The ringing settled in first. After that, the screams. Screams of terror and pain marred themselves into Aleah's brain. Was Octavia one of them? Or was it worst than that?

Lexa's hand settled on her older sister's shoulder. "I'm sorry, but you know we couldn't warn them. We bare it..."

"So they don't have to. I know, ai ange." [My angel.]

The two young woman stand overlooking their burning village for a moment and then Aleah spots her: Octavia. "She lived. We should go."

Lexa nodded softly. "I'll fetch Clarke. You take the lead, that way. Scout if out."

"Alright. Be safe, sister."

"You too."

Once Aleah's alone with nothing but trees and the distant screams of the wounded, she feels selfish joy settle in. Octavia lived. But how many others were slain?

There is no time to think of such things, Aleah reminded herself. Her head jerked towards the sound of gunfire. Behind her, she can hear Lexa and Clarke discussing what to do about the spotter. "There's three of us, one of him. We find him, and kill him. We'll need to be quick and silent."

The three young woman stayed silent as they moved, the tension building between the three of them until Lincoln broke it. He seemed to understand what had happened, even if his wording sounded utterly confused. Aleah could see it on his face.

It was lighter now, and they had yet to stop the gun man, but they were close. Clarke drew his fire while Lincoln and Aleah circled in different directions. Lincoln attacked first, Aleah second. All it took was one second, one millisecond of hesitation and the man had a knife to Lincoln's throat. Aleah stuck her knife in his neck at the same time Clarke pulled the trigger.

Lexa cautiously eyed the two of them. "Did that make you feel better?"

Clarke answered for both of them: "No."