Our Journey (the Fourth Book in the Her Weakness series)

Chapter 55

Lexa's POV

Since there is still much left of the day, we decide to go up today instead of waiting until tomorrow. We head to the stables and get our horses ready to ride. As we have been doing this rather often, daily if we are riding, we have gotten very efficient at this.

We get on them and ride through the streets of the city. Unlike some cities, there are streets where horses are allowed to ride on. Mainly because of the tunnel, for older people or other people who aren't physically capable of the climb by themselves. Or, like in the case of Clarke, Octavia, and I, for people who don't want to walk all that way.

The ride through the city is pleasant, and people automatically move out of the way of the horses. I guess horses come down this street often enough that it is automatic for the people walking down it to avoid getting trampled. People on the street do a double take when they see Clarke or I, which is amusing.

There are directions along the streets to where the entrance to the tunnel is, which is extremely helpful. I guess it is for "tourists" like us, so we do not get lost while trying to find it. And we do not have to interrupt anyone's day to ask where to go, which is good.

I lead the others, with Clarke beside me, as I am the only one who even vaguely knows where we are going, though I am just following the signs. The streets seem like they get darker, the closer we get to the tunnel. There are noticeably less people, but not in a sinister way, though it does creep Raven out.

"This is freaky, right? There's like nobody here." Raven says, looking around warily.

"That is because not many come this way in the middle of the day. It is while most are working, and those that are not are most likely already at the top." I explain.

"Right. That makes sense. But I still feel like I'm in the middle of a horror movie and the serial killer is about to jump out of the shadows." Raven says, still eyeing the darkness around her.

We ride in silence for another minute or so until Octavia shouts, "Boo!"

Raven screams high pitched enough to make the horses whinny in protest and loud enough that I have no doubt that everyone within a couple of blocks of us heard that.

Raven clutches her chest, breathing hard and staring at Octavia. "Oh my god. You asshat!" She bats at Octavia as best she can while riding a horse. "You scared the crap out of me!"

"Sorry, babe." Octavia says between snickers. "I didn't know you would scream that loud. I mean, we've been sleeping together for a couple of months and I didn't know you even could scream that loud."

Raven groans and buries her head in her hands. "Let me live."

Clarke and I exchange an amused look and turn our attention back to where we're going. According to the signs, we're getting close. Then, we can see the tunnel. It's larger than I remember, able to comfortably fit two horses side by side without either of them getting anxious or claustrophobic.

The tunnel reminds me of the cave in Azgeda with the beautiful glowing blue rocks. Though this is less natural, as there are the rocks in a straight line, along the top and sides of the tunnel. It is beautiful, and practical since I can see where I am going.

The tunnel seems to go on forever and the incline is just enough for it to be a strain on the horses. Luckily, the strain is not too great for them, but I can tell it is a workout for them. The horses are sweating about half an hour into the tunnel.

Raven lets out a groan, which echoes. "Ugh. When does this tunnel end?"

"You can't see the light at the end of the tunnel?" Octavia jokes.

Raven gives her a look. "I'm impressed by your joking skills babe, but I really want to get out of here."

"Are you claustrophobic?" Octavia asks worriedly. "What's up, Rae?"

"Apparently, nothing." Raven glares at the ceiling. "I feel like this isn't the stairway to heaven, it's the long boring ride to heaven. Or space. Whatever's up there."

"Babe, we were in space, we know what's up there." Octavia reminds her.

"I know, but... We're not going to debate religion. That would make this even more boring. But seriously, how long is this tunnel? My leg is acting up a bit."

"Do you want us to stop? I can take a look at it," Clarke offers.

"No, no. I'm good. I promise. It's just uncomfortable right now, not painful."

Clarke frowns but gives in. "Fine. You'll tell us if it does start hurting, right?"

"Of course. I've learned my lesson," Raven jokes.

One day, her pain was bad enough for us to notice, despite Raven's disturbingly good ability to hide her pain. So Clarke had made Raven let her take a look at her leg, and had asked general questions. Like how long she's been feeling pain from it. When Raven answered a couple of weeks, it was silent for a moment. Then Clarke "rips into her" as Raven later calls it, starting on a long rant on how she cannot keep that kind of thing to herself. So yes, Raven has learned her lesson.

"It should not be much longer, Raven." I promise.

Sure enough, barely ten minutes later, there is sunlight streaming down from the sky, seemingly directly into my eyes. The contrast of light when I am so used to dark is... It is more than I expected.

I squint, barely making out the shapes. My eyes take a moment to focus and I smile when they do. The farmers market, all of it, it has not changed much since I was last here.

Aah! I wasn't sure I was going to finish this in time. Now I have to study for my Spanish exam that's in... Forty minutes. And then I'm off to buy Wonder Woman on DVD!! :D Thank you all for reading and for your amazing comments! Stay awesome!