**A/N Hey guys, I'm sorry that I haven't been writing lately I've just had a serious case of writers block. I'm still working on my other stories but Helping Hand is difficult since I hated the season we're moving into especially Sookie/Eric and I'm trying to figure out how to work with that. I'm hoping with Insurgent coming out in a couple weeks it will bring out some inspiration for Lean On Him. This story just hit me and I had to write I had almost 20,000 words written in under three days. Let me know what you think.
My name is Whitaker Collins. I'm short 5'3 with brown wavy hair about two inches past my shoulders and blue green eyes. My skin is pale from spending my entire life in space and I'm pretty thin but the curves I do have sometimes seem too much for my slight frame. I'm one of 100 stuck in this dreaded jail we call the sky box.
I hate this box. I've been in the sky box since I was 14 and I'm still eight months from my 18th birthday. I wish the time would pass by faster I'm ready to turn 18 and leave this horrible life on this ship behind along with Chris Miles. I'm thankful though to have Octavia Blake as a roommate; her talking made the time go by faster. Somehow she had even got me to drop my walls and tell her about myself and everything that led to being in this place. I would be sad to lose her in a few months when she turned 18 and was floated.
I was sitting on my bunk when the banging on the doors began. I looked over to Octavia and we got up trying to see what was happening. Suddenly our door opened and two guards came in.
"Prisoners 428 and 352 to the back of the cell and put your right arm out", one of the guards told us.
Confused I went ahead and complied but Octavia was rebellious and tried asking questions and didn't turn. I watched as they placed a metal wristband around my right wrist. When it closed they had me put my hands in front of me and placed some cuffs on me.
"You'll be told what's happening soon enough," the guard told her for every question she asked.
Getting fed up they forced Octavia to turn around and put the wristband and the cuffs on her before leading us out along with all the other prisoners. We were lead out into the hallway and we walked for a while finally coming to a drop ship. I was silent as they directed me into a seat and placed the seatbelts on me before removing the cuffs.
I look around watching as they bring in more prisoners and filling the room up quickly. I feel Octavia struggling beside me.
"What do you think is happening", I ask her quietly.
"I don't know but it doesn't look good", she responds.
It takes all of ten minutes to get everyone in and they close the doors. I close my eyes as the countdown starts and almost throw up when the ship releases. Thankfully or not there aren't any windows so I can't see what's happening outside.
Octavia and I talk quietly and listen to the other conversations going on around us when suddenly the ship jerks a bit and the monitors flicker to life and Chancellor Jaha begins speaking, "Prisoners of The Ark hear me now. You've been given a second chance and it is my hope that you see this as not just a chance for you, but a chance for all of us, indeed for mankind itself. We have no idea what is waiting for you down there. If the odds of survival were better, we would've sent others. Frankly, we're sending you because your crimes make you expendable", I couldn't help the scoff I let out when he said that.
He continues on telling us that if we survive our crimes will be forgiven and our records wiped clean. Somehow I doubt they would ever truly trust us.
One of the boys had gotten loose and was floating around the room. Someone called him Finn and I remember Octavia talking about him he had used up a month of oxygen on an illegal spacewalk.
"Check it out your dad floated me after all," Finn said to someone and when I looked down the row I saw Clarke and Wells. Clarke I expected since I heard she had been arrested but I don't understand why Wells is here.
Two more boys had gotten their seatbelts undone and I could hear Clarke telling them to stay in their seats. While I didn't agree with Clarke on much I do this time. Octavia just laughs to my side.
Suddenly the parachutes deploy to slow the drop ship and the three boys are thrown around the room hitting the floor hard and going through some wires that break and cause sparks and smoke to begin filling the room. Octavia grabs my hand and I look her way noticing the worry entering her eyes and I'm sure mine look the same.
Suddenly the falling sensation stops and the lights go out and we can hear the ship powering down. The lights flicker back on and the seatbelts begin to release.
"Are you alright," I hear Octavia ask.
"I guess so. We're still alive right?"
She laughs and pulls her seatbelt off and I follow. I see Clarke checking the boys who had taken the belts off when I hear someone yell that the door is on the lower level and everyone heads to the ladder heading down. Octavia and I follow and I go down before her to see Clarke arguing with a man about opening the door. I move closer to the door.
"Bellamy", Octavia asks half way down the ladder.
So that's her brother the famous Bellamy Blake she had told me so much about during our endless nights in the sky box. I can hear people making comments about how she had been hidden under the floor and I roll my eyes. I can see the resemblance as they stand next to each other. The same color hair the same shaped face. We studied how genes transfer in school but to actually see siblings is something new.
She hugs her brother and then asks, "What the hell are you wearing, a guard's uniform?"
"I borrowed it to get on the drop ship", he explains. "Someone has to keep an eye on you", he smiles at her before hugging her again.
"Why aren't you wearing a wristband", Clarke asks interrupting them.
"Do you mind I haven't seen my brother in a year", Octavia tells her.
"No one has a brother", someone yelled out behind me.
"That's Octavia Blake, the girl they found hidden in the floor", a girl calls out.
I shake my head knowing they didn't find her in the floor despite the rumor. Though Octavia had told me about having to hide during inspections and that she slept there sometimes just in case.
I watched as she got angry and attempted to go after the girl but her brother grabbed here telling her no.
"Let's give them something else to remember you by", he told her.
"Yeah, like what", she asked shrugging his arms off him.
"Like being the first person on the ground in a hundred years", he told her. They turned towards the door and he pulled the handle to open the door.
I stare as the door lowers and the sight was breathtaking. I stared at all the colors surrounding us and the bright sunlight drifting through the trees.
I hadn't been watching Octavia when I heard her yell, "We're back bitches".
With that everyone ran off the ship and onto the ground. After a few steps from the ship I paused and took a deep breath before slowly turning in place trying to imprint this moment in my memory. I watched the others running and laughing. I was so absorbed in taking everything in I jumped when Wells stepped in my line of sight.
I threw my arms around him, "What are you doing here"?
He pulled back, "As soon as I heard what they were planning I got myself arrested. I just couldn't let you and Clarke be sent to earth without seeing either of you again, especially since she hates me".
"You could just tell her the truth", I told him.
He shushed me and his eyes glance around looking for Clarke, "I know what I did was right and it's going to stay that way".
I rolled my eyes, "I don't get why you bother then".
"I know you two only got along for me but you're both my best friends and I'd do anything to keep you both happy".
"Really I don't see how her hating you is any different than if she hated her mom".
"It just is", I notice him looking away and notice he's watching Clarke.
I sigh, "Let's go, I know you want to".
"It's just that we have a problem since the communications are dead", he tells me.
"That's just great", I say and we head over to Clarke to see her going over a map.
"We got problems", he tells her. "The communications system is dead. I went to the roof and a dozen panels are missing. Heat fried the wires".
"Well, all that matters right now is getting to Mount Weather. See? Look", she shows him where we are and where we need to get to.
"Where'd you learn to do that", he asks and I can tell the answer by the tension that grows. "Your father", he continues and I elbow him.
Apparently Clarke finally notices me, "Whitaker I didn't see you there. How are you"?
"Oh you know, spent three and a half years in a box just to be dropped on a possibly toxic planet but I'm great", I let out more sarcastically than I had intended.
"Right of course", she says looking away.
Thankfully we get interrupted, "Ah, cool a map", a boy with goggles on his head comes over saying. "They got a bar in this town? I'll buy you a beer".
I can't help the slight lift at the corners of my mouth but Wells takes it differently pushing him away.
Apparently a few others didn't like that as a group came up to us the leader saying, "Hey, hands off of him. He's with us".
I wasn't sure I believed that since he didn't look like he would fit in with that group of thugs.
"Relax. We're just trying to figure out where we are", Wells tells the group.
"We're on the ground. That not good enough for you", we hear from the side and turning we see Bellamy and Octavia.
"We need to find Mount Weather. You heard my father's message. That has to be our first priority", Wells tells him and begins walking over with Clarke right behind him. I decide to stay to the side for now and sit on the door of the drop ship.
"Screw your father", Octavia tells Wells.
I can't say she's wrong. Wells father was the Chancellor and it was his decision that got my parents floated after they stole some medicine that literally saved my life. I would have died that night from the fever without it. Unfortunately that's where my life had gone wrong. It took about a year but me and Wells were able to work past it and actually became closer. I know Wells doesn't agree with everything his father does which helps. The help he gave when things got to their worst just made keeping him close worth it and everyday I'm thankful he was in my life even if all he did was hold me when I cried.
Apparently I had missed something while I was thinking because Wells and the leader of the small group, Murphy, were fighting. Finn dropped down between them blocking Murphy from Wells, "Kid's got one leg. Why don't you wait until it's a fair fight", he said to Murphy.
"Hey spacewalker, rescue me next", Octavia said coming up to Finn.
Thankfully it broke the tension and everyone laughed before finally dispersing. Clarke and Wells headed back my direction Wells sitting on ground by the drop ship and Clarke started checking out his leg.
"So, Mount Weather; when do we leave", Finn asked Clarke walking towards us.
"Right now", she responds before turning back to Wells, "We'll be back tomorrow with food".
"How are the two of you gonna carry enough food for 100", he asks making a good point.
Finn turns around and pulls two other boys over and one happens to be the boy with goggles, "Four of us. Can we go now"?
"Sounds like a party make it five", Octavia comes up.
"Hey, what the hell are you doing", Bellamy asks her and I can see she's already getting irritated with the big brother over protection she's getting. I can't say I blame him from what she's told me he's always looked out for her and he hasn't seen her in a year.
"Going for a walk", she tells him pulling away from the hand he had on her arm.
"Hey, were you trying to take this off", Clarke asks Finn grabbing his arm to see his wristband.
"Yeah, So", he responds.
"So this wristband transmits your vital signs to The Ark. Take it off, and they'll think you're dead", she explains.
"Should I care", he asks.
"Well, I don't know. Do you want the people you love to think you're dead", she asks. "Do you want them to follow you down here in two months? Because they won't if they think we're dying. Ok, now let's go".
"Go on", I hear Bellamy giving Octavia permission.
I moved over to Wells and sat down, "Aren't you coming Whit", Octavia asked pausing as she passed.
"I'm gonna stay with Wells and make sure he stays out of trouble", I tell her noticing Murphy and his gang staring at Wells. I also look over and see Bellamy watching the exchange with me and Octavia.
She shrugs, "Your loss", and laughs running to catch the others.
Clarke pauses before heading out, "You shouldn't have come here Wells", is all she says before leaving.
"You know I almost never agree with Clarke but this time I am. We haven't even been here a few hours and you're not exactly making friends", I tell him.
He shakes his head and stands up, "Let's get to work".
The day goes by easily cleaning up and collecting supplies. We don't have any trouble until we're heading back to camp with some firewood when Murphy approaches us with one other guy.
"Find any water yet", he asks.
"No not yet but", he pauses when he sees the two in front of us, "I'm going back out if you want to come".
We both notice the side of building where someone scratched "First Son First To Dye". I just shook my head.
Murphy chuckles when we look back towards him, "You know, my father, he begged for mercy in the airlock chamber when your father floated him".
Wells just stayed quiet and I stayed where I was watching as he bumped shoulders with Murphy, "You spelled "die" wrong, geniuses", and left.
I laughed softly while he walked away and both boys turned back to me, "You're idiots if you think blaming Wells for something his father did is gonna make you feel better".
"I can do whatever I want down here. No one's telling me different", he says.
"I believe I just did", I say moving closer to them.
"How can you be friends with him after everything his father has done to us"?
"Because he's not his father. I was seven when my parents were floated for stealing medicine and he's still my best friend", I tell them.
I turn and walk away when I hear, "Murphy, leave her alone".
I recognize the deep voice immediately as Bellamy but I keep walking looking for Wells. When I don't see him I decide to just gather more firewood when Bellamy comes up to me.
"Can we talk", he asks.
"If you want to help find some firewood we can", I said assuming he would leave but I was wrong and he kept up beside me.
"What's your name", he asks first.
"Whitaker", I tell him simply.
"And you know my sister how"?
I stop and turn towards him it's the first time I've properly looked at him and I can't help but find him attractive. He's much taller than me; reminding me of just how short I am, and the dark curls in his hair are beginning to fall from where they were slicked back. He had just the right amount of light freckles covering his nose and cheekbones. I could tell that though he was slim there was quite a bit of muscles on him. When I looked back up at his face I could see an arrogant smirk falling into place and I narrowed my eyes slightly, "I'm pretty sure Octavia wouldn't like you snooping".
"She's my sister and I'm responsible for her so I would like to know how you know each other", he tells me and I can see his eyes soften a little.
I guess it wouldn't be too bad to tell him since she is his sister but on the other hand I have to be careful what I tell him to keep my own secrets, "We were roommates in the sky box and we became friends although it wasn't from lack of not trying on my end".
"You have a problem with my sister", he asked the emotions flashing through his eyes the only thing that changes in his expression.
"No, but I prefer to be a loner and when she came into sky box all she did was talk and ask questions all day and night. After about two weeks I finally started answering just so she'd stop asking but it actually got us talking more and we became friends", I tell him.
He nods, "One more question; why were you in the skybox"?
"I don't think it's any of your business", I tell him starting to move again when he grabs my arm and I freeze on the spot my mind going back three years.
"If you're going to be her friend I want to know what kind of trouble you got into", he tells me.
I close my eyes and keep reminding myself where I am and once I have control I turn back towards him, "I assaulted a guard, Chris Miles".
With that I turn and walk away from him and thankfully he lets me go. I walk for a few minutes before turning and seeing that he's gone and I sit against a tree leaning my head back. It's been almost three years and I haven't had a flashback in more than a year but it almost happened when Bellamy grabbed my arm.
I shake my head and look up noticing the light fading I head back to camp. I find that a fire is beginning to burn already and I go look for Wells finding him in the drop ship. We begin going through everything seeing what's salvageable. We'd been working for a while when we suddenly hear cheering from outside. We look at each other and head outside.
We find everyone surrounding the fire and Murphy breaking off a girl's wristband. I let Wells go into the group and try to get them to listen to him and arguing with Bellamy. Listening to Bellamy I could see his point of view but at the same time knowing that life support is failing on The Ark I know I won't remove my wristband. I just shake my head as they all start cheering "Whatever the hell we want". Bellamy catches my eyes for a moment but I just cock my eyebrow at him. There's suddenly a loud noise and it begins to rain. I walk further out letting the rain wash over me.
"We need to collect this", Wells says coming up to me.
We use the parachute and a couple logs to hold it up and the water slowly begins to fill it up. After being in the rain for a while I go into the drop ship and find an extra shirt. I quickly pull off the wet one I'm wearing and ring it out before hanging it to dry.
"Are you gonna let me take that wristband off for you", Bellamy says.
I jump slightly since I didn't know he was up here and I hold the dry shirt over my bra and stomach. I feel relieved that he can only see my front, "I'm not taking it off".
"Why not", he asked moving in front of me and pulling his wet shirt off and placing it next to mine.
I can't help that my eyes drift over the skin that had just been uncovered and I was right about the muscles, "I'm sure that there's a reason they sent us down 100 years early and there are people up there I care about", complete lie but he didn't need to know that. I get the shirt the right way and I'm able to pull it over my head quickly and move to sit in one of the chairs.
"I heard you telling Murphy about your parents this morning so why not let them all think we're dead so they don't come down here"?
"Because I'm not heartless and I know that what happened to my parents is on the council and the Chancellor not on the rest of the people and not on Wells".
"How old were you", he asked sitting beside me.
I turned to tell him to mind his business but his eyes were so sincere and I sighed softly, "I was seven".
"They floated my mom last year when they discovered Octavia. I was lucky to be old enough to not have to worry about where I would go. I'm sure it was hard having to live with some stranger", he says.
"I went to a friend of my father's", I tell him and I can hear the anger enter my voice.
"That must have been nice at least you knew him. I know a few people who had to go to complete strangers and had a hard time adjusting", he explains.
"Was it hard being alone all of a sudden", I ask.
"The quiet empty room was the hardest to deal with. I tried to find anything to do to keep me out of it".
"I've been surrounded by silence for so long it's actually more difficult being surrounded by all the noise outside already", I comment.
"How old were you when you went into the sky box"?
"14 and before you ask I'll be 18 in eight months".
"What could have happened to cause you to assault a guard", he asks.
"I think I'll keep that to myself", I say.
"Most people have secrets they're keeping".
"I guess you'd know", I tell him.
"Why do you say that", he asks.
"Well you kept Octavia a secret for so many years".
"Observant".
"It's easier to notice what's going on around you if you aren't always talking. Octavia didn't just ask questions she told me all about herself in the process".
"So you should know me pretty well then", he says.
"I would say I know of you, more than that I actually know you", I explain.
"I feel you should tell me more about yourself then", he says smiling.
There's a noise behind us and I turn to see Wells, "I've been looking for you", he says and then his eyes move over to Bellamy beside me. "Are you alright"?
"I'm fine just tired. Let's find somewhere to sleep".
He nods and heads back out of the drop ship. I follow but pause before I go out turning to see Bellamy facing away from me shifting through the clothes there and I watch the muscles move in his back until he stands back up and starts to turn. I leave quickly and miss the smirk appearing on his face.
I find Wells lying at the base of a large tree and I join him staring at the stars, "The stars don't look much different from here just further away".
"Do you miss it", he asks.
"I was stuck in a small room for almost three years, there's not much to miss from that. Other than the bed", I tell him shifting on the ground trying to get comfortable. "How about you"?
"It's just different. I hope we can get in contact with them so they can come down before anything happens", he says.
I happen to agree with him but there's not much we can do until we get to Mount Weather. I stare at the stars for a while listening to the sounds in the woods.