Something Unexpected

Chapter 2

     The next morning, Clarke woke up to find Murphy gone.

     Saw that coming, she thought. She stood up and brushed the sand that had collected in her clothes and hair off of her.

     Clarke then looked around, finally wondering where her fellow survivor went. He was no where to be seen, yet the boat was still sitting there on the shore, meaning he hadn't chosen to leave her in the desert all alone.

     She walked towards where the sand and water met. Taking a closer look, she saw dents in the mud- like sand. She straightened herself back up and began following the dents.

     Since they hadn't yet washed away, Clarke knew that they had to have been made not long before she woke up.

     Eventually, Clarke zoned out. Still, she continued walking.

     "Griffin."

     Clarke stopped walking. She had been snapped out of her thoughts by none other than the person she had been looking for in the first place.

     "Oh, there you are. I was looking for you. I woke up and I couldn't find you anywhere."

     John had been walking closer while she had been explaining what had happened. He had been sitting near the water, just watching the small waves roll by. "Whatever. We need to move anyway. Come on," he said and started to walk away.

     "Wait. Where are we going?" Clarke asked, suddenly becoming extremely worried.

     "Back to Camp."

     At his words, dread filled Clarke's mind. She couldn't go back. In fact, the only reason she had found Murphy was because she had needed to leave.

     "No. We can't go back there."

     Murphy turned around to face her and continued walking, only backwards now. "And why can't we?"

     Clarke didn't answer him. All she said was, "I can't."

     Murphy stopped moving and sighed. They stood there in silence for a while. Finally, he spoke. "I'm guessing you're not going to tell me why then?"

     Clarke looked down at the sand. "I needed- I need time. Away from them. We got our people out of Mount Weather, but only because... I killed everyone who lived in the mountain, Murphy. I can't face anyone back at Camp. Not Jasper, not Monty, definitely not my own mother, and heck, I could barely face Bellamy. I just can't." She paused. "But I guess I can't stop you from going back."

     Murphy looked at her while she spoke, glancing down at the sand from time to time. But at her last sentence, he looked up at the sky and thought about how he might be able to make her change her mind. "I'm not just going to leave you here, princess."

     At her nickname, she broke out into a small smile. But it quickly faded away. "Then you're staying here?" She asked, almost hopefully.

     "No, I'm not." He walked over and grabbed her arm. "And neither are you."

     Clarke tried to pull her arm back, but his grip was too tight. So she stopped walking. "Murphy..."

     "I don't care if I have to carry you. We're going back. Because I'm telling you, princess, running away from your problems isn't going to fix them."

     Clarke let his words sink in for a minute. John was right, and she knew it. Now she stood with her feet planted and a smirk on her lips. "Okay, fine."

     Murphy gave her a weird look. "Then come on."

     She shook her head and raised her eyebrows expectantly. "I believe I was promised a ride."

     Murphy realized what she meant and let out a deep sigh. He shook his head, but then let go of Clarke's arm and kneeled in front of her. Clarke laughed and hopped onto his back, putting her arms around his neck. Murphy stood up slowly.

    "Woah, you're so much heavier than you look," he said as he started walking.

     "Whatever." Clarke laughed.

     Murphy continued to give Clarke a piggy- back ride until she knew he needed a break. After that, they kept moving, talking side-by-side.