Nightmares and Dilemmas
Red was in a terrifying nightmare. She was chained, helpless, watching Maddox being led to the scaffold. The Queen, her own mother, stood there impassively, pronouncing the death sentence. Maddox, despite the pain and fear, held his head high, his eyes desperately searching for Red's.
"No, please don't!" Red screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Let him go!"
The Queen showed no mercy. "The sentence has been passed. Cut off his head!"
Red screamed in despair as the executioner's axe came down, ending Maddox's life. She felt her heart shatter into a thousand pieces, the pain of loss overwhelming her.
But the nightmare didn't end there. Another prisoner was called. Red turned her head in horror as she watched Chloe being led to the scaffold. "No, not her!" Red pleaded, her voice cracking with terror. "Mother, please, not Chloe!"
The queen remained unmoved. "Off with her head!"
Red struggled against her chains, screaming at the top of her lungs. "No! Chloe!"
Chloe shared one last look with Red, her eyes filled with sadness and love. "I love you, Red," she whispered, before the axe fell.
Red screamed, her scream tearing through the air as the life drained from Chloe's body. Horror and helplessness overwhelmed her, leaving her broken and hopeless.
She woke with a start, her heart pounding in panic. Chloe wasn't there. "Chloe!" " she called, her voice shaking.
Chloe quickly ran out of the bathroom, worried as she heard Red fidgeting. "Red, I'm here," she said, rushing over to her.
Red, unable to speak at the moment, reached out to Chloe. Chloe rushed over to hug her, gently stroking her hair. "Shh, it's okay, I'm here," she whispered, trying to soothe her.
Little by little, Red calmed down under Chloe's comforting caresses. She felt tears streaming down her cheeks. "I had a horrible nightmare," she finally whispered. "I saw Maddox executed, and then... and then you too."
Chloe held her a little tighter, tenderly wiping away her tears. "I'm here, Red. It was just a nightmare. I'm not going anywhere. I'm okay. And so are you, okay?"
Red nodded, feeling a little more at peace. "It was so real. I felt all the pain and helplessness. There was nothing I could do to save you."
Chloe continued to comfort her, whispering words of love and support. "I'm here, my angel. I'll never leave you."
"You... you promise?"
"I promise." »
They lay down together, Chloe holding Red against her. Red rested his head on Chloe's chest, listening to the comforting sound of her heart beating. That steady, soothing rhythm meant she was okay, and alive.
*****
The next day was mail day. Red waited impatiently, hoping to hear from Maddox. But once again, there were no letters for her. It had been over a month since she had received anything, and the worry was starting to eat away at her.
She imagined the worst-case scenarios of what could have happened to Maddox. Maybe he had been captured by the queen and was suffering unimaginable torture. Maybe he was on the run, injured and alone, with no one to help him. Or worse, maybe he was already dead, and she would never know.
Red didn't know what to do. She wondered if she should go after him, go looking for him to make sure he was okay. But at the same time, she didn't want to leave Chloe. The thought of leaving Chloe behind, even for a short while, broke her heart.
She felt torn between her duty to Maddox and her love for Chloe. Every thought plunged her deeper into doubt and anxiety. She knew she had to make a decision, but she wasn't ready to do it yet.
The chapter ended on that note of uncertainty, leaving Red facing his dilemma, unable to choose between his past and his present, between his duty and his love.