"There they are" roan said as we drove into the valley.

Bellamy's grip tightened on the wheel.
"Hang on" he said, pressing harder on the accelerator.

"What the hell is he doing?" Roan snapped, seeing a warrior climb onto the back of the truck.

"Weaponizing the fuel" Bellamy replied

"You said we need every drop" roan said

"We do!" Bellamy snapped

"So get me as close as you can" roan said

I was already moving, climbing out onto the roof of the rover, my balance low, every muscle weird tight.
"Get us as close as you can" I corrected, blade strapped to my back, the storm-wind biting at my hair. Roan followed me, steady.

"Now! Do it!" Bellamy shouted, and we leapt.

Steel clashed before my boots even found footing. The warrior swung wild, but roan held him off. I dove for the fuel barrel before it slid off, dragging it back with a groan. Then the warriors hand shoved me hard, throwing me against the side. My blade flashed as I shouted-

"Take care of him!" I said

Roans strength met steel. I climbed, breath burning, until I swung myself onto the truck roof. Bellamy's rover cut across the path, his gun steady. I smashed my sword hilt through the windshield.

"Traitor" I hissed, plunging steel into his chest. 

Clarke slammed on the breaks. My grip slipped, and I went flying to the ground.

I groaned, looking up to see Bellamy and Clarke leaning over me.

"You okay?" He asked, fighting a laugh.

"Shut up" I groaned. He pulled me up, steadying me as the ache rattled through my bones.

Later, silence pressed inside the rover. Bellamy drove, jaw clenched, the weight of him heavier than any wheel. Clarke and Roan had taken the truck. It was just us.

"You're worried about Octavia" I said softly

"Worried isn't the word I'd use" his voice was clipped, armor-thick 

"I told you it would take time, Bellamy." I reminded him

He huffed a laugh.
"That's exactly what Clarke said on the way here too" he tried to brush it off, but I saw the truth in his eyes.

"You know she doesn't truly blame you, Bell. Shes angry, yes. But more at herself. When a warrior grieves, they lash out on the ones closest to them.  Because if they don't- someone will see the cracks. Once she accepts it wasn't her fault, she'll stop punishing you. She loves you, Bellamy. She just can't see past her grief yet" I tell him, my words steady

His eyes shimmered, tears threatening to fall.

"A wise man once told me it's okay to break down. We wouldn't be human if we didn't" I added softly.

He laughed, tears slipping down his cheek.

"Thank you, Diana" he said

"Just doing my job" I replied, and he nodded as the rover stopped.

We unloaded. My gaze snapped to the barrel. An arrow jutted from it- Trikru markings carved deep. My chest dropped. Roans voice confirmed what I already knew.

"Trikru arrow." He said. Then kicked it down, showing it was empty.

I didn't wait to hear more. My body moved before my mind caught up, walking away before the scream clawing at my throat broke free.

I rode back with Bellamy toward Arkadia. It wss on the way to Polis, where I hoped to check in soon. We pulled in, jumping out of the rover, and I began walking toward Marcus. Then I froze, looking up at the sky.

Black rain was coming.

"Black rain" Bellamy breathed

The first drops hissed against earth.

"Everybody get their ass inside now!" I yelled, sprinting.

My skin seared where droplets hit my hand. Nightblood- wasn't I supposed to be immune?

No time to think.

I spotted a man collapsed in the mud, screaming. Without hesitation I ran back, throwing his arms over my shoulders.
"Come on!" I said. My muscles burned, every drop carving fire into my skin. But I pushed him forward until Marcus and Bellamy reached us, dragging us inside.

Chaos swallowed the shelter. People stripped off soaked clothes, poured water over burning skin. Cries filled the air.

"I need to find Octavia" Bellamy said, desperate, going towards the door.

"She's not here. She took off hours ago." Marcus replied.

Bellamys jaw tightened.
"I gotta find her" he said, but Marcus grabbed his arm.

"Bellamy look we don't know where she went. You just got back and the rover doesn't have enough power to go searching through the woods-" Marcus tried

"The rain will kill her" Bellamy cut him off.

"She's smart. She found shelter, Bellamy. Trust me." I told him. Meeting his frantic eyes.

His jaw tightened, but he nodded, closing the door.

"Remember the drill. All wet clothing in the designated zone." Marcus yelled as we all removed soaked clothes.

"How do we know everyone made it?" Someone asked

"My wife was outside the wall. I need to know if she's ok." Another man said

"Check in with your section leader. We'll get a head count as soon as we can." Marcus instructed

"Please can anybody hear me?" A voice begged over the radio. I ran to Marcus, Bellamy at my side.

"This is Chancellor Kane, I hear you. Can you hear me?" He said

"Kane! Kane, it's Mark Colton" the voice shouted. Kane leaned closer.

"Everybody be quiet!" I yelled.

Silence fell.

"Look please my son is soaked with black rain. Please you gotta help us. Hurry!" Mark begged. I exchanged a look with Bellamy and Marcus.

Bellamy begun suiting up, sealing every gap. I grabbed extra jackets and anything that could shield us long enough to reach the rover. I wasn't letting him walk through hell alone.