Fallen

Chapter Thirty-Two: Demons

Ash and Bellamy stand outside, not talking to each other. The only noise is from the woods. Until a low hum breaks the quiet night air.

"Do you hear that?" Ash asks under her breath.

"Drone," Bellamy snaps as it comes into view. Ash notches an arrow onto the string of her bow before letting it fly. It pierces the machinery, causing it to fall out of the sky. She walks over to rip the arrow out of the drone. "They're closer than we thought."

"I'll keep watch so you can warn the others."

He agrees before heading inside. Ash notches another arrow, preparing to fight if need be. Time seems to slowly pass, waiting for something to happen. What Raven had said earlier keeps repeating in her mind. She could see why people would take the key. It seems intriguing, even to her. And no doubt people who are constantly in pain would want to as well. 

But based off what she saw, she wouldn't. That wasn't Raven! That wasn't the person who she fought side by side with. It was a corrupted version of her. A version that doesn't even remember some people she loved. And there is no way Ash would subject herself to that. She could not imagine losing the memories of those who died.

After a bit, everyone starts to leave the building. Sinclair is helping Raven, who has a blanket wrapped around her. So the plan was successful. Niylah looks like she is leaving as well, which is a good thing. The Rover turns on and they pull up to Ash. Bellamy holds out his hand, pulling her in. They take off down the road. Monty looks upset about something. Sinclair seems relieved Raven is okay. And the others are quiet.

"We need to go to Arkadia," Octavia states. "Lincoln's journal is there."

"That's a death sentence," Ash points out. 

"We don't have a choice," Clarke tells her. "It is the only key to find Luna."

"Who?"

"Someone Lexa knew."

Ash falls quiet, looking Bellamy in the eyes. There is no point in arguing or even asking more questions. By the time they make it back to Arkadia, the sun is already rising. The gate stands wide open and the place looks abandoned.

"Where is everyone?" Jasper asks. 

"Moved on," Raven states. "They chipped everyone here. No point in staying."

"Still," Bellamy advices, "be cautious."

"We should split up in to teams and grab what we may need," Ash suggests. "I don't want to be here too long."

They agree. The vehicle pulls into the garage and Monty turns off the engine. Everyone gathers their weapons and separate. Bellamy walking through the halls next to Ash.

"We should talk," he tells her.

"About what Raven said to you?"

"Do you want to talk about what she said to you?"

"Not really."

"Okay then. Why do you think I would want to talk about it?"

"Because we both need to." He grabs her hand, pulling her to a stop. "Let's make a deal now. I will actually try to talk if you do."

She chuckles, shaking her head. Crossing her arms, she leans against the wall.

"Fine. What do you want to know?"

"Are you okay?"

"As good as I can be. You?"

"Yeah."

"Good. Now lets go."

She walks off, heading to where they store the food. The kitchen for the mess hall looks untouched. Bellamy stands near the door while she grabs a bag. She glances up over at him. 

"You can go explore as well," she tells him. "I'll be fine."

"Ash-"

"Go on. I'll just grab what we need and go back to the Rover."

He reluctantly agrees before walking away. She starts packing the bag with a couple of filled canteens of water. She throws in a couple protein bars. Opening one of the giant coolers, she takes a step back. The meat inside smells rotten. 

Quickly closing it, she goes to the sink. She starts splashing water on her face. Almost as if to wash away the smell from her nostrils, though she knows it doesn't work that way. No. It's to keep certain memories out of her mind. Over the water, she can hear some footsteps. 

"I'm fine," she lies. No response. Instead a hand wraps around the back of her neck, slamming her head into the metal sink. The world starts spinning and she can feel blood start to rush to her head. Her fingers wrap around the knife beside her before turning around, swinging. A person covered completely covered goes to tackle her. 

She steps aside, slashing at their side. A grunt comes from them as the blade makes some contact with their arm. Her depth perception is off some. They must have slammed her head harder than she thought. It is very hard to keep her balance and the dizziness isn't helping, but she can't stop. 

The enemy manages to knock her down, pinning her hands above her head. They squeeze her wrist just right, making it impossible to hold onto the knife. The metal clatters against the ground. She gets a hand free and pull the mask off of them.

"Emerson," she gasps.

"Long time no see," he smirks.

"You fucking bastard!" she grunts, lifting her leg up. She hits him hard enough he falls over in pain. Managing to push all of his weight off of her, she gets up and quickly starts running. She doesn't have a walkie with her, but if she can find one she'll be fine. That or another person. Or even the intercom system. She has to warn the others. He manages to get up and plunge a needle in her neck. The room starts spinning again before the world goes black.

*****

Slowly, Ash opens her eyes. The bright lights seem to bother her head. Her head is pounding and she feels groggy. Something coarse is around her wrists and her mouth is dry. As she comes more to it, she looks around. She is tied up and gagged in the airlock. In addition to her, Monty, Octavia, Jasper, Raven, Miller, Harper, and Bryan are tied up. The amount of blood on Raven's shirt is concerning. 

She turns her head to see Emerson has a knife to Clarke's neck and Bellamy is setting his gun down. Ash wants to scream for him to just shoot the bastard so badly, but she can't. With the door closed, he wouldn't even hear her. Emerson throws Clarke down before picking up the gun. He opens the door and make Bellamy enter. He ties him on the railing next to Ash. Bellamy locks eyes with Ash before glancing to check on his sister. 

The doors close once more. Now Bellamy blocks Ash's view of what is going on through the glass. Though once the room starts flashing red, she knows she's fucked. The oxygen starts to ripped from the room. She tries to gasp for air as less and less become available. Her lungs burn as she can't fill them fast enough. Warm tears start to fall down her face as she starts realizing this may be the end for her. 

The pain seems to increase and it gets harder to stay awake. At the last moment, the light stops flashing and air returns to the room. Everyone starts gasping for air. Clarke comes in and unties Bellamy. He goes and unties Octavia. Ash glances over and see Emerson's dead body on the ground. About fucking time he died. Bellamy works the ropes around Ash's wrists before removing the gag around her mouth.

"Are you okay?" he asks.

"Yeah. Yo-"

One of his hand cups the side of her face, cutting her off with a kiss. Once the initial shock wears off, she pulls him close, deepening the kiss some. Whether this is because of the close death experience, or because he cares, or even a mix a both, she tries not to think about it. They pull away and he helps her up. They go and catch up with the others.

*****

The group watches as flames engulf the two wrapped bodies. Emerson had killed Sinclair and Lincoln had never got a funeral. The two of them deserve so much more than what they got. Octavia and Raven stand the closest to the fire. 

Bellamy stands by Ash as they watch the flames die down. Everyone decided to split into two groups. One to look for Luna and the other to get the Flame, a second AI meant to stop A.L.I.E , to work. Clarke, Jasper, and Octavia join Bellamy and Ash. The five of them take off from the others to go find Luna nd hopefully put an end to this mess.