The One (A Selection Fan Fiction)

Chapter Nine

SLEEP WAS JUST POINTLESS. I twisted and turned on my matress and blankets but I still couldn’t sleep. All the anxiety was back. I was anxious forthe Report the following day because even if I would eat in my room to avoid Maxon, I would not be able to avoid him during the Report.

Sighing, I sat up and put on my fancy slippers. I crossed the room towards the balcony. The cold air welcomed me when I opened the doors. I stepped out and held onto the railings. I let my thoughts wander.

How could I face Illéa after what I had done in the previous week? How stupid I must seem; and how impertinent the people must think of me. Would Gavril try to assure me and help me clean my name from the dirty thoughts of the citizens of Illéa? Or would he make me face the consequences for the wrong of my deeds?

What about Maxon? Will he even talk to me tomorrow? Will he tug his ear? Or did he really give up on me?

And then there's the king. I don't think I could look at his way. Plus, Maxon's seat will be near his. And then there's also Celeste. The girl who threatened me just this morning. Just the thought of her makes me want to squeeze her throat.

I start as the familiar yet panicking sound echoed through the silent night. I stood frozen as a guard fell to the ground. Dead.

The rebels are attacking.

Southerners.

I can hear the guards shouting both in alarm and in pain. But one stood out from them.

"Mer!" Aspen called from my room. Terrified, I ran back to my room, and past Aspen. Not knowing where to go, I waited for Aspen to catch up. When he reached me, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me to where I was supposed to hide.

But before we could reach our destination, two rebels stood face-to-face with us. Aspen protectively hid me behind him. "Stay calm," Aspen said. "Do you remember the lessons earlier?" I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. I tried to catch my breath. I could hear my heartbeats in my ear. My pulse was fast and strong.

Aspen took his gun out and took a prompt step back, inciting me to step back, too.

"Take her and kill him," the shorter man said. The larger man pulled out his weapon and aimed for Aspen. My eyes widened.

"No!" I shrieked. "Don't kill him, please," I begged, gripping and pulling on Aspen's uniform. My frantic thoughts had clouded over me. I had forgotten to stay calm; I had forgotten the do's and don'ts; the self-defense.

Aspen stood still, wary and alert. The smaller man raised his hand and said, "Fine." A visible tattoo was in complete sight. It was a symbol with words I cannot understand. The words "PUGNANT ENIM LIBERO" in a square in an upside-down triangle.

Aspen must have seen it, too, because he asked, "What is that?"

"None of your business," the larger man said. Their weapons were still aimed at each other. "You, little girl, are coming with us."

I knew I had no choice. I gulped and nodded. "Can I please say something to him first?" I asked. The two glanced at each other is hesitation but still agreed.

I turn Aspen to look at me. The two were on our left, watching us.Before Aspen could say anything, I beat him to it. "Listen, Aspen. Just tell Maxon you had no choice. And you really don't. These two are going to kill you one way or the other. They'll still take me, even if you are dead or alive. So when they take hold of me, when I tell you to run, run. Just run and don't look back, don't hesitate. Run for your life. Run for mine, and your family's. Protect yourself, Aspen."

"What about you, Mer? Who is going to protect you now? I promised to myself that I will always protect you from all harm, my duty or not." He looked so full of anxiety and uncertainty. I could do nothing to assure him but lie.

"I will be fine," I lied. "Just tell Maxon you did what I told you to do. They wouldn't want to send another lifeless body of a young man who died at Angeles back to a family of Six at Carolina, would they?"

"I guess not."

I turned to the two men and put Aspen behind me. "Please let him go," I said. That was when I turned to Aspen and whispered, "Run." I pushed him and watched as he turned on the corner. Even though I told him not to, he still looked at me.

My vision started to get blurry and I knew I was about to cry. I blinked the tears away but they just ended up falling down my cheeks.

Each rebel took hold of my wrists. I winced when the man touched the bruise. So, he loosened his grip on me a bit.

What have I done? Did I just give up? I realized how stupid I was. This was a big mistake. Letting them take me is a big mistake. Giving up is a big mistake.

I breathed in deeply and pulled my wrists down so that it incited the loss of their hold on me. Then I faced the larger man and let my fist came in contact with the bone on his nose with all the force I had. I swiftly turned to the other and kneed him harder than what I had done to Maxon. Then I ran towards the direction that Aspen went.

I looked back to check were the two was. But a hand clamped on my mouth and nose, blocking the escape or entrance of air. I thrashed and shrieked — just like I did on Marlee and Carter's caning. But this time, I slipped out of consciousness due to suffocation.