𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐰 - ᵇᵉˡˡᵃᵐʸ ᵇˡᵃᵏᵉ

5

Without another word, Octavia pulls up a floorboard tie in the middle of the room Pike stuffed them in, revealing a cramped hiding spot beneath. Kane, Lincoln, Sinclair, and Asha all squeeze inside, bodies pressed against each other in the tight space. Asha's feet dig into Lincoln's stomach, and Sinclair's elbow grazes her nose, but they settle into a tense silence, waiting for whatever Octavia has planned to unfold.

Time drags on until they hear footsteps enter the room, then retreat. Slowly, they emerge from their hiding place.

"It's a little tight in there," Kane mutters under his breath, pulling himself out after Octavia. Lincoln climbs out next, followed by Asha and Sinclair, who carefully replaces the floorboard. Octavia rushes to untie Lincoln while Asha takes position by the door, standing guard.

The door swings open, and Asha tenses, ready to strike. But she hesitates when she notices the newcomers aren't armed. An older woman enters first, eyeing her warily before making a beeline for Kane. The dark-skinned man following her swiftly unties Asha and then tosses the weapons Octavia had brought to someone waiting just outside the door.

Of course, nothing can ever be simple.

"Get me a sword, and I'll clear a path for you," Asha says, her voice firm. If the problem is too many guards, she'll handle it. "Easy."

"No way," Octavia shoots back, her tone sharp, making Asha grunt in frustration. "That's suicide."

Before Asha can fire back, a voice crackles over the radio, announcing they're on the way to the gate. It sounds like more help is coming from outside, but Asha still itches for a fight.

"That was Monty," Octavia breaths in disbelief. Asha really is out of her depth here.

"Guess he was with us after all. We have to move."

So they do, Asha follows after Kane through the halls until they find what they were looking for. Asha watches as Octavia moves one of the wallboards to find a tunnel behind it. They all start to step into it when an alarm ring out. Asha is really sick of those.

"Attention all citizens. Emergency lockdown is in effect. Return to your quarters immediately."

Asha ducks into the tunnel behind two strangers, her nerves humming with the urgency of their escape. Lincoln and Octavia stand watch by the entrance. Kane and the older woman are the last ones by her, and Asha glances over just in time to see them kiss. She's only half-disgusted by it, though, something softer than her usual distaste simmering. "You two can kiss later," Asha calls over her shoulder, already looking away, forcing herself not to roll her eyes. Now's not the time.

Octavia and Lincoln return, both with grim expressions etched across their faces. The radio in Octavia's hand crackles with a voice that makes the air heavier. "I have a message for the traitors in this camp. There will be an execution today. Either turn yourself in, or the other grounder prisoners will die in your place."

Asha's heart tightens as she dares to glance at Lincoln, already seeing the resolve in his eyes. She knows what he's thinking, and she won't allow it. "No. Don't you dare," she frowns, stepping in front of him and pushing on his shoulders as he tries to walk past. "Think this through, please."

"No way," Octavia shakes her head, catching on fast. She grabs his arm, pulling him closer to the hole in the wall, panic rising. "We're almost out. You can't do this now."

"I can't let them die because of me," Lincoln murmurs, voice heavy with guilt.

"Lincoln, please. We're so close," Octavia pleads, her grip tightening on him.

"I know what you feel," Kane interrupts, his tone urgent, "but they're already searching the station. We need to go now."

Asha steps in closer, her voice sharpening as she snarls, "Don't do this to me. Don't go playing hero, Lincoln."

He looks at her, steady and unyielding. "Wouldn't you do the same in my place?"

And yeah, maybe under different circumstances, she would. She feels it deep in her bones. He's right, but it doesn't make it any easier to accept. "You have Lyra to think about," Lincoln adds, his voice soft but firm. "So don't even think of taking my place."

Asha grits her teeth, her chest tightening under the weight of his words. "I won't let you."

"You're a good fighter," Lincoln concedes, "but I'd win."

"We have to go," Kane presses, urgency dripping from his tone as he backs toward the wall.

"You should," Lincoln nods. And before Asha can register what's happening, he says his goodbyes to Octavia and moves swiftly, injecting a syringe into her neck. Her body slumps, and Asha watches, frozen, as Lincoln catches her, easing her into Kane's arms. "Just get her out of here," he says, his voice calm but resolute.

Asha's jaw clenches. "I won't forgive you for this," she spits, her words laced with anger and betrayal, voice wavering. "She won't either. Come with us."

Lincoln doesn't respond. Instead, he steps forward and wraps his arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug. It feels too much like a goodbye, but she clings to it nonetheless. He's too stubborn, too selfless, too caring, too full of love. That's how she'll remember him.

The walk outside blurs into one painful haze—maybe it's the throb in her shoulder, maybe it's the pounding in her head, or maybe it's the weight of knowing they're leaving Lincoln behind in Arkadia. She learns the two men who helped them are Miller and Bryan, and ignores the way Bryan's eyes flicker with something that feels too much like disgust when he looks at her. She stays beside Kane, keeping pace behind the two of them, while Octavia, still unconscious, lies slumped over the horse that Kane leads.

They stop atop of a hill, Arkadia stretched out below them like a scene from a nightmare. Asha's breath catches when Octavia stirs, struggling to her feet, and they all turn their gaze to the haunting sight below. Asha blinks hard, trying to keep the tears at bay when Lincoln appears, bound and led to an open patch of dirt. They force him to his knees, and the air feels like it's been punched out of her chest.

Octavia charges forward, and Asha is right behind her, her legs moving without thought. She reaches out, placing a hand on Octavia's back—a small, fragile gesture—but it's all she can offer. It's minuscule, nothing that could ever be enough, but she hopes Octavia knows. Hopes she understands how deeply this hurts Asha too, that neither of them are alone in their pain.

The gunshot will haunt Asha's dreams. It will probably haunt Octavia's too. They don't cry, not really—there's no time for sadness, no space for weakness. Octavia's face trembles for just a moment before hardening. Asha meets her gaze, and in that shared look, they both understand what's next. There's only one path forward: killing Pike.

All Asha can hear is white noise as they walk. She doesn't care where they're going, she just puts one foot in front of the other. Octavia seems to simmer in her anger, and they can offer her no comfort. How could they?

They reach a cave, and Asha finally gains her bearings. She slows down, glancing at the forest around her, trying to ground herself. "Please don't leave," Octavia pleads, her voice hoarse, eyes hollow. It's clear what she's thinking, and maybe it is obvious. Asha considers it, studying Octavia's broken face. It could be so easy to run, deal with her pain alone like she always does and get to Lyra. But, Lyra is safe in Polis, and here, Asha can kill Pike.

With a stiff nod, she resumes her stride toward the cave.

Miller and harper—nice people, Miller seems to have respect for her, while Harper regards her with caution—entered already, Brayan and Sinclair follow closely behind with Kane. Then it's just her and Octavia left, the air heavy with unspoken words.

"Are you with me?" Asha asks, pulling Octavia from her reverie. She doesn't need to say it outright; they both understand. It's not just about Pike, it's also about sharing the grief of losing Lincoln.

Octavia takes a shaky breath as she nods, determination flickering in her eyes. They have each other, and that has to be enough.

After a moment, Asha steels herself and walks into the cave. She makes it only five steps inside before she sees Bellamy, shackled to the wall. And rage fills her. Any regard to his so called friends around the cave is nonexistent when he makes eye contact with her. He opens his mouth, but she doesn't want to hear anything.

Instead, she slaps him hard across the face. Her hand might not be big, and she's better with weapons, but it feels good nonetheless. She follows it up with a kick to his stomach, preparing herself to dodge a retaliatory blow that never comes. He just sits there, pathetic on the wet floor, tears brimming in his eyes. He doesn't even flinch, nor does anyone else in the cave. She manages to pack a few more punches and split open his lip before she's shoved away from him. She looks back to see it's Octavia. Now, after getting a closer look at the two she can tell they're siblings—so Asha thinks Octavia is trying to stop her, as this is her brother after all.

Bellamy glances nervously at the cave entrance before meeting Octavia's gaze. "Where's Lincoln?"

"Pike put a bullet in his brain," she replies, her voice steady yet laced with anguish. Asha watches as Bellamy's face falls, his eyes wide with shock and regret. Before he can apologize, Octavia steps forward and punches him square in the face. If there were tears in his eyes before, he's crying now. He doesn't fight back; he lets her unleash her fury. Their eyes meet briefly, and Asha sees in his gaze that he believes he deserves this.

Nobody likes it, but nobody intervenes. They all stand back and let the siblings have their moment.

It doesn't make Asha feel better like she thought it might.

lowkey debated on if Asha hits him in the cave or not, but I think she's too angry to think straight rn :/