A Condemned Haven

Chapter 22

They walked down the hallway of rooms before getting to the second to last one. Caroline didn't know what she was going to say to her or how she would react. It had been so long since they had even had a real conversation, and now here she was to apologize for a mistake that lasted an entire year. She had no defense for that, no justification. How could she come back from that? How could she walk in there and justify herself? As they got closer and closer her heart was beating out of her chest. When they walked in Clarke was laying her head back with her eyes closed. When she saw Caroline, she was shocked.

"Hey. You change your mind?" Caroline nodded and the relied that washed through Clarke was like a cold winter chill as she smiled. Jack had fulfilled his promise to her, like he always did.

"I figured I owe you this." After everything, this was the least she could do. When they were kids, they were inseparable. They played every sport together, spent nights staying up late talking about boys and watching their favorite rom coms. Caroline wanted to get back to that, she wanted her sister back.

"What do you mean?" Clarke loved her sister, despite everything that had happened in the past year. They hadn't really talked in so long and while she hoped it would be under better circumstances, she was so happy that they could finally be sisters again.

"I know you didn't kill Brandon and I stood by and did nothing. Let me make it up to you. Let me fix my mistake." Clarke nodded and hugged her sister. Jack stood in the corner as he watched Clarkes face. He was so happy he could finally do something for Clarke that mattered. All of this time they had been together getting to know each other and trying to find the killer he had felt useless. She was the one trying to figure everything out on her own and all he wanted to do was help, but he was so wrapped up in Amy that he had nothing to give her. Now he did.

"Thank you, Jack." Clarke could always rely on him, and she knew that, even though they hadn't known each other for long. He was constantly there by her side and trying to help her, but what did she have to offer him? Constant danger. Endless clues that made no sense. Police always sniffing around. She was no good for him and yet he was constantly good for her. She had to find a way to leave him alone, so he couldn't get hurt and live a normal life. He didn't deserve this. He had his own stuff to deal with.

"Caroline we're ready for you in the other room now so you can make your statement."

"Okay thank you." She left with the detective and it was just Clarke and Jack.

"I can't believe you actually did it." Clarke hated to say it, but she really hadn't expected her sister to have a change of heart. Jack made it happen, all for her.

"I told you I would. I keep my word."

"You're amazing and I don't deserve you." Jack laughed not realizing how serious she was.

"You go out of your way to help me and you get nothing out of it. I don't know what is ahead of me, but I know it's probably not the safest thing in the world. It's not like were looking for who put graffiti on the school wall Jack. We're looking for someone who framed me for murder. This isn't a joke or a tv episode, this is real, and this is dangerous and were kidding ourselves if we act like it isn't." Jack couldn't help but feel slightly offended.

"I never thought it wasn't real Clarke. It became very real when you were beaten in front of my house, or when you were dragged into the police station not once, but twice. You forget that the people dying are people I know too, and we may not have been best buddies, but I still knew them. We went to school together our entire lives. This is just as much for me as it is for you. What if its Sammy next or James?"

"I'm sorry I hadn't thought of that." Jack couldn't believe she thought so little of him. As soon as Clarke said it, she saw Jack physically retract from her. She had hurt his feelings and she knew it.

"Are you serious?" The way Jack's voice sounded so upset only made Clarke feel guiltier, but maybe this would be the way she would keep him safe. If she made him upset with her, maybe he would stay away.

"I don't think you can handle what comes next."

"Excuse me? What do you mean by that?"

"What happens if one of us gets attacked again? I can't protect you. I can't even protect myself."

"I don't need you to protect me."

"I'm not saying you need me too, but I am saying that when it comes down to it, I'm not capable. If I have to worry about you, I can't get done what needs to get done. Don't you understand that? You are a distraction; one I can't afford." With every word she could feel Jack getting farther and farther from her, but this was what had to be done. She didn't mean a single word of what she had said to him, except for the single fact that she wanted him safe. In the short amount of time that they had gotten to know each other, she really cared about him. The best thing for him was to just stay away from her and continue on with his life like she never existed.

"A distraction? I can't believe you right now. I can't talk to you like this. I'm leaving."

"That's probably for the best." The look on his face was something that would be burned into Clarkes memory. It was similar to the look Brandon gave her the last time they talked. She had blown up on him for merely going to a team thing instead of something with her. Now that she looked back, she knew it was so stupid. It wasn't exactly what she wanted her last conversation with her best friend to be. All she seemed to hold onto these days was regret. It made her consider that she was only making the same mistake, but something deep down told her that this was exactly what she needed to do. As she watched him walk away, her heart sunk lower and lower, until he was out the door and gone. She hoped she made the right decision, because she just lost her only friend.