In the few hours I was asleep in Medical, a lot had happened.
I learned Raven has decided to get a life or death surgery to remove the bullet lodged in her back. It's super risky; she could die from the surgery. From what I've been told, it's either that or keep the bullet in, but she'll never walk. I also learned that my brother was taken from Medical and put in lock-up with Bellamy. Anyone with common sense knows that's a bad idea. It was safe to say that I was a little bit stressed.
That was where I was currently heading: lock-up, in search of John and Bellamy. I'm limping my way across from the Medical tent into the Ark. I'm not a hundred percent positive this is where they are, but I could take a guess.
All around, people were working, just as they were outside. People were doing various tasks to fix up the Ark. To make it ground-proof — I guess was what you could call it.
It's weird being back here, in the Ark. I never really got to see it before, so it's the tiniest bit interesting walking around. Most of the hallways are the same sad grey color. It's not very appealing, but I guess we can't be complaining when this was our only way of survival.
I kept slowly making my way around when I saw a familiar face. My eyes widened as I quickly turned on my heels and tried to head in the other direction before they saw me.
"What are you doing out of Medical?" It was Kane who called out and pulled me off to the side.
I tilted my head up to look at him before I tried to answer as sternly as I could. "I'm looking for my John and Bellamy. I want to see them."
Kane shook his head. "Out of the question. They're in lock-up, and you're supposed to be in Medical."
I rolled my eyes. "Don't you have bigger problems than worrying about me wandering around? Besides, if you leave my brother and Bellamy together, they'll rip each other to pieces."
Kane let out a frustrated sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He's about to say something when another voice can be heard.
"There you are." It was the voice of Abby that had me turning my head to see her marching toward us. "Why are you out of bed?"
I rolled my eyes yet again. "I'm looking for someone — actually someone's. But Commando Cop here won't let me see them."
Abby looked from Kane and then back to me. "Joanna, I need you to come back into Medical. Right now, I have bigger problems to worry about. I don't need patients not listening and walking around causing more pain for themselves."
"See?" I turned back to Kane. "People have bigger problems than me. So go deal with those problems, then find me. I'll probably still be here. I can't go very far anyway." I pointed to my left leg.
I looked back at Abby, and she now had a more serious expression on her face. "Listen to me. You walking on that leg is not good. If you keep pushing, you could cause more damage. It's not as bad as Raven, but that doesn't mean you can walk around with that bullet still in your leg."
My lips turned down into a frown, and I sighed in defeat, nodding at Abby's words. Soundlessly, she helps me back into the Medical tent. And that's where I laid down and rested.
❣︎
As I heard Raven let out another loud scream in pain, I shifted in the bed to turn on my side and pressed my hands as hard as I could against my ears. Being in the room next to Raven's meant I could hear every scream, grunt, and yell in pain as she went through the surgery. I wasn't sure how long I could listen — listen to her be in pain.
It lasted for about another hour or so before the screaming stopped. I let out a sigh of relief; for many reasons, Raven is no longer going through that painful surgery, and I couldn't hear her screams anymore.
Another fifteen minutes passed before Abby entered my room. She lifted back the many dangling plastic flaps and came in. I sat myself up, wanting to move even a little as I had been lying in the same spot for a while.
"How's Raven?" I asked almost hesitantly, worried at what the answer would be.
"Raven survived the surgery." Abby said as if it's not something to be happy about. I learned why from what she said next. "But she's not out of the woods yet. Once she wakes up, we're going to have to see what feeling she has in her leg."
I only nodded at her words. There was a mixture of awkwardness and tension-filled silence for a moment before Abby spoke up again, "I want to talk about you. How are you feeling?"
"Fine." I answered, simply trying my best to convince Abby.
Abby, obviously skeptical about my answer, moved closer to the bed I was lying on. "Joanna, can you lift your left leg for me?" I did as I was told and lifted my leg. I only let out a couple of hisses in pain. I could lift it about two inches; it didn't seem like much, but it was something. Abby moved, so she's now supporting my leg, and I could rest a little bit of weight. She examined it for a few moments before setting my leg down gently. Another few moments passed before Abby made eye contact with me. She pursed her lips before saying, "Joanna, there is good news."
I was quick to reply, "Well, that is good, right?"
Abby released a breath and shook her head, and it had me terrified at what she was going to say. "The good news is that you have no nerve damage. And once we get that bullet out, you should be very close to being back to your old self." There was a long pause between her words. I could feel the anticipation gnawing at my stomach. "The hard part is getting the bullet out. Like what we had to do for Raven, we have no anesthesia. We barely have any pain medication. You'd feel everything I'd be doing."
Letting out a few quick breaths, I asked, "What if you leave it in?"
"You'd eventually lose all feeling in your left leg." Abby's words were like a punch to the face. Mine wasn't a life or death surgery, but if I don't get it, I'll never walk properly again. Do I want to go through what Raven just went through? It shouldn't be about want. I should have this surgery; I should want to walk again — I do. I'm just... scared. Why am I so scared? Abby could see my internal debate. I know this because of what she said. "I have to — as your doctor — recommend you have the surgery."
This should've been an easy choice. Either go through painful surgery and not have a bullet in your leg or keep it in and not be able to walk ever again.
"What the hell." I mumbled, looking back up to Abby. "Why not?"
There was a small sigh of relief that came from Abby's lips. "Okay. We'll get started as soon as we can." I nodded my head at her. She moved to exit my room, but before she did, she turned back to me. "Is there anyone you want here? Your brother is in lock-up but is there someone else?"
I shifted in the bed. "Is Finn still with Raven?"
"He is." Abby answered. "They're both resting. I can get him if you'd like—"
"No." I quickly deadpanned. "No. Let him rest. He needs it. I'll be okay by myself. Let's just get this over with."
Abby didn't seem too thrilled about my words, but nonetheless, she left.
Now it was just waiting.
❣︎
It didn't take long for Abby to come back. I could tell it was her because I could hear her voice just outside. She lifted the plastic flaps and came in, but I noticed something. Instead of just coming in like usual, she turned back and nodded towards the room.
My eyes almost popped out of their sockets when Bellamy Blake was the person who came through. I sat up so quickly I was surprised I didn't hurt something. His eyes were only on me for a second before he rushed and engulfed me into a bone-crushing hug. I gratefully accepted, hugging him back just as tight.
"Your alive." I breathed out. The hug lasted a few more seconds before we pulled away. Our faces were inches apart, but neither of us did anything. Happy tears were slowly coming down my face as I stared up at Bellamy. His brown eyes were filled with happiness and relief, almost as much as mine were. "What happened? I — I thought you and Finn were dead. I mean — how are you here?"
"Hey," Bellamy started; his voice was soft as he spoke. "I'm okay. I promise. Right now, I'm here for you."
I smiled at Bellamy's words and stared at him for another moment, afraid if I took my eyes off him, I'd lose him again. My gaze shifted to Abby, standing behind Bellamy with a small smile on her face.
"What did you do?" I asked. I know Abby had something to do with this; Kane just wouldn't let someone he called a prisoner go.
"I called in a favor." Abby answered. "It's only going to be until the surgery is over. But I thought you should have someone here."
"Thank you." I smiled, one of the biggest smiles I've ever had on my face.
Abby gave us both another smile. "I'll leave you two alone for a little bit. Once I get back, we're going to have to start."
I nodded at her and hummed a 'yeah.' She was just about to leave when Bellamy left me and approached her. He muttered something I couldn't hear, but I could see Abby give him a smile, and with that, she left.
Bellamy came back and pulled a chair up beside the bed. I laid back down but turned my head, so I was facing Bellamy. We stayed in silence for a moment, just staring at one another. I took in that his face was stained with dry blood, and I noticed all the little cuts and scars. His curls were in an untamed mess as they fell in front of his forehead.
"You have no idea how happy I am that you're alive." I breathed out with a smile. "God, you have no idea how worried I was."
A smile appeared on Bellamy's face. "Trust me, I can imagine."
"I bet." I laughed out. With a bit of sarcasm in my voice, I added, "I'm sure you were just full of worry."
Bellamy's face fell slightly, and it turned more serious. "I was worried about you, Jo. When I first saw that there was no sign of anyone at the Dropship... I thought you were gone with the others."
"No." I sighed. "I'm not with them, and I don't know where they are. Finn told me that he thinks the Grounders took them. That makes the most sense. Who else could have them?"
"Yeah." Bellamy sadly sighed. I could tell that he was frustrated that we didn't know where our friends were, so he decided to switch topics. "How are you feeling?"
"I could be worse." I answered, shifting to lay on my side. "I just hope this surgery works."
"It will." Bellamy assured. "You'll get through it, and you'll be as good as new. Before you know it, you'll be back to following me around." There was a playfulness in Bellamy's tone as he said the last sentence.
I scoffed, trying to fight back a smile. "I do not follow you around. You make it sound like I'm a lost puppy in search of its owner."
A cheeky smile came on Bellamy's face. "I mean..."
"Hey!" I laughed out, reaching my arm across to nudge him in the shoulder. He didn't move very far due to my condition, but I still did it anyway. Bellamy raised his hands in surrender, and I just laughed even more.
❣︎
A/N
okay, so i turned out loving this chapter. this is the first chapter i've done completely on my own. no parts of the show were in this and i like that. it gives me a little more creative freedom.
also, I love bell and jo with all my heart.
well that's all for now
-annie