Bygones

~{Chapter 12}~

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I was running as fast as I could, confused on why, but my body was doing it's own thing. I was in the woods people dying all around me; they got shot at, stabbed, and beheaded. The forest was on fire and the air was thick.
"Mommy!", I heard Leyla croak.
I skidded to a stop. No, I shook my head, It's all in my head.
"Mom-", Leyla coughed. I turned around to see her crawling out from under a bush.
"Leyla!", I rushed to her, overflowing with emotions. She started to cry as I hugged her.
"It's okay I'm here," I said quickly," Come on, we need to leave this place. Where are the others?"
She just looked at me as her bottom lip trembled. I instantly thought of Bellamy. Raven. Finn. Jasper. Monty. Clarke. I shook my head to hold back the tears.
"Lets go," I took her hand. As I turned around everything was still. Too still. The forest fire was out and all there left was a sea of black moths fluttering so often.
"What the...", I stood there for a few seconds. The fire could not have gone out that quickly. Leyla screamed.
"Leyla, no!", I saw her taken by Grounders. I ran after them, infuriated. They were slowly getting farther and farther, Leyla's scream for my help was faint now.
"Leyla hang on! Be brave! Please...", I stopped and panted with my hands on my knees, "Please be brave... for me."
"Sloan...", something whispered.
"Sloan."
It got louder and louder.
"What?! WHAT!", I clutched my ears.
"Sloan, wake up!"

I open my eyes and swung the butt of my gun and hit someone.
"Lincoln...? I'm so sorry. What- what are you doing here? How did you find me?"
I was so confused and tears were in my eyes.
"And why am I crying?"
"You were dreaming.", he rubbed his jaw. I looked around to see that I was still strapped to the tree. As I peered below, Lincoln said, "Sloan,"
I jumped at his suddenness.
"She's fine. Everyone's okay."
A feeling of weight was lifted from my chest. Thank god.
"Let's move.", he climbed down. I gathered my things and followed, still a little dazed.
The forest floor was damp and cool and the sun barely shone through the leaves from above. Plants and animals were sparse.
"Winter's coming." I breathed in the cold air.
"People are getting hides from deer. They caught a black bear a few days back. It's not the best, but it's a good start. Finn started a hunting group. We made improvements to the shelters. We extended the roof and connected them together in prepare of the winter. Jasper and Monty are still babysitters for Leyla."
I laughed at his remark.
"And the bad news?", I asked. He was hesitant.
"Lincoln, it's fine I can-"
"People are dying. Within the two days you were gone, five died of starvation. Resources around us are low..."
"And?", I urged him to go on.
"Bellamy is planning to move the camp."
He gave me some time to let the news sink in. We arrived to a place where vines were a lot thicker.
"Where are we?", I looked around.
"Home. For now.", he said as he pushed apart vines and revealed a cave entrance. The color green hugged me everywhere I turned.
Home, I thought, what a strange word.
"This is my old place.", he said as I looked around at the black paintings and the native language written on the wall.
"Before you got kicked out.", I finished for him. He nodded.

Sundown passed and it got severely colder. We huddle around the fire rubbing our hands together, watching the smoke from our breath evaporate.
"I have something for you.", he handed me three off-white, crumpled envelopes.
"What is it?", I took it from him and opened one of them. It said: Sloan, I hope you got to read this which means you're safe with Lincoln.
But before I could go on, Lincoln got up and said, "I leave you alone with those. I'll be outside."
I nodded and returned back to the letter. It was from Bellamy.

I swear if I see Murphy I will kill him. We exiled three men as soon as we found out they had something to do with the kidnap. When we realized you were gone, I sent out groups to find you, but they came back with nothing. I wish you were here by my side. Lately I realized that you keep me sane and keep me from doing something I'll regret later. I almost mobilized everyone to fight the Grounders. Luckily I didn't. Leyla is doing fine. She's brave. Like you. She's been calling me Daddy now; I don't know how to respond, honestly, but I should probably get used to it. I know this isn't the best time to say this, but I can't seem to find the right time either. I'm sorry. For what happened. I did 't forget incase you thought I did. I was forced to do "it"or else my mother would get floated. But she's gone, either way.

I looked away from the letter and took a deep breath. A haphazard of emotions came rushing over me. I didn't know whether I should go on or not, but I did anyways because it was the closest thing I had to Bellamy right now. I felt my face blush when I thought about him. I was alone so I didn't try to cover it up.

There's still no sign of the arc and Raven's working nonstop. She hasn't slept since you were gone. I guess i'm not the only one that needs you. May we met again.
-Bellamy.

Tears built up in my eyes, but I realized something at that moment, I forgive him. I would've done anything to protect my family. He did what he had to do. The next one was from Leyla.

Dear Mommy,
Raven helped me write this so that's why there aren't any mistakes. I set up a few traps like the ones we had at our old camp and I caught some rabbits. They were so big! Jasper and Monty helped a lot too. I learned how to rewire some chords and I managed to turn on the lights in the drop ship. It was really fun so I went around and rewired everything I could find. Then I discovered that we could take out the light tubes from the drop ship and put it around camp for more light. I heard that Murphy guy took you away. I'm mad at him, very mad. I wish you were here with me and daddy. Especially with daddy. He's been having nightmares and he slept walk and almost stabbed someone. Another time when we were sleeping in the drop ship, he went crazy and almost hurt me. He was so scared when he woke up. I just hugged him and told him that hugs work for you when you have nightmares. I got moved out to Raven's tent so he won't almost accidentally hurt me again. The other day, I saw a rainbow AND a butterfly! Octavia and I caught one with a jar we found. I didn't want to let it go because it reminded me of you. But I didn't want to hurt it so I did. I know it will come back one day, just like you. I miss you.
-Leyla

Her letter was the one that made me breakdown. I told myself not to cry because I would see her again soon, but I just couldn't stop. It was like a dam broke and the water came rushing out. I covered my face with my hands and sobbed.
Finally, I got myself together and opened the last one from Raven.

Sloan,
Man you are just so irresistible that these men go to the extreme to get with you. First Bellamy, now Murphy. I don't know how you do it, but it's working. Sort of. At least it gives Bellamy motivation to actually think logically.

Raven always knew how to make me laugh, even in the most muddled times.

Speaking of the devil, he might say he's doing well, but he's actually not. I'm sure Leyla explained all the nightmare situations. For once I actually feel sympathy for him. I'm more worried about the people that I am about you. You know how to take care of yourself, I mean those ten years of being down here aren't going to waste. I got to admit, Leyla is just like you. She figured out how to rewire things. Seriously! I was fifteen when I first did it, and she's what, ten? Remember that time when we took the EIT test and I almost blew up the station? Yeah, wasn't too great. Everyone else is the same. Finn's still an idiot. Clarke is still Clarke. I'm doing fine. Come back soon or else Sleepwalker over here is going to have a major separation anxiety with out you by his side. But on a serious note, I think he digs you.
-Raven

I shook my head in amusement and took one long deep breath. My eyes were puffy from crying. Sitting there, I got lost in my thoughts for a few minutes before Lincoln walked in. He handed me a fur blanket, "Get some sleep. We've got a long day tomorrow."
I made a spot in a corner a few feet away from the fire and laid there. As I tossed and turned for a while, lost in my thoughts again, a realization hit me. I think i'm in love. With him. With Bellamy.

~{Hey guys! Let me know any suggestions on the length of the story. Do you guys like this length? Or should it be longer or shorter? Also, tell me how you guys are liking it so far! Thanks. :)}~
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