After: a Maxerica Story

Part 18

This time when I wake up, there's no light. I'm surrounded by darkness, other than one flickering lightbulb. I look around, taking in my surroundings. A dark room. A bed, which I am lying on. And nothing else. There is a strange dicoloration on one part of the wall, but I'm sure it's nothing.

Suddenly I hear a bang. Not exactly a gunshot. But it sounds like someone throwing someone else at a wall. I shudder.

Maxon.

His name swirls around my head. Where is he? Is he safe?

And what about Gerad and Amberly? It was Gerad's birthday, and I was taken away from him. What a great birthday present.

Why couldn't I escape? I faintly remember having a gun in my hand, ready to shoot.

So why didn't I?

Shaking my head, I try to get out of the bed. I scream through my teeth. Something in my stomach isn't right.

I pull up my shirt enough to get a glimpse of my stomach. Sure enough, it's wrapped. Carefully, I peel the bandages from my skin. All I see is blood. One side of my stomach is bloodier than the other, so I take a deep breath and investigate the wound.

Knife wound.

But how? I didn't notice the rebel having a knife. And I don't miss things like that.

Thank goodness my jeans are low wasted. They don't rub the wound.

My fingers brush the wound. I don't know what happens, but one second I'm staring at a dark brown wall and the next second I'm in the palace. I jerk my fingers away, breathing heavy.

Ready this time, I touch the wound again. 

"America!"

I struggle against the people holding me.

"America, fight them! Wake up! For me!"

Definitely Maxon's voice.

I struggle harder. A knife comes down and slashes my stomach. I scream in pain.

My eyes fly open. My hands are against my chest and my breathing is wild. I must've passed out when the rebel punched me, and they cut me when I tried to struggle.

Why didn't Maxon help me? My chest aches from the thought of him. Sure, he had the kids, but why couldn't he have given them to a maid and helped me?

No. I'm being selfish. The rebels had guns. He would've been shot.

Maybe my heart is aching from being away from him and the kids. I miss them already, and I just woke up.

Moving slower this time, I crawl out of bed. The floor is disgusting, but I take off my heels anyway.

I make my way over to what looks like a door.

"Hey! Let me out!" I yell. My voice is rough- I barely recognize it.

Someone pushes the door inward, sending me tumbling back on the floor. Now the light blinds me, and I put a hand in front of my eyes to block the sun.

A man walks in, and I scramble away from him.

"Who are you?" I hiss. "What do you want with me?"

He only laughs.

"What do you want with me?" I press.

He shakes his head. "What do we want with you? What do you think? We're all about ending the monarchy, and you're our first step."

"First step?" I spit. "What is that supposed to mean?"