15 minutes to launch
The rocket echoed through Becca's lab. Raven began barking orders and everyone hurried into action.
"Bellamy! We can't wait much longer!" Raven shouted over the ever-growing noise of Primfaya outside.
Please Clarke. I thought to myself. She had been gone for quite almost an hour now. What on Earth was taking her so long?
"Bellamy! We have to go!" Raven's voiced barely cut through the ringing in my ears. We couldn't leave Clarke; not after all we had been through. I felt sick.
My thoughts were interrupted by Monty's hand on my shoulder.
"Bellamy. I don't want to leave her behind either, but Raven's right. We've waited as long as we can." I could hear the regret in Monty's voice but it didn't make me inclined to leave. He's right. If we didn't leave, we would all die. In fact, there's a good chance that Clarke is already dead. I could feel the lump rising in my throat.
"Bellamy! Time's up!" Raven yelled over the rocket engines.
Monty backed away from me and reluctantly took his place in the ship next to Harper. Everyone else was ready for launch. I stepped towards the rocket and stared at the two empty seats. I couldn't leave without her. I couldn't go all the way back to the ark with the empty reminder of Clarke's absence staring me in the face. I had to wait; even if it was useless.
Everyone was glaring at me in anticipation. I could hear panicked yells filling the room but my thoughts blocked any chance of coherency. I stepped into the rocket and spoke directly to Raven.
"Get everyone to safety. I need to stay behind for Clarke." I put my hand on her shoulder as I fought the pull in my chest. "May we meet again."
Raven's eyes were glassy as she put her hand on mine and repeated "May we meet again."
Without another word and ignoring the cries protest from the rest of my friends, I shut the hatch to the rocket and backed away. Even if Clarke is gone, at least I know Raven will bring everyone else to safety. She's a good leader, they'll be fine without me.
The engines began rumbling and the lab ceiling hatch opened. I backed away and shut the compartment door that isolated the rocket. As the door slid shut, I took in what might be the last glance of my friends and held back my emotions. It felt like someone was ripping my heart out of my chest but it had to be done.
They would be safe. That's all that matters. I thought to myself.
The door closed with a loud thud and a securing click. A minute later, I heard the rocket's engines roar as it launched out of the lab. They were gone. I stood there for a minute unable to move. What had I done? How would I survive?
For now, nothing else mattered. I needed to find Clarke.
