♕✿~♕✿~Chapter 43//: A surprise visit♕✿~♕✿~

Madison's POV

I turn on the shower, watching as the water pours down from the shower head. Slowly, carefully, I enter the shower. For a moment, I stand under the water, not moving. And then I raise my hand and start scrubbing away at my skin. I start to scrub at my skin harder, my skin turning pink.

After everything that's happened, all I want to do is to forget all of the events. But unfortunately, I know that will never happen. I will never be able to forget, and I had to start accepting that and living with it. It still didn't make it easier though, and I still had hope that I could literally scrub away the memories of what has happened to me.

My hand stalls as I reach my collarbone and see the area still pink and raw, the N burned into it. The healer must have missed the spot.

I expect myself to cave in on myself as I stare at the mark, but all I feel is a sense of triumph. Nathan had marked me, and yet I had won in the end. To me, the mark no longer meant that I was the prey of Nathan. It meant that I had turned from prey to predator, and that I had succeeded in overcoming my biggest nightmare.

I continue to wash my body until I feel clean. When I get out, I dry off my body quickly and put on the spare clothes left in the bathroom for me.

The silk material is smooth against my skin as I put the clothes on. I place my hand on the doorknob, ready to leave the bathroom, but pause. Hesitating, I sigh and then face the mirror for the first time in a long time.

I swallow as I take in my appearance. I looked bone-thin and ready to collapse. Underneath my eyes, there are dark bags from countless nights spent awake. My cheeks are hollow and overall, I look grey and sick.

But I will heal, I think determinedly to myself. Nathan had hoped to destroy me, and I would not give him that satisfaction. I will walk out of this with my head held high.

I finally leave the bathroom, walking into what was my old room when I was in the Choosing. The room is empty; I haven't seen any of my previous maids. I leave the room, heading to the dining hall to have lunch with my family.

But when I exit the room, I see Rose and Nick loitering around the door to my room. They look at me as I open the door.

For a moment, we are all silent as we stare at each other in surprise, disbelief, and uncertainty. I am the one to break the silence first.

I give them a smile. "Rose, Nick. I'm so glad you're here."

Rose doesn't say anything in response and instead runs to me, throwing her arms around me. Caught off guard, I stumble a bit but hug her back tightly once I regain my balance.

"Don't worry me like that ever again!" Rose chastises me as she cries into my shoulder. I stay silent.

Nick comes around us and slings an arm over my shoulder. I look up at him, seeing him wearing a lopsided grin with relief in his eyes.

"We heard you woke up an hour ago. Are you all right?" he asks me as he looks over me. I nod my head.

"I'm fine." I hesitate, and they do too. We all know it's a lie; It will be a long time before I am 'fine'.

Thankfully, they don't say anything and instead decide to let me leave for the dining hall. When I enter, I see my family has already started indulging on the food. Ahren looks up at me as I walk in.

As I pass my family, I greet them. I sit down in the seat next to Sydney and Ahren. Without thinking much about it, my hand slides into Ahren's, and he squeezes my hand gently in reassurance.

I turn to look at Sydney, who immediate clutches my wrist tightly as if she can make sure I will never leave her side again. I crack a smile at her.

"It's alright Sydney. I won't leave you guys ever again," I tell her gently, but she still looks at me harshly.

"You know, you gave me a real scare when you were gone. I was a bit worried," she admits sheepishly. I roll my eyes at her hesitant confession, but grin as she smiles brightly at me.

"Just a bit worried?" I tease her as I bump shoulders with her. She sticks her tongue out t me, looking down at her food.

"Ok, very, very worried. I felt like I would collapse at any moment," she finally acknowledges. I snicker as she glares at me. Now that I was back safe and sound, Sydney definitely didn't want me to know how scared she was for my wellbeing.

The door to the dining hall opens, and a guard hurriedly walks over to where we're sitting. But he pays us no mind as he comes to a stop beside Ahren and leans down to him.

The guard whispers something to Ahren, who listens intently. As the guard finishes speaking, Ahren's eyes widen, and he looks up at the guard. He whispers back something, to which the guard nods.

The guard patiently waits by Ahren's side for an answer, but it seems as if Ahren won't be giving an answer anytime soon. He looks troubled as he catches my gaze.

"What's happening?" I question. Ahren's brow furrows slightly.

"There are members of the Scarlet Guard here," Ahren says slowly. Upon hearing the name of the rebel group, I start and look at Ahren with the same wide eyes he had looked at me with.

But Ahren isn't finished speaking. He takes in a deep breath.

"And apparently, they want to talk to me...and you."

♕✿~♕✿~♕✿~♕✿~♕✿~

What do you guys think the Scarlet Guard members want?? And who exactly are the members that came?

Sorry this update was a bit late. I'm currently on Thanksgiving break (yay!) but my teachers decided that right before break would be he perfect time to stress out their students :)))))

Hope you all have a great week, and a great thanksgiving tomorrow with your friends and family!! <3

Glass_Sword