ALICIA POV

The days crept by agonisingly and still Clarke and Bellamy did not return.

The two were well known for their independence and inability to avoid trouble so many were not worried at first. However, this knowledge was useless when considering the circumstances in which they had been venturing.

Scouting an enemy base was no small feat and it was highly likely that something had gone very wrong. There were an overwhelming number of possibilities surrounding their absence and I couldn't help but picture every single one of them.

I had grown increasingly concerned as each day dragged by, with very little to distract me from their absence within camp. They should have been back by now, at the very latest. It was impossible not to consider the worst.

The radio had provided a much needed glimmer of hope in my life as I attempted to contact my family, but that seemed to be another lost cause. I could not bear to lose both my family and Elyza simultaneously, the blonde woman had helped me to get through this nightmare and I don't know what would have happened had we not met on that fated day.

The motorhome had become my place of sanctuary when not pacing the camp in hopes of glimpsing the returning duo, eyes of pity and sorrow resting on me that went unaddressed. Many feared the worst, but none would dare say it aloud.

I lay on the wide bed at the rear of the vehicle, hands lightly massaging my temples as I considered my options. Presuming Elyza to be dead was out of the question. If the girl didn't show up soon then a search party or rescue operation would have to be considered. We had to do something.

I was sick of waiting around here with nothing happening. It was time to act. I shimmied off the bed and went about to brief task of packing up my belongings, ready for departure when and if I deemed it necessary. It was a poor collection of items but I had been in Elyza's company for long enough to know how to live off the bare minimum and scavenge on the move.

All I knew had been learnt in the company of the blonde woman.

I slumped back onto the bed with a sigh, the half empty bag at my side.

Before meeting Elyza, I had been innocent in this new world. Now I could fight, defend myself, and survive as well as anyone else. I had been taught by the very best.

Thinking back on the time spent with the girl brought a tear to my eye but I hurriedly wiped it away. Crying would be of no use.

Memories invaded my mind in the quiet setting. Memories of sunsets and exploration. Finding an ancient game of monopoly whilst we waited for the morning to arrive, sharing stories of life before the apocalypse. I even missed the terrible driving, the rush of the wind through my hair as I laughed giddily at the excessive speed. Elyza flashing me her iconic grin, teasing me at every opportunity and the mock expression of hurt when I retaliated in kind.

She had been competitive, wild, and carefree, but she could also be kind. I recalled my fear and dismay at the very beginning after losing my family, an event that I would not have gotten through alone. She knew to hug me when it all got to much, how to distract me on the worst days, and make me smile when I thought it impossible.

A second tear soon followed the first and I swiped it away in frustration, angry that I was doing this to myself. I just wanted to see her, talk to her. Life without her was unimaginable.

The realisation stuck in my mind and I wished that these feelings had been apparent sooner. That our friendship had developed so much further without either of us noticing, until we could barely imagine life without the other. Or perhaps I had just ignored them, enjoying every moment with the girl without the weight of anything else pressing on my mind.

Now I was left with regret. That I had said nothing, that I had done nothing. Now I might never get the chance.

My thoughts scattered as if in fear of discovery when a harsh knock rapped against the door to the motorhome and I hurriedly wiped at my face before calling out for them to enter.

Raven smiled in greeting as she pulled herself inside, her eyes immediately drawn to the bag at my side as she came to a stop in the narrow corridor. Her eyes were filled with compassion and sympathy, threatening to bring the tears back to my eyes when I witnessed her expression.

'You're more than welcome to stay here with us. No matter what happens.'

I appreciated the gesture but these were not my people, my friends, nor my family. I just wanted Elyza.

'Thanks, but I've got to try and find her.'

'I understand, you do what have to. Why don't you wait a few weeks, try to contact your family or give yourself time to really consider your options. You don't want to leave before they have chance to return.'

I wasn't sure how much longer I could sit here waiting, this couldn't be my life for the next few weeks. It would drive me insane. Most people here probably thought I was insane with the amount of pacing and silent brooding that I had taken to doing.

'I'll leave in the morning. If they're not back by now then I doubt they will return at all.'

Raven didn't force the issue, much to my relief, and merely retreated from the caravan.

'We're all here for you, anytime.'

The kind gesture almost set me off again and I berated my emotional state. If anything I needed to be logical right now, to make the right judgement call without letting my heart cloud my head. In the morning I would set out for the prison and hope to find some sign of the duo, even with virtually non-existent chances, I had to at least try.

I couldn't sleep that night, lying motionlessly on the bed and gazing sightlessly into the darkness as thoughts continued to swirl through my mind. The walls of the caravan quickly began to feel claustrophobic and I abandoned the vehicle to walk a route through the extensive camp, walkers far from my mind with multiple patrols ensuring our safety at all hours.

I could hardly believe how quickly time had passed when dawn began to creep into existence, the briefest of sunrays beginning to extend across the sky, marking the arrival of a new day and my departure from these people. My heart was heavy at the prospect. I had been well looked after during my stay here and I had come to like many of these people.

It was almost peaceful to watch the lightening sky but I couldn't avoid the reality of what it meant. My time here was at an end and so my venture would begin.

The camp was beginning to bustle with activity as the day began, women, men and children emerging with large yawns and stretches as they prepared to complete their tasks. I couldn't help but feel like an intruder in their environment, without ties to anyone here. My absence would be forgotten in a matter of days and life would carry on without pause.

I resigned myself to the inevitable truth that this would never be my home and began to meander back to the motorhome that had been assigned to me. I didn't make even make it back to the RV when I cast an eye out over the horizon and my heart all but stopped.

In the distance, almost unnoticeable to the observing eye, a thin cloud of dust could be seen rising from the arid land, its path bringing it straight towards the camp. I didn't dare to raise my hopes in that moment and broke into a run past the motor home and to the appointed clearing that acted as an entrance to the camp.

The stream of dust was growing clearer by the second and its existence could not be denied. Raven hurried out of a caravan nearby, drawn by the shouts of excited people who had already decided that this was the returning duo. I could not bring myself to believe it until I saw her in person. My heart would only break further.

'Get back! We don't know who it is yet!' the dark haired girl cried, shooing the onlookers back to safety as the appointed defenders gripped their weapons expectantly.

I stood shoulder to shoulder with Raven, my heart in my mouth as the vehicle sped over a rise and drifted to a stop when the brakes were slammed to the floor. The dust obscured my vision for a long moment and I squinted as the specks burned my eyes but even the pain did not stop me from staring through the cloud at the two figures stepping out of the vehicle.

The dark haired man emerged first, a wide smile presenting on his face when he saw the gathering that awaited them. It was Bellamy. He lifted his arms as Octavia rushed forwards with an excited grin, embracing her brother tightly in relief. They had all feared the worst.

After a slight delay the passenger door was thrown open and Elyza somewhat awkwardly pulled herself out of the vehicle, the blonde curls unmistakable as the blue eyes searched through the crowd of faces for the only one that she needed to see.

A wide smile spread across her face when the blue eyes found me in the crowd, my feet moving before I could even process the action, closing the distance between us as fast as humanely possible. I could hardly believe that she was here, briefly wondering if this was all a dream but there was no denying her presence when I hurtled into her and enveloped her in my arms.

Her light chuckle resonated through me as she steadied herself against the car with one hand and pulled me closer with the other. She must have felt the racing of my heart but I didn't care, relief coursing through me that she was alive and well. It was more than I could have hoped for.

I held onto her for dear life for a long moment before finally releasing her, following up with a light punch on her arm as a spark of anger fired into existence at her recklessness.

'I thought you were dead! You were meant to be back days ago!'

'It's a rollercoaster with you isn't it! Nice to see you too.'

My anger faded quickly and Elyza grinned at my conflicted expression, knowing that she wouldn't be in trouble for long now that she had returned. That was until I glimpsed the purple bruising that coloured her cheek.

'What happened?'

I lifted a hand to hover over the injury before Elyza pushed my arm away, weariness creeping into her expression after her adventure.

'I told you I'd be fine, but if you want to have a go at me you can do so over a very large meal. I'm starving.'

The crowd of survivors were clearly pleased to see their friends returned, some cheering and hooting as they set up the outside seating area. There was much to discuss and celebration to commence.

Elyza abandoned the car and brushed past me with a brief wave at Raven, attempting to walk steadily but I soon noticed the struggling limp that lilted her steps. There had certainly been some kind of encounter out there, but for now I was just happy to see both of them alive and well.

The day had barely begun but everything had changed in an instant. No longer would I have to venture out into the world in hopes of finding Elyza. She had made it back to me and I would never let her go again.

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