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( thirty )

Once Octavia left, Harley wasn't sure where she was going from where she was. Murphy was long gone too, for all she knew, still angry about her choosing not to tell him about the radiation. Kane had said, according to Abby, he was fine, but not available. It seems like everyone Harley loved more than her life weren't speaking to her, were far away in places she was sure she'd never see again. Praimfaya was close, almost on top of them, even though it seemed like days ago she had found out about it. All Harley could do was stay home, remain scared despite the brave front, joining the crowd surrounding Thelonious Jaha when he came back speaking about a bunker.

"... There is an underground aquifer with a filtration system that is still operational," Jaha's voice boomed in announcement. Harley crossed her arms over her chest and joined in standing next to Monty, who was beaming as he listened. "Some of the water will go to the hydroponic farm. Isn't that right, Mr. Green?" Jaha turned to Monty, gesturing with a grin.

"Most beautiful thing I've ever seen," Monty confirmed. His head turned, scanning Harper with a look of pure love before he finished with; "Almost."

Despite the despair Harley had struggled with, she couldn't help but soften. "Oh, you're so sweet," she softly cooed, unable to help herself. Monty's lips pressed tightly together as he flushed a bright red at her compliment.

"It won't be easy," Jaha went on. "There will be plenty of hard work to go around. But together, we have struggled." He paused to grin. "And together, we will rise." A cheer rose in the ground, all except for Harley who stayed silent, her arms remaining crossed while everyone pumped their fists in the air. "Pack your things!" Jaha called over them. "Just what you can carry. We leave at first light."

At his instructions, one by one, the people began to leave. A few passing by the three stopped to pat Monty's shoulder, leaving kind words as he was the one who found the safe bunker. "You're a hero, Monty," Harper teased, nudging at his arm.

"Stop," Monty pleaded with an embarrassed smile. "Go pack. I'll be there as soon as we finish at the armory." Harper nodded back, a loving glint in her eye even Harley could see before she leaves. Monty turned to look at Harley, skin on his forehead creasing when seeing she wasn't moving. "You aren't going to pack?"

Loosely, Harley shrugged. She didn't consider going back to her room and packing anything. The safe bunker found was news to her, and she felt indifferent towards it. "The two people I care about the most aren't here or there, so what do I have to take?" She said dully.

The flatness in Harley's tone hadn't gone unnoticed. Monty cocked his head, forcing her to really look at him. "What happened to the girl that believed we could survive anything when sticking together?" He asked. Becoming silent, Harley's mouth slowly opened before shutting. She didn't have an answer for him, which left the worst feeling washing over her. She remembered that being all she preached for months, that nothing too violent could happen that wouldn't leave an option for peace. But maybe Harley was starting to believe she was wrong.

"Jaha was right." Bellamy joined them, gun strap hanging low from guard's jacket shoulder. If he had heard any of their earlier conversation, he didn't say so, only continued. "Got a lot of gear to pack."

Mood changing, Monty greeted Bellamy with a nod and timid smile. "Sure you're not too hung over?" He joked.

Bellamy's eyes squinted. "You judging me, Monty?"

"A little," Monty replied honestly.

Although Harley was caught by surprise. "You drank last night?" She questioned the older one. He had been a professional and serious guard since the end of their dropship days, never drinking enough to be given a headache.

"There was no hope. Now there's hope," Bellamy commented calmly, clearly answering her question without having to say it. "Let's go." He motioned for them to follow him, Harley complying easily, but a new group catching her eye. A bunch of people were crowded by the still, holding alcohol drinks so strong the smell wafted pass, being led by one familiar young male.

"Jasper," Monty called to his best friend, catching his attention. Harley wasn't sure if he was drunk or sober as he turned, cup dangling with a wide grin that seemed real for once. "You're gonna love it." Jasper raised his cup in cheer before turning back to the others.

Monty seemed disappointed by the reaction, even making Harley frown. She wasn't jumping for joy either, but she assumed he expected something more. But Bellamy clapped Monty on the shoulder, reassuring him. "Give him a minute. They'll figure it out, when we take the still," he said.

"We don't need it," Monty replied in a sudden relaxed tone as he walked in between Bellamy and Harley like the end of the world would just fade away. "There's one in the bunker."

If Harley could find a way to comment on Monty's statement, she wouldn't have anyways. She clamped her jaw shut, trying to picture the bunker, even imagining a peaceful life being lived through the clans. But for the first time, Harley could only find herself struggling to do so.

━━━━━━━━

An almost empty bag thumped against Harley's back as she ambled through the crowd heading through the halls of Arkadia. She only packed a few items at Bellamy's request, but others had packed more, and she could almost feel the excitement in the air. After Ilian burned down their home they had spent so long repairing, she was sure everyone had lost all hope. Through the wistful mumbling, Harley perked up at a smaller commotion not too far away. She stopped, allowing everyone to pass and hanging back.

There were guards circling the door to the mess hall. The faint sound of rock music being turned up overpowered the banging on the door Harley heard. Curiously, she followed, seeing Bellamy and Monty through the few guards and Jaha pounding on the door. She had to crank her neck to see through the window, catching sight of the large group of delinquents she saw earlier partying. Alcohol was being chugged, the teenagers were dancing with one another, and everyone was ignoring Jaha.

"It's jammed," one of the guards who tried prying the doors open announced. "Same as the others. But this is the door to blow."

"How many gas canisters do we have?" Jaha questioned, listening closely with his arms crossed.

A bit stunned, Harley gaped. "What? You're going to take them kicking and screaming?" She asked in disbelief, knowing the gas would knock them out, but for how long? Anyone could see none of them wanted to leave.

"You can't be serious," Bellamy added, just as astonished.

"In Mount Weather, we beat the gas by using water," Monty cut in, gazing through the clear window to his best friend longingly. "Jasper will be ready for that."

Trying to wrap his head around it, Bellamy marched to the door. "Just slow down. Let me talk to them," he requested.

"Bellamy, we have over four-hundred people ready to march," Jaha declined.

The rock music playing was turned down by Jasper, a wide grin on his face as he switched the knob before picking up a black object and holding it in the air. Harley had to squint to see, and as she figured it out, one of the guards commented loudly. "Gun."

A flash of blonde hair wandering around Jasper caught Monty's attention. "Harper's."

"How many more of them are armed?" Jaha asked Harley and Monty, the two remaining delinquents that weren't inside.

Harley couldn't recall seeing any other guns. She figured Harper would be armed as she was a past guard, but she didn't think any of the rest were. "I don't know," Monty spoke for her honestly. "Maybe a few."

Still holding the gun in one hand, Jasper approached the door. For a moment, Harley hoped he was about to open the door. Instead, he pressed a piece of paper against the door window. The words 'DNR' were scribbled in black. "DNR?" Harley whispered, puzzled.

"Do not resuscitate," Jaha explained. They didn't want to be saved, none of them wanted to be revived.

Bellamy pressed the speaker button on their side of the door. "Jasper, put down the gun," he pleaded gently. "Open the door."

"We're not coming out," Jasper responded calmly through his side. Harper appeared, coming to the door as well, staring at Monty.

"This is insane," Monty angrily mumbled, leaving Harley's side to speak through himself. "Are you really willing to die, when there's a way to live? Are they?" He demanded, referring to the other delinquents partying in their own world.

The smile dropped on Jasper's face. "That's just it," he said. "We don't think it's a way to live."

"Just go!" Harper exclaimed. "Please."

Having enough, Jaha directly spoke to the guards who complied by preparing themselves. "We're wasting time. Set the charge," he ordered. "Go to guns. Do not fire unless fired upon, is that clear?"

"Wait!" Harley called, stepping forward. She didn't agree with Jasper leading others into staying behind, but she also didn't agree with forcing someone to do something against their will. "It's their choice. You can't just force them!" Her words went ignored by the guards who cocked their guns, preparing to do what they'd have to under orders.

"Jasper, people will get hurt," Bellamy continued to beg with Jasper through the speaker, trying to reason with him. "I know you care about that."

The content in Jasper's tone alarmed Harley. "If you don't want anyone to get hurt, don't open the door." He left then with Harper, turning back to cheer with his friends while turning up the radio up, making rock music fill the air.

"We're all set," the guard who prepped the door to be forced open stated. "We should clear the hall."

Nodding to show he understood, Jaha pressed the button to the speaker. "Mr. Jordan, I will not leave children here to die," he vouched. It went ignored, everyone inside the mess hall went on throwing their party.

"You sent them down to die." Bellamy's low voice caught everyone's attention, even Harley, who knew he was right. "The difference now is that they have a choice." Harley's hand lowered, brushing against her other wrist, remembering months ago when a wristband was clamped onto her wrist to send her vital signs back to The Ark. He was right. They didn't have a choice then, now, they do.

While Harley agreed with Bellamy, Monty didn't. "What are you talking about?"

"Monty," Harley said softly. "There's nothing we can do. This is what they want. We have to respect that."

"They're wasted!" Monty argued. "They don't know what they want!"

Jaha's authority stopped the guards. "Stand down." They backed down, removing the technology from the door. "Get ready to move out."

"Yes, sir." One by one, they filed out, following after the crowd that had already left.

"No, you can't!" Monty pleaded with Jaha.

Apologetic, Jaha did truly seem remorseful. "I'm sorry, son. Bellamy and Harleen are right. We can't save them if they don't want to be saved." He bowed his head, hiding his guilt as he left the three alone.

Monty was gazing through the door sadly, even Bellamy, staring towards his friends. Harley was hurt at the idea of leaving them behind, but she knew there was nothing she could do. "If Octavia was in there, would you let her stay?" Monty asks seriously.

"If Octavia was in there, at least I'd get to say good-bye," Bellamy declared. Monty watched as he left without another word.

"No," Harley muttered. She knew if Octavia, or even Murphy were in there, she wouldn't have to think twice. She wouldn't say good-bye, and she wouldn't leave either of them. She loved them more than her life, would do anything for her lover and brother. There wouldn't be a life worth living without them. "If Octavia was in there..." Harley paused to meet Monty's eyes. "I'd be in there."

━━━━━━━━

Whether or not Harley's words had an effect on Monty, she wasn't sure. She had left to wander through Arkadia, searching for the crowd she lost. Once she found the back of Bellamy's head, familiar with his dark curls, she caught up, sending him a smile without words. Harley wasn't sure if this was still a way to live - and, maybe, it wouldn't work out. But she wasn't going to stay behind with the others. That was their choice, and this was hers. Following when everyone else had abandoned her.

"Remember, it's not black rain, but it can turn at any moment," Bellamy's tone boomed over the crowd, lingering. "So keep the person with your assigned chem tent in sight at all times." Harley slowed her pace, seeing the front of the line had already made their way to the opening. The sound of rain pattering was already echoing through the almost empty halls.

"No one but us saves ourselves," Jaha quoted, flicking his hood over his head. "We ourselves must walk the path."

When Bellamy came to a halt, Harley stopped beside him. He urged the ones at the end of the line to continue walking, everyone pulling hoods up or opening blankets above their heads to shield themselves from the water pouring. Harley sent a smile to the last one, an older lady, watching as she left.

"Not too late to change your mind." Bellamy speaking up to someone in the other direction caught Harley's attention quicker. She turned her head, seeing he was talking directly to the last two people she expected to see. Harper and Jasper were standing a few feet away, relaxed smiles on their lower faces, like they've long made peace with their decided fate.

"Yes, it is," Jasper disagreed kindly. "You can still stay, you know?" He offered, dark eyes flickering from Bellamy to Harley.

Bellamy tilted his head. "I'm not a quitter."

"Well, I am," Harley admitted. "But if my time is soon, it won't be here."

The smile widened as Jasper nodded. "Thanks for understanding," he said warmly.

Harper glanced around, scanning the area before questioning; "Where's Monty?"

"Unloading the rover," Bellamy answered. "We're leaving it behind for you, by the way," he informed them. Harley hoped that they'd change their mind and come, but she knew what this was. She knew why they left the locked mess hall to come see them one last time. It hurt, but she tried to smile. "He didn't say good-bye?" Bellamy asked.

Upset, Harper shook her head. "Take care of him for us, will you?" She requested, her voice cracking.

"You know I will," Bellamy promised, stepping towards her with open arms.

As Harper embraced him, Harley went towards the male. "Jasper," she uttered quietly, his arms already outstretched as she came at him and wrapped her arms over his shoulders. There was so many ways to say good-bye, but each way hurt more and more. Harley drew in a shaky breath, running her finger tips across his neck as she slowly pulled away.

"Good luck, Harley," Jasper says, nothing but genuine in his voice. "I knew you were going to be tough one day."

Harley could have cried, but she didn't, fighting back the tears that welled up hotly in her eyes. She backed up, allowing Bellamy to say his own good-bye. "May we meet again."

"We won't," Jasper responded, stubborn, like he already knew.

As Bellamy embraced Jasper next, he declared words that for once comforted Harley with the tender memories of when everything seemed so much better compared to where they were now. "Whatever the hell you want."

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