The One Fanfiction

Chapter 26

         I woke up to the sound of heavy breathing. And it wasn't mine. It was Maxon's.

        He was next to me. His brow was furrowed, but his eyes were closed. His shirt was soaked in sweat. He was tossing and turning fitfully. Maxon mumbled incoherently. I caught a few words of what he was saying. "America. No. Stop!" I whispered his name. No response. I said it louder. Still no answer.    

        Then, it dawned on me. He was asleep.

        Maxon moaned pitifully. I couldn't bear to watch him suffer like this. I rubbed his arm, trying to wake him. "Maxon!"

        In the blink of an eye, he was awake and Maxon flipped himself on top of me. His hand found my neck and his grip tightened. Panic boiled inside of me as my airway closed. Why was he doing this?

        I looked into his eyes. They weren't angry or scared. They were blank as of he wasn't conscious of his actions. He didn't seem to know who I was. I had to get through to him before it was too late.

        "Maxon," I croaked with the little air I had left. "Look. Look at me, Maxon. It's America. It's me. Please stop, Maxon." His eyes searched my face. I saw a spark of recognition flare in his eyes.

        A look of horror flashed across his features. Maxon scrambled backwards as fast as possible. As he was getting off the bed, he got tangled in the sheets. He tripped, but freed himself quickly. He stumbled away and leaned against the wall. Maxon clutched his stomach and looked like he was going to be sick. He was panting as he stared at me wide-eyed.

        I was coughing. I didn't want to, it would make him feel even worse. It hurt to breathe, but I still gulped down as much as possible. My head was spinning, trying to find words to make this even a little bit better.

        "America," Maxon stuttered. "I'm- I'm sorry. I didn't- I didn't mean to. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry." He slid to the floor and rested his head on his knees. His shoulders heaved in silent sobs. I felt my heart break.

        "Maxon, I'm fine. Really, I'm okay."

        Maxon shook his head angrily. "How could you be fine? I could've killed you, America." He took a shaky breath and said, "I was dreaming. About the South. I was scared. I was so scared, America. I've been scared ever since we got back. Scared it would happen again and I would lose you. When I'm afraid, I get edgy. I'm unpredictable."

        Maxon lifted his head from his knees. He wiped the tears from his face with his hand. He got to his feet and Maxon's legs seemed a bit wobbly as he looked at me. He thought for a few minutes before sighing. "I need time to get myself back to normal. I don't know what might happen to you if you stay. There's no way in hell I'm going to risk something like this happening ever again. I need a break, some time to figure this out alone. I just need for us to spend some time- apart."

        Tears formed in my eyes as I tried to reason with him. "No, I can help. We can get through this together."

        "No. I have to do this on my own. If it doesn't work, I promise we can try together." I got out of bed and walked over to him. I put my arms around his waist and buried my face in his chest. Maxon's tears wet my hair as he kissed the top of my head and held me tightly. I tried to stifle my cries.

        "I love you," I mumbled into his shirt.

        "I know, love. I know." Maxon pulled away and gazed into my eyes. I was trembling. I didn't want to go. "America, you need to leave. I have to do this and I'm afraid if you stay too long, I'll change my mind."

        I nodded and put a hand on his cheek. I stroked his face with my thumb. He leaned into it before grabbing it with his hand.

        He led me to the door, holding my hand. Maxon turned the knob slowly and pulled the door open. I kissed his cheek and stepped through the doorway. I turned from him and started to walk away. I let go of his hand at the last possible moment.

        The door closed and Maxon was gone.