638 days since Praimfaya.
''There's-there was a third-person in all that, Clarke.'' Madi protested. ''It—it wasn't Carl! And-an' it wasn't you guys either that raided his base either!'' Then, her eyes tore away from Lexa's uncomprehending one, to Clarke's in a plead.
''Just... stop defending him, Madi!'' Clarke said, exasperated. ''There is no third-person.'' And her gaze flickered away from Madi's, to make eye contact with Lexa in a silent talk—and Madi's heart dropped.
When Clarke's gaze found back Madi's gaze again, her expression soft but stern, Madi felt worse. ''I—we think you should get some sleep, Madi. It's just gonna be a quick rest to clear your head. What do you say about that?'' she said softly, and Madi felt like she was almost sick.
''I'm fine!'' Madi said indignantly. ''I don't need sleep! 'Cause I know what I'm sayin' an'—an' I know I'm right! J-just trust me, Clarke, an' you'll see what I-I'm talkin' about—'' and then Madi faltered. Because it was in that moment when she looked over their concerned expressions that she realised, nothing could convince them otherwise.
''F-fine. I'll get some sleep,'' Madi muttered under her breath and stalked back to her room.
Once the door clicked shut, Clarke's eyes met Lexa's. It was Lexa who cleared her throat and spoke first. ''Clarke. Have you considered if Madi might be right? About another survivor after Praimfaya? It would not be entirely implausible—''
''—but it's impossible.'' Clarke sighed and looked away from Lexa. When her gaze flickered back, it was wistful. ''We have enough to deal with already.''
...
Thirtieth Night.
VERY bad dream. Saw the forests and the dawn. He was there, too. Old bald man with that GIGANTIC blade. I saw 'em again. Nomon an' Nontu. They were tellin' me to run an' I did as fast as I could but they still caught up.
Woke up sweating really bad. Didn't go to Lexa 'cause it'll make it worse. She's the Commander and then from there I remember the Fleimkipas 'cause she orders them an'...
Won't be writing this down anymore. I wanna forget.
...
''Lexa...'' Madi murmured, gazing up to her. Placed down a gear that was part of her bear trap. ''W-what d'ja feel about... him?'' she asked, her lips pursing as she anxiously waited for an answer.
Lexa knew who him was, of course. Exhaling quietly, she looked back at Madi; with something incomprehensible in her expression. Finally, she said: ''You need to be specific, Madi. Are you asking what I feel about him, as a whole, or his actions? For they are two different things in itself.''
Madi looked away from Lexa. Her eyes flickered around the abode; through the windows, where the quiet, low rays of dusk shone from. And then, finally: ''D'ja think that he was the one who did it all?'' she said. ''T-that set the traps an'—and did it all. D'ja think he was the shadow?''
Lexa's eyes reverted away from Madi's expression to meet the bear traps. Exhaling, she said: ''I—I hope he was.''
...
658 days since Praimfaya.
''Can I train with you?'' Madi asked, as she gazed up at Clarke hopefully, who was sketching out plans for their farm. ''Lexa's out hunting, I don't wanna farm, and I'm done with my trebuchet. Please?'' she said, complete with a big, pleading, Natblida-esque grin that nobody on Earth could resist. Which was technically true, what with the only people left on Earth being Clarke and Lexa and all.
Clarke sighed a smile, as she put down her pencil. Damnit, Madi. Why were Nightblood grins so hard to resist? ''Alright, Madi,'' Clarke finally said after a dragged-out time of contemplation, which nearly made Madi squeak with excitement. ''But—'' she added on, and Madi's excitement levels immediately spiralled into a free-fall. ''But, you'll have to help skin the meat tonight. Promise?'' she said, jutting out her pinky finger.
