To Be Betrayed (Red Queen Fanfic)

2

MARE

"Mare, what happened?" Cal scolds at me, as a nurse gives me an ice pack. It doesn't help the burning sensation through my whole body, but I take it and place it on my chest, where Avery last struck with her ball of fire. My side is burned– the shirt including– proof that Avery isn't the only one 'hurt.'

After Cal caught me sending Avery across the room, he immediately went to Avery, thinking she was the victim. How I wished he caught her sending a ball of fire at me, but timing is just bad right now.

"What? She started it!" I defend myself, glaring at him for thinking it's my fault.

"It didn't seem like it when I talked with Avery."

"Of course it didn't, she's trying to save herself so she can still train with you," I roll my eyes, only for him to sigh.

"Listen, you need to be more understanding."

"I was."

"But she-"

"Started it. Cal, she said things I can't deal with. I can't talk about Maven right now, not when everything's going wrong. She said I was selfish, disgusting, and I just..." I trail off and take a deep breath, running a hand through my hair.

"I just can't take her anymore. I'm tired of everyone thinking I'm the one who made you... you know." Cal looks away from me, and doesn't say a word as he walks out the infirmary.

I lie on the bed, closing my eyes. The morning started off right, but it's only afternoon and things are slipping away.

•••

CAL

I walk out of the infirmary, not able to look at Mare. She doesn't know how much it still hurts, knowing Elara snaked her way into my brain and made me kill my father. But I can't be mad at her. It's all Maven's fault.

He started everything leading up to this point; the lies, the schemes, the betrayal. Or did I start it? I'm the one who brought Mare into the palace. But if she discovered her powers without the crowd of Silver Elites, she'd die in the arms of a Sentinel.

I go outside to get some fresh air, sitting down on the grass. It's quiet and peaceful in Tuck, but it's empty and lonely. There aren't many civilians nearby– part of the reason why the base is here. The sky is clear and sunny, unlike my mood. Mare can be stubborn at times, but she has every right to.

Maybe I didn't pay much attention to Avery and the other girls who wanted to attack Mare like an animal. What would've happened if I came earlier to the scene?

One thing Mare doesn't know is that I've seen her try to cover the burns from Avery. Before and after she went to the infirmary, I've seen her hide them with bandages or by wearing long sleeved shirts in the heat of this summer.

Part of me leaving the infirmary doesn't mean I'm mad at Mare. I'm mad at myself, for not listening to her when she wanted me countless times to talk to the girls, and I didn't believe her when she said they wanted her injured; I'm mad at myself for making Mare doubt herself, even when she can be stronger than me.

Someone behind me sits down, but I can already tell it's not her. The aura is hungry and desperate, something I'm familiar with when I was back at Whitefire, staring at the girls from Queenstrial who didn't want me, but wanted the power of the crown.

I turn around to look at the redhead behind me, who's staring at the grass and putting up a face that looks innocent.

"She started it," Avery whispers.

"Go away Avery. I'm not going to talk about it right now," I scowl, string ready to stand up.

"Why not?" She asks, her voice set with determination. "Mare hurt me! You should send her back to Maven where she belongs!"

I clench my fists, facing her.

"You hurt her too, Avery! Not just physically, but mentally over the past few weeks. You don't have any idea what she's been going through, so shut your mouth and be respectful towards her. Whether you like it or not, you're going to have to train with her."

"She's nothing but a spoiled brat," Avery says with disgust, crossing her arms.

"Avery, Mare's not your mirror," with that, I stand up and leave her behind.

When I return, I head towards the infirmary. Mare didn't deserve this, and she definitely didn't deserve being left alone like that.

I go to apologize but when I head towards the curtain she was last in, the bed is empty, and Mare is no longer to be seen.

"Where did she go?" I ask a nurse.

"I don't know. She just left without saying anything."

I thank the nurse and head towards our room, but before I can open the door, I hear sniffles and crying.

"We'll be together soon?" Mare whispers, clutching a piece of paper in her hands.

"Mare?" I hurry towards her, "what's wrong?"

I then notice a small basket in front of her.

Inside the basket, holds a body of a newborn, and a M mark on their neck.

"This is my fault," Mare shakes her head, sniffling. I've never seen Mare cry like this before, and seeing her in front of me, weeping and mourning over the lost of a baby she never met, hurts.

"Don't you ever say that. You didn't shove anything into Maven's hand to kill this baby. You didn't force him to. Don't blame yourself for something you didn't do. This is Maven's fault, I won't let you beat yourself up like this, ok?"

I pull her into my arms, stroking her head softly as she sobs into my chest and holds me tightly.

Looking at the piece of paper that's now on the floor, a chill goes through my spine when I see Maven's signature on the bottom of the letter.