The Bounty

Rover One kept pace with Zeus and Odyssey as we rode on either side of it, Zasha on the driver's side and me on the passenger's. I could see that Indra was slightly uncomfortable in the back.

"Sir, we're almost out of range." Monty told Kane. "Are you sure you don't want to tell the Chancellor?"

"I'm sure." Kane answered. "I don't want to worry Abby until we know something."

"We know there's a kill order." Bellamy threw out. "You people are big on those." he glanced over his shoulder at Indra before looking out at the trail ahead.

"It's not a kill order." Indra corrected. "It's a bounty. Clarke's a symbol. She's known as Wanheda."

"The Commander of Death." I translated, gripping Zeus' reins tightly.

"The Ice Nation scouts asked about Wanheda." Zasha reminded. "They're looking for Clarke." she glanced at me across the Rover.

"Why?" Monty asked.

"My people believe that when you kill someone, you get their power." Indra informed. "Kill Wanheda, and you command Death."

"She's just one girl." Kane pointed out.

"So was the Commander." Indra compared. "What happened at Mount Weather weakened her." she added, glancing out at me. "Azegda is emboldened. Their queen wants Clarke's power."

I gripped the reins tighter. "If her people believe she has it, she'll start a war." I noted through gritted teeth. "Then Nia will come for me."

I glanced at Indra, who nodded in confirmation. "We can't let that happen." she stated.

The GPS unit beeped, alerting us that we arrived in Sector Seven. "Where to now?" Monty asked.

"If she's here, she'll need supplies." Indra answered. "We'll start at the trading posts."

"Okay then." I agreed, my eyes focused on the trail ahead.

"Ray, don't go charging ahead on your own." Bellamy told me, watching me through the bars on the window.

"She's my sister, Bellamy." I replied, meeting his eyes. "I have to. Besides, I won't be alone." I nodded to Zasha, who grinned.

"Be smart." Kane advised.

"I'm the Princess Commander." I reminded, smiling.

I turned back to Bellamy, meeting his eyes. "Be safe." he told me, reaching his hand through the bars. I smiled and reached out, interlacing our fingers. "I love you." he kissed my left ring finger.

I squeezed his hand gently, my lips curling into a smile. "I love you too." I echoed, sliding my hand out of his. I tapped Zeus' side and he galloped ahead with Zasha right behind us.

"Are you sure this is smart?" Zasha asked as we rode ahead.

"It's been three months." I reminded her, my eyes staring ahead. "Three months she's been out here, alone." I sighed. "It's time to bring my little sister home."

Day turned to dusk and we stopped to rest for a little bit, against my personal wishes. I tied Zeus to a nearby tree so he could eat and drink. "We can't rest for long." I reminded, patting my horse's neck.

"We just need to let the Rover cool down for a bit." Monty informed.

"Try to get a little rest." Bellamy advised, rubbing my shoulder.

I looked up at him, knowing if I argued I wasn't going to win. "Fine, just for a few minutes." I agreed.

Bellamy smiled and we leaned against another tree. He wrapped his arms around me, twirling strands of my hair around his finger. He kissed my temple, laying his head on top of mine. I closed my eyes, breathing softly.

Demons always attack you in your sleep. Just like every night these past three months, what I did at Mount Weather haunts my dreams. I'm forced to watch myself as I slaughter countless security guards as I protect my people. My friends. I watch as the warrior clad in black cuts down her enemies effortlessly, her blue eyes burn with a dark fire. Blood decorates the floors, pooling around her victims. The scene changes to the Command Center and I'm staring right into her eyes. The dark paint makes her eyes pierce through you, the fire burning stronger as she sees her friends and family tortured.

I spun on her heels, her blade inches from Dante Wallace's chest. "Ray, we need him." Bellamy reminded.

"And I need his son to believe me." I replied, glancing at Bellamy. I held the walkie up and glanced at the monitor. "Believe me Cage, I don't want to do this. Let my people go, and yours can live." my blade never wavered.

Cage was silent for a couple minutes. I could tell from the monitor that my threat was getting to him. Deep down, I didn't want any more blood to be shed, but I knew that if it meant saving me people, I would kill everyone in Mount Weather.

"Dad." Cage croaked over the walkie. "I'll take care of our people." he promised.

"None of us has a choice here." Dante told me.

I kept my eyes locked with his. "I didn't want this." I admitted. My eyes flickered to Bellamy, "I never wanted this."

"Neither did I." Dante echoed.

With my finger still on the button, I ran my sword through Dante's chest, holding the walkie close so Cage could hear his father breathe his final breaths. I could feel everyone staring at me, probably jaws dropped. I glanced to my left and saw Clarke's blue eyes wide in shock, and at my right Bellamy just watched me, his face unreadable. I looked down into Dante's eyes, "I'm willing to do anything to free my people, even darkening my own soul." I declared. "Goodbye Dante." I pulled my sword free and watched as his body fell to the ground. I wiped the blood off before sheathing the blade, my eyes never blinking

"Rayleigh, wake up." someone called.

I jolted upright, wrapped in Bellamy's arms. He held me tightly, rubbing my back soothingly. "You're okay." he whispered. "It was just a nightmare. You're okay."

I instantly relaxed into his arms, wrapping mine around his neck. "Just a nightmare." I repeated, regulating my breathing. I pulled back, realizing that Bellamy's guard jacket was draped over me like a blanket. "How long was I asleep?"

"About thirty minutes." Monty answered, checking the Rover's engine.

I sighed heavily. "Twenty minutes too long." I muttered, standing up. The night was dark and the only light was coming from the Rover's headlights. "I'll ride ahead, to see if I can catch Clarke."

"Hey." Bellamy halted, standing in front of me. "You go now, you'll be handing youself over to the Ice Nation."

"Please, they won't touch me." I scoffed, handing him his jacket back. "Azgeda knows Prisaheda too well, they know they don't stand a chance against me." I walked over to Zeus, stroking his mane, softly speaking to him in the native Grounder language.

Bellamy stood behind me and rubbed my shoulders, "I'm not letting you ride off like this." he whispered, kissing the back of my head. "I promised your mom-"

"that you'd protect me." I finished. "I know, I was there." I sighed and turned to face him. "She's my sister Bellamy. You of all people should understand how I feel."

"I do understand." he moved his hands to my waist, pulling me closer. "I'm just looking out for you, that's all."

I smiled and ran my hands up his arms "I know." I whispered, bracing my hands on his shoulders.

I leaned up and kissed him, wrapping my arms around his neck. Bellamy's arms laced around my lower back, his tongue sliding through my parted lips, dancing with my own. He traced circles over the fabric of my top as I caressed the back of his neck. I pulled away, meeting his eyes, feeling my lips curl into a smile.

"Please be careful." Bellamy whispered, moving one hand to cup my cheek. "I can't loose you."

I turned my face into his palm. "I'll be fine." I promised. "You won't be far behind." I stepped back and climbed into the saddle. I nodded to Zasha and we took off into the night, the Rover catching up pretty quick.

A fallen tree blocked our path. The horses jumped over it easily, but Zasha and I pulled them to a halt when Monty slammed on the Rover's brakes. We turned our horses around, looking back at everyone in the Rover.

Monty went to get out of the Rover but Zasha halted him. "It's been cut down." she informed.

"You sure?" I asked. Zasha motioned to the end, and the clean cut proved her point. I sighed and met Bellamy's eyes. He climbed up into the turret, nodding his head. "Once we find Clarke, we'll come back for you." I vowed.

I turned Zeus back around. "Rayleigh!" Bellamy called, making me look back over my shoulder. "I love you."

"I love you too." I replied. My eyes met Zasha's and we rode off together.

Hooves thundered across the path as Zasha and I continued towards the trading post. A rustling caught our attention and we immediately yanked our horses to a stop.

"What was that?" Zasha asked, in her native tongue.

I shrugged. "Don't know." I replied in the same language. "Keep your eyes open."

We dismounted the horses, scanning the area, weapons ready. I took one more step and Zasha gasped, making me spin on my heels. Her hand was pressed to her neck as her eyes rolled back, her body swaying.

"Zasha!" I called, catching her as she fell. "Zasha? Speak to me." I pleaded in Grounder language.

"Run." she rasped in English. Her body slumped in my arms.

"Zasha!" I yelled, looking around.

I gently laid her body on the ground, scanning the woods on either side. My eyes were narrowed and lips parted slightly. I heard a twig snap behind me and spun in that direction. A second later, I felt a pinch in my neck and my hand reflexively grabbed whatever hit me. My blood started running cold as I looked at what I pulled from my neck, which resembled some kind of dart.

"Damn." I muttered, my knees buckling. I braced myself as I fell to the ground, my senses dulling as everything was blending together around me. I saw figures in dark armor come from the woods. "Azgeda." I muttered. Everything went black.