The One Who's Fallen

Chapter 122

I'm still staring down at my right shoulder in shock when Raven and Octavia rush over, stepping over the dead Reaper bodies littering the ground. Lincoln trails behind them and they all wear matching worried expressions.

"Clarke, does it hurt?" Lexa questions.

She reaches up her hand like she's going to touch the dagger. She hesitates as soon as she gets close to the handle, wincing in sympathy and dropping her hand.

"Shouldn't we just, y'know." Raven mimes yanking on something. "Pull it out?"

"If this weren't a serious situation, I would have so many jokes to choose from." Octavia murmurs, causing Raven to snort out a chuckle before swiftly recomposing herself.

"To answer your question, Raven," Lexa begins. "No. If it has cut into an artery, it is the only thing keeping her alive at the moment." Her voice trails off, cracking at the end.

I automatically go reach out my hand and float me, that hurts. I let out a flurry of swears that would make the most battle-hardened warrior blush. Reaching out to hold her hand with my right hand, you know the same side I currently have a knife in, maybe isn't the brightest idea.

"Clarke!" Lexa cries out.

Her hand freezes an inch away from my skin as she takes in my pained expression with concerned eyes.

"Nomonjoka (motherf*cker)." I curse, clutching my arm with my left hand. "Ow ow. I'm just really feeling it now. Wow, moving that arm was a brilliant idea." I groan out.

"Do you think it's in an artery?" Raven asks, her voice noticeably shaking.

Right, that's the whole reason I started to reach out in the first place. I clench my jaw and take a few deep breaths to calm myself down a little before answering.

"No." Everyone's attention snaps over to me as I speak. "There are some arteries in the arms and shoulder, but judging by this angle, I should be fine. Of course, I'm not used to telling on my own body. But I'm like 84% sure that it didn't hit anything too important." I say, hoping it's at least a little reassuring.

Lexa purses her lips, not seeming entirely convinced but she still nods, accepting my words. "So you are saying we can safely pull it out?"

"As long as you don't wiggle it around in there or do anything stupid with it. Just go slow and steady."

Lexa nods seriously. "Would you like me to do it, Clarke?"

"Yes please."

I smile at her, hoping she can see the extent of the trust and love I have for her. It makes a glimmer of light come back into her eyes but I know that she won't really let herself be reassured when I'm injured.

Lexa places her hand just above the hilt and flexes her fingers, focusing intently on the dagger. She's about to reach down when I remember something.

"Wait!" I say, making Lexa freeze with concerned, wide eyes. "No no babe, you didn't do anything wrong. It's just... Does anyone have a spare scrap of cloth for me to bite down on? I don't want to alert ever Reaper in tunnels to where we are if I end up screaming."

Lexa's jaw quivers and she swallows as Raven hands me a piece of fabric. I thank her and take it, consciously making sure I use my left arm. I place it between my teeth and bite down, flexing my jaw. The fabric doesn't slip or tear or anything, so I deem it as good. I relax as much as I can, keeping my muscles from tensing. Especially the ones around where the pain is radiating from.

I nod to Lexa and she reaches up, glancing at my face to make sure I won't stop her again. She gives me a determined look and turns to the others, turning into what I call her "Heda mode." Usually I find it cute (or hot) but I can't help seriously appreciating it at the moment. They need someone to tell them what to do, so they feel useful.

"Octavia, hold her arm. I don't want her accidentally moving it while I pull it out. Okay? Raven and Lincoln, I'm guessing either or both of you have some form of painkillers. Find them. Make sure you know that they are not the kind to cause drowsiness. Despite this, we have a long fight ahead of us. We need Clarke at her best."

They all nod and get to work. Octavia holds onto my arm with both hands, keeping her grasp light. I give her a look to silently tell her that it's okay to exert more pressure. She bites her lip nervously and tightens her grip.

Lexa returns her attention to me and firmly grasps the handle, placing her left hand against my injured shoulder. She carefully keeps her hand away from the wound itself and the area near it that might hurt. She applies pressure with her left, not enough to hurt or bruise, as she slowly and carefully starts pulling out the dagger.

I clench down on the cloth in my mouth, letting out a strangled moan of pain. Lexa's eyes stay on the knife but her mouth twitches into a deeper frown at the sound. It makes an indescribable sound as it dislodges from inside of me and is taken out at a leisurely, steady pace. Lexa grimaces but keeps on pulling it carefully until it's out of my shoulder.

I groan as blood starts to flow more freely from the wound. Lexa, after getting a nod of consent from me, pulls off my shirt. I'm left in my pants and bindings while Lexa takes another couple pieces of fabric from Octavia.

She dips one in her water canteen and gently cleans my wound, flinching sympathetically every time I so much as wince. Lexa then applies a poultice that Lincoln hands her. I hiss at the burning sensation and spit out the fabric from my mouth. It's a disinfectant; I recognize the smell of it from when I worked alongside Nyko.

After that, Lexa carefully wraps up my shoulder. Raven gives me a flask while I do that. I take it with my left hand, raising an eyebrow at her. I take a sip after she opens the cap for me and nearly spit it out in surprise. Dang, that's alcohol. And really strong.

I shrug and drink a little more, letting warmth settle in my body and the pain numbs a little. By a little, I mean not much. But I have no doubt that whatever it is that Lincoln hands me (after giving Raven an unimpressed glare and taking away my alcohol) will numb it much more. Again, I recognize the smell of it.

"Drink all of it," he urges me.

I take a hesitant sip to test out the taste and gag, making a disgusted face that makes Raven, Octavia, and Lincoln laugh. I take a deep breath and down the rest of it like a shot, but some of it still comes in contact with my tongue and taste buds.

I shudder, repulsed. "Float me, that's awful. No wonder everyone complained about the taste! Ugh."

Wow, that ended up being a bit longer than usual. Like 200 words (20% of a normal chapter) longer. One quick thing, I'm going on Spring Break tomorrow (or today, when I post this). It shouldn't affect my posting schedule other than it'll be a little off because I'll be in a different time zone... So no worries, the next chapter will be coming in three days like usual! If you get worried about when it'll be posted, either check my profile/messages (I try to keep you guys updated on there if anything changes) or message me directly! Or comment. Whatever works for you! Anyway... I'm off to pack because we're leaving the morning! :) Thank you all for reading and for your lovely comments! Stay awesome!