Chapter 3
Madi,
You're right, that is so much more natural than Dear Madi Griffin. I wanted to let you know, your Uncle John is in my unit. I just learned this when he had a video call a few weeks ago. He's a good man, and someone I trust with my life. I want to promise you, I'll look after him. I'll keep him alive and in one piece for you. He doesn't say much about his personal life, but I know he loves you and your mother dearly. We're going to be State side in a month, one more month until we're home. I would like to meet you in person too. I'm sure Murphy, you're Uncle John, doesn't tell you much about us over here. I'll let you know about our unit. There's Murphy who you already know about. Raven is our mechanic and explosion specialist. She can fix anything. Lincoln is our medic, and he's probably the best one we've ever had. Miller is my spotter, he watches my back when we're out on assignment. And I'm the team leader and sharp shooter. Four more weeks, and we'll be home.
Now, tell me how your classes are going? Are you still learning about Ancient Greek Civilization in History or have you moved on to Rome? Which Civilization are you planning on doing for your final project? You can always bounce ideas off of me. I used to help my sister with her class projects, History being the one subject she always struggled with. Tell me about English, what are you reading this month for the class? Is it interesting? What are your teachers like?
Unfortunately it's time for lights out. I need to sign this letter and send it off in the morning. I hope to hear from you soon Madi.
Bell
Madi read the letter during her English class as Miss Blake was making her way around the classroom to ensure all her students were working on some type of assignment. She paused at Madi's desk, glancing at the letter that was laid out in front of her. Octavia's mossy green eyes quickly scanned the words, her eyes widening slightly at the realization that one of her favorite students had been assigned her brother.
"How's the pen pal Mads?" she asked quietly, a soft smile playing on her lips as the thirteen year old girl glanced at Octavia from the corner of her eye.
"He's good. Excited he only has four more weeks left of his tour before he returns state side. He's in the same unit as my Uncle," Madi answered with wide smile on her lips, watching Miss Blake nod before pulling her bottom lip between her teeth.
"He's my big brother, and he sounds really happy talking with you," she informed Madi quietly, not wanting the other students to hear her.
"Yeah, I kinda figured it out a few letters ago. He's really cool Miss Blake," Madi replied just before the bell rang, dismissing the class for the day.
Madi sat in front of the computer at the hospital, her homework splayed out in front of her as she attempted to ignore her mom and Uncle Zeke's conversation. She wasn't trying to eavesdrop exactly, but she wanted to know why her mom looked ready to cry.
"Hey, I'm sure it's not as bad as they're making it sound Clarke," Zeke spoke softly, pulling the girl who saved his life, the girl he saw as a sister, into a hug.
"They're moving the entire unit State Side Zeke. They did what they could over there and he's coming home. But God, he was tortured. His entire unit was held hostage for two weeks before someone realized they hadn't come back from their assignment," Clarke's voice was raw and Madi knew they were talking about Uncle John. She lowered her head, knowing the entire unit had been tortured meant Bellamy had been too. She knew, just knew in her gut, he would have taken most of the torture to save his team mates, his family.
"He's being moved here, into your care. The entire unit is. One of the reports said one of them had a bullet pressing on their spine. One had electric burns on his chest, and another looked like he took the most of the beatings," Zeke spoke quietly, swaying with Clarke to calm her from the panic attack he knew she would be suffering from internally.
"I know, I know. But Zeke, he's my brother. I can't help but worry," Clarke whispered before her pager went off.
"That's them. Do you have Madi? If not I can always call Wells or Monty?" Clarke pulled away, glancing between her daughter and the man she considered a brother. He smirked, waving her off.
"Me and Mads have plans babe. We're going to stay up all night eating junk food and watching horror movies," he teased, tossing a wink to his honorary niece who grinned toothily at his words.
"Eat some vegetables. Bed by ten. Nothing to horrific Zeke, I mean it. I'll see you when I get off, but I honestly don't know when that's going to be. Stay out of trouble. Love you," Clarke spoke in a rush, dropping a kiss to the crown of Madi's head before pressing a kiss to Zeke's cheek and rushing down the hall to where she was needed.
"You're mom is a super hero Mads," Zeke muttered in awe as he turned towards the young girl who nodded her head in agreement.
"But she would never believe you if you told her that," she replied as she packed up her things and made her way to her uncle's side.
The surgery to get relieve the pressure of the bullet against the spine took Clarke longer than she had anticipated. She had been hoping to be the assisting doctor, not the operating one. However luck was not on her side this time. She was able to save the woman, however she lost feeling in her left leg, her lower left leg. She was thankful for Clarke saving her life however.
"I thought I wouldn't be able to walk again. I lost feeling in both legs. But you... I lost half a leg, I'm not that bummed about it. Thank you," she spoke once she woke after the operation. Clarke offered her a small smile, shaking her head.
"You don't need to thank me. I was only doing my job," Clarke shook her off. The small Latina leveled Clarke with a disbelieving look before she shook her head.
"No, just doing your job would have been to only remove the bullet. You tried to fix my damaged nerves as well. That's more than most doctor's would have done, especially with my shitty insurance," Clarke ducked her head, mumbling something about checking on her other patients as she spun on her heel.
"Let me know how the rest of my unit is doing? Blake, Murphy, Miller, and Lincoln saved my life. They took most of the torture, wouldn't let those bastards touch me. If one of them died because of it, I'd go out of my mind," her voice held a note of desperation to it, so Clarke offered her a sharp nod before quietly closing the door behind her.
The first two she checked on were Miller and Lincoln. Both only looked exhausted. Clarke quickly checked over their vitals after she introduced herself, humming lightly before turning her attention to Lincoln.
"Electrical burns. That had to have hurt," she commented lightly as she moved him into a sitting position to check the burns on his back.
"Not at all, felt more like a tickle," he answered easily, noticing the smirk that danced on Clarke's lips.
"Oh I bet. You're lucky they're not infected. They're healing well. You will most likely be discharged in the morning. Same for your roomie. Nathan Miller, you're only dehydrated. Once we pump you full of fluids you'll be free as well," Clarke replied as she eased Lincoln down before turning to the other man who nodded his head. Clarke nodded before leaving the room, deciding now she could go yell at her brother as she checked on her last patient for the night. Than she would inform Raven of her unit's health before picking up Madi from Zeke's and going home to sleep for at least twelve hours. She paused just outside the room that had been assigned to John and Blake before grabbing the charts on the door and pushing it open.
Her ice blue eyes easily found her brother who was lounging lazily on his bed, his hands wrapped and his face swollen from the different bruises, his nose reset after being broken. Both of his eyes were swollen and there was a cut stitched on his forehead. Clarke closed her eyes before turning her attention to her other patient who was struggling at the moment to get out of his bed.
"Hey, no. you are supposed to be resting. That means staying in the bed until you've been cleared by your doctor who happens to be me," Clarke barked, rushing to his side and pressing on his chest until he was laying back against the mattress.
"I'm fine. Just some minor bruises," Blake attempted to argue with Clarke who only pressed on his shoulder, which she knew had been dislocated. He grunted, falling back against the mattress before he narrowed his amber colored irises at her.
"Yeah, you were tortured for two weeks. And from the report I read as well as the exam you underwent once you were submitted here, you need to rest. Try to move again, and I'll strap you down myself, are we clear?" Clarke demanded, raising a perfectly arched eyebrow only for Blake to answer her with a crooked grin.
"How'd you know I was into BDSM Princess?" Clarke only rolled her eyes before turning her attention to her brother who had been snickering at his comment.
"Trust me Bellamy, Clarkey here would eat you alive. You wouldn't be able to handle her," Murphy sounded smug, watching the frown pull on his friend's lips.
"Don't try acting so high and mighty right now, Johnny Boy. What was the one thing I asked you to do?" Clarke demanded, narrowing her eyes at her brother, who turned to glare at the wall in front of him.
"I came back in one piece Clarke," he answered, knowing she was going to chew him out for being so reckless.
"What happened John? Five years. You've been over there for five years and you were never caught. How the hell did you get captured, held hostage, and tortured for two fucking weeks?" She ignored the feeling of Bellamy's eyes on her as Murphy finally meant her gaze. He could only shake his head.
"They had insider intel on us. That's the only thing that makes sense. It's the only thing that could explain how they knew what route we were going to be taking, who would be there, everything. We got sloppy doesn't cut it. Bellamy and Raven don't do sloppy when they plan our routes. They're thorough. They're anal about it. I'm sorry I scared you Clarke, honestly wasn't my intention this time. Does the Hobbit know?" Bellamy had never seen Murphy so earnest, or honest before. It was a shock to witness first hand.
"Not the details. She knows you were rushed back because of an emergency, but not the extent. It wasn't from lack of trying on her part, I can assure you of that. I'll bring her by in the morning after I get a couple hours of sleep. Don't antagonize the nurses or I'll tell Emori you almost died," She threatened before turning on her heel.
"Stay on that mattress Blake," she added as on after thought before she was out the door. Clarke exhaled a breath before she opened the door to Raven Reyes' room, peaking her head in and nodding in confirmation that her team mates were fine. She waved to the night nurse, Maya before making her way towards her car. In the safety of the new Ford Focus, Clarke allowed herself a small break down, knowing she wouldn't be able to do so when she was home. She needed to pull herself together for Madi, and she would once her nerves had settled. Her brother was fine, she didn't lose him, he was going to be alright. Inhaling, Clarke straightened in her seat before starting her car and heading to pick up her daughter. She had a long night ahead of her and she needed Madi close.
A/N: Chapter 3! Hope you enjoyed! Feel free to let me know what you thought!
