CHAPTER FORTY

 "Don't run from your feelings, Sunshine!"  

***

 Lincoln was alive. 

Currently unconscious, previously screaming in agony and trying to kill everyone, but alive. 

 I consider that a win. 

 I straightened out a roll of bandages, ripping off a piece with my teeth, and handing it to Clarke, who continued to patch up Lincoln. I heard the door to the Drop Ship open, and then Bellamy's eyes widening as he reached for his gun and aimed it at the door. 

 I turned around, watching as Octavia and a large man clambered through the entrance. The man had a long, bushy beard and braids running down the neck of his neck. Familiar tattoo's spiraled up his face and arms. Octavia held out her hand. "Bellamy, don't." She warned, and I watched Phia slowly rise to her feet, apparently the arrival of the new man piquing her interest. "This is-" 

 "Nyko." Phia finished, making the man-Nyko's- eyes drift to her for the first time. Indifference burned in his eyes, as they went through a very scary staring contest. "He is the healer." 

 "Pia," he nodded, and she nodded back. There was a thump from the side, and my eyes widened when I saw Lincoln convulsing again, white froth building up in his mouth. Nyko immediately began ruffling through his bag, withdrawing a small vial and making his way over to us. 

 My senses were on high-alert, but if Nyko could save Lincoln, I knew I had to give him a chance. 

 "Yu gonplei ste odon," he whispered,  and before I knew what was happening, I had darted my hand out to catch the drop of liquid. My heartbeat had sped up, and a headache was beginning to form behind my eyes.  I knew that phrase, I've heard it before... it was what Phia said after that Grounder died. 

 "Yu gonplei ste odon," I repeated under my breath, as Nyko drew his sword, and Bellamy pointed his rifle at him again. I couldn't pay attention, though. I turned to look at Phia. "You said that-- that is what they say when someone dies!" I looked around, disbelief shining through my face. "He wasn't trying to save him!" 

 "He was trying to kill him." Clarke realized, her mouth dropping open. Anger and betrayal clouded over Octavia's eyes, as she jabbed her finger harshly in the man's direction. "Nyko! Is that true?" 

 The Grounder's eyes shot me a harsh look, "yes. Death is the only way." 

 I stared down at Lincoln's still convulsing body, dread filling every inch of my body. I should have known. A hot flash of anger burned through my chest, and I stood up abruptly, wishing I could kick something. "No! There has to be a way!" 

  "None that I have ever seen." Nyko defended, sighing. 

 As if the universe was providing me with something to kick, Finn's head popped into the room. "Hey, we have to go. The camp is loosing." 

 Nyko seemed to have the same idea, as he jumped up as well, fury blazing beneath his dark eyes. "You!" 

 An, 'oh shit' expression passed over Finn's face, but he didn't have time to process his bad decision, as Nyko had yelled out and ran forward, grabbing his neck and slamming him up against the wall, holding him up so his feet could barely touch the ground. I groaned, wishing Finn could have waited a few more minutes to randomly appear. 

 "Hey! Get off of him!" Bellamy yelled, aiming his gun at Nyko yet again. 

 "You slaughtered my people," Nyko spoke in a voice so dangerously low it sent goosebumps up my arm. "Elders. Children." 

 "We know! He sucks! But let him go!" 

 "Nyko-" Phia stood up, but her voice was cut off again. 

 "Innocents-" 

 "Seriously, drop him!" 

 "You can't shoot him!" 

 "Get out of my way-" 

 Overlapping voices filled the air, until they all went silent as the familiar sizzling of the electric baton flared to life as Clarke jammed it into his back, and Nyko dropped to the ground, releasing Finn in the process. His face was bright red, and he seemed to be gasping for air. 

 But I didn't care. 

 As Lincoln had gone still... too still. I ran back over, dropping to my knees and putting my ear right up to his chest. 

 Nothing. 

 An enraged cry of "no" pushed past my lips, as I quickly locked my hands around each other and began sharply pressing down against his chest. I wouldn't let him die. Nobody else can die... Random thoughts whirled through my head as Clarke ran forward to lean his head back, opening his airway. After excruciatingly long seconds, a soft gasp escaped Lincoln's lips. 

His eyes open, and I stumbled back as Octavia jumped in front of me, her trembling hand reaching up to cup Lincoln's glistening face. My chest was heaving, the previous adrenaline, and desperation to keep him alive running out. I reached up to run my had through my hair, but the new hat made it hard. 

 Stupid fashion is blocking my nervous habits. 

 "He was dead." Nyko's voice was quiet, disbelieving. I looked up at him, only to find him gazing at me like I had just pulled a rabbit out of a hat. "How did you do that?" 

 "Uh," for some reason, I couldn't think of something to say. "Um... CPR..." 

"Have you ever tried bringing back Reapers before?" Clarke asked, using the words that actually mattered. Nyko slowly shook his head, making Clarke turn to glance at Lincoln. "So they all died like this?" 

 A small smile suddenly crept onto her face, and I reached over to brush her arm with my hand, gaining her attention and getting her to look at me. "What's with the look?" 

 "I think I know how to stop the attack." 

 ***

 "Where have you been?" 

 Abby stalked over to our small group, her eyes burning into the blood staining my face. Her tone made me feel like these would be my last moments. "We're leaving!" She scolded, and I just now saw who she was standing with. My mouth dropped open. Was that Jaha? I thought they ditched him in space. 

 "We know how to stop the attack." Clarke said, as Phia made a point to ignore the stiff, confused looks she was getting from our previous chancellor. 

 "What are you talking about?" He asked in a voice that just begged me to mimic it. I clamped my lips shut, the dull pain from my head still making me want to close my eyes. Jaha looked a lot more... scruffy, than I remembered. 

 "Exactly what she said." I spoke up, purposely speaking in a lazy tone and crossing my arms, because I knew it would annoy the man. "We haven't had a chance to talk to the Grounders, because we haven't had anything to offer them." 

 "The biggest threat is the Reapers." Phia continued, raising her gaze to meet Abby's. "That threat may be something we can eliminate." 

 "How?" Abby asked, leaning forward in interest. Jaha gave her a stern look. "Abby." 

 I felt the great need to cuss him out right now. He already thinks he is in charge, but now, Abby is in a lot more control than he is. Before I could say anything probably stupid, a familiar voice-Monroe's- cut in. "Over there!"

 I turned around to see what she was talking about, feeling my blood run cold at the sight of flames flickering into view. Thousands of torches, each held by a Grounder soldier here to kill us. 

 Phia decided to take this moment to smile, the night illuminating her teeth like she was a goddamn shark. "They're here." 

***

 "Hey, Nate!" Raven's limping form came back into view, her gaze burning into the Grounder beside me. Phia gave her a coy smile, and Raven waved with two fingers. "Uh, hi." 

 "Hey, Raven." I greeted, forcing myself to not stare at her brace, as guilt flooded through my system whenever I did. "This is Phia, Phia, this is Raven." 

 The mechanic snapped her fingers, pointing to the girl next to me. "You're the one who stabbed him, aren't you?" She shook her head, a scowl painting her face. 

 Phia nodded once, no visual changes coming across hers. "Yes." 

 "That's not cool." 

 "I know." 

 I lightly shook my head as Raven raised her eyebrows, looking like she was beginning to regret coming over to talk to me. She turned to me, a smirk lighting up her features. "I'm surprised you're here, I would have guessed that you would have been with your boyfriend."

 I could feel myself blush, and rolled my eyes at Raven as Phia snickered lightly. "You are talking about Bellamy Blake, correct?" 

 "The one and only," Raven directed her attention away from me, thank God. "Gosh, you should've seen them back in camp-" 

 "Raven-" I tried to save myself from more embarrassment, but was dismissed by the wave of a hand. 

 "It was like a mix of nicknames and flirting, Jesus I don't know how I didn't kill yourself by now." 

 "John Murphy mentioned something like that." Phia shrugged, making me eye the knife on her belt, seriously contemplating stabbing myself with it. "The nicknames... he said it was quite amusing."

"I'm gonna go!" I raised my hand in the air, the other one balled up in front of my face. The two girls cackled as I spun on my heel. 

 "Don't run from your feelings, Sunshine!" Raven mocked, making a few people from the bustling crowd shoot us weird looks. I wordlessly stuck up my middle finger in her general direction, my entire body feeling hot. Stupid Raven, she's turning everyone against me. 

 I heard the two launch into conversation before I rounded a corner and they disappeared from sight. I shook my head. 

 I guess I was meeting the commander tomorrow. 

 And I sincerely hope she is nothing like her friend. 

A/N: CONFIRMED: Murphy ships it. 

 Nate gets to meet Lexa in the next chapter... ha, ha, ha...

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