Surrendering Sanity

Devastating Loses

"Is he the only one who knew?"

Finn's words kept replaying in the blondes mind as they had continued to walk. A weighted silence settling over the group as they moved as quickly as possible. Still not close enough to consider themselves in the safe zone. Clarke's gaze being drawn to Wells as they'd heard it. 

"ATOM?!"

Freezing in their tracks the three delinquents looked after the distant shout. Spacewalker's brow pinching in concern as he worriedly glanced to Clarke. The woman going completely rigid as the voice came again, sounding slightly louder.

"ATOM?! WHERE ARE YOU?!"

"Who was that?"

Finn's question seeming to go unheeded as his companions bursted into motion. Running in the direction of that voice. Both knowing exactly who that had been. Casey having to be screaming at the top of her lungs for them to be able to hear her. Especially at their distance. The still slightly confused caramel eyed man catching up to them with slight effort. His long agile strides helping clear the distance. 

***

That damn woman was going to get them all killed. Bellamy following the sound of her panicked calls with the others close behind. His gaze darting through the tree's. Looking for any signs of grounders, of danger. Seeking to have that infuriating brunette under his safe and watchful eyes. The mans concerns only for her as his superior speed pulled him ahead of the rest. Poor Charlotte stumbling desperately behind him. Bellamys hand tightly secured around her small wrist as he practically dragged her. Though he did make a effort to be gentle.

He couldn't afford to be slowed down. And as soft sobbing had reached his ears the tanned man had even left Charlotte behind. Though barely, Casey's crouched form coming quickly into view. Bellamy only able to see her back as her shoulders trembled and.... and Atom's legs. Their missing friend laying flat on his back, barely moving. His truly horrendous condition hidden from his view as Bell moved closer. 

His steps hesitant. Though he'd never imagined it could be so bad.

*

Atom was terrified. In agony. His sightless eyes darting wildly as his breaths came in short labored pants. Casey's hands shaking violently while they hovered just over his chest. Wanting to provide comfort but hesitant to touch him. Every inch of his skin blistered and boiled, red and raw though he wasn't bloody. That fog having eaten away at the boy as he'd been rendered immobile. The wheezing that rushed past his singed lips hinting to the fact his lungs were probably as mutilated as the rest of him. 

It had lingered for hours. That acid fog. Atom had endured this torment for hours.

A thought she'd had on their first day on earth choosing now to reenter her mind. The logical side of her brain already accepting his fate. Only now Monty and Jasper weren't close to give the advice or even scolding she needed. 

We are all already dead.

Is this what they'd wanted. The council. Would her father be satisfied.

The brunette fighting her own hysteria in a effort to not traumatize Atom further took in a deep breath. Mentally screaming as she felt horrified. Sickened. A distinct stench rising from his damaged body. The tears she shed at least being silent, filled with grief. Because she had taken one look at him and had known. He wouldn't survive this. Nobody could. 

"H...he..hel..p."

Oh god. She could smell it. The scent of bile and decay accompanying that desperate plea. It being barely a croak of a sound and breaking her heart. Casey almost relieved as the tears had her vision blurring slightly. The sight of someone being reduced to this.... Regardless of the fact she hadn't known him all that well.... Something like that haunted you forever.