Isabella's eyes shot wide open, and she stared unblinkingly at the unfamiliar white patterned ceiling. Her back and forehead slick with sweat, heart thumping loudly inside her chest, and her breaths coming out ragged.

“ It was just a nightmare, ” she whispered to herself in an attempt to calm down. But her tone was unconvincing and she knew she was lying to herself. Because it may have been a nightmare now, but it was based on truth and only truth, and she was the cause of everything.

Turning around in the very comfortable bed Isabella tried to will herself into sleep, but afterwards half an hour of nothing she realised she probably wasn't going to sleep at all. Sighing she got up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed, dragging with her the fuzzy blanket she had found in the cupboard Isabella moved to sit on the window seat not before grabbing her book from her backpack and settling down in the mountain of fluffy pillows.

Opening the book Isabella started reading, but none of the words registered in her head, resulting in her reading the same page over and over again. Giving up Isabella closed the book before leaning her burning hot forehead against the cold glass of the window. She starred at the crescent moon while replaying all that had occurred over that past 56 hours.

So lost in her thoughts Isabella didn't see the black-clad figure slipping out the front door and jumping over the gate, before disappearing into the night.

The longer Isabella sat there the more drowsy she felt, and slowly as Isabella's eyelids began drooping closed a soft - male - voice burst through her head. 'Isabella, it's me your brother Leo! Fantastasia is in trouble, I'm still alive, find me! You my only hope," and the voice was cut off by Isabella falling into a deep sleep.

The next morning when she woke up Isabella wouldn't even remember those words, or at least remember they weren't a dream.

"Isabella! Isabella, Wake up!” Isabella was jolted from her sleep by Crystal shaking her shoulder and yelling in her ears.

“Huh?Wha-?” She asked groggily, still trying to take in her surroundings. “Why am I not in the bed?” she added, now wide awake.

Crystal shrugged, “I found you here when I came in,”.

“But I went to sleep last night in the bed,” Isabella frowned.

Before Crystal could answer Max's voice rang out, “Isabella! Crystal! We need to leave before those five children come back".

“Coming! ” Crystal yelled back before handing Isabella her backpack and running out of the room.

Shouldering her backpack Isabella quickly retriever her silver high heeled sandals and strapped them on. Taking one last look around the room Isabella seen the blanket she had tossed on the floor earlier. Bundling it up, she opened one of the fancy mirrors sliding cupboards. She stopped, surprise flooding her features.

There in the cupboard stacked neatly on each shelf was an abundance of clothes, girl clothes by the looks of it, creeped out Isabella quickly stuffed the blanket into the bottom shelf, closed the cupboard and hurried out of the room.

When Isabella got to the lounge or living room she was confronted witb an annoyed looking Max.He thrust a bundle of black clothes and combat boots into Isabella's hands. “Put these on, and be quick!” Max ordered.

“Why do I need to wear this? And where's Crystal? ” Isabella asked Max and Axel a frown crossing her face.

“So if people see us you don't have to keep telling them that we are roleplaying, and Crystal is already changing, ” Max snapped.

Only now did Isabella get a good look at him and she noticed the bluish black rings lining he's eyes and signaling exhaustion. He's normally bright blue eyes were also looking strained and slightly pale and he also seemed unnaturally agitated.

Knowing that she was the burden of he's stress and not wanting him to stress more about her Isabella gave him a slight smile before turning around and going back into 'her' bedroom.

Quickly putting on the black jeans and black T-shirt Isabella removed her sandals and pulled on socks and the boots, lacing it up she  stood up and went to stand in front of the mirrored cupboards. Taking out her hair brush and hairband from her backpack Isabella pulled her hair into a high ponytail. Giving herself a final once over she turned around to put her things back in her bag when she seen it…

There lying on the floor was a fancy looking beige envelope with a satin bow stuck on the front. With trembling fingers Isabella scooped the envelope up from the ground and daisily made her way to sit on the bed. Once sitting she completely blanked out and stared at the envelope not doing anything, until she heard the knock at the door.

“Isabella are you OK? Can I come inside? ” Max's voice came from the other side of the door sounding dejected.

“Y-yeah but o-only y-you,” Isabella stammered and shut her eyes tightly wishing it was all a dream.

She heard the bedroom door open slowly and shut again with a soft click. Only when she felt the bed dipping to signal that Max sat down next to her did she open her eyes again.

“What's wrong Isa?” Max asked he's voice soft. And Isabella felt tears clouding her vision again, Max hadn't caller her Isa since 'the incident' one year ago.

"No Max I'm not OK," Isabella sniffed. "Nothing is going right, since the moment I left the palace , maybe I should of just stated there," and now the tears were falling freely.

Max not knowing what to do or say just silently handed Isabella a tissue, taking the tissue Isabella than proceeded to tell Max everything Logan had told her when he had kidnapped her.

Max gave Isabella one of he's rare smiles that he saved just for her, “I know it may seem like everything is terrible right now, but I promise, everything will get better, but why didn't you tell me about this earlier?" He asked feeling slightly hurt.

“I didn't and still don't want the other two to know about it," Isabella said playing with the edges of the envelope still in her hands.

“Do you not trust them…?" Max asked lowering he's voice a bit more.

“No, no I do, it's just they won't understand me, the way you do, ” Isabella said, her cheeks turning slightly red for no reason.

“Oh,” was Max's only reply.

"Max, I found this on the floor before you came in,” Isabella handed Max the envelope.

Gently, careful not to tear anything Max opened the envelope and pulled the letter out, unfolding it he proceeded to read it out loud : "We are watching you, don't try to hide," just those 8 words printed in bold caps.

“What does that mean? " Isabella asked her voice slightly shaky.

“I don't know, but it's probably fake, ” Max answered but he didn't look very sure of himself.

“Yeah…” Isabella trailed, “we should get going" she added standing up.

Max followed suit, "but maybe you should wash your face first," he suggested, struggling to keep his smile in.

Isabella glanced at herself in the mirror cupboards and gasped. There were tear stains going down her face, her eyes looked red and puffy. Mumbling something Isabella quickly disappeared into the bathroom.

“We'll be waiting at the front door, " Max informed her and left the room.

Isabella quickly checked herself in the mirror as she came out of the bathroom. She definitely looked more presentable even though her eyes were still slightly puffy but she figured that could pass off as a sign of lack of sleep.

And sure enough when Isabella got to the front door the three of them were waiting for her. "You finally ready?" Axel asked her laughter in he's voice, Isabella nodded in reply and Max opened the front door.

That was when a female voice rang out, “And where do y'all think you are going? ” making them stop dead in their tracks.

~•~•~•
Hiii, its been two months...sorry?

Hope y'all enjoyed!

Who do y'all think is talking at the end?

What do y'all make of Isabella's dream?

and is anyone shipping Max & Isabella coz I am!!!