Rose

I wake up to my phone going off. Without thinking, I answer the call. "Hello?" I say groggily and someone laughs on the other end of the line. Colton shifts in his sleep beside me and it startles me for a second - I had completely forgotten that he was in here.

"That was very smart of you, I have to admit. Seducing one of my men and using him to get you out and then killing him... wow," the voice is all too familiar. Michael.

"How did you get my number?" I ask more calmly than I feel. His voice sends my mind into overdrive. Everything comes rushing back. I bite my lip to suppress the tears threatening to spill. No, no. I will not cry.

"I have my ways... I also know exactly where you are funnily enough. Don't you think it was a bit stupid going back to the facility," the thought never even crossed my mind. I just wanted to get back to Colton... I needed him.

"One wrong move Michael and your location could just accidentally slip from my mouth..." I say connivingly and he falls silent... so I thought. "That's what you don't understand," I continue and Colton wakes up, how convenient. He looks at me, confused, and goes to speak but I put my hand over his mouth. "I didn't just use your guy to get out but he told me everything... and I mean everything," he's still silent.

What's going on? Colton mouths after I take my hand away and I shake my head. "Oh Rose, you poor little girl. You say one word and your little friend... Zach is it? Might just have an awful accident and turn up dead at your door," the sneer in his voice makes me feel sick. "Watch your back Rose," he whispers.

"You dare do anything and I will kill you," I spit and he cackles down the line.

Colton looks at me, eyes wide.

"Goodbye Rosalie," he says and hangs up. My heart stops. No one has called me that in I don't know how long, the only person who would call me that is... my mother. How does he know that?

"What was that about?" Colton's voice cuts through the silence but my mind is so full of theories and thoughts that I can't even form a coherent sentence. He looks at me expectedly but I don't know what to say. I look down at my phone. Should I tell him? What if Michael kills Zach?

But I need to...

"You can't tell anyone," I say and he furrows his brows. "I mean it, promise me that you will tell no one," I say frantically and he rolls his eyes.

"Fine... I won't tell a single soul, now spill," I hope that he will keep his promise and for once in his life not lie. That he will prove to me that I can trust him.

"He knows where I am, he knows everything," I explain.

"Michael?" Colton questions and I nod. He places his hand over mine and I freeze. What is he doing? He nods for me to carry on and I do so, hesitantly.

"We need to get Zach out of here... he said that if I told anyone about it he'll kill Zach and... and I can't have that happen," my voice breaks and Colton squeezes my hand. It feels weird - his large hand covering mine, but it's a sweet gesture.

"Yeah we'll do whatever we can," he smiles lightly and I try to be optimistic.

***

Colton

"We need to keep you safe first though... Zach isn't my priority," I say and she furrows her brows. I have zero explanation for why I thought I'd hold her hand but I just wanted to comfort her I guess. I can see the pain behind her eyes that she so desperately tries to hide from me. I see every inch of her - the good and the bad. She should know better than to hide from me...well I'd hope that she would.

"He is a priority, I don't care about me... Zach is practically my family," she says as if I am supposed to agree with her. I don't agree with her whatsoever. That tool is just as useful alive as he will be dead.

"What so you're just going to be some martyr now?" I scoff and her scowl deepens. I will not let her get herself killed saving some idiot who doesn't even deserve it. She deserves to live and to be happy she doesn't deserve to die - not at the hands of the rebels. If she is going to die it will be my decision and mine only.

"If being a martyr keeps my best friend safe then yes," she huffs and takes her hand away from mine and I see red. If she thinks she's going to get away with this she's messed in the head. I already almost lost her once and I will not be doing it again.

"I won't let you... I will lock you in this room if I have to," I spit and she gets up from the bed. She starts pacing the room and tugging at the roots of her hair - the motion making me feel sick to my stomach.

"What is wrong with you... I'm not some object that you need to protect! I am a person and I have feelings so stop treating me like I am some child who can't possibly look after itself," she shouts.

"I need to Rose! I need to make sure you don't get yourself killed!" I bellow and she rolls her eyes.

"And why is that? Why do you even care?" she crosses her arms and it hits me then. I know exactly why and I can't deny it any longer. But I can't admit it either. I can't admit that I have some sort of feelings for Rose. Feelings that shouldn't be for the person you hate.

"It doesn't matter," I brush it off and run a hand through my hair. I can't even tell myself, let alone her. I can't do this. "I'll talk to you later," I say and head towards the door.

I want to stay, stay with her but this isn't right. Dimitri should be here soon but if he makes any kind of move on her I will not hesitate in killing him.

I make my way back to my room and go straight to bed. I need to get away for awhile and the only way I can stop thinking is by going to sleep. Besides, I kept waking up last night because every time Rose had moved, I was paranoid that someone was coming for her. So, to say that I am severely sleep deprived would be an understatement.

What is this girl doing to me?

***

Rose

Seen as Colton isn't keen on helping me, I guess I am just going to have to take matters into my own hands. It's early in the morning so everyone should be up and about in the facility, perfect. First I make my way to the dormitories, I need to tell Zach everything and I mean everything.

As soon as my eyes lock with his, he shares the same expression as Colton had. Wide eyes, mouth agape as if I had just come back from the dead. "Rosie!" Zach shouts and swings his arms around me. "Where the hell have you been?" he breathes and I hug him as tight as I can.

"It's a long story... but I need to tell you everything," I say and he nods before pulling away.

"Let's go somewhere quieter," he suggests and I agree. Quiet is all I need right now.

He takes me to a less crowded part of the facility that I never even knew existed. "How'd you find this place?" I ask and he blushes. What?

"Natasha showed me," he says and looks down - probably trying to hide the massive grin on his face but I can see it as clear as day. That's so cute.

"What's the deal with her then?" I ask suggestively and he laughs. I have never in my life seen Zach so shy, he's always been the loudest in the room and the most outgoing.

"I really like her... like really like her," he says admirably and I smile. Wow, I really have missed a lot.

"Well, I hope you're happy - that's all I care about," I say and his smile gets even bigger. I can tell he's happy, even if he doesn't say it. That's all he deserves.

"I am... anyways what did you want to talk about?" he says and I feel a pain in my chest. I can't ruin his happiness just because of my problems. He's finally happy... I can't do this to him.

"Um... actually it doesn't matter, it was nothing," I nod and he furrows his brows in confusion. I know I should tell him because this, quite frankly, is about him but the smile on his face is unrelenting. Nothing could make me tell him.

"Rosie, you can talk to me... whatever it is we'll deal with it," he rests his hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah... I know," I say. "I... um... I better get going, I've got training," I lie. He nods and squeezes my shoulder reassuringly before I turn around and walk away.

***

Before I know it I am back at Andrew's office. I need to make sure that Zach is safe. He opens the door and smiles brightly. "I'm glad you're back, I'm so sorry for what you have been put through. I apologise sincerely for n-" I cut him off.

"It's fine really... it's not your fault," I say and he smiles a sad smile. The pity on his face is unforgettable. "I'm here to ask you something," I say and he nods.

"Of course, please, sit down," he gestures inside and I walk in before he closes the door. "Now, what would you like to ask?" he says sweetly as he takes a seat in front of me.

"My friend, Zach, I'd like for you to keep close tabs on him if that's okay," I explain and he nods, deep in thought.

"What is the reasoning behind this?" Andrew asks and my mind goes blank. Lie for god sake... lie!

"Um... just after everything, Zach is a really close friend of mine and I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't protect him from the rebels," sob story it is then. "I wouldn't... I wouldn't wish it on anyone," I force myself to let a few tears fall to really get the point across. I can't tell him the real reason because that would put Zach in even more danger.

"Of course Rose, I will hire someone to keep an eye on Zach," he hands me a tissue and I dramatically wipe my eyes, smearing my mascara.

"Thank you so much," I say and he smiles. I feel bad for doing this but it needs to be done. I have to do everything I can to keep him safe. Even if that means forcing myself to cry in front of my father's colleagues.

"Get some rest," he says and I nod.

We both walk towards the door and he says goodbye before shutting it.

As soon as I am out, I wipe my eyes and laugh to myself. What has my life come to? Being kidnapped by rebels and trying to stop my best friend from getting killed.

I'm considering if it's even worth living anymore. What do I really have that's worth staying here for?

I mean if I died... it would probably stop the rebels, they would have got what they wanted. Killed the heir. It would bring peace and no one else would have to suffer. It's a reasonable idea - I have nothing keeping me here. But then that would be giving in too easily.

I need to put up somewhat of a fight.

As soon as I have made sure that Zach is okay, I can consider my own options. It feels wrong that I am even thinking about this but it's not only about me anymore, it's about everyone in this facility. I don't think I would be able to survive the guilt of getting so many innocent people murdered because of my own selfishness.

I look around and see people giving me odd stares, one girl in particular is just standing there and staring at me. It's practically a staring contest until I break. "What?" I snap and she scurries away. What the hell is wrong with people?

***

I am making my way back to my room and feel exhausted already, my body is barely surviving right now and I can feel it. My heartbeat is racing so fast it feels as though it is going to explode and my limbs feel like they are going to give in any moment. I have to stop.

I grab onto the railing and focus on my breathing. This can't be normal. I feel like I have done the most intense workout of my life but I've only walked down the corridor. I look at the swarm of people below me and try to catch my breath. They all look so happy and I wonder how they do it.

After everything that is happening, how can you be so positive and upbeat?

The world is practically going up in flames and me with it but everyone seems to be having the time of their lives.