Fallen

Chapter Fifteen: Forty-Eight

Bright lights break through the darkness. Voices filter through Ash's ears, but her brain refuses to process. Slowly, she opens her eyes; letting her vision readjust. There are people she doesn't recognize all around her, discussing something. A tray of blades near her. Her body feels like lead.

"She will join the others soon," she hears. Adrenaline kicks in as she turns her head. She quickly grabs the scalpel closest to her and stumble out of the bed. She swings it as a warning, causing the strangers to back up. Two females.

"Where are my friends?" she manages, her voice hoarse. 

"They are just in another room," the woman in a lab coat states, taking a few steps forward. She puts her hands in the air to show she isn't a threat. "Now please calm down. Your stitches are still healing."

"How do I know I can trust you?" Ash asks, keeping her grip on the scalpel. The woman turns to the other in the room. 

"Why don't you get one of the others," she recommends. The younger female nods her head before leaving the room.

"Where am I?" Ash asks. "How long have I been out?"

"Mount Weather and three days."

Her brain tries to process the information. Mount Weather. After all this time, they finally ended up in Mount Weather. And there are people in here. 

"Ash," she hears. She turns to see Jasper by the door. Relief washes over her. The scalpel falls to the ground as she rushes to give him a hug. 

"I'm glad you're okay," she tells him. They separate. "Is Bellamy-?"

He shakes his head.

"The poison is out of her system," the woman behind her states. "She is able to join all of you in a moment."

Jasper thanks her before leaving, closing the door behind him. The woman motions to a portable wardrobe Ash hadn't noticed before.

"Feel free to find something to wear," she smiles. "I am Dr. Lorelei Tsing."

"Ash Kane." She puts the scalpel back where she had grabbed it. "You had mentioned poison. I would assume from the knife wound."

"Yes. We put you in an induced coma for the three days so we could safely help you while decontaminate you."

Ash opens up the wardrobe, processing the words she just heard.

"The surface is too toxic for you to go on."

"Yes. We didn't develop a natural ability to process radiation like you and the others did. Once you are ready, I'll take you to your friends."

Dr. Tsing leaves and Ash spots a mirror in the far wall and go to look at herself. Her hair is weirdly cut because of the sword. She looks so worn and beaten down. She looks back where the scalpel is to see a pair of scissors. Using the mirror, she cuts her reddish brown hair in hopes of trying to keep it even. It falls to her chin in waves.

Once satisfied, she goes back to sifting through the dresses. Not any shirts or pants in here, just dresses in various sizes with shoes. She ends up settling on a faded green and gold floral, maxi dress and tan sandals. Once dressed, she steps out of the room where Tsing is waiting for her. The doctor leads her to through an elevator and into a room where there are several bunk beds. People are milling about. Monty hurries and gives her a hug.

"You're okay," Ash cries, hugging him back. "How many are here?"

"Forty-eight," Monty informs her. Forty-eight. That is less than half from when they started. The two go sit in chairs in the corner. 

"So Bellamy didn't make it," she states, barely able to say it. "How about Clarke or Raven? They were in the dropship with us."

"Clarke's still in quarantine. Raven isn't here though."

"We just need to hold hope others are just still out there."

He agrees. Someone comes in to invite all of them for dinner. The crowd moves into a hall full of long tables and people. Clarke walks in and automatically goes to hug Ash.

"I'm so glad you are okay," Clarke tells her. 

"Same."

The two join the group and  gather around the table. The president says a prayer before everyone starts digging in. Maybe this is the safe haven. Maybe the others will be found.

*****

Bellamy and Finn leads a group of adults from the Ark to the gates of the dropship. Two of the other members from camp are also with them. All four exhausted and covered in grime and blood. Marcus walks over to them.

"You four stay here," he orders. He leads most of the guards through the gate along with Abby. Bellamy and Finn look at each other before taking off towards the tunnel. They easily run through it to see what is left of their camp. The ground is scorched and skeletons litter the ground. Bellamy watches as Kane helps Murphy out of the dropship.

"You son of a bitch," he growls before going to attack Murphy. The two go towards the ground, fighting. It takes two of the guards to pull Bellamy away. Cuffs are put around his wrists as others carry Raven out. Murphy is also put under arrest.

"You are not animals!" Marcus snaps. "There are rules. Laws. You are not in charge anymore."

He soon orders everyone to leave. Marcus looks around once more. Abby is writing a note to Clarke in case she comes back. Would that work? Should he write one for Ash? She probably would put it together that she needs to go in that direction. He calls out to Abby and the group heads back to the new camp. 

Another group will be sent out tomorrow. His daughter is still missing along with several other children. They need to find them. But first, they need to focus on the injured and to find out more information about the area to make sure everyone survives.