Another chapter. I though it would take me more time to edit this but I was mistaken. Happy reading and don't forget to leave your thoughts in the comments.

Chapter 7: Vanishing

The storm had forced Iris to say in her tent. The healer had changed the bandages and the salve under them. He urged her to lie down and rest. She couldn't do it. She was restless. Her newfound friend was out there with Clarke. Now her mother and the others were looking for them.

She got up from the bed wincing. "God, that hurts," she thought. Having a broken rib wasn't pleasant at all. Only if she had one of those pills that Clarke's mother had, to take the pain away. She moved slowly toward the entrance. Outside of the tent, she found two guards.

"Hainofi," they bowed.

"Are they back?" She asked.

"Not yet," one of the guards answered.

That wasn't good.

"You two," she turned to them. "Take someone with you and scout the borders. I have a bad feeling about this."

The guards looked at each other, hesitating for a moment. "We were ordered to guard you," the other said.

"I know and I need you to do as I say. Or I should do it for you? Go check the perimeter I mean."

"No, princess," the first guard said. "We're on it."

When Iris was left alone she sighed. Most people were back in their tents but she could still see some of them moving about. Noticing a young boy roaming the camp she decided to join him.

"What are you doing?" she asked the boy.

Startled he looked at her.

"Hainofi," the boy was about to bow but Iris stopped him.

"Don't," she smiled at the boy. "Why aren't you inside?"

"I'm looking for snails," the boy answered.

She couldn't help but laugh. "It's easier to find them after the rain. Come. Let's get you inside."

The boy nodded and followed her.

XXX

Indra and Clark were still trying to get out when they noticed that the rain had stopped. The storm had passed.

"I will take his hands when we find him!" Indra swore.

"Calm down, Indra," said Clarke. "We don't know what happened. He might be around somewhere."

"I don't think that's the case. Our rope is gone and the one we left above is too. Sorry, Wanheda but I think he left us."

Clarke wanted to be optimistic but Indra had a point. When they woke up and she noticed that Leo was gone, the first thing they did was check the way into the underground parking lot. As soon as they did, they discovered that their way back up was cut off. The rope they had used to climb down was gone. Later, Indra had found that their other rope was also missing.

"You might be right," Clare agreed.

"We will get out," Indra reassured her. "Octavia should be back in TonDC by now. When I found your tracks I instructed her to go back and tell the Commander. They are probably looking for us as we speak. Octavia is very good at tracking. They will find us."

XXX

As much as Iris wanted to ignore the fact that she was injured, she was now confined to her tent waiting for the healer. The brief walk left her in a great deal of pain. The healer had found some roots to make a tonic for her pain.

"It's ready," he announced. "May I enter?"

The healer walked toward her. "You have to take this once a day. It's very strong so be careful. If you take too much, it might make you fall asleep and never wake up. Two sips every day for a month." The healer gave her the flask.

"Thank you, fisa," she said.

"How do you feel?" he asked.

"My side hurts. I can move my arm slightly but otherwise, I'm good."

"You will heal," the healer said and bent a little to look at her injuries. "The wound on the shoulder is healing well. As for the rib…" the healer's gaze travelled down silently asking for permission to touch her. When she didn't protest his fingers gently touched her injured side. "It's healing but it won't be fast. Don't forget to take your tonic.

"Mochof," said Iris.

The healer nodded and left her alone to rest.

A few moments later someone entered her tent.

"Leo?" Iris was surprised.

"We have to go. Now!" he said anxiously. Leo grabbed her by the arm. "You are not safe here. They found us and captured Wanheda,"Leo lied. "I ran back to take you to a safe place."

Iris didn't want to leave. Her mother was taken and she was going to rescue her. "We need to gather our forces and follow whoever took her."

Ignoring the pain, refusing to let it hinder her, Iris headed to the entrance. Leo wasn't going to let her go. No. He had other plans. If he was to succeed he had to keep it quiet. The point was to keep her from alarming everyone. His eyes quickly found a small wooden box. He picked it up and smacked Iris on the back of her head.

"Sorry about that," He said to her as he caught her to soften her fall. "I can't let you tell the others that Wanheda is trapped." Dragging her away from the entrance he left her at the foot of the bed. Took the knife Clark had given him out and tore the back of the tent. A horse was waiting. Going back in and picking Iris up on his shoulder he carried her to the animal. After he secured her on the saddle he mounted the horse. Leo spurred the horse and guided the animal through the trees away from TonDC and the Commander. "Everything will make sense." He said to Iris. He knew she couldn't possibly hear him, being still unconscious but at least the words were out. He had succeeded in his task.

Hainofri - Princess

Mochof - Thank you

Fisa - healer