Of the Night: A Story From the 100

{15} The Falling Fire

I stood at the fence, my eyebrows furrowing as the sun began to drop behind the mountains. Octavia stood by my side, watching my reaction but I didn't dare look at her.

"Layla," she whispered.

"No Octavia," I replied quietly, clenching my fists.

"It's been a whole day," she said, putting her hand on my shoulder. "He would have come back already."

The news of Jaha and a few others leaving camp hadn't seemed like a big deal to me but then I remembered that Murphy had taken him to see Wells' grave. I stood all day at the gate, waiting for Murphy to walk back to me but he hadn't shown.

"I know," I whispered, tears gathering in my eyes. I don't understand why he would do it. He had just been so guilty about leaving me behind the first time and then he does it again.

"You deserve better than Murphy," Octavia told me, giving me a side hug. "Anyone would be lucky to have you."

I glared at the ground, squeezing my fists before ripping the sling off of my hurt arm and throwing it to my feet.

"Open the gate," I demanded and they did as I said after a moment of hesitation.

"What are you doing?" Octavia asked in concern.

"I'm going back to where I belong," I told her before disappearing into the wilderness.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I turned around as Clarke entered Alexa's quarters back in Tondc. We exchanged a look and I narrowed my eyes at her.

Lexa said in slight annoyance, "Clarke of the Sky People has honored us with her presence."

Clarke dipped her head. "I'm sorry I'm late, Commander."

Kane was also in our company, to my disappointment. "You made good time. I assume the kids at Mount Weather are okay?"

Clarke have him a look. "For now." She turned to Lexa. "Can we talk in private?"

Lexa gestured outside of her quarters. "Yes. This way."

After the two left, I felt Kare staring at me. I turned to him with a questioning look.

"I'm sorry," Kane spoke.

"For what exactly are you sorry for?" I snapped, glaring at him.

"For everything. For your family and for your forced hiding in the Ark.... And for Murphy."

"You made your choice. He made his choice. And now I'm making mine." I faced him, crossing my arms. "Don't expect me to come back, Kane. I am a Grounder now."

Then I turned on my heel and walked out of Lexa's quarters. Just as I stepped outside, Lexa and Clarke were passing me.

"I'm leaving Layla," the commander told me. "You are in command until my return."

"Yes, Heda," I told her respectfully.

I trained with Indra throughout the day. Octavia later joined us and I once again sparred with her. This time she beat me and cheered in excitement.

"You both are excelling in your training," Indra told us. Octavia told me earlier that Indra had made her as her second and I was happy for her.

Octavia deserved it.

Octavia laughed as she held out a hand to help me up. Just as I was about to take it, the world lit up in orange flames. I screamed out when an explosion threw everyone around me backward. My head slammed against some projectile rockets and I cried out as something heavy landed on top of me.