Chapter 3

Clarke followed her mom and the guards to the air lock, their foot steps echoing in the deserted corridors. The lighting is lowered, so Clarke knew it's what passes for nighttime on the Ark. They are hiding what is about to happen, so nobody questions why the head engineer is being floated.

Clark could hear her mom sniffling in front of her, and the familiar anger rises to the surface. This is her fault.

She went to Jaha. She was probably not expecting him to float his best friend, but what did she expect. Clarke's anger begins to boil to the surface until she rounds the corner and she sees him.

Her dad, her best friend. Standing beside Jaha, talking as if discussing the day-to-day workings of the Ark, and not about to be executed. When he hears them, he looks up and smiles.

The same smile he gave her when she would have nightmares as a kid and wake up screaming, the smile for when she'd skinned her knee or for when she was sick. It was an apology for the pain she was feeling. It was reassurance that she would get through it. Now, she realises it's tinged with something else, that she didn't see it before. She recognises it now, the look of someone ready to sacrifice for their people.

Clarke, despite everything, smiles too. One which mirrors his grief, but she's happy too. That after everything she's been through, she gets to see him one last time. She walks over to him, and he engulfs her in his arms. For the first time in years, Clarke feels protected and safe, and she could stay like this forever, but she knows time is wasting. She pulls back and looks at him.

"Dad, I know why you felt like you had to do this. I get it, and I forgive you for leaving us because I know it's not you're choice"

She glances at Jaha, who has the good sense to look ashamed before schooling his features.

"You're a good man Dad, you've done what's right. Don't worry about me, I'll be OK...I'll behave in solitary and maybe once I turn 18 they will let me go. Maybe one day I'll even get to go back home to earth."

"Clarke, I'm sorry, kiddo. This isn't what I wanted for you." Her Dad removes his watch and hands it to her.

"I want you to have this to keep me with you. To remind you of me and to remind you to always do what's right, Clarke. Even when it's hard and feels impossible."

"I'll never forget you, Dad, never ever!" Clarke turns away to let her Mom say her goodbye. She looks at Jaha, but he refuses to meet her eyes.

"You could stop this. He's your best friend. Your son is mine... you don't have to..."

"Rules are rules, Clarke. Your father broke them. Just be glad you get a chance. " He turns to Clark's dad, where he stands embracing Abbey.

"It's time, Jake." Jaha looks at the guards and nods. They waste no time grabbing him and pushing him away from Abbey. Abbey holds onto his hands, refusing to let go.

"Let go, Dr. Griffin. It's time. I've been more than reasonable" Jaha turns away.

Clarke hears footsteps running down the metal and turns seeing her best friend running towards them. The guards react quickly and block him.

"Dad wait! You can't do this to Jake or... or Clarke, they're our friends! Dad, please..."

"Wells go home, don't make this more difficult than it has to be. The decision has been made." Clarke turns back to the air lock, her dad now on the other side.

He looks at her. With that same smile again. She holds it in her mind.

Then, with the push of a button, the airlock opens.

Her Dad is pulled into the vacuum of space, and he's gone.