𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐃 | the 100

34 | Tearful Reunions

"May we meet again."

‧ ✩ ｡ ✭ ° ☆ ･ _______ ･ ☆ ° ✭ ｡ ✩ ‧

The doctor in the medical tent introduces himself as Jackson, and he quickly sets to work on treating her injuries. When he remarks on the impressive job she did tending to the stab wounds on her back and abdomen, Amber doesn't bother informing him that it wasn't her handiwork, but actually that of the Grounder who later gave her the cuts on her arms and chest. She doesn't bother telling him anything actually, merely nodding and shaking her head as exhaustion catches up.

"Amber?"

At the sound of her own name, she squints at the opening of the tent where a familiar figure stands, cascading hair thrown into a bun and hands in a worried clasp.

"Mom," Amber whispers, a weak smile gracing her lips.

Lillian rushes forward. "Oh no, my baby." Her voice quavers with tense worry and her fingers reach out toward her daughter. They finally find their place around Amber's cheeks.

She leans into her mother's touch, letting peace wash over her. With a reassuring smile, she says, "Mom, I'm fine, it's okay."

"No, no, look at you. My poor little doll," Lillian laments, voice filled with anguish as her grip tightens around Amber's face, eyes scanning the bandages that cover her body.

"It's fine. I made it." Amber gently takes her mother's hands from her face and holds them.

"I'll die from all the heart attacks you give me one day," Lillian exhales heavily, distress etched into every wrinkle on her face. A soft chuckle escapes Amber, but Lillian shakes her head. "It's not funny, baby. I thought you were dead. Again."

The words hit like stones. "I'm sorry," Amber whispers. "I'm sorry."

"Oh, it's okay." Her mothers wrestles one hand free from Amber's grip to stroke her cheek lovingly. "Of course it's okay, I'm not mad, baby. Just scared. It's so dangerous out there and I can't lose you. It would break me."

"I know. I'm sorry."

Lillian places a kiss on her daughter's forehead. "You should rest, little doll. I can't stand to see you so exhausted."

Amber wants to protest, she has to know if her friends are okay. But Lillian lowers her head onto the hospital bed's pillow and it's easy to let her. Her arms are strong, and Amber has no fight in her left. Sleep envelopes her like a warm blanket, dragging her with it. She doesn't even realize it has her in its grasp before it's too late.

***

Amber jolts awake. The Grounder, is she back? Knotted hair flies into her face as her head whips from side to side, eyes darting across the room, but when she takes in her surroundings, the hospital drapes and beds, her heart slows. It's safe. She grabs the edge of her bed for stability and takes a deep, calming breath.

"Took you long enough."

The familiar voice pulls her attention across the room, where a girl watches her with a teasing smile from another hospital bed. Raven.

Joy bursts from Amber's throat with a surprised yelp and she leaps form her bed, closing the distance between them and flinging arms around her friend before she can protest.