Colton

We lay a panting mess, the papers scattered everywhere in the room, our clothes littering the dark floor. Our frantic breathing is the only thing that can be heard other than the faint humming of the facility.

Rose rolls off of me and falls down onto the mattress beside me, her naked body curling against mine. Everything is ever changing around us, new threats everyday, new problems arising but she... she is constant. She is the one thing that never changes, my love for her... never changes.

I watch as she idly traces the outlines of my tattoos with her finger, her touch almost sending me into overdrive.

My hand finds its way to her back and I slowly follow the curve of her spine, relishing the feeling of her soft skin grazing against my own.

I love her and I would go to the ends of the world in order to keep her safe. I would give up everything I have just so she could live to see another day. The things I would do for her are endless. All for this one girl.

I reach over to the nightstand and open the drawer, digging through it to find the one thing that has the power to shatter my heart completely, but also to bring the pieces together. I grab Rose's diary and as soon as her eyes meet with the familiar notepad she sits up in bed. Her beautiful dark hair falling to cover her naked torso.

"How did you find it?" she whispers, her eyes wide in shock.

"I went back, after the attack, to scout out the area with a couple of the generals and I found it in the debris. I didn't read it, despite how tempting it was," I flash her with a smirk and she visibly relaxes which only intrigues me more to find out what she has written in this.

"Well I'll be taking that back," she goes to reach for it but I move it away. Rose drops her hand and glares at me with that fire I have grown to be so drawn to. Like a moth to a flame.

"I wrote something in there... but don't read it now," I admit and pray that by giving her this piece of me, she doesn't believe me to be the monster she has always sought me out to be. That she sees the side of me no one else has, or ever will for that matter.

"What did you write?" she questions and my heart pounds. I practically handed her my heart in those written words.

"Everything I want to say to you... and more," Rose out of all people should know that I would never be able to voice my feelings towards her, so writing was the best I could do.

"Thank you," she says softly and I tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, before placing the diary in front of her.

She slowly reaches out her hand to pick up the diary, trailing her finger down the spine of the book. "I was going to give it to you sooner but seeing the current circumstances..." I trail off and she laughs a little. The sound warming my heart, breathing life into me.

"I'm excited to write in it again... there's no shortage of things to write about," she says lowly and my soul freezes over yet again. I wish I could give her the life she deserves, a life of peace, a life where she doesn't have to live in fear. But I can't.

We are all stuck here, in this miserable life of nothing but war and death. For what though? So the government can keep their power and the assholes like Rose's father can continue to treat everyone like crap for their own advances, for their own gains.

"We'll get out of here one day and we'll go wherever your heart is content," I promise and she looks up, her hazel eyes glazed over.

"As long as you're with me... I don't care where we go," Rose whispers and I wonder how after everything I have done, how I deserve her.

The truth is I don't, but I must have done something right.

***

Rose

The past few weeks have been spent mainly preparing for the event. Our facade, of going along as if nothing ever happened, is slipping. Tensions are high and everyone at the facility is going hay wire about tonight. Our neighbouring sectors are going to be told about the rebels - that's what everyone is so nervous about, but not me. I have my own agenda for tonight.

I plan on assassinating the lead commander or should I say... my dear old father.

I have been planning this ever since I found out about how he had betrayed my mother, how he had willingly handed her over and gotten her killed. I can't stop the burning of vengeance fuelling my every move. I have this planned to the bone.

There's nothing an easily bribed healer can't do and a little too much alcohol... possibly a hint of poison if we're feeling generous.

I don't have the time to drag out my father's death nor the patience. So I am going to have to make this as painful as possible in the time that I have.

Colton will be occupied tonight with discussions with the other leaders, so he doesn't need to have any knowledge of this. Maybe I'll tell him afterwards, when I see my father's lifeless body and get the revenge I need. But as for now, there's no point in distracting him.

Melissa dropped me my dress earlier after I specified what I would need the tailor to altercate with the dress. I simply needed a dress fit for killing and it is just that.

The gown hugs my body in the most exquisite way, the rich black of the material is beyond beautiful. The low cut neck rather scandalous and the slit up the side of the skirt perfect for gaining access to the dagger strapped to my thigh.

I take a deep breathe, clearing my thoughts and calming my mind. If this doesn't go well tonight, I am as good as dead. They'll think that I am with the rebels, trying to kill the lead commander.

There's no room for mistakes.

The healer, Maximus, is to meet me in the drawing room thirty minutes after the event begins. Which is when everyone should be settled in, if everything goes to plan.

From there, I will discuss what I need him to do.

A simple thing really. All he needs to do is perform one of his witchy little spells to slow my father's heart. Knowing my father, he'll want to get away from everyone when in such a vulnerable state - possibly thinking he is on the verge of a heart attack. I will then follow him to wherever he decides to run off to and I'll strike then. Strike and not miss.

I check the time - people should be making their way to the hosting hall.

And the fun begins.

***

My hands shake violently as I make my way towards the hall but I keep my head high and my mind clear. My face void of any emotion.

As soon as I reach the staircase my eyes meet with his. Dressed in his usual attire of a fully black suit, those beautiful green eyes as vibrant as ever. He doesn't realise the monster he is looking at, the monster who has been planning to kill their own father behind his back.

I can feel the hesitation and that is the last thing I need. I can't hesitate. No matter what.

The hall is bursting with life, so many people I have never seen before but also so many familiar faces fill the room. People laughing, clinking glasses and everyone styled to perfection.

They all look so happy.

Slowly I descend the stairs, making my way towards him, the gown flowing behind me. The person I love more than I ever thought humanly possible. I am yet to read the letter he wrote for me, I'm saving it for something special.

My eyes never leave his as I reach the bottom of the stairs, so many unspoken words but so much meaning between each glance that words are not needed.

"Now... what are you wearing, love?" a devilish smile tugs at his lips as he holds out his hand for me to take.

"Would you prefer it if I wore less?" I question and take his hand. He gently tugs me towards him, wrapping his arm around my waist. Those green eyes darken and I feel my cheeks redden.

"In the company of other men it's a definite no but... I wouldn't mind peeling this dress from your body later tonight," he whispers in my ear, his arm hooked tightly around me. A shiver runs down my spine and I forget about the several people surrounding us.

"We'll have to see about that," I whisper and pull back so I am looking into his eyes. "Are the other leaders here?" I quickly change the subject before things get out of hand.

"Yes... Sector 84 with Scarron Manor and Sector 86 with Peter Hallons," Colton gestures to both men. Both equally as intimidating as the other. "I need you to stay close tonight, don't want any surprises and I don't know where you are," Colton says and my first problem has risen.

"Yeah of course," I nod. Crap. "I'm just going to get a drink," I say and go to move but Colton keeps his hold on me tight.

"I'll come with you," his need to be close to me is concerning. He can't actually think that something is going to happen tonight, can he?

***

As soon as we are at the bar, a guy walks up to Colton and claps him on the back. Colton visibly tenses and his jaw twitches in the bright light. "Ansel, fancy seeing you here," Colton says with distaste.

"I wouldn't want to miss the competition," Ansel laughs, clearly he has already had a few too many drinks. I use this situation to my advantage to seek out my own liquid courage.

Colton and Ansel are deep in conversation about god knows what as I turn to the bartender. "Can I have a shot of whatever is strongest please?" I say quietly and the person gives me a questionable look before pouring me one.

As soon as she sets it in front of me, I neck it and ask for another. "You wanna be careful, these are killers," she places another on the counter. Again I neck it, grimacing at the taste.

"One more then," I say and mean it. I need to be buzzed to go through with it but I still need a clear mind so that I don't put all of this planning to waste.

I reach for the shot glass and it touches my lips before someone snatches it out of my hand. "This is Rose," Colton says, the shot glass in his hand.

I clear my throat before responding. "It's um... nice to meet you," I say, already feeling the slight effects of the liquor. What in the world did she give me? I mean I am a lightweight but wow... this is some strong stuff. Maybe it was best Colton stopped me when he did.

Ansel makes a point to rake his eyes up and down my body, my exposed leg and the low cut of the neckline. All of a sudden I wish that I could cover up my whole body. "Watch it Ansel... she's off limits and I mean it. If any of your rotten friends go near her I'll gauge out your eyes," Colton slams down the shot glass and points an accusing finger but Ansel doesn't seem affected by the threat whatsoever.

"You used to like my rotten friends company at one point, if I am remembering correctly," Ansel scoffs but still keeps his eyes set on me.

"That was a long time ago," Colton's voice is laced with cold but his face shows no emotion. Whatever they are bickering about, I don't have time for it. I will need to be meeting with Maximus soon and I need a viable reason as to why I need to leave.

"You can keep th-" Ansel is cut off when the whole room goes silent. I turn my head to see what has made everyone go so quiet and then I see the man of the hour.

I can't help the sick smile that finds its way onto my face.

"Happy death day father," I whisper to myself.