Scars to Your Beautiful (the 100 fanfic)

Chapter 27 - I'm Alive

I woke sometime later and moaned painfully. I sat up gingerly, my body feeling perforated as my skin attempted to stretch the healing cuts apart. With no one in the room to stop me, I cautiously swung my legs over the side of the bed. The movement hurt causing me to gasp slightly as aching muscles protested. Looking at my chest, I saw that the cuts were already showing the pink of new skin. I took a moment, looking down at myself and it astounded me how many scars lined my chest and legs. I looked like I had been fighting for years instead of just shy of six months. I wondered briefly what Ava would think if she saw my body now. If she would still call me beautiful? What she would think about me putting myself on the line time and time again? If she was proud or disappointed?

I sighed, shoving those thoughts forcefully from my mind before I went down the rabbit hole and began doubting myself. I tore my gaze from my body and looked around for clothes to pull on. I found some at the foot of my bed. Slowly and painfully I put them on. Standing up, I staggered slightly and caught the table to keep me upright. I waited until the floor stopped spinning and for my legs to support me before I made my way to the door. Okay, maybe I wasn't quite up to moving but I needed to find out what the hell happened. Stepping outside, I noticed the village had gone back to normal. This afternoon's trial seemingly forgotten.

"Rook," Sursha called out. "You shouldn't be out of bed. You need to rest and recover."

I waved her off as she tried to get me to go back inside and I demanded, "Where's Lexa? What happened? Why am I not dead?"

"You'll have your answers," she said. "I'll fetch her myself once you get back in the room and lay down."

"I don't need to lay down, Sursha," I huffed, but let her guide me back inside.

She didn't say a word but pushed me down on to the bed and left. I sighed and pushed myself until I was sitting up against the wall. Closing my eyes, I tried to wrap my head around the entire thing, but only ended up feeling more confused.

It wasn't long before the door opened again, Nyko entered followed by Lexa and surprisingly, Clarke. Clarke was surprised by my current state, but my focus was on Lexa. Her eyes betrayed relief that I felt wash over me, but her face remained as stoic as ever.

"I should not be surprised to see you already awake," Nyko said with a small smile and shake of his head.

I shrugged, turning my attention to him, "I'm surprised to find myself alive. Why is that?"

"Gustus," Lexa said, curtly. "He appeared out of here completely fine and called a halt to the execution."

I thought hard for a moment and then looked at her with understanding, "He's the one that poisoned the cups."

She nodded, "Yes. When he saw that it was you and not the girl, he readily admitted to doing it."

"He felt the alliance would put your life in greater danger than it already is."

She nodded again and I saw the pain of regret on her face and then she asked, "How are you feeling?"

I answered. "My entire body hurts, but I think I should be okay by morning."

"How is that possible," Clarke demanded, her voice betraying her confusion. "Some of those cuts were deep and how are you even awake? You lost a lot of blood."

"I heal pretty quick," I answered, shrugging. "It doesn't really matter. What matters is what happens now? Where do we stand with this alliance?"

"The alliance holds," Lexa said. "We will begin planning tomorrow. Indra and a few others will return with those that accompanied Clarke to help train their people in preparation. I want you to accompany them."