53 - LIVING

[ LIVING ]

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   "Five years?" Octavia's voice crackled through the radio. Sayah and Bellamy sat side by side as Bellamy held the radio tightly in his hand. "Can you really survive up there?"

   "Raven says we can." Bellamy replied, passing the radio over to Sayah for just a moment.

   "As soon as it's safe, we'll find a way back down." Sayah added.

   "We will meet again." Bellamy nodded.

   "I'll be waiting. . . under the floor." Octavia replied.

   "You're not that little girl anymore." Bellamy shook his head. Octavia didn't reply.

   "What is it, Via?" Sayah quickly asked through the radio.

   "I'm not sure I'm up for this." She replied, her voice wavering slightly. "They look at me like I know what I'm doing, just because I won a fight."

   "They look at you like that because you saved them. Because you're strong." Sayah told her. "Lincoln knew it, and I know it."

   Bellamy pursed his lips, adding, "Now you have to lead."

   "How?" Octavia's voice crackled through the static. "I'm not a leader. It should be one of you, or Clarke—"

   "O, stop." Bellamy cut her off. "Neither of us could've done what you did—well maybe Sayah—"

   Sayah snatched the radio out of his hand. "He's lying—"

   "Give it back," Bellamy pouted, snatching the radio back. "Octavia, you gave people hope when there was none. You're. . . you're Prometheus, stealing fire from the Gods and giving it back to the human race."

   "Prometheus got chained to a rock so that the eagles could eat his liver." Octavia replied, earning a scared look from Sayah.

   "Thanks for ruining my metaphor, O."

   A pause. "I love you guys. So much. I guess it takes the end of the world for me to say it."

   "We love you too." Bellamy replied, sniffling as Sayah leaned her head on his shoulder. After a moment, only static could be heard.

   "What's going on?" Sayah sat up straight, brows furrowed.

   "No—O? O, can you hear me?" Bellamy fiddled with the radio. "O? No, come on. O."

   Nothing but static.

   Sayah grabbed Bellamy's hand in hers. "May we meet again."

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   They all watched as Polis was swallowed by the death wave, flames and radiation covering every inch of the city, before it reached the drone and the screen went to static. Harper let out a shaky exhale—everyone feeling the effects of what this meant. Going to space was their only option. This had to work.

"It's 210 miles from Polis to the island." Raven spoke up. "According to what was our last drone, the wave is accelerating. If we're not off the ground at least twenty minutes before it hits, the electromagnetic charge in the pyroclastic cloud will shut down the rocket's avionics, meaning it won't fly." She sighed, checking her wrist.

"That gives us. . . 90 minutes to run a 6-hour pre flight check, retrieve the oxygen generator from the lighthouse, turn a cockpit designed for two into one that can carry eight, and load the cargo hold with enough food to keep us from starving in space while we wait for the algae to bloom." She finished.

"I thought you said it was gonna be hard." Murphy remarked.

"That's not the hard part." Raven replied. "Becca designed her rocket to dock with Polaris, not the Ark. That means I have to pilot it into the hangar bay of the ring."

"What's so hard about that?" Harper questioned.

"That's not the hard part either." Raven answered.

"What is the hard part, Raven?"

"Assuming we blast off in time," Raven replied. "CO2 scrubbers on a two person rocket won't support eight of us."

"So, we use supplemental oxygen." Clarke suggested.

"Our tanks only hold an hour of air." Monty told her.

"Correct." Raven nodded. "We'll have one hour to get into orbit, land in the hangar bay, and fire up the life-support system, using an oxygen generator built to supply a lighthouse bachelor pad."

"You suck at talking people into things. You know that, right?" Murphy asked her.

"Anyone here still need to be talked into this?" Bellamy questioned everyone. Everyone shook their heads. "Good. Now we know the many ways we might die today, why don't you tell us what we have to do to live?" He asked Raven.

"Bell, you remember that thing I said about how you're good at speeches?" Sayah cleared her throat.

"Yeah?"

"I think I'd like to take it back."

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"Harper, you got it?" Sayah asked the girl. Her, Emori, Harper and Raven were working inside the rocket as Bellamy and Clarke went over rationing for food, and Murphy and Monty went for the oxygen generator at the lighthouse bunker.

   "Yeah, yeah, I got it." Harper nodded. "Go fix that other restraint." She urged her on.

   Sayah did so, eyes glancing over to Emori every so often. Five years in space with Emori and Murphy. It would definitely be interesting. She wondered if they'd ever need to throw someone overboard. . .

   "I'm worried." Harper admitted to the girls.

   "I'm worried too. But we got to get this done." Raven replied.

   "Harper, tell me something." Sayah began, hoping to take her mind off of the chance that they could die today. People work more when they're not thinking about it. "You and Monty—it's serious?"

   A small chuckle fell from Harper's lips. "Yeah."

   "That's good." Sayah grinned as she worked. "I'm happy for you."

   "Thanks, Sayah." Harper replied and silence fell over the group again as they worked to save their lives.

   Suddenly, sparks flew and a loud crack of some sort sounded. Raven let out a yell. Something in the rocket had blown. Smoke filled the small space, and all girls began to cough, waving a hand in front of them to clear it away.

   "Raven, what is it?" Bellamy appeared at the rocket entrance. "What happened?"

   "Ugh, there isn't enough time. We're pushing too hard." Raven stressed.

   "What's happening?" Bellamy entered the rocket.

   "Computer, systems check." Raven called.

   The computer beeped and replied just as Clarke's head popped through the entrance to have a look. "Launch system—optimal. Navigation system—optimal. Life support system—assessing damage."

   "It's okay, we're using supplemental anyway." Raven reassured them all.

   "All life-support systems offline." The computer concluded.

   "Just wait. Two more." Raven shook her head.

   "Landing system—optimal."

   "Comms. Talk to me." Raven panted.

   "Communication systems—assessing damage." There was a moment of beeping until the computer finished. "All communication systems are offline."

   Raven gulped. "Recommend repair options for communication system."

   "Who cares? There's no one to talk to, anyway." Harper shook her head, confused.

   "Quiet." Raven hushed her.

   The computer beeped. "Damage is beyond repair. Total system replacement required."

   "Talk to us, Raven." Bellamy urged her, noticing the crestfallen expression on her face.

   Raven glanced over at the blackened spot where the communication system had blown. "We're not going anywhere." Then she shot up, "Computer, terminate launch sequence." She brushed past Bellamy and left the rocket.

   "Launch sequence terminated."

   After a moment of confusion, everyone piled out of the rocket, making their way to Raven. "Raven, explain."

   "It's simple." Raven began and Sayah had a feeling it might not be. "There's no power in the ring. Two minutes ago, I thought it wasn't a problem because I could activate it remotely."

   "Over the rocket's comm system." Clarke nodded in realisation.

   "So we turn on the power from the inside." Bellamy suggested.

   "We can't get inside, that's the point." Raven argued. "Without power, we can't even open the hangar door."

   "Raven, think." Clarke spoke gently to her. "You've solved bigger problems than this before."

   "Yeah, not in 53 minutes." She checked her wrist for a moment, face pained. She was scared, they all were. If this didn't work, they were dead.

   "Raven—"

   "It's over, Clarke!" Raven shook her head. "Y'know maybe if I still had ALIE's code eating away my brain, I could figure it out." She sniffled, taking a seat on the steps that made their way up to the rocket. "I'm not smart enough myself."

   Bellamy made his way over to the girl, taking a seat beside her. "Hey, Raven. . . you can do this." Raven shook her head. "Yes, you can." Bellamy urged her. "How many times have you saved our asses before you ever even heard of ALIE?"

   "Too many to count." Raven sniffled.

   "You're damn right." Bellamy agreed. "We don't need ALIE on the Ark. We need you."

   Raven turned to him, eyes widening. Bellamy furrowed his brows. "What?"

   "ALIE was on the Ark. . ." Raven told him. "ALIE was on the Ark." She shot to her feet. "I was right there, so close to the kill switch, but she got away by transmitting herself to the ring."

   "Using the pod in the temple." Emori added.

   "Yes!" Raven agreed. "If she can do it, so can we."

   "Raven, we'll never make it back to Polis on time, and the radios are dead." Clarke shook her head.

   "We have something better than radios." Raven told her. "The satellite tower." She turned back to the girls. "You four, back in the cockpit. Finish those restraints."

   Sayah didn't hesitate. "You got it, Reyes." She chuckled and made her way back into the rocket, the other three girls following after her.

   "Let's get it done, ladies." Harper squeezed Sayah's shoulder lightly.

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   "Sayah! Emori! Echo! A little help here?" Raven called out as she and Harper struggled to carry the oxygen generator. Sayah climbed out of the rocket, Emori hot on her trail. They reached them quickly and helped carry the generator as Raven let go. "Don't drop it. You guys load the generator. Echo and I will take my suit."

"Where's John and Monty?" The words rushed out—if the generator was here, they should've been too.

"As soon as this is tied down, I'm going after Monty." Harper announced and Sayah nodded, agreeing that she would come too—if Monty was in trouble, Murphy could be too.

"Like hell you are." Raven replied, taking off her helmet.

"What's wrong? Where are they?" Sayah asked.

"They'll be fine. Everyone has a job to do." Raven answered. "Echo, where the hell are you?"

"Raven, you want some help? Emori and Harper got this." Sayah called back.

"No, just load it in. I'll be fine." A pause. "Echo!"

Sayah frowned, fear setting in her stomach. This was going to work—it had to. But where was John Murphy? After the girls loaded the generator in safely, the three boys came back, rushing down the stairs. Monty was in between Bellamy and Murphy, his arms around their shoulders. "Raven, a little help."

Sayah rushed forward and without hesitation, as soon as Murphy sat Monty down, she crashed into Murphy's chest. "You scared the hell out of me, idiot." She breathed out.

His arms wrapped back around her as he chuckled lightly—Sayah could feel it in her own chest. "Yeah, well, I was busy being the hero." And if he didn't have the large helmet on, she could've kissed him. Could've.

"How are your hands? Let me see?" Harper was asking Monty, who had been exposed, Sayah assumed.

"No, leave the gloves on. There's no time." Raven called out. "We'll deal with it on the Ark. It's t-minus five minutes and counting."

Sayah glanced around, "Where the hell is Clarke?"

"She's not back yet?" Bellamy asked.

"By now she should be on her way." Raven replied. "Everybody, refill your O2 tanks and load up." They all began to make their way to the rocket. "Remember, we'll have an hour each. Don't turn them on until I tell you, and after that, breathe easy."

"Where's Echo?" Bellamy asked Raven, who shook her head. "Great. I'll find her. You get everybody strapped in."

And so they did, Sayah making sure Murphy sat beside her, and Emori on his other side. As they were strapping in, Emori stared over at her. "What?" Sayah asked her.

"I never thanked you for saving me when I could've been tested." She swallowed. "So thank you."

Sayah, amused by her sudden gratefulness, nodded. "Keep that attitude up for five years, and we might actually become friends."

Murphy entered, sitting himself safely between them as he let out a long sigh. "Great. My worst nightmare: you two getting along. Guess I'll have to start sleeping with a knife under my pillow in case you two team up."

"Doubt that will ever occur." Sayah snorted.

Suddenly, there was a loud pinging noise. It was the timer. Which meant it was time to go. But there was no Clarke.

"We can't leave without her," Sayah shook her head.

"If we don't, we can't leave, at all." Raven told her sadly. She turned back to Bellamy, who waited outside, eyes on the stairs. "Bellamy."

"I know, Raven." He replied.

"The radiation's already affecting the avionics." Raven sniffled. "It's now or never."

"Bell," Sayah called out. "We need to go." The words hurt her. They were leaving Clarke behind. Clarke, who saved them more times than they could count. Clarke, who was always trying to do the right thing—protect them all.

Bellamy reluctantly made his way into the rocket as the large doors began to close. Clarke still hadn't come. And they couldn't wait for her. Bellamy shut the rocket door with a hiss.

"She isn't coming?" Harper's quiet voice asked.

"Can we give her another minute?" Emori asked.

"We don't have the time." Sayah argued before speaking quietly. "Clarke would want us to live."

"If we wait, then we die." Bellamy added.

"Wait, how are we gonna know she got the power on, then?" Murphy questioned.

Raven sighed, tightening her helmet. "We'll know when we get there." She gulped. "Opening launch door."

Sayah reached over her hand to Murphy's, who didn't hesitate to take it in his own tightly.

"Initiating countdown." Raven announced.

The computer began to count down. "Go for launch in t-minus: Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one." A loud hum built up until suddenly the rockets fired and they were shooting up into the sky.

The rocket rattled and shook and Sayah squeezed Murphy's hand tighter. "Almost there," Raven told them all, and her nonchalant tone caught Sayah off guard. "Booster separation in three. . . two. . . one." And Raven pressed a button. The impact had them all grunting and lurching forward for a moment.

"Separation complete." The computer concluded.

Raven let out a laugh, undeniably happy. "Welcome to Zero G, boys and girls." Sayah grinned a little at her excitement—this was probably heaven to Raven Reyes.

Murphy's hand slipped out of Sayah's as he went to undo his restraints. Raven stopped him quickly. "No. Remember, oxygen is limited. No floating. Your heart rate will rise and you'll use too much air. Doesn't matter if the lights aren't on." Sayah could've laughed at Murphy's frown. "Computer, engage navigation system, preset coordinates. Get me to the damn door and I'll do the rest."

"Preset coordinates engaged."

"We should be getting our first look at the ring right about. . . now." And she was right, because when Sayah looked over at the screen, she saw it—it was there, but no lights were on.

"The ring is dark." Monty observed.

"She didn't get it done." Murphy concluded, disappointment set deep in his tone.

"No, no." Sayah swallowed hard. "Give her time. She will." Clarke was always saving them.

"Ready for a spacewalk, Raven?" Bellamy asked Raven, who grinned.

"You know I am." She went serious. "But if Clarke doesn't get the power on—" Bellamy sent her a look and Raven didn't finish. "Suiting up." She simply said.

Then she was suddenly in the air, to Sayah's amazement, floating. Raven flipped, facing down and opening the hatch. Then she disappeared down, out into space, headed to the ring.

"Clarke will get it done." Sayah nodded, watching as Bellamy floated up to watch Raven.

After what felt like years, Murphy checked his wrist. "15%. There's ten minutes of air left."

"I'm on 18%." Sayah frowned as she checked her own wrist.

"Well, that's good. Least I don't have to watch you die." Murphy replied.

"I'd still have to watch you." Sayah reminded him, voice shaky. He pursed his lips, taking her hand in his.

"I left her behind." Bellamy muttered from where he floated. "I left her behind and we all die, anyway."

Sayah frowned, wanting to reach out to him but before she could, Monty spoke up. "Bellamy, look." He pointed to the screen where the ring had several lights on. The power was on.

"Clarke did it." Sayah let out a breath on relief.

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   "Home, sweet home, huh?" Murphy remarked as the group made their way through the ring. He and Emori carried Raven, leading the group down some large corridor. They turned a corner, and Raven panted.

"There's an access panel down at the end of the hallway." She told them but she was cut off when she began to gasp for air. A beeping sound resonated.

"Oxygen level—critical." A computerised voice spoke.

"She's out of oxygen. What do we do?" Murphy questioned.

"We share." Emori replied quickly.

"Put her down near the vents, it's where the air will arrive first." Monty ordered.

Bellamy turned to him, holding the oxygen generator in his arms. "Monty, you know where this goes?"

"I'll have to talk you through it." Monty replied as he brushed past him.

Sayah crouched down beside Murphy, ready to give Raven her oxgyen. Murphy stopped her. "No, no, we'll use mine."

"I've got more—"

"I've got more than both of you, it's okay, I'll do it." Emori cut in between them. "Get her helmet."

Sayah rushed to take off Raven's helmet as she gulped for air. Murphy leant down in front of her, placing the oxygen mask on her face and giving her some of Emori's air. Emori then used some for herself while Murphy took off his helmet. "John, wait—"

He didn't reply, only used his own oxygen tank and mask for Raven. Sayah shook her head, feeling her own breaths getting harder and harder. Murphy, turned to her, face filled with concern. "Take your helmet off, Sayah."

She shook her head, but he was already taking it off for her, and placing his oxygen mask on her face. She inhaled deeply before taking it off and passing it back to him. He used some, and they shared it in between in eachother. That was until Emori and Raven ran out and he passed his over to Raven.

Bellamy and the others were still at the panel, trying to get the oxygen generator working, and Sayah could feel the air being sucked out of her lungs. She turned to Murphy, who was gasping for air just like her. Raven's eyes were fluttering close, and so were Emori's. Sayah looked over to Murphy, gripping his suit, pulling him closer. He shook his head, and she gasped, struggling, trying to just get one last look at him. I love you, I love you, I love you.

His face was scrunched up, brows furrowed, trying to get her to sit up straight, to stay with him, but it was too hard. Sayah was so tired, she weakly reached for his hand, and he took hers in his and her eyes were fluttering closed. She was so, so, tired. Murphy's hand was in hers, he was here, she could rest. She could rest now. So she did. And so did he, although of course, not willingly.

Then suddenly, she was being pulled, and air rushed through her lungs and she inhaled it in greedily. She pulled Emori down before reaching over for Raven. Murphy helped while they coughed and gasped, and lived.

Sayah glanced over at Murphy, and smiled, reaching up and caressing his face for just a moment. Just a moment.

They were alive.

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a/n

wow. thats season 4.wowwww. crazy.

it's unbelievable how much love n support i get for this book that i made up in my head n suddenly started writing.but im still so so SO grateful n appreciative. it's insane.

anyways. lets not get sentimental. 😳season 5 soon. it shall be interesting, definitely. but first, well, what happened for 6 years? guess you'll have to find out iN tHe nExT chApTeR.wow how suspenseful

^ murphy n sayah literally when they ran out of oxygen.im so funny omg