No Hero: Lost Among the Flame

I watched her fall

Octavia

My fast pace echoed down the hall behind me, cape fluttering and the weapon at my hip swaying. "Octavia" Lincoln called. Of course I knew he was there, I knew the moment he stood up to follow me. His steps quickened. "Just a moment, please" he was now an arms length behind me. Still I kept my pace. Lincoln was persistent though, "Your anger is misplaced. This meeting needs to happen if anyone is going to get out of here."

"You have no right to say another word to me!"

The man I loved stopped cold in his tracks, a look of surprise on his face. "Can you not remember life outside of this bunker?" he asked.

I felt betrayal in every vein in my body. My fists clenched so tight my knuckles turned white. "I remember being foolish enough to fall for you. Thinking that you would never leave me. Then you did and you took my brother with you" I seethed. The usually strong man had the audacity to look away. "Eight years I've been without you. For eight years I've fought to keep everyone alive, keep order and to survive! You have no idea what it has been like so don't ask me if I remember a life away from this hell pit" I spat.

Lincoln carefully reached for my hand, I yanked it away but that didn't stop him from grabbing my shoulders. His grip was gentle yet firm. I was forced to stare back at him. It was obvious he wasn't taking care of himself the way he used to. His hair was wild and his beard grew longer everyday. "There wasn't a day in space that I didn't morn having to leave you behind. I wanted to come back to you but time ran out and I had to chose. So even though you cannot stand the sight of me I will wait another eight years if I must" he spoke, his eyes shining with honesty.

Closing my eyes, I released a huff and stepped away from him "You will be waiting a long time." I turned to my door and set my hand on the handle.

"Um Octavia, the meeting?" he tried to mask his emotions as he asked.

I forced the lump in my throat down, "I will attended but only because of Indra's counsel." Before he could respond I entered my room. It felt like a hundred extra pounds were dragging down my shoulders. I walked slowly to my table. Wordlessly I unclipped my cape from my shoulders, draped it over the chair then started on my sword. I refused to allow anymore thoughts of the past love. Instead they were replaced with thoughts about the meeting. Wonkru would not submit to any clan. I knew what I needed to do yet I was caught up on the people who were once my friends. So many have fallen victim to clan divides. By the end of this there can be only one.

My legs happily gave out as I sat at the end of my bed. I was freed from the armor but still felt constricted. I tried to roll my shoulders in order to ease the their tension. Finally I gave up and rubbed my forehead.

A familiar pair of hands ran up my arms to my shoulders. "You're all twisted up" she whispered. She started kneading my shoulders. "What's bothering you?" she asked.

"It doesn't matter, Zara" I groaned, my head rolling to the side to let her work my shoulders better.

The grounder girl paused for a second then I felt her lips on my neck. "I'll get it out of you" she whispered followed by a soft laugh. At the same time she ran her hands down my chest. Teasingly she nipped at my earlobe. "So what is it?"

This time my sigh was for an entirely different reason. Turning I took her chin and planted my lips on hers. Zara was eager to throw her leg over my lap and kiss me with more purpose. I let her push me back and continue running her hands up and down my shirt. My hands went to her hips, quickly I switched our position. I pressed my thigh between her legs and tore open the front of her shirt.

Zara practically purred while she lightly held my face between her breasts. "You know I'll mmmmm I'll keep asking" she interrupted herself.

Looking up at her I teasingly rolled my eyes, "You know at this second I can't be bothered by anything."