The next morning, whispers followed me like shadows.

"She's not Heda anymore.... She took out the flame" they said

Everywhere I turned, eyes lingered on me, voices low but sharp. Gaia must've told Octavia. And Octavia must've spread word quickly to protect her throne. Rule number one of leadership: if you cling too tightly to the power you've taken, it will consume you. And eventually, it will make you fall.

I pushed past the whispers and set to work, helping clean and organize supplies, trying to anchor myself in something useful. That's when I caught sight of Bellamy intercepting miller, Clarke hurrying after them.

"What's happening?" I asked, jogging up.

Millers jaw tightened.
"Wish I could tell you" he said

"Octavia told you not to?" Bellamy asked

Miller looked away. That was answer enough.

"They're going to shadow valley" I said, already turning toward Octavia.

"Diana. Diana!" Millers hand clamped around my arm.
"You can't just do whatever the hell you want here" he added

I pulled free, leveling him with a look.
"You're moving ahead of the army to scout terrain, right? Which route? It's sandstorm season. The winds move in predictable paths. I've crossed them dozens of times. You need my help." I said

His silence told me I was right.

We walked into the war room where Octavia stood over a map with her council.

"What are you thinking?" Octavia's voice said

"My question exactly" Bellamy said

"Miller, your orders were to go-" cooper started

"I know my orders. But I think we should listen to what Diana has to say" miller cut her off

I stepped forward, eyeing the map.
"You can't take the sea route" I said

Octavia's eyes snapped to me.
"Why? You said the sea was gone. Is it passable or not?" She asked

"Yes. Maybe. But you have to understand-" I start

"Maybes good enough for me. We move out" Octavia said

She turned to leave, but Bellamy blocked her path. Guns instantly swung up, barrels aimed at his chest. My heart jumped into my throat.

"Stand down" Octavia ordered

"Please, O. Just hear us out" Bellamy urged

"Octavia, we're on the same side. No one wants that valley more than me. It's my home. But this route is suicide" I tell her

Her eyes narrowed.
"Explain. Show me" she said

I moved to the map, tracing the line across the dried seabed.
"You choose the shortest route, which makes sense. But it's hit by constant sandstorms." I start

"We have tents from the second dawn. Sand won't be a problem" she replied quickly

"It's not just sand. Some of it crystallized in Praimfaya. Shards of glass like razor blades. Your tents will be torn in two, and so will you" I shot back

"Blodreina is right. Besides, we can only carry rations for seven days. The seat route will take six. The next shortest path adds fifty miles. That's two days if we're lucky" cooper speaks up

"How do we know there won't be sandstorms on the longer route?" Indra asked

"Enough. We're doing this. The hydrogen is barely feeding us now, so if this is the last living valley on earth, then it should be ours" Octavia snapped

"Diyoza thinks the same thing" Bellamy warned

"So then we fight" Octavia said, final as a death sentence, before sweeping out with her guards.

Indra lingered, her gaze softening on us.
"Your sister needs you, Bellamy. I'm glad you're here for her. And Diana...I'm glad you're alive. Maybe one day you'll be Heda again. I would gladly serve you." Indra said, her eyes meeting mine.

"There are packs with rations here by the door" she said, then walked away.

When she was gone, Bellamy exhaled hard.
"Am I crazy or were they gonna kill me for getting in her way?" He asked

I shook my head.
"Not crazy" I muttered

"What do we do?" Clarke asked quietly.

"Raven and Murphy are in trouble. We have to go with them. Six day hike through sandstorm country with a gladiator cult. What could go wrong?" Bellamy said, grabbing packs. He handed one to Clarke, then held one out to me.

"Last time we said that, everything went wrong" I muttered, slinging the pack over my shoulder.

Clarke managed a thin smile.
"After you" she said

By nightfall, campfires dotted the wasteland. Warriors gathered, passing food hand to hand before bowing their heads.

"All of me for all of us" they said

The chant rippled through the camp like a heartbeat.

I sat with Bellamy and Clarke, watching firelight flicker against their faces.
"All of me for all of us. It's kind of beautiful" I spoke

Bellamy glanced at me
"How so?" He asked

"They lost 400 hundred people. It's a third of everyone in that bunker. Now, I don't know how they died, but they had no idea if they'd ever get out. Yet look at them, strong, unified" I said

Clarkes voice was tight.
"I can see why my mom was terrified.... I'm heading to bed. You guys can have my rations" she said, then walked off.

I stared into the fire.
"I don't know what happened down there, Bellamy. Or what Octavia had to do, why she had to change. But you gotta admit. It's impressive" I continued

"So is surviving alone" he said softly

I glanced at him.
"How'd you do it?" He asks

"I wasn't alone. I had Madi" I answered, looking back down.

His eyes searched me.
"She called you mom" Bellamy said

A small smile tugged at my lips.
"When i found her, she was young. Her family was gone. Her clan gone. One night she asked if I was her mom now. I told her, only if she wanted me to be. Since then, she's called me that. And honestly? Anyone would be proud to call her their daughter" I say

"She's very protective of you" he said, a smile on his face.

"We both are. That's how we survived. It was always me and her. Always." I said

For a moment, there was peace. Then Bellamy pulled out the radio, trying for Monty again. Static answered back. And then-

A scream. 

"Help! Somebody help! I don't know what's wrong! Please hurry!" We shoot to our feet as miller stumbled into camp, another man slung over his shoulders. He laid him on the ground, voice frantic.

The warrior writhed, clawing at the dirt, eyes wide with agony.
"Get out of my way, I can help him!" Clarke rushed forward

Copper stopped her.
"Not you" she said

"Octavia let her through! She can help him"' I snapped

Octavia hesitated, then nodded.
"Let her in" she said

Clarke dropped to her knees, pressing fingers to his pulse.
"He's alive but his heart racing" she said

"What the hell happened out there?" Octavia demanded

Millers face was pale.
"We separated to cover more ground. Then I heard him screaming out that they're everywhere. Then I get to him and there's nothing. Just more screaming and-" millers words came to a stop as we all saw it.

The man's stomach rippled. Something moved beneath his skin.

Clarkes breath caught.
"There's something inside of him" she said

The camp fell silent, every eye locked on the horror unfolding at our feet.