Fallen

Chapter Fifty-Nine: Shifting Sands

The group move at a steady pace through the desert. The heat seems to wrap around the group, dragging them down. The only ones who are use to it is Ash and Clarke. Though they have been trying to avoid for the past few years. 

Eventually Octavia stops, holding up a hand motion. Everyone comes to a halt and sets their bags down. A handful of them go to start setting up tents. They seem to move like a well oiled machine. It takes almost no time before the camp is set up. Ash sits on the edge of the camp, watching the horizon. The sandstorms can pick up almost instantly and everyone will need as much warning as possible. Though the tents won't be enough to fully protect them.

A pair of arms wrap around Ash, pulling her from her thoughts. She turns to face Clarke.

"You need to rest some," the blonde states.

"So do you," Ash replies, wrapping her arms around her neck. I'll take the first watch."

"No you won't," Clarke chuckles, kissing the tip of her nose. "Now go lay down, Azreina."

"Oh god. You heard about the nickname."

A mischievous grin grows on the blonde's face.

"I did," she whispers. "And there is nothing you can do about it my que-"

Ash slaps a hand over Clarke's mouth.

"Shut up," she giggles. A scream rips out from the other side of the camp. The two women hurry over to see a few people carrying someone into the tent. Clarke pushes through the growing crowds with her girlfriend right behind her. The man is laid out on the table with Octavia and Gaia trying to hold him down.

"What happened?" Clarke asks.

"We're unsure," Octavia states. Bellamy bursts into the tent as Clarke lifts up the injured man's shirt. Just below the surface of the skin, there is clear movement. 

"Shit," Ash mutters, going to grab one of his legs.

"Hold him down tight," Clarke orders, pulling out a knife. Bellamy grabs the scout's other leg while Octavia and Gaia hold down his arms. The scout lets out a scream of pain as Clarke cuts into his skin. Parasitic worms start wiggling out of his stomach and towards the others. Bellamy grabs a torch and starts burning the worms while the others use blades to cut them. The scout stops moving, taking his last breath as more worms leave his body. Octavia lets out a cry in pain as a worm digs itself into her skin. The group quickly leave the tent before Bellamy sets it on fire. 

"Ash," Clarke calls as she kneels by Octavia. Ash kneels down to see the worm is crawling up Octavia's arm. She quickly tears off the bottom of her shirt before tying it around Octavia's arm, a few inches above the worm. She bundles her jacket up, holding it out towards the younger warrior's face.

"Bite on this," Ash orders. Octavia gives her a look before biting onto the jacket as Ash grips her arm. Clarke cuts into her skin. Octavia's screams are muffled by the jacket. The radio in Bellamy's bag goes off, so he steps away to answer it. Clarke rips the parasite from Octavia's arm, tossing it to the ground. Ash releases Octavia before slicing the worm in half so it won't cause more trouble. Bellamy rushes over as Ash looks towards the horizon.

"We need to get going," he tells the group. "They're going to attack us soon."

"How do you know?" Octavia sneers.

"It doesn't matter right now," Ash  informs them. She points towards the rolling clouds of sand barreling towards them. "We need to figure out shelter."

"We don't have time," Clarke states. "Plus I need to bandage up Octavia so she doesn't bleed out."

Octavia looks between the three older people, gritting her teeth.