Secret: A Selection Story

Secret: America

I couldn't believe I just saw that. That son of a carrot.  

I had gathered tea for Celeste, ready to explain, and to tell her that I didn't want to end on a bad note. But we did. 

I saw Celeste kissing Maxon. I dropped my tea tray and walked down the hall. The grand mirrors of the palace reflected my mood. 

I ran down to the kitchen, and the sewing room. I gathered up all of my things, packed it into one, big bag. I slung it over my shoulder. I wiped away a tear that had escaped my eyelids. Sniffing heavily, I escaped out the back door of the kitchen. 

I've never actually seen Maxon kiss Celeste, except for that one small kiss on the cheek. Now it was twice. Maybe he really loved her. I stopped right outside of the entrance to the castle. The line between the field and the castle was right there. i started to run. I heard a large booming sound. I cowered in fear between the field and the castle. 

Rebels were coming. 

Many of them had guns. They were the Southerners. Maxon and Marlee rushed out of their seperate sides of the castle, Maxon from Celeste's room, and Marlee from the Great Room. Guards swirled around the kitchen and palace inhabitants. 

I started to run some more. Maxon shrieked, 

"America!" 

I didn't look back. I heard another boom. Then I felt a searing pain in my chest. I slowly looked up to the sky, alling back. 

I could feel myself losing blood, gasping for air. The Southerners were beginning to quiet down. I heard someone running. 

"America!" I fought to stay awake. Someone was coming. Maxon leaned over me. 

"America?" he whispered, fighting the tears in his eyes. 

"Maxon?!" I put my good hand on his face. He smiled, tenderly holding me, picking me up bridal style. I had only ever been comfortable like this in Aspen's arms. He was gone now. 

Maxon staggered, wilting under my weight. He pushed further. I closed my eyes. 

.          .         . 

I was breathing heavily, feeling the life seeping from me. Maxon stayed by my side, I think. The nurses swarmed all around me, while the doctors tried to pull the bullet out of my chest. One of the doctors pulled Maxon aside, while the nurse tried to console me as I wept for Maxon. 

.          .          . 

I was floating, I think. I was dressed in white, stars floating in the universe. A man was there, walking towards me. I shielded my eyes from the blinding light. He stopped when he was about 5 inches between me. 

"Dad?" I spoke, with shock and love. 

"Hello, Kitten." he smiled, wrapping me in an embrace. Out of thin air, he grasped my songbird necklace, wrapping it around my neck. i remembered it. I had given it up for a peasant. Marlee had given her jewelry too. 

"Dad? What are you doing here?" I whispered, the sound echoing throughout the galaxy, its stars shining brighter than the sun. 

"Why, Kitten, this is the world between worlds." 

I nodded, still not fully grasping the concept. 

"You aren't ready to die yet, Mer. You still have so much life to live." 

I tilted my head. He laughed, "Guess you aren't ready for that yet. America, I have the power to give you life." 

His hands glowed with immense light. I looked shocked. he was about to touch them to my shoulders, before kissing my hard on the forehead. he waved goodbye, touching his hands to my shoulders. 

.              .             .

I gasped. I was sitting in the hospital, the frenzy of people gone from sight. I looked out the window, the moon shining its brightest. I could see no more blood my dress, instead covered in a nightgown. Maxon stirred in his sleep, his crown tilting forward on his head. I giggled. 

I quietly slipped out of the bed, careful not to make a sound. I brushed Maxon's pant leg, and he jolted awake. His eyes held mine for a second, before drooping again. 

My chest ached. I looked down, seeing the bandages on my chest, covering my tender skin. 

I heard footsteps. The doctor approached me, while Maxon woke up again. The still night was uiet, hearing nothing but the chatter of the doctor and my vitals. 

"America, we didn't expect you to recover." Maxon said. 

"Um." I started, but didn't finish. 

There was no way I was going to tell Maxon about my father, even if it cost me my life.