MAKE ALGAE, NOT WAR.

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LOST IN FIRE (book three).
°•        CHAPTER FIVE        •°

"        IT'S OKAY, MONTY.
I DON'T BLAME YOU FOR THIS.       "

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The girl who saved them, Madi, is the one who insists she drives. She talks to fast that Harley can barely keep up, but she still listens closely, hanging on to every word of her story. Octavia and everyone else in the bunker were stuck there, due to the tower of Polis that had collapsed on top of the door after Praimfaya. She's unable to imagine how hard it must be, living down there for an extra year, not knowing if they'd ever make it out. Harley found herself wishing that Octavia didn't have to make hard choices and honored peace, but she knew it was useless to do so. She just wouldn't know until she saw her again.

The familiar rover Harley sat in bounced over every bump with how fast Madi drove, barreling through trees to where she claimed her home was, in Shallow Valley. It was a smaller clan, where apparently the radiation skipped over, the same place Bellamy had called Eden while in the ring. The headlights shine over dozens of people who back up at the sight, all holding up guns, being circled around one person that Harley can't look away from.

Clarke.

She is alive. Harley didn't know how much she believed it until she saw it clearly with her own eyes. Her blonde hair that had once been long is now short, like Harley's, except with light orange streaks. She's in dark, grounder clothing, dirty from her position on her side in the dirt. Clarke had aged within the six years, her teenage babyface having disappeared and replaced with older features. But her cheeks are red and stained with tears, having been crying moments before their arrival. Madi notices how hurt Clarke looks and sits up straighter, hands releasing the wheel after parking to reach for her gun.

"Madi, no," Bellamy stops her. "Take the rover back. That's the plan. I won't let anything happen to Clarke, I promise." Believing him, Madi stops and nodded to him in understanding.

A voice shouts to them. "Come out with your hands high!" Harley recognized her from the radio, the woman being called their Colonel.

Bellamy looks over his shoulder to gaze at the others in the back. Harley hates having to separate from another, but she nods to him because as much as she hates the plan, Bellamy has to. This is how they save Clarke. He opens the rover's door, stepping out. He takes slow steps forward, raising his arms in surrender. "Unarmed! Just want to talk!"

"Talk?" The Colonel repeated. "Give me one good reason not to kill you where you stand."

"How about I give you two hundred and eighty-three?" Bellamy offered. "That's how many of your people are gonna die if you and I can't make a deal." He lowers one hand, revealing what he held in the other. A mug, with a planet and rocketship on it swirling around a label 'BEST DAD IN THE UNIVERSE' in capital blue letters.

As he walks closer, the Colonel stops him. "That's far enough," she ordered, seemingly shocked at his words and the cup.

Bellamy lifts his arm again, closing his hand into a fist. The signal. Madi pulls back the rover's lever, and they slide back, driving in reverse and far away before any prisoner can take a shot at them. The trees become a blur through the windows with how fast Madi drove, causing Harley to grip at one of the handles, suddenly feeling sick.

"You okay?" Madi asked, eyes flickering to the mirror above her.

"Fine," Harley replied in a mumble. "Eyes on the road, kid."

"She doesn't like fast moving rides," Monty added.

Harley's head snaps up to look Monty in the eyes. "Do you blame me?" She questioned pointedly. He doesn't answer in words, only a short nod, knowing what she meant.

The rest of the ride included no one talking, only the sound of the rover riding over dirt and stones causing the trees to shift from the movement fills the air. Until they come to a sudden stop, making Harley almost lurch forward and out of her seat. "What the - " She stopped, head whirling to shoot her stare to Madi. "Why are we stopping?"

"The rest is just a desert," Madi responded. "We have to stay here."

For how long, was the question Harley wanted to ask, but it wasn't a question some kid could answer. All they could do was wait. The other four had gotten tired eventually, Harper falling asleep while curled in Monty's side, his arm around her, struggling to stay awake. Emori had her head on Echo's shoulder, but Echo was wide awake herself like she was on alert for anything that could pop out. Harley could see that Madi was too when she crawled into the passenger seat, much to her surprise, but she supposed she was too worried about Clarke to sleep at all.

God, even thinking of Clarke's name was weird for Harley. She had spent six years positive that Clarke was dead after she saved them all, but she was here, saved by her adopted daughter. She was more than glad that Clarke was alive, but the idea was so strange to her it made her head spun. Harley was pulled from her thoughts of sorrow when she brushed her hand against her forehead, noticing Madi was staring at her. But as soon as her eyes flickered to the younger ones, she looked away.

"What?" Harley deadpanned tiredly.

"Nothing," Madi mumbled, yet Harley sensed more was coming. "Just, um... You're Harley, right?"

Lowering her hand, Harley squinted in hesitation before nodding. "Yeah," she confirmed. "Why?"

"Clarke just talked about you a lot," Madi admitted. "Well, all of you, really."

"Really?" Monty questioned quietly as to not wake Harper.

Madi nodded. "She told me stories," she explained. "Of everything."

Everything. Harley could only assume Clarke started at the beginning - where a hundred delinquents, counting Bellamy, were sent from a space station to see if their home planet was survivable and ended it to where they were now, having survived the second end of the world only to be placed back in the never-ending cycle.

"So," Harley spoke up when remembering Madi's slightly confused face earlier. "Am I some kind of disappointment to you, then? Didn't match up to Clarke's stories?"

"Not exactly," Madi admitted. Harley squinted, slightly insulted. She couldn't imagine what stories Clarke had told her, especially about herself. "What I mean is, you just seem... Different than the Harley she talked about. She said you were the kindest person she's ever known, had a heart too big for your body..." Madi trailed off when the ones listening fell quiet. "I don't know. You just seem..."

"Like I finally realized this world isn't full of sunshine?" Harley finished distastefully. She has to erase the memories popping in her mind - when she was seventeen, face constantly beaming, encouraging others with sweet words that didn't make sense now.

"It wasn't just that," Madi interrupted. "She was happy for you and Octavia. " Her face lit up at saying Octavia's name, and even Harley's expression softened. "You gave Octavia hope. Clarke, too."

"Alright," Echo spoke up, seeing the painful look forming on Harley's face. She knew what Octavia meant to her - hell, it took Harley years to smile at Echo and start to trust her. Opening up took just as long, and although Echo didn't fully understand the pain Harley went through for six years, unable to talk to the one she loved, she knew she was getting impatient from the time they'd have to wait to see her again. "It's bedtime, kid."

Madi frowned tightly. "I don't have a bedtime," she tried to insist, but the conversation ended there, making Harley glad.

Even though Harley was positive she'd dream of Octavia, as she often did, when she shut her eyes, her mind wandered to Murphy. He was still in space with Raven, waiting for a peace treaty that Harley wasn't sure was coming.

━━━━━━━━

THE RING. SIX YEARS AGO.

Everyone at the table was quiet. Their eyes were trained on the first batch of Monty's algae, the sight of the slimy green supposed food made Harley's stomach churn. She knew their rations were running lower and lower, which caused Monty to feel rushed in supplying the very first taste test. Her eyes flickered up to across the tabletop, seeing that he was fiddling his fingers nervously. He couldn't be completely positive that this was harmless, but it was a chance they would have to take.

"So," Harper spoke up, attempting to seem firm but the way she twisted her dirty blonde hair around her finger gave away her anxiety. "What now?"

"We try it," Raven answered simply. "The question is..."

"Who do we sacrifice?" Bellamy finished for her, a twinge of annoyance in his voice when knowing they didn't have a choice.

"I'll do it," Monty offered, hand already reaching out.

But this was survival. Before he could touch the bowl, Harley reached out, gripping her friend's wrist. "No, Monty. You can't, and neither can Raven. You're both too important," she stated, knowing that the others would agree with her. Sure, they were all important in their own way, but they needed their minds. Monty reluctantly backed down. "I can do it," Harley offered next, tucking her newly short hair behind her ears to brace herself.

"Wait," Emori stopped her. "We should talk about this, Harley."

"What's there to talk about?" Harley questioned gravely. "We could argue about this for hours, or we can just do it - "

Harley isn't given a chance to finish. Murphy moves too fast for her to blink, arm sweeping out and swiping the bowl in his direction. She opened her mouth to protest, about to lunge over the table, but she's too late. Her brother had already picked up the bowl and brought the rim to his mouth, letting the algae slide past his lips and down his throat.

"You idiot!" Harley suddenly snarled. Everyone's eyes were wide as they watched Murphy swallow thickly, letting out a few hacks of disgust.

"John, what the hell did you do?!" Emori snapped, shooting up out of her seat.

Murphy brought his fist to his mouth, coughing a few times before waving his hand. "It's fine. I feel fine," he gasped out. "Monty, that was disgusting."

A small smile started to twitch on the corners of Harley's mouth. Murphy did seem fine, only repulsed at the taste. Even Monty seemed relieved, glad that it looked like his homemade algae was fine. It all changed in seconds when Murphy went pale, clutching his chest and he staggered out of his chair.

"John?" Harley panicked, rising and rushing to his side. She put her hand on his back, clutching his jacket. "John, what is it?!"

Hand rising to his throat, Murphy choked a few times. "I - I can't - " He struggled to speak, only painful gasping noises following like he couldn't breathe. Then his legs give out, and he falls into Harley's arms, who lowers him gently to the floor, falling to her knees next to him shakily.

The rest have already ran to circle around them. Monty was tearfully on Harley's other side, grief in his features. "Breathe... Breathe," Harley pleaded, resting her brother's head in her lap. She cupped the side of his face, desperation filling her. God, why was he so stupid? Why would he do that to her?

Murphy's breathing slowed before his eyes fell shut. "No..." Emori softly gasped in horror. But Murphy was completely still, the only sign he was still alive was the way his chest was slowly rising and falling.

"It's alright," Harper reassured everyone, trying to be the calm one. "He's breathing."

"He's unconscious!" Harley shouted in sorrow.

"Harley," Echo cut in seriously. "He's still breathing. He would have stopped by now if it was going to kill him."

New tears rolled down Harley's cheeks that she couldn't fight off or brush away. "You don't know that," she whispered, broken. Echo's mouth shut when she realized Harley was right. She didn't know. None of them did.

"Harley, Emori," Bellamy said gently. "We're going to help him, okay?" As he reaches out, Harley shakes her head, making a painful noise like he was about to physically hurt her. "Harley, you have to let me take him."

A hand touches Harley's shoulder. She looks back to see that it's Echo of all people, staring at her apologetically before offering her hand. As Bellamy scooped Murphy up, one arm under his back and the others under his limp legs, Harley gripped Echo's forearm and pulled herself up. Her legs were shaking as she tried to steady herself, struggling to stand, like all the air had been sucked from her lungs too. Murphy was her twin brother. If he was gone, Harley couldn't live with herself. She'd never be able to go on.

Bellamy had rested Murphy in the room he shared with Emori. He looked like he was sleeping, only paler than normal, a blanket pulled over his lower half. That's where he remained for days, people coming and going to sit by him, but neither Harley or Emori left his side. Harley only did once, to run to her room and grab a blanket and pillow so she could sleep by his side. Even then, she'd only sleep for a few hours before being startled awake, eyes immediately gazing to Murphy, searching for any signs he was going to wake up.

But none had come. Eventually, Monty got the recipe right, and this time, he was the one to shove the fresh algae in his mouth without even telling anyone he was done. Harley was angry upon finding out that he did so without discussing with the rest to make a decision as a group and stormed into Murphy's room without another word.

Emori was, as Harley suspected, there when she arrived. She was on the left side of Murphy's bed, the hand wrapped in cloth touching his lower arm, eyes trained on him until she glanced the other's way. "Everything alright out there?" Emori asked, noticing the distressed look on her face.

"Monty made a new batch of his algae," Harley said in a mumble, joining Murphy's other side, but staying on her feet. "He tried it himself. He's positive it's fine this time."

"Yeah," Emori scoffed. "Say that to John."

A lump rose in Harley's throat. It had been too long since she's heard his sarcastic comments, seen the way his eyes lit up when he heard something was dangerous. She missed it more than anything, and it wasn't getting any easier. "Do you think I can have a minute with him?" Harley requested softly, her voice cracking as she struggled to keep herself together long enough until she was alone with him.

Agreeing, Emori nodded, touching Murphy's arm one last time before leaving. Trembling, Harley pulled the seat closer to Murphy's bed before she broke down. He was still breathing, and the others were positive that was a good sign, but she wasn't so sure. Her mind continued to wander to the worst outcome - Murphy dying, Murphy staying in this coma forever - everything that could go wrong. Harley sobbed dryly, head falling forward as she reached out to grip her brother's hand tightly.

"Why'd you do that?" Harley cried, her free hand rising to press the back of it to her mouth before anyone heard her. But why - why did he sacrifice himself before she could? She was sure she couldn't go on anymore like this. The constant pain that swelled in Harley's chest, growing larger every day until she couldn't bear it.

Harley clutched Murphy's hand tightly, hoping for any sign that he could hear or understand her. She remembered when he'd joke they could feel one another's emotions, all because they shared a womb, but she felt nothing. It was the worst emotion of all. She didn't feel any hope, no optimistic thoughts that Murphy would wake up. Harley shook her head in despair. "I love you," she whispered, throat hoarse and heart shattering in her chest. "Come back," she pleaded in another sob, squeezing his hand tighter before looking down, attempting to blink the tears that were coming too fast away.

A soft knock on the open door makes Harley's head snapped up in surprise. It's Monty, worry in his features the second he sees her broken face. With her free hand, she shakily tries to wipe away at her eyes, mumbling to him. "How long have you been there?"

"I'm... I'm sorry," Monty stammered, his feet shuffling forward. "I know Emori said you wanted to be alone. I just wanted to check on you and..." He pauses, eyes drawing to Murphy's unconscious body before whispering the last word. "Him."

He doesn't have to say it. Harley can practically feel the guilt that radiates off Monty when he sits next to her. She knows that, technically, it is his fault Murphy is in this state, but she can't find herself being able to put any of the blame on him. Ever since Harley has known Monty, he's been gentle, kind, yet one of the best men on the guard she had known. It wasn't like it was his intention for Murphy to end up like this, and it was Murphy who downed the algae the second that Harley offered to before any of them could discuss it.

"It's okay, Monty," Harley finds herself reassuring him softly. She can see the pain in his expression when she meets his eyes. "I don't blame you for this."

"You should," Monty whispered in shame. He lets out a sniffle, twisting his fingers together. "I'm sorry, Harley. I'm so sorry."

Before Harley knows it, Monty is breaking down too, tears rolling down his cheeks that he tries to wipe away as to not let her see. "Monty," Harley says his name gently, releasing her brother's limp hand to lean over and wrap an arm over his shoulders.

"I should be comforting you. He's your brother," Monty said, putting himself down as he leans into her touch. "This is my fault."

"Stop," Harley warns. Not because the pity is making her feel worse, but because Monty is the last person who should be blaming himself. "You were trying to help, Monty. You and Raven are the reason all of us are alive," she insists. "And now we know that your algae is safe to eat."

It's quiet as Monty lets Harley's words sink in. At last, he nods, brushing away the last of his tears with the sleeve of his jacket. "Thank you, Harley," he mumbles faintly.

It makes Harley's chest ache, but she weakly smiles, hugging him with her arm that he accepts. She still isn't sure that Murphy will wake up and be alright, nor is she positive that they'll be fine for the next few years, but the silence that is brought is comforting. Harley just knows her change is coming, and living in space won't be easy, but she supposes that for now, she'll be alright.