II

Clarke Griffin was both freezing and cursing herself for not thinking anything through.

What the heck had been in her mind?

Not that it mattered now. She had made it this far, no way was she going to stop until her promised land was found.

Of course, considering there is a promise land to begin with.

She tried wrapping the jacket tighter around herself but with no result. The wind that had been missing throughout the previous day was now blowing at full force, moving sand along. Clarke couldn't have opened her eyes even if she wanted to.

So instead, she stopped fighting and allowed sleep to claim her. Her body was just a small dot and the base of a gigantic dune, away from the world and shifting with the wind.

She woke up to blonde hair and sand in her mouth.

She woke up tired and with her back aching.

She also woke up with her heart aching and her back still burdened.

The sun was barely showing its first rays as it slowly climbed the sky and Clarke had no doubt it was beyond early.

Still she got up, and after a minute's laziness, set an acceptablly fast peace. If she was going to make any progress by nightfall, she had to be swift.

Bellamy didn't hesitate before ripping the note off, with no intention of making a show out of it.

Despite his best efforts a crowd still gathered around him, equally curious and terrified.

He read the note swiftly.

Then he stopped and reread.

"Bell?"

He could feel his sister's neck stretching over his shoulder to read as well.

"The Grounders have asked for a meeting." Octavia clarified after a while, her words determining a chorus of booing.

But Bellamy wasn't so sure that was what the note asked for.

Since when did Grounders send notes and not come straight to the source of their distress.

And since when did they address a single person.

Clarke.

This was not a note from the grounders to the sky people.

This was a note from one commander to another.

"What is going on here?"

After the fight he had to go through a few days ago, he could recognize that voice anywhere.

Abigail Griffin was standing right behind him, her eyes burning into his soul.

"Nothing."

"What do you mean nothing?"

When he didn't answer, Griffin became even more annoyed.

"Come with me." Her tone was scarily calm.

And why would I do that?

Because you want them to follow you. And right now, they think only one of us is scared.

He had had this fight with a Griffin before. He knew he was going to loose either way, so instead of wasting breath fighting, he followed orders.

"What just happened out there?"
The inquisition room was all too familiar to Bellamy, despite the slightly destroyed walls surrounding him.

He would remember that room forever, as it was the room his long list of crimes started in.

I need you.

You want forgiveness, fine. I'll give it to you. You're forgiven.

He was enough for her, had always been.

If you need forgiveness, I'll give that to you. You're forgiven.

But he, he had never been enough for her.

"I told you, nothing."

"I don't have time for games."

"Nor do I."

There was a moment's pause. Bellamy could hear his heart beating although the cause of it was unidentifiable.

He dared to look up, only to meet a pair of piercing, fierce eyes and for a second he was reminded of all the pain he had been keeping inside the past few days.

As it bubbled up, he barely found the words to speak.

"It was Lexa trying to make amends with Clarke."

"I don't believe you." She had every right not to, and yet, it still came as a surprise for Bellamy.

The eyes analyzing his every move were no longer a fading ghost but as real as they could be.

So he handed the note without hesitation and watched as the same eyes traveled on the piece of paper.

"Fine. You're free to go."

And he was free to savor his despair and she hers.

May we meet again.

"Bellamy?"

Clarke shook her head vigorously and Bellamy disappeared.

She walked a few steps forward, before having to shake her head once again.

This time Jasper was accusing her of murder.

She would have probably cried, had she any water left in her whole body.

The last bit of water had been drank hours ago and it had been so little it barely wet her lips.

She had never felt so dry in her life.

The sun was setting, falling behind the sand as she dragged her feet across the golden torture. Her memory would vaguely remind her of things she had studied on the Ark like how somebody can survive 3 days without water and 3 weeks without food.

She remembered all of this and yet, she was still afraid to fall asleep.

So she kept walking, forcing herself even more with every new step.

And then, suddenly she couldn't force herself anymore.

Clarke wanted to wake up at the sudden tingling feeling. She wanted to, she really did. But the energy it would take her to do so was simply too much.

And yet, the situation screamed danger and danger screamed at Clarke to wake up. And since when did Clarke Griffin not listen to danger?

So she opened her eyes lazily, only to immediately jump back.

"Who are you?" She asked the girl standing in front of her, in what she could muster as a touch voice.

She didn't replay.

Instead, she offered Clarke water which she gladly accepted, ignoring the potential poison.

The water was good. It fell gently on her bloody lips, and healed the wounds before wetting her throat, like a delicate touch. Actually, it wasn't good.

It tasted like heaven.

She hungrily took another gulp, and then another one, and then another one until she was at least half satisfied. Through all of this, the girl waited patiently, not saying one word.

"Do you speak English?" Clarke asked when she was finally done. As she looked at her savior, she noticed for the first time that at least half her face had been burnt.

How could she have missed something like that?

The girl nodded, vigorously

"Where do you live?"

The stranger pointed towards south.

"Is there a city there?"
Another nod.

Another chapter I hope you enjoyed!