Chapter Text
Holy shit. Clarke has seriously underestimated this creature.
She’s running for her dear life. Forget her training. Forget that she’s going against everything her mother has taught her. All she’s worried about right now is getting the fuck out of there. The beast roars behind her and the ground shakes with every step it takes.
“Shit, shit, shit.”
She can’t outrun this creature forever. She makes a sharp right, which succeeds in losing the beast momentarily as it runs past her in the wrong direction. The howl of the beast suggests that it won’t be confused for very much longer.
Clarke sees the flash of taillights and thank the gods, there’s an actual human being around. The taillights belong to an old beat up jeep that’s idling on the side of the road right next to the woods. It’s weird but Clarke would rather deal with some serial killer maniac than this giant fucking creature that’s chasing her and will rip her head off if she gives it a chance to.
Clarke grabs open the door of the car (which is miraculously unlocked) and leaps in.
“Go, go, go!” She screams, not even bothering to look at the driver. She turns around and sees that the beast is only a few hundred feet away from where they are. She turns to the driver. “What are you waiting for? DRIVE.”
“Who the fuck are you? Get out of my car!” The driver screams, who Clarke has now noticed is a woman.
Clarke sees that the beast is still chasing them. She turns to the driver.
“Listen, I’m not getting out of this car until you ditch this guy,” Clarke says, resolute.
The driver stares at Clarke for a moment, furious, but she notices that the beast is very quickly edging up to them.
The car’s engine roars to life and the driver slams on the gas pedal. The beast roars with indignation and continues to chase after the car.
“Oh dear god,” Clarke mutters. She prays that the driver can ditch this creature or else they will both be very dead very soon.
The driver growls, “This beast is only chasing me because of you. If you get out, it will stop chasing me.”
The woman attempts to push Clarke out of the car but swerves when she loses slight control of the car. The beast runs closer to where they are due to swerve.
“You can’t force me out of here without endangering yourself,” Clarke points out.
The woman glares at Clarke but grips the steering wheel.
“Then you better brace yourself.”
The woman pushes on the gas pedals to its absolute limit and they’re going so fast holy hell, Clarke feels like she’s gonna die no matter what tonight. Finally, finally the beast is unable to keep up with them and fades into the distance. Its howls can still be heard.
“Don’t stop the car,” Clarke tells the woman. “It’s a tracker so it probably has a good whiff of your car now.”
The woman bares her teeth and looks so feral at this moment that Clarke wonders if she really has escaped the beast.
“You are single handedly the most annoying person I have ever met,” she says.
“Sorry,” Clarke says, apologetic. “This guy has killed ten locals already. I was tracking it down when it well, started tracking me. Then I saw your car. Thanks by the way.”
The woman rolls her eyes. Her grip on the steering wheels is so tight that her knuckles are pure white.
“Save it. Now this maniac is after me thanks to you.”
“Again, I’m sorry. Although, you don’t seem surprised that a supernatural creature is chasing me. Are you a hunter?”
The woman exhales and nods.
“I’m Clarke.”
“Lexa,” the woman grumbles.
Clarke smiles. “Nice to meet you. Even if we didn’t meet under the best circumstances.”
“That’s an understatement if I ever heard one.”
They’re no longer driving at the maniacal speeds as they were before but they’re still going at a pretty fast pace. Clarke looks outside and although it’s dark, it’s familiar ground.
Clarke says, “I have a friend whose place we can crash at until we figure out to kill this beast. She’s a two hours drive away from here.”
Lexa looks at Clarke momentarily before returning her attention to the road.
“Two hours?” Lexa says, skeptical.
Clarke raises a brow. “You got a better idea?”
“No,” Lexa grumbles.
--
An hour goes by of them sitting in silence aside from Clarke occasionally giving Lexa directions. After an hour of silence, Clarke decides that she can’t stand it any longer. She turns on the radio and it starts blasting awful 90s slow jams.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Lexa asks.
“It’s too quiet in here. I figured we could use some music.”
“Are you aware that this is my car?”
“…Yes?”
“And that I just saved your life?”
“Yes?”
“So I think in return, you can respect my wanting some peace and quiet.”
She did have a point there. “Fair enough.” Clarke turns off the radio. She slumps back in her seat and folds her arms. She pulls out her cell phone and go figure, there’s no reception. “So how long have you been a hunter for?” Clarke asks.
“I fail to see how that’s any of your business,” Lexa says, clenching her jaw.
Clarke scoffs. “Such a charming lady. You must be the hit at all of the parties.”
“It’s common courtesy. Haven’t your parents taught you any manners? Hunters don’t ask each other details about their personal lives.”
“Well let’s see. My dad was killed. Killed, by the way, at the hands of my own mother. A demon possessed her.”
Lexa purses her lips. “I am sorry for your loss.” She pauses. “My own parents were killed as well by demons.”
Clarke’s eyes widen. “That’s terrible, Lexa. I’m sorry.”
Lexa shrugs. “Every hunter has her own tragic story or else there wouldn’t be any hunters out there.”
“That’s very true.” Clarke hadn’t considered that before. Every hunter she has ever come across has had at least one loved one die at the hands of some supernatural creature. Hunters would hunt until they gained some sort of closure or until they were killed off. More often than not, it was the latter that occurred. Becoming a hunter was like signing a death warrant whose expiration date could be at any second.
They’re silent for a while. Clarke thinks about her father and his unending optimism. He was convinced that people overall were genuinely good. Clarke used to believe the same thing but now she has her doubts. In her years of hunting, the lines between humans and monsters became blurred.
Lexa breaks the silence first.
“So, who is the friend whose place we are going to?”
“Her name is Raven. She used to be one of the best hunters out there. We used to go hunting together sometimes but during a trip gone badly, she lost one of her legs. She’s retired now.”
Lexa nods.
“The name sounds familiar. Raven Reyes?”
“Yeah, how did you know?”
“I don’t know her personally but I’ve heard of her before. She is known for being a genius mechanic.”
Clarke grins. It was about time Raven got some recognition for her skills. “Yeah, she is. She’s amazing. She’s made so many awesome inventions that’ve saved my butt countless times.”
“You speak very highly of her.”
Clarke nods, emphatic. “She’s one of my best friends. We’ve been through a lot together. I owe my life to her.”
Lexa looks wistful but she doesn’t say anything further.
They’re nearly to Raven’s place now.
“Stop the car,” Clarke commands.
Lexa quirks up an eyebrow. “I don’t see any house in sight.”
“Trust me, Raven has this place mined. If you take a wrong step, you will explode.”
Lexa’s eyes widen but she complies with Clarke’s order. She brings the car to a stop and they grab their weapons and belongings.
Once they’re outside the car, Clarke gestures for Lexa to follow her. She bends down and picks up a few rocks. “Follow my lead and step exactly where I step. I’ve been to her place many times.”
Lexa nods. “What are the rocks for?”
“To ensure that I don’t accidentally blow us up,” Clarke says with a grim look on her face.
Lexa sighs but she obeys. She wishes that she never pulled over her car. None of this would ever have happened.
They move slowly. Lexa walks behind Clarke, careful to match her each step. Sometimes Clarke will gently toss a rock in front of her to make sure they don’t accidentally step on a mine. Lexa finally sees Raven’s house and they inch towards it with each step.
They’re now only a few feet from Raven’s house.
“I think that we’re in the clear now,” Clarke says. She gently tosses a rock a few feet away from her. She’s wrong and the area that the rock landed on explodes. Lexa swings her arms in front of her face to protect herself. There’s a loud booming noise and it takes all of her strength to remain standing exactly where she is.
The door to Raven’s house slams open and Lexa sees a woman their own age holding a gun in her hands.
“Identify yourselves! ” She yells.
Clarke’s eyes are shut, the dirt that the mine caused had gotten into her eyes but she recognizes the voice.
“Raven, don’t shoot! It’s me.”
She lowers her gun slightly. “Clarke? Is that you?”
“Yes. And this is Lexa. We’re in some trouble.” Clarke coughs and rubs her eyes. She gingerly opens them and sees Raven staring at her, suspicious.
“Prove that you’re really her,” Raven says.
“In peace, may you leave the shore. In love, may you find the next. Safe passages on your travels until our final journey to the ground.”
“May we meet again,” Raven finishes. She grins and lowers her hand that was holding the gun. “It’s so good to see you again Clarke. Okay, take two steps to your left. And then forward one step.”
Clarke and Lexa comply. Once they’re safely out of the mine zone, Raven engulfs Clarke into a bear hug. Once they break free of their hug, Raven looks at Lexa for the first time. She gives her an acknowledging nod. Clarke knows that Raven doesn’t trust Lexa. She doesn’t blame her.
“Well, come in,” Raven says, gesturing towards the door. Clarke and Lexa walk in. The house is unlike anything Clarke has ever seen. There are tools everywhere. Nuts and bolts cover Raven’s desks along with the floor. Half-finished inventions are strewn around haphazardly. It reeks of oil and grease. It smells like home.
Clarke takes off her backpack and tosses it to the ground. She also puts down her weapons and joins Raven into the kitchen.
“So Raven, how have you been? I haven’t heard from you in a while.”
Raven snorts. “I could say the same to you Griffin. Haven’t you ever heard of a cell phone?”
Clarke rolls her eyes and grins. “Sorry. Surprisingly, creatures usually don’t hang out in places with Wi-Fi.”
Raven laughs. This is nice. Clarke has missed this. Being around Raven. Raven is one of the few people still alive that Clarke feels she can be herself around.
Raven opens up her fridge and pulls out a beer. She hands one to Clarke who accepts it readily. “You want one?” Raven offers to Lexa, who has now just entered the kitchen. Lexa shakes her head. Raven shrugs and closes the fridge. Clarke takes a long gulp of her beer. She’s not a beer person but beggars couldn’t be choosers.
“Well, I’ve mostly been working on some stuff that will allow people to detect creatures more accurately.” Raven sighs. “It’s been proving tricky so far though.” She gestures towards the strange gadgets on the kitchen table. “Sometimes they’re accurate and other times they think that poor Fluffy is a Wendigo.”
Clarke laughs. “Well, you’ll figure it out Raven. You’re the best mechanic alive.”
Raven smirks. “Damn right I am.”
“Don’t let that get to your head.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Raven sits down on one of the kitchen stools and swigs down her beer. She wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. “So, not that I’m complaining or anything, but what brings you guys here?”
Clarke sighs and looks at Lexa. Lexa raises an eyebrow but doesn’t say anything.
“Well, we’re kind of in a bind to tell you the truth.” Clarke rubs her neck. “A few weeks ago, I was investigating reports that a bunch of locals were disappearing. I tracked down the creature but shit, the thing is so damn fast and powerful.” She glances at Lexa. “I ran and that’s how I bumped into Lexa here.”
Lexa scoffs. “You jumped into my car without any warning and set the beast after me as well.”
Clarke rolls her eyes. “And that’s how we came here,” she concludes.
Raven looks from Clarke to Lexa to Clarke again. She lets out a low whistle. “Wow, you guys are in some serious shit.”
“Thanks Raven. Knew I could count on you for comfort.”
Raven laughs but becomes serious again. “So this creature- no clue what kind it is?”
Clarke shakes her head. “It wasn’t anything I’d ever seen before.”
“Lexa?”
Lexa also shakes her head.
Raven looks pensive. “I have heard of similar stories about tracking creatures. They’re usually incredibly persistent and once they get a whiff of your scent, they are relentless.”
“Great,” Clarke mutters, “so this thing could barge into here any second.”
“Actually, isn’t that what we want?” Lexa interjects. “The whole yard is filled with mines.”
Raven grins. “Bingo.”
Clarke isn’t convinced. That seems almost too easy. “But what if the mines aren’t enough? This thing is pretty powerful.”
“Then we use our guns and hope for the best.”
Clarke sighs. “Sound as good as any plan I guess.”
Raven looks at her watch. “Depending on how fast this guy is, we probably have a few hours before he tracks you guys here. Why don’t you guys get some rest and I’ll keep watch?”
Clarke looks at Lexa. “That good with you?” Lexa nods. “Come, I know where Raven stores the sleeping bags.”
--
Clarke and Lexa are mere inches away. Raven’s living room is on the smaller side so there isn’t much room for one sleeping bag, let alone two.
Lexa stares at the ceiling. She appears to have no intentions on going to sleep any time soon.
“You don’t have to worry,” Clarke says softly. “Raven knows what she’s doing.”
Lexa clenches her jaw. “My life depends on a woman I met mere minutes ago. Pardon me for not ‘relaxing’.”
“Hey, we’re not gonna do anything to you. Me running into you was a total accident. I swear.”
Lexa exhales. “Go to sleep Clarke. I’ll sleep when this is all over.”
Clarke shrugs. “Suit yourself.” She rolls over and attempts to go to sleep. She’s acutely aware that Lexa is staring at her.
--
Clarke feels like she’s only been asleep for a few minutes when Raven yells at them.
“Guys! Get up, he’s coming.”
Lexa bolts up immediately and grabs her gun. Clarke is slower to move and takes a few moments to gain her bearings.
“Clarke, move.”
Clarke gets up, takes her gun, and joins the others in the kitchen. Raven and Lexa are staring intently outside of the window. Clarke sees the creature a few hundred yards away from where they are. It’s sniffing the air, curious, but doesn’t make any movements towards them.
“If he takes one more step, a mine will go off,” Raven mutters.
“The question is are the mines be powerful enough to stop him?” Lexa asks.
“I guess we’ll find out,” Clarke says.
They fall silent, staring at the creature intently. The creature apparently found the scent it was looking for and starts to charge. A mine blows up beneath it and it howls with pain. Wounded but not defeated, the creature continues its path where another mine goes off. Then two. Then three.
“It’s too strong,” Clarke gasps. “The mines are only slowing him down.”
“Fuck,” Raven curses. “What are we going to do? If it withstands mines, our guns are no match for it.”
The creature runs into a large rock and momentarily pauses. It shakes its head and moves out of the rock’s way.
“He’s blind,” Lexa says. “He would’ve avoided the rock otherwise.”
Raven claps her hands together. “That’s it. That’s how we defeat him. Most of his body is covered in a hard shell except for a few fleshy spots, see?”
“Those are his weak spots,” Clarke says with realization.
“Exactly. Clarke. Lexa. Go outside and distract him. I have a supply of stink bombs, which will interfere with his sense of smell. After the bombs go off, he’ll be distracted. That’s when you shoot. Got it?”
Clarke and Lexa nod.
“Good. Now go.”
Clarke walks to the front door with Lexa trailing her. She turns to Lexa.
“Good luck,” Clarke says.
“And to you.”
Clarke takes a deep sigh and tightens her grip on her gun. She swings the door open and they’re both outside. The creature was only a few feet away from the house.
“Let’s split up,” Lexa says, “I’ll go on one end and you the other. Make a lot of noise to distract him.”
Clarke nods. She cautiously walks to the other end so that she’s on the creature’s other end. She’s also careful because she doesn’t want to accidently get blown up by a remaining mine.
“Hey ugly, over here!” Clarke yells.
The creature stops in its tracks and cocks its head, determining where the source of the noise came from.
“Hey, over here!” Lexa yells from the other side.
“No, I’m here!”
“What’s the matter? You can’t tell where we are?”
The creature points its blind head from Clarke to Lexa and back again, confused. Their plan is working. The creature seems too confused to know where to go.
Clarke and Lexa continue to yell at it. Where was Raven with the smoke bombs? They couldn’t keep this up forever.
Unfortunately for them, the creature makes its mind up. It tenses for a few seconds before deciding to charge at Clarke.
“Over here!” Lexa yells but it does little good.
“Raven, where the fuck are you?” Clarke shouts desperately.
Right on cue, stink bombs explode around the creature. It stops in its tracks mere inches away from where Clarke is standing.
“Oh god,” Clarke mutters, reeling from the stench.
“Clarke, now!” Lexa says.
“Right.”
The creature shakes its head and howls, its senses blocked.
Clarke shifts her gun and attempts to make out the creature amongst all the smoke. She hears Lexa’s gunfire and as soon as Clarke sees a clear spot of flesh, she aims and shoots at it.
The creature emits shrieks of pain. It staggers around, barely able to balance itself.
The creature stumbles dangerously close to Lexa. Lexa backs away and shoots but its edging closer and closer. Lexa clicks her gun but it’s out of bullets. She looks at Clarke.
Clarke carefully aims and shoots at its weak spot. It works. The creature gives one last howl before it disappears in a cloud of smoke.
“Shit,” Clarke breathes.
“It’s gone,” Lexa says besides her, sounding equally in disbelief as Clarke is.
“Damn right!” Raven yells. Clarke looks behind her and doesn’t see Raven.
“Where-?” But then she scans up to the roof where Raven is pumping her fist in the air.
“Take that you ugly bastard,” Raven cheers.
Clarke makes eye contact with Lexa who has quirked up an eyebrow. Clarke just shakes her head and laughs and laughs.
“Nice work, Clarke,” Lexa says.
Clarke’s laughter fades and she looks at Lexa. Lexa isn’t smiling but there’s a hint of one and that’s all that really matters in that moment. Clarke nods.
“You too.”
“Hey losers, come and help me get down from here,” Raven yells.
“Nah, I like this better,” Clarke shouts back. Raven flips her off.
--
“Raven, hurry up.”
“I’m coming, I’m coming. Don’t you worry Princess.”
Clarke wrinkles her nose. She detests that nickname with every fiber of her being and Raven knows it.
“Princess?” Lexa raises an eyebrow.
Clarke sighs and rolls her eyes. “It’s a nickname that some of my friends have for me. They know I hate it so they call me that on purpose to piss me off. It works.”
Lexa lets out a soft “hmph” but doesn’t comment on it further.
“Rayyyy-ven.”
“Hey, I’m here. Stop yelling.” Raven emerges from her house, holding an extremely overstuffed backpack. The items in the backpack protrude from it. Clarke notices that Raven has seemingly packed every single lethal weapon she could possibly carry.
“Holy shit Raven,” Clarke says in disbelief. “I didn’t realize you were packing for a small army.”
Raven punches Clarke in the arm. “Ha, ha. When did you become a comedian?”
Clarke just shakes her head and lets out a laugh.
“Come, let’s go,” Raven says, walking in front of Clarke and Lexa. “The beast set off most of my mines so we won’t have to worry too much about them.”
Clarke and Lexa trail behind, following Raven’s lead. Clarke looks at Lexa.
“So what do you plan on doing next?” Clarke asks.
Lexa purses her lips. “I am not too sure,” she admits. “I guess I’ll keep a watch out for news of some creature or another.”
Clarke is struck by inspiration. “Why don’t you come with us? With me and Raven?”
Lexa looks at her with an eyebrow raised. “I don’t know,” Lexa says, hesitant.
Clarke nudges Lexa. “Come on,” she says with a smile. “We work well together. We took down that beast together.”
Lexa looks at Clarke, incredulous. “You were the one who took him down, not me,” Lexa says.
Ugh. Clarke is slowly realizing that Lexa can be really obstinate. “No, we both did. I may have shot the last bullet but we both weakened him enough.”
Lexa clenches her jaw and doesn’t say anything.
“Look,” Clarke continues, “You don’t have anything better to do. Me and Raven would like you along. I would enjoy your company.”
Lexa remains silent. Clarke sighs. She doesn’t know why she’s pushing this issue so much. Lexa was free to do whatever she wanted. It wasn’t any of Clarke’s business.
They’re silent until they reach where Lexa and Raven’s cars are parked. Raven’s car is off by the woods, camouflaged by the trees and bushes.
“Well,” Clarke says, “Last chance to make up your mind.”
Lexa doesn’t look at Clarke. There’s silence between the two of them.
“Yo Clarke, let’s go!” Raven yells from her car, having gotten it running.
Clarke shrugs. “I guess this is goodbye then. Thanks for everything.”
Lexa doesn’t answer.
Clarke turns around and walks to Raven’s car.
“Wait.” Clarke turns around and is surprised to see Lexa jogging up to her. “I’ll come with you.”
Clarke grins. “Get in then.”
Clarke gets into the passenger seat while Lexa climbs into the backseat.
“Lexa’s joining us,” Clarke tells Raven. Raven looks at Clarke but doesn’t seem surprised. Raven cranes her head around the seat so she looks at Lexa.
“Do you promise that you’re not some weirdo killer freak who will murder us in our sleep?” Raven asks.
Lexa solemnly nods.
“Excellent.” Raven faces forward and shifts the car into drive. She drives away from the forest. “Some ground rules. Number one, no messing with my radio. Number two, no touching my stuff. Number three, no touching my stuff or else I will kill you.”
Clarke turns around in her seat so that she faces Lexa. “Welcome to the ride.”
Lexa nods. “Where are we going?”
Clarke looks pensive. “Depends. Raven, where are we going?”
“Well, there’s a bunch of stuff that needs to be done. First of all…” Raven continues talking but Clarke tunes her out. She smiles at Lexa who gives her a faint one in return. Clarke doesn’t know where they’re going but as long as they’re all together, it can’t be that bad.