The Happily Ever After

Chapter five

America

When I wake I feel very groggy and out of it. I slowly open my eyes and am made aware of a dull yet forceful pounding in my head. I soon realize I have no idea where I am and panic starts to curse through my veins. The last thing I remember is someone pulling a black bag over my head and succumbing to the darkness. 

I am laid out on a wooden table but no one else is in the room with me. I try to sit up and realize I'm tied to the table. Other than my headache though, I feel fine. However, I'm sure I won't stay that way for long. I shudder as I think about how I'm now a prisoner of the southern rebels. Even when there were two groups of rebels who would attack the palace, the southern were the ones to fear.

I hear the door creek open and lift my head to see my visitor. A man, probably around his late 30s, walks in and slowly runs his hand down my face. He is wearing a mask so I'm unable to see what his face looks like.

"At last we have the control," he chuckles darkly.

"You have no control over anything!" I spat back at him.

"Oh my did we get a feisty one," he growled. "And you are wrong. Now that we have you we also have control of Illéa. It's king would do anything to insure your safety, anything at all."

I try to think of something to say to him to lessen his sense of confidence in this statement when I realize he is right. Maxon would do anything to keep me safe. I love him for that. But now I know that our love is our countries greatest weakness.

"What do you want?" I ask scared of his answer.

"You will find out soon enough, my dear," he laughs toying with my emotions.

How does he know about that inside joke between Maxon and I? Have they been spying on us? I try to think about where we have ever said those words and realize we only really ever bring up that joke in the privacy of our bedroom. How could they be listening to us in our room?

My capturer senses my confusion.

"Oh yes," he starts, "we have been watching you two very closely for quite some time. After all, we had to make sure he would truly do anything to keep you alive."

I'm fighting back tears as another man with a mask enters the room.

"Are we ready?" He asks the other.

"Yes." He replies.

Just then they hold a video camera up so that I'm on the screen but they aren't. Of corse I realize, then are planning on sending this to Maxon. I try my best to look brave for him but fail when I let out a small scream as a knife is brought against my throat.

"Greetings king Maxon. If you value your wife's life I suggest you listen to us," one of my guests says in a deep voice. "We want freedom from this despicable society your ancestors have created. We want to build our own nation separate from Illéa. If you want your precious America returned to you alive, I suggest you grant us 40 million acres of land anywhere, we aren't picky, to establish a new country free from your rule and allow any of your citizens who may desire to move there do so. You have three days to report your answer back to us. And just to show you we mean business," he moves the knife from my neck and draws it into my shoulder as I let out a loud scream from the pain.

"Maxon I-" I try to say I love him but they shut the recorder off before I can deliver my full message. I hope he will not let the southern rebels win. I hope he finds a loophole. But I know, no matter what, he will save me. I am confident that I will grow old with Maxon and not die within the care of the southern rebels.