Scars to Your Beautiful (the 100 fanfic)

Chapter 28 - Rock Hard Abs

I woke before dawn and saw fresh clothes and a pack already laid out for me. Moving felt like an Olympic sport, one I was sure to come in last. Exhausted from the effort of clothing myself, Nyko's god awful pain-relieving tea became my focus. I found it next to a plate of food. Draining the mug quickly to avoid the taste and then scarfing the food down, I strapped on my weapons and slung the cloak over my shoulders. With one last excruciating stretch, I grabbed the pack and headed out towards where Skaikru had set up their tents. Indra and the ones that would accompany Skaikru back to their camp were already waiting as the camp's occupants were barely beginning to move. I shook my head at their dislike of early morning rising, resigning myself to a long wait.

Penn saw me and he walked over with a smile on his face, "Pakripa, it is good to see you."

I clasped forearms with him and smiled, "It is good to see another day, Penn. You, I'm not so sure."

He laughed and clapped me on my shoulder making me wince slightly in pain. The rest followed and as they greeted me, they also took the time to apologize. I reminded them that there was no reason to apologize and that I held no animosity. After my reassurances, they walked away and left me with Indra. She looked wary and I knew that she hadn't liked what had happened yesterday.

"Indra," I said, holding out my arm. "Are you and I okay?"

She clasped my arm and then pulled me roughly into a hug, "That was the most foolish and stupid thing you did yesterday, Rook. You should not have sacrificed yourself."

I pulled back from the embrace and looking her sternly in the eyes, said, "Indra, I knew what I was doing. As much as you dislike Skaikru, as a general, you know we need them if we are to get out from under the Mountain. I am only here because Gustus had the courage to not let me die in his stead. If I had died yesterday as I was meant, you would still be standing here waiting for Skaikru to get off their asses to head back to their camp."

She nodded, "Be that as it may, you are not to put yourself in a position like that again."

I shook my head, smiling, "I can't promise you that, Indra. You know this, but I will tell you that I am not trying to die and join Ava. I like living too much."

She nodded and gruffly pulled me into a hug again. I turned towards the sounds of hoofbeats, frowning when I saw Lexa and Clarke making their way over with Arthos. Indra saw who was coming and removed herself to go and speak with the others.

"Do not scowl at me so," Lexa said as they stopped. "Besides helping Skaikru, I want you to act as a messenger should the need arise."

I nodded in understanding even though I also knew it was Lexa's way of making sure that I gave myself more time to recover, "I am yours to command. As always."

She nodded, giving me a small smile before she handed me the reins. Laying a hand on my good arm, she gave it a squeeze before leaving to speak with Indra. I sighed and ran my right hand over Arthos' coat, enjoying the silkiness of it as I waited for Clarke to say something.

When the silence had gone on long enough, I looked curiously over at Clarke and found her staring at me strangely, so I asked, "What is it, Clarke?"

That startled her and she blushed, "I'm still trying to put the Rook I knew into what I see now. It's not quite working."

I sighed and said, "That girl you knew, she died the day she got lost in the woods. I'm not even the same person I was when we forced Kane to watch the staged ritual. Each moment has stripped another layer away from me into what you see before you. I'm more me than I have ever been."