By the time she made it back to the children's centre, the kids were wide awake and she was ready for a sleep.
Nora hadn't really slept at all last night and since officially meeting Octavia Blake, she couldn't get her out of her head. The sad, devastated look in her eyes. She knew she had to find a way to go back and see her, comfort her and just talk to her. But she had no idea how she could do that.
Kyra bombarded her instantly upon stepping foot through the door. She wrapped her arms around her middle, which prompted Nora to crouch for a proper hug. Stroking the back of her head, she listened with a forced smile at the girl telling her what they had for breakfast and if Nora could read to them in the den.
Nodding, the little girl took her hand and led them into the reading den Bellamy had created for them. He had transformed the previous pillow corner into a cosy space for the kids to seek comfort in. Flopping down, Kyra took up the space right next to her, with a book in hand already. A few others snuck in, Jimmy creeping in beside Kyra. Nora spotted Charlotte sitting at the edge of the fabric doors. She just watched, not coming in but obviously wanting to listen.
Touching the braided locks of Kyra, she gave her a genuine smile before settling back and reading with them. Gradually Kyra relaxed against her as the other listened closely. This was just what she needed.
But it was a shame it wouldn't last forever. As the story drew to a close and the children ran in different directions, Kyra requested another story and they stayed in the den together, resting as the others ran around outside. She could hear Gwen in the distance trying to control them, with Belle's laughter filling the centre.
She hoped Abby Griffin would be able to pull a few strings and get Octavia to live in the centre for a short while, to see her progress. Of course they would argue that another trial would then need to take place when she turned 18. But it would be too cruel of fate to lock her back up in a cell, after she had spent practically 16 years already locked away.
As the clock struck midday, the children tucked into a ration pack each and Nora gravitated to chewing the inside of her cheek and watching the phone. But it wouldn't ring for a while now. With Gwen and the kids keeping her mind occupied, the hours passed slowly. Abby had guessed a verdict would be reached by the evening.
Nora didn't anticipate it being this long and painstaking. The hours ticked by into later afternoon, the minutes passing slowly.
But when the phone finally beeped in, she shot up like a rocket to answer it. "They've reached a verdict, Nora." Abby's voice was soft and monotonous. "They're floating their mother."
Nora's heart dropped into her stomach, her eyes slipping shut. "Have they told Octavia yet?"
"No."
"Don't let them, I want to be there. I'll leave now for lock up."
"I'll meet you there. There's more I'll discuss with you." The doctor hung up before Nora could ask. Grabbing her jacket from the side, she shared a look with Gwen before shooting out the door and running down the corridor for the secure doors to lock up. The redhead didn't think she'd ever moved so fast. Abby was already waiting for her when she got there, her eyes downcast and her mouth pressed into a hard line.
"Are we allowed in to see her?" Nora asked, trying to not let her emotions get to her.
"Yes, but before you go in, you need to know that Octavia is being sent to the skybox."
Her whole body froze and her mind went blank. Her mouth dropped open in shock. "But she didn't do anything wrong."
"The council was swayed; she will be in the skybox until she is 18 and then be sent for a retrial."
Isolation for another two years. She would be all alone. "Did you ask about the centre?"
"It was denied. They don't know if she will be a threat."
"A threat?! How could they think that? You assessed her! She wouldn't hurt a damn fly! Hell, she's more scared of everyone else!"
Placing a hand on her arm, Abby shook her head. "Believe me, I tried. This was the best outcome. I was able to grant her visitations though, as a way to socialise her. But they would be controlled."
Shaking her head, Nora couldn't understand the result. Their mother floated, Octavia locked up for the rest of her life, just for being born... "What about Bellamy?"
"He will be released later today to see his mother. He will be stripped of his cadet role and demoted to janitorial."
"It's not fair."
A sigh left the doctor's lips, her eyes downcast and her face showing worry lines already. "No. It isn't. Aurora is being kept in a holding facility and then she will be floated after their goodbyes. Their decision was final."
The buzzer sounded as they stepped through the final door to the holding facility in lock up that Octavia had been moved to. She wasn't aware of the sentencing yet. Neither Abby nor Nora knew how she would react. The guard unlocked the door and the women stepped through without a word shared between them.
"Nora." Octavia spoke, rising up as the door shut behind them. "What's going on? Why did they move me?"
Sucking her lips in between her teeth, she stepped closer and nodded for the brunette to sit on the bed beside her. "They reached a verdict."
Her eyes flickered wildly between Abby and Nora, a frown deepening with each second of silence. "Your mom will be floated tonight." Abby explained.
Octavia shook her head, her eyes squeezing shut. "She said it would happen but I never thought it would." The first tear fell, followed by the next one. "I can't- I don't understand h-how... why does it even matter that much? One extra person?! It won't make that much of a difference!"
Reaching out Nora squeezed her hand. "I'm sorry."
"It is the law, I'm sorry." Abby spoke, her voice soft with her mothering qualities shining through. "We are only allowed one child on the Ark. The Ark wouldn't be able to function if there was no control. The council has feared that if they let this slide, others will do the same and have more children. I tried to appeal, but the decision was final."
The brunette looked so lost. She was almost 16 and would spend the rest of her days in isolation. That wasn't a life and she hadn't asked for this, she was just born.
"You're being sent to the skybox." Nora said softly, mimicking Abby's tone. "I'm still hoping after they see that you need to be around others and not isolated, they will change their minds. But for now at least it is the skybox."
Octavia's mouth dropped open, her face emotionless, or maybe it was shock. Her eyes fluttered, tears gathering in her green eyes. "And Bellamy?"
"Fired from the cadet programme and placed on janitorial duty."
The brunette's eyes dropped as her hands rung in her lap. "All I wanted was to see the Ark. He just wanted to help, to let me see it."
"I know." Nora placed her hand on the young woman's shaking ones. "You will be allowed visitations in the skybox. We'll come see you. I promise."
All Octavia could do was nod, her eyes scanning the floor of the cell. A knock on the door, made her wipe the tears from under her eyes and sniff back the rest of them.
"It's time!" The guard called, that being their cue to leave for the goodbye. Abby approached the door, the guard stepping back in and the youngest Blake froze up again.
"Time for what?"
Nora rose to standing and offered her hand out to the woman. "To say goodbye."
"It's happening now?"
The redhead nodded, "I'm afraid so. They don't wait long after a verdict." Octavia's mouth opened to talk but no words came out as she stood up. "Bellamy will be there too." At the mention of her brother, the young woman nodded and seemed to swallow back the fear that was so evident on her face. "The guard will cuff your wrists but it's just precaution for the walk there. He won't hurt you."
Slowly, she nodded and the guard stepped forward with the plastic cuffs for her wrists. She watched as the older guard carefully took her wrists and cuffed them, her whole body was frozen as she stood as still as a statue. He led the way out for them, through the secured doors of lock up, all the while Nora remained at Octavia's side with Abby following them.
As the guard turned to go the back route, Nora stopped him short. "This route is quicker, sir." The guard raised a single eyebrow, casting a look in the pointed direction. He hesitated before reluctantly nodding. Nora knew the route wasn't that much quicker, but it was the one route that was surrounded by glass windows and a never-ending view of space.
A smile touched her lips as she nodded for Octavia to follow. The girl just shot her a dubious look before shuffling along behind the guard, but the moment they turned the corner, that look disappeared and was replaced with wide eyes. Slowly, her mouth opened, her eyes sparkling at the sight of the stars shining in the distance. "Wow."
"Pretty great, huh?"
"Yeah. I only got a glimpse before the party."
"Now you can say you've seen space." Nora said, smiling alongside the woman.
Octavia didn't look away from the large expanse of glass. The curves of nearby planets could be seen, the light creating a blue hue across each curve.
Earth was closest and that was what Octavia was seemingly focusing on with each step she took. Clusters of white could be seen on earth, with patches of a darker green. They swirled together in a muddle of blue. The top side shone bright, with the light illuminating off it.
"Thanks." She heard Octavia mumble, her eyes still wide in amazement down the long corridor of glass.
"I think we take the sight for granted sometimes."
"I would never take this for granted."
Nora looked back at Abby, who shared her solemn expression. These views would be all she had of the Ark now. The mechanical creak of the doors was heard up ahead and Nora's heart sunk. This was it. This was goodbye.
"Octavia."
The young woman's head shot up at the sound of her mother's voice. "Mom!" A sob cracked through her voice but the guard waited until the doors were shut and locked until he released Octavia's cuffs.
Surging forward, the young woman was wrapped in her mother's arms instantly. As her eyes scanned the room, Nora found Bellamy with he's head ducked and his face tight with emotion. She wished she could walk over and comfort him. But she was on duty and her responsibility at this time was Octavia.
Hazel eyes strayed over to the mother and daughter before them all. The older woman was whispering something in her ear, stroking the back of her head and pressing kisses to her temple. Aurora held her so tightly and something twisted inside of Nora as she had never had that with her mother.
Due to complications with her birth, her mother had died before she had a chance to hold her. Her dad told her the story when she was old enough to understand and it had never truly hit home until she saw Octavia and Aurora wrapped up tightly in each other.
Pressing one final kiss to her forehead, Aurora stood back, cradling her daughters face. "Don't be afraid. I love you. Don't forget how much I love you."
Tears fell from her glassy green eyes and Aurora quickly wiped them from her daughters' porcelain cheeks. "I love you too." Octavia replied in a quiet whisper, only meant for her mother.
"Bellamy, look after your sister. No games." She warned him, to which the man had simply nodded. Nora guessed they had said their goodbye earlier before they had arrived. But still, she could feel the waves of sorrow roll off Bellamy. He blamed himself; that was plain to see.
As Aurora took a step backwards, Marcus Kane took a step closer to the large button that would open the airlock doors and suck the older woman outside to her death. She remembered seeing her father floated like it was yesterday, and it felt like someone had ripped out her heart when he was ripped from the Ark.
That sight never left a person.
Her eyes strayed to Kane and a frown hit her brows hard. She would never understand how they could press that button that killed another person. Casting a look to the doors, she saw Shumway standing guard with his face stoic but a small smile rested on his face. It filled her with rage, that one person could be that arrogant and cruel.
As the doors to the airlock chamber opened and Aurora stepped inside, her gaze never moved from Bellamy and Octavia as they stood near each other. She visibly gulped the lump in her throat and the first tear fell.
Octavia's cheeks were wet with tears, her eyes wide in shock. This was one of the first time she had seen more of the Ark and it wasn't for the reason she had wanted.
"You don't have to look." Nora spoke quietly, taking a step closer to the young woman. "Once you see it, you won't be able to forget it." She remembered the exact moment her father had been sucked out. The sheer look of pain that had crossed his face in the moment he was sucked out was seared into her mind.
Shaking her head, Octavia watched as Aurora closed her eyes, tears falling and her arms falling limp beside her.
"I don't want to."
"Just close your eyes and think of a happy moment... one with your mother and brother. Think of a time you were all happy together." Nora's throat tightened, seeing more tears escape her and fall down her cheeks. Octavia closed her eyes, a sigh falling from her lips. "Don't lose those memories."
Nora didn't look back to the airlock chamber, she couldn't bear the sight of another innocent person floated. But she heard the moment that Kane pressed the button to open the doors to space.
With her hand gripping Octavia's own, she looked over to Bellamy instead of Aurora. His dark eyes went wide, a single breath leaving his lungs, but soon turning into a soft pant. A tear fell and hit his cheek as the deafening suction sound was heard.
Aurora was gone.
"Take her to the skybox." An order was heard loud and clear and Nora's face turned hard when she recognised the voice as Shumway.
On instinct, Nora stepped in front of Octavia, blocking her from one of the approaching guards and Shumway. "She can't say goodbye to her brother?" With her eyes narrowed, she shot him a challenging look.
"No." He nodded for a guard, "Cuff her."
"Just give her a minute." Nora spoke again, not moving from her spot. The woman behind her was still frozen in shock with her eyes closed.
"Resisting a guard is punishable—"
"Let the girl have 5 minutes, Shumway." Kane ordered, still standing in the spot by the airlock chamber. Nora looked over to him, giving him a short nod of appreciation.
While, Shumway shot daggers at the redhead. "Just give me a reason to float you, Miss Thorn."
"Not today."
Looking away from the guard, she put her hand on Octavia's shoulder before gesturing her over to Bellamy who was already walking over to her. His long arms wrapped around her instantly, his body supporting her shaking one as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"That will be all, Shumway." Kane spoke loud and clear. The Lieutenant took one last look at Nora before leading him and a few other guards out of the room. The others in the room, Abby, Kane, the two guards and herself, gave the siblings a moment of privacy as they moved to the side.
The redhead watched as Bellamy held her tightly, saying goodbye to his sister who he didn't know whether he would see again. Octavia hadn't known anything but life with her brother and know she would be locked away, in isolation.
The older Blake pressed a kiss to the crown of her head as he spoke to her in quiet whispers. She couldn't hear what was being said and she didn't want to, this was their moment, before the inevitable.
"When will the first opportunity be to appeal Octavia's sentencing?" Nora asked no one in particular, but hoped Kane would have a solid answer.
"Next year." Her heart dropped. "The council wouldn't accept one a moment sooner. They all have to pass at least a year."
"But it might be possible?"
"I didn't say that, Nora." Kane corrected her. "She is to be made an example out of for the rest of the Ark."
"Even though she's innocent."
There was a beat of silence, "yes." Kane answered solemnly. They all knew it to be true, but none of them could do anything.
But they could let the siblings have this final farewell, they could give them that and that alone.
As one final hug was shared and a kiss was placed on her head once more, they pulled apart and two guards approached the pair. No cuffs were needed, Kane had already blocked that. Bellamy was leaded out of the room, his head lowered as he began the lonely walk back to his home, where he would now live alone.
Octavia looked on, her eyes watching her brother's back as he disappeared from their sight. Nora was first to approach the young woman, with a piece of cloth in hand to dry her tears. "Let's take a walk?" All the woman could do was nod, trying to put on a brave front.
Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, Nora followed the footsteps of the guard and she never let the woman beside her go. Abby didn't follow, neither did Kane, and with heavy hearts, the doors shut quietly behind them.
The walk back to juvenile lock up was silent, as Octavia's eyes stayed fixed on the outside space and the light that bounced off the planets. There were no right words in that moment, only comfort could help, Nora knew that better than anybody. Nothing can prepare you for losing a parent, especially one you had depended on your entire life.
The redhead's hand rubbed her shoulder every now and again and soon enough, the tears dried up on the youngest Blake. Nora gave the guard a appreciative smile as he paused at the final expanse of glass before the buzzered doors. "It gets easier, I promise you. But you just have to think of the happier memories."
Octavia nodded, sucking her lips in and holding back the fresh flow of tears. Green eyes took in every single detail about space and what the Ark looked like. This would be all she had for a while. In the skybox, you never were sure if they would be allowed out to socialise with others, let alone see out a window again.
"I'm ready." She said quietly and the guard nodding before taking their final steps to the doors. The buzzer sounded and they all stepped into the first holding section as the doors shut behind them and opened the ones in front in sync.
Walking along the bridge to the sky boxes at the end, Octavia kept her eyes trained on the guards back as Nora followed her. Pausing at the last door in the row, the guard unlocked it before opening the door for her.
This was it.
Before she could take another step, Octavia turned to Nora and hugged her tightly. She didn't need to say anything, the hug spoke volumes for the brunette.
But Nora was still worried about her, how could you not be? "Don't be afraid. We'll get you out of here."
She just nodded, "Can you find out when I can next see Bellamy?"
"I'll try."
Nora knew her visitations would be limited, Abby had already said, and it was uncertain whether Bellamy would be permitted. He would be at the bottom of the food chain for a while now, along with his rights on the Ark.
It would probably be a long time until he was allowed to see his sister again.
A/N: Thank you for your lovely kind reviews! More Bellamy/Nora interaction in the next chapter I promise. But I love writing the dynamic between Nora and Octavia. What are you guys enjoying so far? Let me know! :)
