Chapter 36
One of the guards didn't make it, but once the initial shock is gone - as horrible as the fact is - it hardly matters. All I can think about now that we're inside is my dad and the rest of our people.
''They all had tents,'' Bellamy tells me like he can read my mind, a comforting hand on my arm, ''They're fine.''
This place we entered is dark as death. Without our flashlights we wouldn't be able to see an inch ahead of us.
''What is this place?'' Scott asks as the rays of light fall on the dust and grime covered cars that haven't been used in a century. I can hear something like rats squeaking around. The air here is so stale and close, all of my instincts tell me to get out of there as soon as we can.
''A garage.''
''More like a tomb,'' Octavia says, drawing her machete. I turn off and put back my flashlight, and bring the bow back.
''Stay sharp, guys,'' I say, ''We don't know what could be in here.''
''Look, I'm sorry about your man,'' Bellamy turns to Sgt. Scott, ''But we need to find an access door to Mount Weather-''
''Hey, not so fast-''
''Sir, that fog could keep us pinned down for another...''
Bellamy's voice trails off once he realizes Sgt Scott has put a gun in his hands. I can hardly believe my eyes.
''We'll split up,'' Scott says, ''Be back here in 15. Be safe. Let's go.''
''Man, this place is creepy,'' I say as Bellamy lightens up the interiors of the cars as we pass - some of them still have personal belongings inside of them. It's an oddly heart-wrenching sight - the key-chains, the cigarette boxes, an article of clothing or some snacks here and there. The worst are the toys and baby things. I really didn't need to see those. ''God.''
''Eyes ahead,'' Bellamy reminds, though he can't resist taking a look himself. His hand touches the small of my back comfortingly. It does help.
''I don't see any exits,'' Octavia says.
''We should keep to the walls,'' I suggest, ''Might feel something up again.''
''What is that sound?'' Bellamy asks.
''Rats. Or cockroaches. Or both,'' I reply, ''I'm really trying to shut it down, it's making me nervous.''
That, and the way our very breaths echo throughout this place.
''There's a door!'' Octavia announces, her light landing on a door on the far other side. We rush to it immediately, the sound of our feet sounding way too loud in this deafening silence. That, too, is unnerving.
And just as she makes for it, just as her hand is about to touch the knob, we hear screams - terrifying, off-the-top-of lungs screams of horror. A breath hitches in my throat. We freeze for an instant. And then, without a second thought or a need for discussion, we go back. Because what choice do we have?
It's only on the way back that you realize just how huge the place is. I let Bellamy and Octavia walk ahead of me with their flashlighs, my hands nervous and a bit sweaty on the bow and nocked arrow. Those screams meant someone's hurt, and bad. My hands know it before my mind does - I might have to shoot.
There is music when we come back, creepy repetitive music that seems to be coming from one of those toys they used to have a hundred years ago. Every hair on my body stands upright. The half-dead silence, our breathing and feet echoing, that music, the sounds of roaches and rats that seem to have died down just a bit, and no sign of the guards. They screamed, and then they were gone.
''Scott?'' Bellamy calls out weakly as we skulk in the shadows, ''Are you there?''
No answers.
''I don't like this,'' I say, restless, shifting from one foot to the other. My eyes dart everywhere, despite not being able to see in the darkness where our light doesn't reach. I still strain them.
Then I see light coming from the other side.
''Bell,'' I nudge him, ''There.''
We skulk over as stealthily as we can, but once we find the guards' guns and flashlights on the floor, it's stealth be damned. I know it then - we're already in trouble.
''What's that?'' Octavia asks, and I strain my ears to hear it past the creepy music - there is a hush. Whispering. Movement maybe. My body reacts on its own.
''We need to get out of here,'' I say.
But we don't move. Instead, Bellamy's gun follows the sound, and once the light of his flashlight falls on the source of it, I could have screamed, if not for the shock and adrenaline. And maybe the old me would have. Zombie movies over a hundred years old were nothing compared to seeing the real deal - actual humans apparently eating away at another human. I can't tell which of the guards it is, not that he'd be recognizable by now.
''Reapers,'' Octavia breathes.
And that seems to be what sets them off, because the next thing we know, they're attacking us. Bellamy reacts fast and guns both of them down.
''There has to be more of them,'' I urge, my voice shaky.
''Then we better move,'' Octavia says.
''O.''
''What?''
''Take this,'' Bellamy hands her a gun, ''Now we move.''
It's not long before we find the other body, though there's only one Reaper tearing it apart. Bellamy's gun clicks ready.
''Don't!'' Octavia cries.
''Wha-,'' I breathe, my eyes unmoving from the terrifying sight, my hands ready to shoot should Bellamy fail.
''It's Lincoln!''
She takes a step forward. How the hell could it be Lincoln? It doesn't look like Lincoln at all now.
''Lincoln! Lincoln, it's me. It's Octavia!'' she cries out. He's on his feet now, making toward us, but he doesn't look like he can hear her, let alone recognize her.
''O, get back,'' I say, pulling the arrow back to my ear, ready to loose.
But she doesn't, and then Lincoln is on her, and I'm ready to send the arrow flying but I can't - because in the dark and in the struggle I could very well kill Octavia. I don't know what the hell to do, and it's even worse for Bellamy, as we share a look of complete panic. But then she's out of Lincoln's grip, and the next thing we know he's upon us, and before either of us can react, Octavia's shot him in the leg, and Bellamy uses the chance to knock him out.
''Holy crap,'' I breathe out, barely believing my eyes, desperately trying to breathe properly, my voice quivering beyond my control, ''Holy crap.''
Some of the adrenaline is wearing off; I am shaky now. I can't even imagine how Octavia has to feel. I can't even form that thought.
''Come on,'' Bellamy grabs Octavia's arm, and picks her up, ''We need to get somewhere safe.''
*
When we do get to a safe spot, inside of a car that seems to have darkened windows, it's another type of hell that ensues. Octavia is having a full blown panic attack. I don't know if it's more painful watching her or watching Bellamy watch her. She can't stop shaking, even spazzing; as much as she tries, she can't get herself to breathe properly. She's panicking, and she's sobbing. Bellamy holds her through it, but looks ready to break himself. ''He's a Reaper,'' she keeps breathing. I could have cried right then and there, but I'm just trying to fight off coughing fits from all the dust inside the damn car.
''She could use some water,'' I say, realizing my pack is swallowed by the acid fog. But she seems to be calming down a bit now.
''A Reaper, how is that even possible?'' she asks desperately, ''He just looked right through me- How-?''
''Shhhh!'' Bellamy warns, and my insides sink down into my heels all over again. Lincoln is walking past, like a zombie, and then he turns and stares right through the glass and I freeze; I can barely breathe at the sight of him.
His eyes look dead. Or maybe someone else's. Like there's someone else inside Lincoln's body just using him as a vessel. Those are not the eyes of the healer we knew. There is blood all over him.
''Can he see us?''
''I don't know.''
I don't think so. He would have done something to attack if he could. Instead he just touches the glass, and in another moment he drags himself on.
Then, as it all sinks in, Octavia starts another episode.
''Hey! O!'' I try to grab her wrists.
''Shhh! Hey! Hey! Just listen to me!'' Bellamy manages to take hold of her, and holds her firmly, ''We'll get him back! I promise.''
I like the idea of it, but I don't like that ''I promise'' one bit. I am instantly afraid Bellamy is promising something impossible. Because as much as I want to try, I can't see a way back for Lincoln.
How?
*
It doesn't take long for Bellamy to come up with a plan, as good a plan as we could have whipped up in all that panic and on short notice. We don't exactly have a lot of other options.
''You sure you're ready for this?'' Bellamy asks.
''Yeah,'' Octavia nods shakily, taking in a firm breath.
''Okay. Draw him in. We'll do the rest.''
Octavia steps out in the clearance, searching for him. ''Lincoln! Lincoln! Can you hear me?!''
Arrow ready just in case, I make my way through the shadows across. If anything goes wrong, I'll be on the other side, and an arrow is better than a bullet. Hopefully, it wouldn't come to that. But I stand ready.
Soon enough, Lincoln appears, staggering toward Octavia just as planned, and she just draws him further back. In another moment Bellamy is behind him, shocking him with the guards' baton until he's knocked out. Lincoln tumbles down, and Bellamy and Octavia just stand above him for a moment like they can't quite shake themselves awake from everything that seems to have just happened in a nightmare.
''Now what?'' I ask, joining them. That seems to wake them up from the daze. Lincoln lies right before my feet - he looks so helpless now.
''Now we take him home,'' Bellamy replies.
''Well, we better get on it fast, because we might not be alone yet,'' I reason.
''Come. Help me with him.''