chapter twenty-two | paralyzed & a rescue party
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Abby carefully tended to Hunter's facial wounds, requiring just a few stitches, but overall, she was okay. In the medical tent, Hunter sat beside Finn while Raven lay on a bed, her discomfort evident.

Abby entered the tent, inquiring about Raven's condition. "How are you feeling?"

Raven huffed sarcastically, "Awesome."

Finn glanced at Abby, an amused smile tugging at his lips. "She's lying."

Abby recognized Raven's stubborn demeanor. "I know that face. Just spit it out, Abby," Raven urged.

Taking a deep breath, Abby delivered the news. "The bullet is still shifting. That's why you're in pain. I was hoping that it would stabilize by now."

Raven, her frustration evident, proposed a solution. "So how about you take it out?"

Abby approached Raven gently, ready to discuss the delicate matter. "Raven, we need to talk about that." She continued, "The bullet is pressing on your spine. If we leave it in, you'll live, but you'll never walk again."

Finn, looking at Hunter first and then Raven, was deeply concerned. "Then take it out," Raven spoke with a mixture of fear and determination.

Abby cautioned Raven about the risks. "The surgery could kill you. We have no equipment, no anesthesia."

Raven, desperate to regain her mobility, made a difficult choice. "Will I walk again?"

Abby explained the challenging circumstances. "Maybe, but you'd be awake the whole time. You'd feel everything."

Raven, tears welling up, made her decision. "Sign me up."

Finn, unable to hide his worry, looked directly at her. "Wait. Raven, you could die," he implored.

"In Zero G, I didn't need my legs. Down here I do," a tear trickled down Raven's cheek. "Take it out."

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Jackson and Abby began preparing Raven for the surgery. Finn sat by her side, and Hunter stood nearby, their support unwavering.

As Abby leaned in to start the incision, Raven suddenly cried out for her to stop. "I'm so scared," she admitted, her eyes locked onto Finn's.

Finn tried to comfort her, his voice gentle but firm. "Look at me, just keep looking at me," he encouraged, holding onto her hand tightly.

Hunter stepped in closer, her presence calming. She wiped away Raven's tears and placed a tender kiss on her hand. Raven nodded, trying to muster her courage. "She's ready," she said, her breathing rapid and heavy.

Abby began the surgery slowly, and the agonizing scream that escaped Raven's lips sent shivers down Hunter's spine.

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Raven gradually regained consciousness, and Abby tested her ability to feel her legs. The test showed signs of sensation in her right leg, but her left leg remained unresponsive.

Finn, hoping for the best, asked anxiously, "Anything?" He repeated the test, urgency in his voice.

"Finn," Hunter softly interjected, urging caution.

"Try it again!" Finn insisted, frustration and concern evident in his voice. Then, he sighed and turned away.

"Finn," Raven tried to reassure him, her voice trembling as she confessed her fear. "I'm so scared."

Raven's anxiety weighed heavily on all of them. Abby examined the results and delivered the difficult news. "Raven, it appears that you have significant damage to the nerves in your left leg."

Hope still lingered as Raven asked hopefully, "Will it get better?"

Abby offered some consolation. "For now, you'll need crutches. But you're alive, and you're not in pain anymore."

Overwhelmed by her situation, Raven couldn't hold back her tears. "But I'm still crippled," she choked out, her voice strained. Hunter moved closer, offering her comfort and support as she wiped away Raven's tears.

"I'm gonna give you three some time," Abby said, leaving the room.

Hunter leaned down to Raven, offering her a reassuring smile. "I'll go too."

Finn hesitated but eventually nodded in agreement. "It's okay," he said to Hunter before looking at Raven. Then, Hunter bent down, gently kissed Raven's forehead, and squeezed her hand. Afterward, she quietly left the room, leaving Finn and Raven alone.

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Under the cover of nightfall, Finn, Sterling, Munroe, and Hunter, who were on their way to rescue Bellamy, reached the hold where he was held captive. They entered and successfully freed him.

"It's about time," Bellamy remarked.

Hunter stood at the entrance, contemplating the situation. As they prepared to leave, Murphy voiced his desire to join them. Bellamy considered the idea, and Hunter was torn between her anger towards Murphy and the group's need for his knowledge.

Bellamy, in a surprising move, decided to bring Murphy along, emphasizing that he was the only one with experience in the grounder prison camp. Hunter remained displeased but chose not to intervene. Bellamy proceeded to cut Murphy free from the wall restraints.

"He's coming with us," Bellamy declared, extending a hand to help Murphy up.

Hunter, though reluctant, accepted the decision, allowing Murphy to join their group. As they prepared to depart, Munroe informed them that someone was approaching. Hunter exchanged a worried glance with Finn, and they all quickly left the area.

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Finn and Hunter led the group away from the camp, seeking to rendezvous with Abby and Sergeant Miller.

"Do you think anyone saw us?" Bellamy inquired nervously.

"Shh, keep it down," Finn cautioned.

Entering the bushes, they were suddenly illuminated by a flashlight. Sergeant Miller and Abby stood before them. "You're late," Abby noted.

Finn explained the reason for their delay, gesturing toward Murphy. "Bellamy decided to bring company."

Abby acknowledged Murphy's presence and handed a handgun to Hunter and Finn. Sergeant Miller provided Bellamy with a rifle. "Here, find my son. His name is Nathan Miller," Abby instructed, handing a second rifle to Sterling.

With their mission clear, Abby left them with parting words. "Bring them home," she said, her voice filled with hope and determination. The group of six set out to find and rescue their friends.

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- this is such a short chapter cause not much happened here. but I promise they're gonna get better.