A scream escaped my lips as my body came into contact with the cold water. It felt like ice was surging through my veins as I struggled to pull myself back up to the top. I could feel myself beginning to panic, my lungs feeling tight as I clawed at the water.

I began to kick my feet, and soon enough I was able to push myself to the surface. As my head met the air, I let out deep breaths, trying to regain my composer before attempting to swim my way to shore.

I was sputtering water as I turned in a slow circle, looking for Clarke and Anya. With no sign of them, I decided to head to shore, hoping they would be there.

Swimming to shore was a whole other struggle. My head went under more times than I could count as I pushed against the strong currents. When I finally reached the rocky bank I all but crawled my way onto land.

I slumped back, letting out quick breaths as I tried to stop my head from swimming. It was only when the adrenaline had begun to wear off that I could feel a dull pain in my thigh. With a grunt I pulled myself up into the sitting position so I could examine where the pain was coming from.

My hands were shaking as I pulled my dress up slightly to reveal a bloodied mess. I winced as I placed my hand on my thigh. I had been shot. Biting down on the inside of my cheek I ran my hand across the back of my leg, looking for an exit wound. "Damn it." I muttered when all I felt was smooth skin-the bullet was still in there.

I knew that trying to walk with the bullet still in there was dangerous and would be painful as hell, but I needed to do it if I wanted to get home. With my now bloodied hands I reached up and undid the ribbon that had been holding my braid in place. I almost laughed at the irony as I undid the false luxury that Mount Weather had provided.

I took the sleeve of my jacket into my mouth and bit down as I tied the ribbon above the bullet wound, letting out a muffled cry as I tightened it to stop any blood loss.

Once that was done I remembered that I was supposed to be with two other people. Scanning the riverbank I saw no sign of the other two girls, "Clarke, Anya?" I called, loud enough so that if they were close they would hear, but quiet enough as to not give myself away.

I received no response and I felt my heart drop, they had left me.

As much as I wanted to lay down and go to sleep I knew I needed to get moving. Glancing around I found a long enough stick that I could use as a cane. Sticking my injured leg out straight, I managed to push myself up onto my good leg.

The sun was hot against my face as I began to walk. Honestly, I didn't really know where I was going but I had a slight idea. Finn was amazing at Earth skills and he always told me about what he learned each day in school. He told that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Using that knowledge and the fact that it was the early evening, and relying on my memory of our attempted trek to Mount Weather on our first day down here, I knew Mount Weather was west of our camp. Meaning if I kept the sun on my back I would be headed in the right direction-hopefully,

With that in mind I began my painful trek back home. Back to Finn and Octavia. Back to Bellamy.

---

It was nightfall by the time I finally decided to stop. My leg was aching in pain, so bad I could barely move. And without the sun I was afraid I would end up lost. I found a small cave to spend the night in. It was hidden enough that I was hopeful no Mountain Men or Grounders would be able to find me.

My body was shaking in a mixture of exhaustion, dehydration, hunger and pain. I knew that I needed to get home within the next day or so or there would be a chance I would die out here.

I peeled off my jacket, bawling it up and tucking it under my head as a pillow. As I closed my eyes I listened to the sounds around me, feeling oddly calm. As I felt myself drift off I thought about everyone. I thought about Clarke, hoping she was okay wherever she was. I thought about Jasper and Monty and Miller, wanting to let them know that we would be back for them. And I thought about Finn, Bellamy and Octavia, I still truly didn't know if they were alive, but I had hope.

---

My eyes sprung open at the sound of voices near the cave. It was early dawn, the sun was just beginning to rise. I sat up in a panic as I pushed myself further into the cave to hide myself. I watched in fear as a group of Mountain Men went walking past. Luckily they were headed in the opposite direction I was, but knowing they were out looking for us sent shivers down my spine.

Once I was sure they were gone, I painfully pulled myself to my feet. I yanked my jacket back on as I grabbed my walking stick, preparing myself for another long day of walking.

As I stepped back into the forest I searched for the sun, finding it and then instantly heading towards it.

"Come on, Avery." I muttered to myself as I hobbled through the forest, "You've got this."

With every step I took my leg screamed in pain. My whole lower leg was now coated in blood as the tourniquet I had tied earlier was beginning to fail. Ignoring the pain, I kept pushing. Things were now becoming more familiar. I had just past the river where Jasper had been taken, meaning I was close to the drop ship, very close.

Letting out a few steady breaths, I picked up my pace, wanting to get home as soon as possible. Memories of the last time I had walked this path filled my head. We were all so innocent then, so young.

I had barely know Jasper, Monty and Clarke, and now they were some of my closest friends. Finn and I had just been reunited, and Octavia was living her dream. Everything was easier then.

I was so caught up in my thoughts I had barely noticed that another day had pretty much passed. The sun was beginning to set as I stumbled into our camp. I had made it.

I let out a mangled sob as I limped towards the drop ship, only to find that it was completely empty. No one was here.

I spun around, hoping that everyone would just come out of hiding, but there was no one. I slumped up against the drop ship as tears began to fall for the first time since we escaped Mount Weather.

It was hopeless. I would never see my brother and friends again. I brought my hands up to my face as I sobbed, at this point it was better that I just died. There was nothing left to live for, no one left.

I was seconds away from giving up. Just closing my eyes and never opening them again when the sound of two bangs filled my ears.

I pulled my tear soaked face out of my hands as I perked up, turning in the direction of where the sound came from. They were gunshots.

I pulled myself to my feet in a hurry, ignoring the pain that shot through my leg. Gun shots meant guns, which meant my people. Deep down I knew there was a chance it was from Grounders who had gotten our guns, or it was Mountain Men, but at this point I didn't care. If there was a chance that it was my people then I was going to take it.

Darkness now filled the sky as I made my way in the direction of the noise as fast as I could. My heart was pounding in my chest as I navigated through the dark forest.

After what felt like hours, but was probably only 20 minutes or so, a flurry of lights came into view. A sigh of relief I didn't know I was holding in escaped my lips. It was them, it was my people.

Tears of joy now streaked my dirty face as I hobbled towards the gates of what appeared to be a new camp, one of the ships from the Ark now on the ground. I didn't question how it got done here, at this point I didn't really care.

As I neared the entrance, what seemed like a dozen spot lights flashed on, causing me to raise my hand to my face in order to shield my eyes. I had to stop myself from falling backwards in shock.

"Avery Collins?" A voice called through some kind of megaphone.

I nodded before realizing they probably couldn't see me, "Yes." I called, my voice weak and small, "it's me."

The lights dimmed as the sound of metal scraping filled my ears, signalling the gates were opening. Two men rushed out, each of them grabbing my arms and pulling me towards camp. My eyes were drooping as they got me inside the gates. I tried to keep them open, wanting to see if my brother and friends were here, but I was having a hard time.

"Avery?" a woman's voice asked softly.

I looked up at her through my droopy lids, instantly recognizing her as Abby Griffin.

"How did you know I was coming?" I question, my voice cracking.

Abby smiled as she ushered the men towards the ship, "Clarke told me."

I felt myself perk up slightly, "She's here? She's okay?"

Clarke's mother laughed softly as we entered the ship, "She's here and she's safe."

I felt a small smile spread across my face before my eyes finally drooped shut and everything went black.

-an-

yay!!! clarke and avery made it back to camp. you all know what that means, we're getting a reunion next chapter ;)))

comment and let me know if you liked this chapter/ if you're excited for the reunion (I know I am)