. And in that very moment, she smiled at me.

"I love you." She whispered, her voice so quiet I could barely hear. Her face, the beautiful face that I had grown to love was paling and I knew, god, I wish I didn't, but I knew she didn't have long.

"I love you too." I took in a shuddering breath.

"I know you love her." Her voice told me. And I blinked.

"W-what?" She was taking rapid breaths now but she continued.

"I know you love her. America. Go. Find her. For me. I just-" She took a deep breath.

"Be happy." She breathed. I blinked back tears but they slipped through my poorly built walls.

"Take care, take care of Kris-" Kriss' eyes widened for a second and then her eyelids fell, shutting away those chocolately brown orbs that had filled my life with joy.

"No!" I screamed the word. So loud, my lungs hurt. But it didn't matter because she was gone.

"I love you." I whispered, pressing the softest kiss to her lips.

"I love you so much, darling." I stood up carefully, dashing away the tears. But they kept falling. I picked up Kriston from the crib, who was wailing and quietly shushed him. He couldn't die too. Not now. And then I ran. I ran. To find America, to find anyone. I fought the revulsion as I stepped across still bodies. Then I found her and we locked eyes. It was like the first time I ever saw her. Bright blue eyes, filled with determination. She opened her mouth,

"Ma-" A gunshot rang through the air.

No.

Not her too.

I watched as she crumpled to the ground, blood gushing from the wound at the back of her head. I could hear the thundering of blood rushing in my ears and all I could see was red. Anger. And blood. Another gunshot. A wail from Kriston. And silence. I couldn't look down, couldn't look down at the baby, my child, my son, in my arms. I couldn't even protect him. So I looked up instead, to see a man, in black, on the deck above me. Who was he? How did he get on the ship? Why did he do this?  Questions ran through my head but there was one that stood out.

What more was there to live for?

I smiled at him, and it was a horrible smile. But I smiled, opened my arms and let the darkness swallow me.

*****

"Mommy? What was it like, living in Illea?" The little girl with brown pigtails and bright green eyes looked up to her mother, a woman who looked identical to her daughter, besides the age.

"It was lovely, darling. But after the king died, everything crashed down. The rebels attacked and we didn't have any defence. So we all hid. In other countries." The young woman sighed softly, as if remembering something.

"Did you ever meet the king? Was he handsome?" The little girl smiled brightly.

"No, I never got the chance. But my brother, who would be your uncle Aspen worked as a guard for him. And you-" The brunette ticked the young girl's sides, causing her to giggle.

"-were named after him." Celia smiled. She missed her brother dearly but she knew he was always with her.

"Oh. Do you miss living in Illea?" Aspen asked, laying back onto the pillows.

"Sometimes. But if everything hadn't happened, I wouldn't have met your father. And then there wouldn't be you." Celia kissed her daughter's forehead.

"Sleep now, sweetheart. It's late." The young woman stood up, turning of the lamp.

"Will you tell me another story tomorrow?" Aspen asked, clutching her stuffed bear.

"Of course. Goodnight, Aspen." Celia murmured.

"Goodnight mommy." The little girl closed her eyes as her mother shut the door.

"I'll always have another story to tell." Celia smiled wistfully as she walked down the hallway.

The End.

And there it is! The final chapter to The Second Choice. And as I have mentioned, I never knew how the book would end but last night, I came up with this and had the sudden urge to write so here you go. I hope you liked it and feel free to message me, comment or write on my board if you would like to ask any questions.
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!
Xx Val.