Chapter Song- Byegones by Volcano Choir

I was in a state of complete shock as whatever had a hold of Octavia pulled her under the surface again, and again. 

"We have to do something!" I shouted at the other four teens who were just as shocked as I was. My heart pounded against my ribcage as Octavia let out a wail for help. 

I rushed to the side of the river, getting as close as I could without actually being in the water. "Tavia, hold on!" I screamed, my eyes frantically searching for something that could help save her.

The thing in the water lurched to the side, carrying Octavia further and further from us. I let out a grunt of frustration as I began following it down the bank.

"What the hell is that?" Monty shouted as the rest of them began following after me, all of us desperate to reach her.

"What are we gonna do?" Jasper questioned, his eyes as wide as saucers as he stumbled over his own feet. 

We came to a halt, all of us breathing rapidly as the unseen monster pulled back slightly. I hadn't seen Octavia's head above water in what felt like too long. 

My brother wore a determine look as he began pulling off his jacket. "Try not to get hit."

I felt my heart drop at the thought of my best friend and brother both being in there "Finn-"

"No, wait!" Clarke yelled, stopping Finn from jumping into the river. "If we can distract it, maybe it'll let her go." she said, kneeling beside a boulder, "Here help me."

I took that as a welcomed opportunity to prevent Finn from jumping into the river. Kneeling down beside her, I was joined by the three boys. 

"One three." Clarke instructed, all of us giving her small nods. "One...two...three!"

We all pushed as hard as we could, and our combined effort sent the large boulder tumbling into the river. 

Luckily, Clarke's theory was proven correct, and the monster released it's gripped on Octavia. I could see is silhouette under the water as it headed toward where we had just released the boulder. 

"Octavia, get to the shore! Now!" Jasper yelled, taking off toward Octavia.

I watched in horror as Jasper didn't hesitate before jumping into the water, grabbing a hold of a struggling Octavia. 

My heart was in my throat as the monster turned, realizing that there was no other prey, and made its way back to where they were.

"Jasper, hurry!" I screamed, rushing down to the shore. "It's coming back!"

Jasper sped up his pace, pulling the two of them to shore. The monster was seconds from reaching them when he managed to drag Octavia up onto a rock, putting both of them out of harm's way. 

I was by their side in a second, my relieved eyes falling on my best friend. I pulled Jasper into a tight hug, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek before moving to check on my best friend. 

A blissful smile spread across Jasper's face as his cheeks reddened slightly as he seemed to register all the events of the past few moments.

"Tavia, your leg." I breathed, my eyes locking on the huge gash on her upper thigh.

Clarke was silent as she dropped down next to me, ripping a strip from Jasper's shirt before fastening it around the top of Octavia's leg. 

Octavia winces slightly as Clarke tied the tourniquet, but aside from that wound, she seemed unscathed. 

"Thank you!" she beamed, pulling Jasper into a tight hug. Seemingly not used to so much female attention, Jasper's face was a violent shade of red. 

"Note to self," Monty started, "Next time, save the girl."

----

After the attack at the river, we had hiked only a bit further before deciding to set up camp. It seemed a much better alternative to hiking through the forest in the dark with no knowing of what was out there. 

The forest was simply beautiful at night. The mossy covered trees and rocks seemed to glow under the moonlight and I had never seen anything like it. 

A sense of calm overcame me as I looked around at the forest, my eyes dancing across the scene in awe. 

"Pretty cool, right?" I turned to see Jasper standing beside me, a lopsided grin on his face which was lit up from the florescent glow of the forest. 

"I've never seen anything so beautiful." I breathed, lightly running my hand across a moss covered rock. 

Jasper let out a small laugh as he nodded. "Guess that makes up for the sea monster." 

I turned to him with a grateful smile. "Thank you for saving Octavia." I said, looking over to where my best friend sat. 

Jasper's face reddened as he nonchalantly tried to wave me off. "All in a day's work." he muttered, his eyes falling downward as he tried to hide his blush. 

"I'm glad you came with us." I declared, leaning over to bump his shoulder with my own. "Jasper saves the day."

"Oh, come on." he breathed, overwhelmed with the positive affirmations. "Your brother would have saved the day. Guys like him always do, right?"

My eyes travelled toward where Finn and Clarke were in conversation, a huge smile on my brother's face as he talked to the blonde girl. 

"Sure." I agreed with a shrug. "But you saved the day this time...don't forget it."

A small smile spread across Jasper's face as he nodded. "Thanks, Avery." his eyes flickered toward mine. "I'm glad you're here."

"Me too." I smiled, placing my hand on his shoulder for a moment before turning. "I'm heading to bed." I declared, making my way back toward our small campfire. "Clarke's probably going to have us up at the crack of dawn."

"Good thinking." Monty agreed from where he sat next to Octavia. 

"Oh, come on guys!" Octavia groaned, "We're on Earth...live a little!"

I glared at her as I bunched my jacket into a makeshift pillow. "You know I need my beauty sleep."

She rolled eyes with a laugh as she looked toward Monty and Jasper who had both prepared for sleep. "Yeah, you guys should see her if she gets any less than eight hours-total nightmare."

"I don't believe it." Jasper argued. ""Avery" and "nightmare" don't seem to go together."

I shot him a quick wink as I laid my head down on my bunched jacket. "Just wait until you get to know be a bit better."

Octavia let out a loud laugh, Monty and Jasper soon joining in. I couldn't fight the smile that spread across my face as my eyes tired. 

I fell asleep that night with a blissful smile on my face. 

---

When I awoke the next morning, I had a kink in my neck and my throat was almost too dry to speak, but still it was one of the best sleeps I had had in almost 18 years. Because for once, I knew that when I woke up I'd be free.

"Morning Miss Bedhead." Finn greeted, sitting down beside me and holding out a water filled leaf. 

I shot him a glare as I reached up and tried to smooth down my hair. "Am I the last one up?" I wondered, still trying to wake myself up.

He shook his head as he passed the leaf cup into my hand. "Octavia's still asleep." 

Taking a sip of the water, I cocked a brow. Who needs their beauty sleep now, Tavia?

Finn let out a laugh as he nodded toward her. "Go wake her up. Clarke wants to get moving."

I let out a small groan as I pushed myself to my feet. My body ached from the walk we had done yesterday. This was the most I had walked in one day in my entire life. 

Handing off the leaf for Finn to finish, I made my way toward my still slumbering best friend. 

"We tried to wake her." Jasper explained, as he laced up his boots. "She wouldn't budge."

I gave him a small grin as I knelt beside Octavia. "The key is to not be gentle what-so-ever."

Jasper gave me a confused look as I leaned closer to Octavia's ear, bracing for impact. 

"Octavia!"

She shot up upon my yell, her eyes wide and wild as she looked around. 

As soon as the landed on me, she reached out and shoved me, causing me to fall over. 

I let out a loud laugh as I pulled myself up. "See?" I said to Jasper. "It's all about execution."

Octavia grumbled as she reached for her boots. "One whole year of living together and you'd think I'd have gotten used to that."

I gave her a toothy grin as I pulled myself to my feet, sticking my hand out to help her up. "How's your leg?" I wondered.

Octavia shrugged, placing her hand into my own before allowing me to pull her to her feet. "It's fine."

I rolled my eyes, very well knowing that was the response I was going to get. Octavia never showed defeat. Ever.

"Everyone ready?" Clarke asked her bag already on her shoulders, ready to go.

I sighed as I grabbed my bag, reaching out to take Octavia's as well. "As ready as I'll ever be."

---

About an hour later, we came across a river. It was decided that no one was going swimming, however we did find a vine swing that looked pretty fun.

"You said you wanted to go first! Now stop stalling!" I yelled up at my twin who was hanging onto the rope, still not going anywhere. Jasper, who was beside Finn, whispered something in his ear and Finn gave him a slightly confused look.

"Today, Finn!" Clarke said impatiently.

"Aye, Aye Captain." Finn mocked, giving Clarke a salute.

As he pulled down on the vine, ready to swing, Jasper stopped him, "Wait!"

"What?" Finn asked, looking over at Jasper.

"Let me." The younger boy suggested, a sense of confidence in his words. His eyes were locked on the other two girls and myself.  "I can do it."

Finn looked slightly relieved as he handed the vines over to Jasper. "I knew there was a badass in there somewhere."

"You're just glad you didn't have to go first!" I shouted, calling my brother out on his bluff. 

Finn glared at me as Jasper grabbed a hold of the vines, looking down at us three girls and Monty, "See you on the other side!"

As he flew across the river he let out a scream, I wasn't sure if it was in fear or enjoyment. But either way, Jasper made it to the other side, hitting the ground with a large thump.

We all rushed further down the bank so we could see him, "Jasper!?" I called.

At the sound of his name, Jasper shot up with his hands in the air yelling in enjoyment, I could tell this time.

"Yeah, Jasper!!" I called, my cheers being mixed in with the others.

"Let's go Princess." Finn said handing the vines to Clarke, "You're up.

"Come on, Clarke, you got this!" Jasper yelled from across the river.

As Clarke grabbed the vines, ready to swing, Jasper's voice came across once again, "We did it!" He yelled, holding up an old sign that read Mount Weather.

A huge smile came across my face as Octavia jumped on me in excitement. 

All the excitement was ripped from the air seconds later as we all watched in terror as a large wooden spear flew across the river... lodging itself right in Jasper's chest.