#ch 10

In the present moment, the door swings  inwards on silent hinges. Clarke represses a shudder and moves forward into the inky blackness. 

And is promptly hit with the force of a freight train as someone barrels into her at full speed. She teeters on her heels before managing to right both herself and her assailant. 

“Hi- Raven-” Clarke manages to gasp out despite the arms that are slowly compressing her ribcage. Gently, she pries the mechanic off of her, holding her friend at arms length as air manages to refill her lungs with a fortifying breath. 

“Clarke- holy shit–” 

Clarke inadvertently sees the body on the metal table behind Raven as her friend steps aside, hands gesticulating as she talks, the solitary piece of furniture in the small stone room. Raven’s voice fades into the background as Clarke moves forward, dreamlike, to stand at the foot of Emerson’s body. The Commander has swept past the two visiting Skaikru to examine the last remaining Mountain Man, speaking quietly to Nyko as she paces around the perimeter of the examining table. Ryder and Cadoc have taken up positions at the door, Cadoc eyeing Bell stonily. Bellamy glares right back, his right hand resting at the holster by his hip. In a gesture of goodwill, Lexa had allowed him to keep his weapon. 

Clarke hopes fervently that it wasn’t a mistake.