After: a Maxerica Story

Part 19

In celebration for 2,000 reads and 200 votes, I am going to write a little bit of this story from Maxon's POV- this whole chapter! Thanks to all my readers, I love you all!

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Maxon's POV:

I watch the video in horror. My America, getting beaten up by rebels. This shouldn't be happening. I should've done something to help her. I am a coward. I am selfish.

Since they took America, I haven't slept or eaten much. I eat just enough that I will stay alive and function, in hopes that my queen will come back to me. 

Gerad hasn't been doing well. He's only a kid, so he doesn't understand much of what's happening. I've told him that his mommy had just gone away for a little bit and would be back soon. Amberly doesn't know what's going on, but I can tell she misses America. The way America held her was just so gentle, so loving. I know I will never compare to her as a parent.

But I try. I try so hard to keep it together. Gerad's party was ruined; he wouldn't stop crying for at least a day. I comforted him, when I really wasn't comfortable myself.

They say only the wife would act like this if her husband was taken. Men aren't supposed to starve themselves. They're supposed to be strong.

Eyes closed, I laugh just a bit. I remember all the times that America was stronger than me. She seems stronger than me now, even though deep inside, I know it's just a brave face. But at least she's able to maintain that brave face. Even on the Report, I'm sure the citizens know I'm in a bad mental and physical shape.

I watch the video again, trying to see is America is telling me a hidden message. Nope. She's just motivating me. She probably thinks I'm running the country even better, acting even stronger, and being even braver.

She knows something. They've told her their plans.

She just can't tell me.

All her words to me are "Stay strong" and "Be brave," and I know I need to change. I get up, off the bed, and shower. 

It's a start.

-

"King Maxon!" someone yells.

I immediatly whirl around. "What?"

It's a guard.

"King Maxon, we have a plan."

I freeze. "A plan? To save America?"

He nods. "Yeah. Could we have a meeting?"

"Of course!"

Hope flows through my body. We have a chance. We can save America.

A bunch of guards and I are huddled around a table. On the table lies a map one of the guards drew.

"So, King Maxon," the guard starts. "Me and another guard were patrolling, and, um, we weren't paying attention. I guess we went to far, and may have found the camp where the rebels are keeping America."

I blink. "You went too far? They wouldn't keep the camp so close to the palace. What were you really doing?"

The guards doesn't speak up. He looks down at the map.

Another guard speaks up, just as I was going to order him to speak.

"King Maxon, I was the other-"

"Please. Call me Maxon."

He nods and continues. "Well I was the other guard with him. We know how much the monarchy needs the queen, and we guessed at the rebels' plans."

"What did you guess?" I press.