Countdown

Annie Petrelli

One 

Their lips soft against mine. The corset dug into my skin, leaving bruises next to ones that had finally healed.

Everything felt ok for once when I was with them.

When we danced at the balls it felt like we were the only two people in the room. Everyone else faded away. They picked me up to spin me around and for once I felt happy. I believed this is the person I could spend my life with. They never saw me for my title, or the power they could get from marrying me. They just saw me for me. 

Two

I woke up from the sounds of far off cries for help. They came to my room first, before any of the guards, and led me away from the fighting happening, and to a safe room. But something else felt off. 

Why would people attack the castle?

They didn’t seem scared or concerned. But it was a mystery how they got there before the guards. I always had guards around me. 

What happened to the guards?

Three

They stayed by the door for a while, making sure no one else would come. They closed the door, and walked towards me with the sword still in their hand. I closed my eyes, thinking I was safe with them.

I felt a sharp stab of pain. Red bloomed out from the dress. They stood back up, and looked down at me with a smirk.

Four

Darkness clouded my vision. I stopped hearing the screams. I couldn’t see their smirk.

Five

Why did you do this? I loved you.

Five

You loved me. That was only a small mistake, but one that proved most fatal. My father wanted this kingdom, I never did. I had to follow orders. You should be able to understand that. We were both forced in a life we didn’t want a part of. 

Four

I never understood why my father wanted you dead. An arranged marriage would have given him the kingdom just as easily.

Maybe you shouldn’t have trusted me so quickly. Maybe then you would still be alive, and the people you gave up your life for would be safe. Well one person you gave up your life was saved. I won’t be punished for not following orders. But I killed the one person who offered me kindness. 

Three

Did you think I would give up my life for you? 

When I led you to the safe room I could see the trust in your eyes. I think that you would’ve given your life up for people a thousand times over. But they wouldn’t do the same. People had the opportunity to, if they really wanted to. A few knew who I really was but did nothing to stop me. 

Two

If only you saw that. Saw how you would risk your lives for people, very few of them would. If I wasn’t so selfish, I would give up my life for you. Maybe if you realized that you would still be alive, you wouldn’t give me the opportunity to hurt you. 

One

Because I did love you.