The two sector leaders, their seconds, Rose, my father and I are all sat around the table that resides in my father's office. Some of the most stupid ideas have been thought here, but also some that have kept us alive and sane.

My father begins, "What happened tonight was unspeakable... we have lost our lead commander but have also lost one of our own," I scoff and all heads turn towards me.

"She quite obviously was not one of our own if she was feeding the rebels all the specifics of our missions," a fool would know better than to believe she was manipulated in any way. Just another power hungry psycho.

Rose tenses beside me and I know that this is affecting her more than she is letting on. Melissa was her friend, someone she thought she could turn to.

But that's the truth about letting people in. They take what they want, make you believe the good in them... then they leave. Leave and don't look back. Letting you pick up the pieces and mend yourself back together just for someone else to come along and do the exact same once again. Until you stop letting people in for good.

I guess we only have each other now - not that I am complaining, but I would have liked the circumstances to be different.

"She was probably just scared-" I cut my father off.

"She sure looked scared when she sliced open Mikael Waterstone's throat... why are you trying so hard to defend her?" I question and his face drops an inch. My father was never one for confrontation but I on the other hand...

"This is besides the point," Scarron huffs and stands. "I think we have all had enough for one night. I will write to you confirming the dates for a proper meeting where you are not all at each other's throats," he says, his voice laced with disgust.

I never had a liking for Scarron. I'm not a fan of any of them, but him in particular I cannot stand. He's a complete snob and nothing more. He should just do us all a favour and hit the bucket, I'm sure no one in this room would say otherwise.

"No one is leaving," Rose says, nothing but calm lacing her tone. Sitting up in her chair, she takes a deep breath before continuing. "Once the rebels find out about the lead commander and Melissa's demise, I'm sure they'll want to attack again... now that we are vulnerable," Rose explains and the room falls quiet.

"I don't see how this is our problem," Peter sighs as Scarron takes his seat again. How are any of these men sector leaders? They look like they could barely keep a plant alive, let alone a whole expanse of people.

"What do you think is going to happen when word gets out that there are rebels in Sector 85, hm?" I question and they all fall silent.

So I thought.

"As soon as the residents in your sectors hear about how successful the uprising has been, they're going to start going ragged in yours too. We did this to warn you, not for your pity or resources, but to warn you that they are growing by the masses," I adjust myself in my chair, willing myself to calm down. Their lack of common sense never fails to bemuse me.

"You'd be fools not to take our advice, you have seen what they have done... what they are capable of," Rose shivers beside me and I place my hand over hers, under the table, in means to comfort her.

Both of us have gone through hell and back trying to stop the rebels from rising, but I'm not sure how much longer we can fight. How much longer until we are eventually overpowered. I will do everything in my power to make sure that day never comes but I'm not sure if I will be enough.

If I will be enough to save Rose.

"Like I said, we'll get back to you in a matter of days with solutions. We'll get rid of these bastards once and for all," Scarron spits and I know that despite how unbearable he is, he gets things done when need be.

"I hope you stick to your word," my father says slyly and I can't help the smirk that plays on my lips. They'll get what's coming to them if they don't stick to their promises. I'll make sure of it.

***

Rose

After showering and washing the blood off, all that is left to do is discuss exactly what happened tonight but more importantly what our next course of action is. Colton and I sit on his bed, him sprawled out - leaning against the head board. I, sat cross legged with my head in my hands.

"How long do you think your mother has been working for the rebels?" I ask into the silence. Colton hasn't said much since we got back, I don't blame him. It can't be easy for him.

"Mariah probably brought the rebels together herself," Colton scoffs. "We can discuss this tomorrow, love... how are you?" he asks cautiously and the question brings everything that I have been suppressing, to the surface.

"Stop changing the subject," I state and he chuckles to himself a little.

"But here you are changing it whenever I ask how you are doing," he counters and I sigh in defeat. It's true but it doesn't matter how I am feeling right now.

Feelings mean nothing when you are all on the verge of being murdered by a rogue group of rebels on a power surge. You have to put those feelings aside and focus on trying to get through another day of survival.

Survival... even if you're no way near living.

"I'm doing okay, despite everything," I answer, half honesty - half lie. I'm not too sure what I am feeling, it's all too soon to put a label on it.

"You can talk to me, tell me the truth," Colton says softly, sitting up from his position. His brown hair falls onto his forehead a little and I move to reach over and brush it out of his face but he grabs my wrist, stopping me. "Please," he pleads.

"Why should I confide in you when you haven't once done the same to me?" I hurl back and his eyes shoot down. "You never tell me anything," I whisper and Colton lets go of my wrist. "Why?" I ask.

I just want to know why he is so persistent with demanding that I tell him, when he can't ever do the same.

A battle is waging in those green eyes, I know he wants to tell me but there's also that part of him that can't bare to be so vulnerable in front of me. He needs to realise that I don't care if he thinks it makes him weak because I could never think so ill of him. I would never chastise him for feeling.

"You haven't read the letter..." he trails off and a wave of guilt swarms me, drowning me. The truth is, I'm scared. I'm scared of what that letter holds.

"No, I haven't," I admit and he sucks in a sharp breath. I didn't realise the letter had meant so much to him, I would have read it sooner if I knew it was going to hurt him this way.

"Everything is in there, I can't tell you because I don't know how to... I can only write what I feel for you and call me weak, call me selfish but-" I cut him off.

"I would never think that about you," I admit, bringing both of my hands to the sides of his face before he can stop me again. "Feeling doesn't make you weak... it makes you stronger. It shows people that you are willing to feel but you aren't willing to succumb to it and that is something not many people can do," I say softly, trying desperately to show him that not all feeling is bad.

That feeling can be good, can be the light you need in the dark. Yes there will be days where feeling will be like the worst punishment you have ever gotten but there will also be so many more days where feeling will be like the best gift you have ever received.

"I love you, more than words could ever describe and I'll try everyday to show you that," he whispers, his voice breaking slightly and I realise that, that is all I need. I don't need for him to do some profound declaration of love, I don't need any of that. I just need him.

He is it for me. I don't ever want to know the other side of a world without him.

"I love you," I whisper back and savour this moment.

Whether one day the universe has other plans for us or we are separated by matters beyond our control, I will always know that in this moment - I am completely and undeniably in love with him and everything he is. Mind and soul.

***

The next morning, I find myself in the hosting haul - standing at the foot of the dais. My eyes stuck to the spot where my father and Melissa lay only a matter of hours ago. Whoever cleaned it up left not a trace, not a wink of evidence as to what went down last night.

I still haven't come to terms with said events and I'm not sure how one can. I don't suppose there are many people to ask upon the matter.

"Everything okay?" Marco's voice sounds through the hall and I quickly spin to face him, startled by his sudden appearance. "Sorry... I didn't mean to scare you," he says and holds up a hand.

"It's fine... everything is fine," I say and he begins walking closer to me, closing the large space between us.

"I haven't seen you really, you know since we went to fetch back the soldiers that the rebels nicked," Marco chuckles a little, trying to make light of the situation. It was a good try but I'd rather not talk about the events of that day.

"I've been... busy," I say, busy plotting my father's demise. Daughter of the year award goes to yours truly. "I'm sorry, everything is just a little hectic right now," I apologise but he shakes his head.

"No worries, I just wanted to ask if you needed anything," Marco explains, his voice nothing but soft - echoing throughout the hall.

"No I'm fine, I have everything I need," I say, not trying to hide the smile that resides on my lips. Marco seems to notice this and chuckles to himself.

"Who knew the Colton Grey could make someone smile," Marco says with fake wonder and I furrow my brows in confusion. I didn't know that Marco was very familiar with Colton. Yes they work together but he speaks of him as if they have some kind of past.

"Are you two close?" I question and his smile falters a little. I really know nothing about Colton do I? All of this only makes me want to read the letter more.

If he claims that it says everything he wants to say, then maybe I'll learn the things I want to about him. Maybe I'll learn the real him that he tries so badly to conceal from everyone, from me.

"We used to be good friends, when we were children. We all were really but then... you know, we grew apart and went our separate ways despite being in such close quarters with each other," Marco explains and I nod my head in understanding.

I don't know much about Colton's childhood but then again I never told him about mine. We both have a lot of talking to do, good thing we have all the time in the world to do so.

It's currently just a waiting game with the rebels and the neighbouring sector leaders. Whoever strikes first.

"He's not as bad as he seems," I admit to Marco which elicits another howl of laughter from him.

"I'll believe it when I see it, Rose," he says and I can't help but feel sad that so many people think so badly of him. But that was the facade that Colton wanted to obtain. There is no point in feeling bad if this is what he wanted but I'm scared that deep down this isn't what he wanted at all, but was only what was easiest for him.