POV: Maxon
I almost collapse into my chair besides her bed, studying her face in the moonlight for the millionth time that day. She lay with her hair spread out around her head, the red curls engulfing her pillow. Her face, as pale as paper, lay still, none of her usual guard up. Her dark eyelashes flashed delicately out from her eyelids, resting gently on her cheeks. Her beauty was stunning. She didn't even have to try. And not just her outer beauty. That inner fire she contained...that's what made up her beauty. That's what scared me so much. She wasn't America. Sure, she was America, but she wasn't herself. America didn't let an injury get her down, she spit in its face. A shot arm didn't stop her, why this. Why? WHY? I slowly reach out my shaky hand and carefully stroked one of her curls. I toke a deep breath. Why her? Of all people, why her? What did she do to deserve this? But I already knew that answer. It's all my fault. If she hadn't known me, then she wouldn't have been a target....she would have been fine.
"Oh America, what have I done to you?"
I lower myself slowly to lay on the bed besides her, gently moving her arm away and onto her body. I stuff my face into her hair, and inhale deeply, trying to get at least one familiar thing, her sweet vanilla sent. It has faded away. Faded like her life, and mine have.....There were so many possibilities. I could have woken up like this, besides her every day. We could have dissolved the castes together. We could have been Husband and Wife. For every bitter though, more and more of my tears fell in anguish, and it didn't stop. Not until my throat was to horse from sobbing. Then there where just silent tears dripping down my raw checks. I was drenched it tears, but I didn't care. How could I? How could I care about anything but her, besides her care? How dare I walk away? How dare I rest until I've found her almost-murder?. I must avenge her. I must protect her good health. And I must never leave her side. If I did, who's to say the killer won't just come back to finish the job. Fighting exhaustion, I open my weary eyes farther, staring into the darkened ward. No, I can't fall asleep. I can't leave her. But there is one thing I can do: guard her. Determination and anger course through my blood.. I would not not fall asleep or relax till she woke, or the killer came. I sit up slowly. " America, I will get whoever hurt you, and they will pay." I Got chocked up, and the beginning of tears threatened my eyes.
"Just don't leave me, my dear."