The One (A Selection Fan Fiction)

Chapter Thirteen

Songs for the chapter:

     »Is There Anybody Out There - Secondhand Serenade

     »I'm With You - Avril Lavigne

     »Stay Close, Don't Go - Secondhand Serenade

     »A Twist In My Story - Secondhand Serenade

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Chapter Thirteen

I STARED AT THE BRIGHT glimmer of red, orange, white and yellow far ahead of me as I leaned back against a log with Maryse beside me. I watched the flames reach out and lick the air, and crawl on the woods as they turn into coal then ashes. I watched as the sparks fly and disappear; the smoke rise and dance towards the illuminated sky.

I looked down at my nightgown that was tangibly caked with dirt and mud and leaves. Then my eyes shifted to my dirty fingernails. I still hadn't taken a bath. At least I did not have to worry how I looked because Louise said that I should look like they had not treated me good — the exact opposite of how they were treating me.

I also had to look as if I hadn’t eaten much, and as if they tormented me. The crescent marks Celeste's fingernails made were still visible and hurting. But I guess when the palace personnel will check if I was injured, they would assume it was because of the rebels. Then again, even if I said that Celeste was the reason of this, I would have no enough evidence and she still would lie.

“Insurgents and Mutineers, attention, please,” John said, earning all of our attention. It was surprisingly silent around even before John stood between the camp fire and the group and spoke. Maybe they were really supposed to be silent. With him in front were the rest of the Elders.

“We have to keep moving,” William said. I sat up with anxiety on my face. I cannot be farther from the palace anymore. “The royal army must be searching for Lady America through the forest and they can’t be far from us now.”

“We leave tonight,” Charles added. With that, they all left to pack their belongings. I stood up and ran to follow Louise. I guess she was the only Elder I trusted.

“Louise!” I called. With the mention of her name, she turned around. Everyone that heard me looked at my way weirdly. Louise stopped walking and waited for me. “What about me? I have to get back.”

“You will.” She nodded. “John only mentioned Insurgents and Mutineers, right? Don’t worry, I’ll have Maryse escort you through the forest and leave you just a mile from here. You will wait for the palace guards to rescue you from there. Remember: you were tormented, and we let you starve. Those are the only lies you will tell. The truth you will say is that we left you in the forest and we reason we kidnapped you is to prove to the royal family that we are not afraid of them. The rest are up to you.”

She put a hand on my shoulder and I nodded. “Maryse!” she called. Maryse came and stood beside me. “Please escort America out back into the direction to the palace and leave her just a mile from here. Be back soon.”

Maryse nodded at Louise’s instructions and turned to me. “Let’s go.” She started walking and I followed her.

“America!” Louise voice called out from behind me. I turned around but Maryse kept on walking. Louise smiled half-heartedly at me. “Be careful out there. Just remember who the real enemy is and know who your friends are.”

Although I didn’t completely understand what she told me, I still smiled at her and nodded. “Thank you.”

***

Maryse and I did not talk through the whole walk. So I just observed the different trees and flowers that we pass through. I lifted my dress to avoid from tripping. The grass reached up to my ankles, around my slippers. They brushed across my skin as we walked farther and farther from the sea.