Flatlined Heart

This chapter is loosely based on "May We Meet Again" by Tinynerdsbrain. And yes, the first part is supposed to be a little confusing until we get to the big revelation.

I slip out of Elyza's arms and run off to my designated position. My heart wrenches. Why didn't I say it back? It's too late though. I bang on the pots and pans side by side, leading the horde to the intersection where everyone converges. My heart crawls into my throat. Elyza is late, she should be here by now with her portion of the walkers. Even the others are starting to get worried.

To my relief, her strikingly blond waves peep into my peripheral vision. It douses my panic.

-0-

I barely get a glimpse of Alicia as she backs up behind me. We all slowly edge onto the pier, moaning walkers shuffling after them. Behind the walkers, Madison and Elena lock the gate. Out of my peripheral vision I see Alicia, Strand, and Hector slipping out the side gate. They lock it and sprint off, but she hesitates and holds onto the wiring of the fence, peering through as if she's considering jumping in with me. The wind of the ocean blows around me, ghosting over my exposed arms. My leather jacket is back in the hotel room Alicia and I slept in last night.

I trust her, just like I trusted Lexa. I smile a little and start humming as I lead the giant mass of undead. I know she sees and hears it because she turns and sprints off down the beach towards the motorboat.

-0-

I desperately try to get the boat started and into position as Elyza starts getting further onto the pier. Her blond hair whips in a beautiful fashion. She stood up like a beacon within the eye of a storm. Her smile is ingrained in my mind. The damned engine isn't starting, the waves aren't cooperating, and none of us are used to working together. I try to stave off the fear that we will be too late, that I have just left Elyza to her death. I can't accept that. I can't accept that I have failed because that would be even worse than my greatest regret.

-0-

I watch as they struggle to get the boat into place. Oddly it is calmness that permeates my limbs. For once I am not crying or struggling to hold on to life. I know that my job is done no matter what and that Alicia will be safe in this hotel. I no longer owe anything to my people. The weight on my shoulders are gone, the wind that whips past me is refreshing instead of cutting. My hair flows free with the wind.

I will have fulfilled my vow, by giving myself to secure the hotel for Alicia. For Alicia's loved ones. Her needs as my own, her friends and family as my own. They will all be safe. I close my eyes, letting the calmness wash over me.

Live the rest of your life well, Alicia. The one that Clarke Griffin could not give Lexa.

-0-

Finally, we get the boat started and we zoom off through the tide to approximately where Elyza will jump off. I glance up to see Elyza at the opening and she is just standing there. Why? Why isn't she jumping off? "C'MON ELYZA." It rips from my throat in fear. She looks content. Is she giving up? She never gives up. After all she is...

-0-

"KLARK KOM SKAIKRU!" It rings out in the air over the crashing of the waves. My heart seizes and my eyes pop open. Whipping around, I see her on the boat. She looks beautiful with her hair whipping around her, green eyes looking at me with desperation, hope, love, and all those unspoken things. She knows. I cannot resist the attraction and I find myself turning on my heel and sprinting off the pier with a leap. The air rushes past my face, and blows my hair back. She is my magnet. She is home. She is...

-0-

"Lexa", Clarke gasps as I pull her onto the boat, only loud enough for me to hear. I pull her to me, both of us collapsing on the floor of the boat ungracefully. It doesn't matter because I have spent so long pushing this off because I was scared of the lifetime of memories and attachments it came with. I hold her in my embrace and whisper in her ear, "Ai hod yu in, Klark." Now that I have given in though, it feels so right.