Stargirl ➤ Bellamy Blake

chapter eleven | the defendant plea's not guilty

chapter eleven | the defendant plea's not guilty

Cleopatra DiMaggio had completely and totally emersed herself into Jasper Jordan's recovery. After not being able to save so many lives already, after not even getting to Wells before it had been too late, she desperately needed Jasper to be okay. In the past couple of days, she had given him her undivided attention, and with relief in finally started to feel like it had paid off.

Today was the day, Cleo had decided, that Jasper was going to go outside. Physically, his wounds were beginning to heal nicely on their own. Emotionally, however, his wounds were still gaping and raw. If he didn't face those fears and try to heal those wounds soon, he was never going to survive on the ground. Luckily for him, Cleo was there to make ensure he did just that. Doctors orders.

"You need to get exercise," Cleo had been telling Jasper for days. It wasn't wrong, and it was what had gotten him out of the dropship in the days before. Today, she added, "And you need to know that you can still survive out here."

"Do I really need to know that," Jasper countered. Cleo was pretty sure he was only joking.

The young doctor had one hand on Jaspers arm, guiding him through the crowded camp. On the other side of him was Octavia, who had been spending a lot of time with Cleo in order to help Jasper get better. Cleo didn't mind Octavia's company, it was far better then working alone.

The trio maneuvered their way through camp, which had been especially busy since Wells' death. Everyone was trying to make the camp into a fortress in hopes to keep any more grounder attacks from happening. Needless to say, everyone was terrified of what could happen next.

Jasper had been going a great job moving around. He didn't really need Cleo there to steady him, but she stayed closely by his side nonetheless. He didn't freeze up until they got to the edge of camp.

"Are you sure this isn't far enough?" Jasper asked Cleo in a shaky voice. "Honestly, I already feel liberated from here."

Cleo gave Jasper a kind smile that he was pretty sure had the same amount of medicinal benefits as the natural medicines she'd been giving him. He felt a little bit stronger, a little more supported, just looking at her. Jasper understood completely why she had left farm station to study medicine. Helping people was what she was meant to do.

"Jasper, I've already told you. Your body can't finish healing until your brain starts to do so, too," Cleo reminded him.

Jasper sighed. He then turned to Octavia for additional words of encouragement, and the teenage girl laughed softly.

"We're already here," Octavia nodded towards the opening in front of them. "Just a few steps."

Jasper didn't seemed to pleased with the answer, but he allowed the two girls to continue to nudge and guide him until he was stepping outside. As soon as he was on the other side of the wall, he looked around cautiously. Cleo reached out and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, and when she was about to let go, Jasper grasped on to her a little tighter before her fingers could slip away. Cleo smiled to herself, but didn't try to withdraw her hand again.

In front of them, Octavia continued to walk to demonstrate that nothing was going to happen to him if he did the same.

"See?" Octavia asked, looking over her shoulder playfully at the other two.

Cleo smiled at her, feeling for the first time in a while something that just might be a cousin to joy. She then looked back over to her patient. Her living, breathing patient. A week ago should was worried that Jasper Jordan's heart would stop if she so much as blinked. Now, he was facing his fears, while also having a grip on her hand that was quite impressive for someone who had a spear through their chest. Overall, Cleo couldn't imagine a more perfect outcome to their current situation.