A/N: I don't own any part of The 100. Any of the direct quotes from the show, belong to The 100 writers, so they deserve all that credit. Only the twists and turns are mine. Enjoy!
BLUE EYED SISTERS - Ch. 3
Day 2. Oct 11
(Bellamy POV)
The next morning, I exited the drop shift to find Wells with a handful of clothes and boots, that Atom was trying to take from him. Wells buried the two kids that died during the landing, and was going to re-purpose their possessions, like was customary on the Ark. I pointed out the Earth was our home now, so he eventually gave up the items.
Moments later, we heard a scream and went to investigate. We found Murphy holding a girl over the flames, and he told up he was imitating pain before removing the wristband, making it believable. Wells tried to convince me that I could stop the chaos. Murphy got in his face with a self-made knife trying to fight Wells. Instead of putting a stop to it, I made it a fair fight between them by tossing a weapon for Wells to use. I felt it was something they needed to work it out between themselves.
They'd only been tussling for seconds, when I voice called out for them to stop. I looked to see it was Clarke rushing in to save the day, as expected and I rolled my eyes. When I caught sight of a limping Octavia, I rushed to her side. I checked her over but she told me he was fine, so I asked where the food was.
The group launched into the tale of Earth having hostel survivors, and told us that they got goggles kid. Immediately, I looked over Octavia to make sure he was truly unharmed and she noticed, because she smiled and shook her head at me.
Then, Clarke asked where Wells' wrist band was and he threw his accusation at me. I kept a neutral look on my face as I watched Clarke look around to notice the majority didn't have wrist bands anymore.
"You idiots." I heard exclaimed, but it wasn't like as expected; it came from Octavia beside me.
"The Ark's life support is failing." Clarke announced. "By removing the wristbands, you're not just killing them, you're killing us too." She told everyone and I saw many of their faces varied from shock to fear.
"We can take care of ourselves. The Ark locked you up for your crimes." I yelled to remind them. "Well, I say you're not criminals. You're fighters. Survivors. It's the grounders that should fear us!" I declared loudly, and smiled at their cheers.
I saw the princess shake her head before walking away with the skinny guy from her group. I turned my smile towards Octavia, only to see her shaking her head at me too. She walked off after Clarke, with Finn and Wells following behind her. I wondered what the hell happened on that outing to make Octavia side with Clarke, instead of me.
After a short time, I noticed Clarke's original group gearing up to head out again. This time, Wells wasn't taking no for an answer and decided to join them. My curiosity was definitely piqued as I watched Octavia ready her boots. Octavia wanting to explore earlier was one thing, but willingly deciding to go off towards uncertain danger, was another. I was about to approach Octavia, when Clarke led them to me.
"You still got that gun?" She asked impatiently, almost like addressing me was the last thing she wanted to do.
I lifted my skirt to show her the gun at my waist. I could have just said yes, but something about making her look at me, and her response to that, pleased me.
"We're going to find Jasper. I doubt you'll convince your sister not to follow us, so I figured I'd ask you to come along. You should see for yourself what you're up against. The gun could be useful too." She told me, looking me in the eye for the first time.
I'd be lying if I said she didn't have beautiful blue eyes, very clear. Similar to Octavia's in a way. I found myself nodding at her before I realized it. After she walked away, I shook my head to myself. Luckily, Murphy came to ask what that had been about and if I was seriously heading to face the natives for some kid we didn't know.
"I'll have her wrist band before the day is over... willingly or ..." I responded the only thing I could think to say, yet unable to fully finish the sentence.
By Murphy's dark smile, I surmised that he believed I would be willing to kill the princess to get the wrist band. That was his train of thought, I was sure. I couldn't fathom killing Clarke, but I decided not to correct him. I just left him standing there, and followed after Clarke's little group.
After over an hour, Octavia was still giving me a cold shoulder as she walked with skinny guy, who's name I learned was Monty. With no one to talk to, I was left to notice the way Wells kept looking at Clarke. I also picked up on how his look darkened whenever Finn was talking to her, or when she'd smile at Finn. Wells was jealous and it didn't take a genius to realize he had feeling for the princess. Yet, it was also very plain to see that Clark wanted nothing, at all, to do with him. She wouldn't even look in his direction when he spoke.
"She doesn't even notice you, Wells. If you want to get the girl, you've got to make her see you." I told him, catching up to him.
He gave me a dirty look before speeding away from me. I didn't know why I offered him any advice regarding Clarke. Maybe it was because it also bugged me to see Finn trying to cozy up to her, even if I refused to address why that was. Maybe it was because I hadn't lied when I told Wells that I liked him. I was spared from thinking about it when I heard a moaning sound.
I hushed everyone, trying to listen if I heard anything again. Eventually, the moan came again, and everyone heard it too. We followed the sound as quickly and as quietly as we could. I caught up to Clarke's side before reaching a break in the trees. What we saw in that clearing was sure give me nightmares for days. The boy, Jasper, was tied to some branches of a tree like some archaic sacrifice from the old books I sed to read. I couldn't imagine what kind of civilization remained that would be capable of such a thing.
"Jasper!" Octavia called out, just as Clarke tried to run up to him but in the matter of seconds, the floor beneath Clarke's feet gave out.
I had reached out to hold her back from getting too close to Jasper so quickly. It was just luck that I had, and a faster instinct than I knew I had, which enabled me to grab hold of her wrist as she hung over spikes below. Her terrified blue eyes met mine and I was transfixed by them.
The brief thought that if I let her go, it would mean the answer to my wristband problem. Yet, I held to her as tightly as I could. I was grateful when I felt the others take hold of me, and helped me pull her up to safety. Once on solid ground, she looked at me as if for the first time.
Unfortunately, neither of us could say a word because a loud growling creature made its presence known. We all stopped our movements to find that something was circling us through the tall grass. I went for the gun at my waist and came back empty handed. Just as the large predatory cat pounced towards the spot where Clarke and I sat, several gunshots rang out. Then, the creature lay dead just feet away from us.
It had been Wells that saved our lives, although it had more to do with saving Clarke than me. I stood up as Clarke was already being helped up by Octavia and Finn, but her eyes didn't leave Wells. She stared at him for several moments, before rushing to help the Jasper kid.
"Now, she sees you." I told him, before going to check on Octavia.
As soon as Jasper was off the tree, we rushed as quickly to our camp as possible. Clarke was eager to treat him, despite the kid looking like he was closer to death than living. I got Finn to help me carry the dead animal back with us. It tried to eat us, but we'd eat him instead. Wells and Monty helped carry a screaming Jasper into the drop ship, with Octavia running after them.
After several hours of desperate screaming and hollering from Jasper, the rest of the 100 were getting impatient. After the day we'd had, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't getting on my nerves too. To make matters worse, Murphy then decided to try urging some of the kids to killing Jasper would put him and us, out of our misery. I managed to stop him by saying that if Clarke couldn't make the tough choice within 24 hours, then I'd kill him myself.
Day 3. Oct 12:
The next morning, Clarke and Finn came out to declare that they needed to find a specific plant that would heal Jasper and I rolled my eyes. Clarke had nearly died the day before, for that kid. Yet, she was willing to go back out there. She was clearly avoiding having to put Jasper down, even for his own sake. I saw Wells go to her, and tell her something that made her agree to let him join her and Finn. I was just glad that Octavia had chosen to stay, even if it was only to help keep Jasper alive. I breathed easier knowing I wouldn't be half crazed worrying over where she was, or what could be happening to her.
The hours passed and had managed to convince more kids to remove their wristbands. With the fear of the grounders looming, I also managed to get many of them to work on building a wall around the perimeter. All in all, despite Jasper's near-constant screams, things were going well in the camp. I still wasn't sure I could put Jasper down if it came to that, but I supposed I would have to, if Clarke couldn't do it.
By nightfall, Clarke and the boys hadn't returned. I had to remind myself that it shouldn't matter to me. Octavia was my only concern, not the princess. As dawn neared, Clarke still hadn't returned and I was officially worried to the point where convincing myself not to be, no longer worked. I decided to take Atom with me to look for them. I pushed on, dreading the possibility of finding her dead somewhere, or strung up like they'd done to Jasper.
Atom and I kept as quiet as possible, while walking towards the river. That was where Clarke was supposedly headed. I heard a twig snap from a couple of paces behind me, so I turned, poised for a fight. It turned out to be Charlotte, who had followed us out of camp. I couldn't very well send her back alone, so I let her come with us.
We walked until a loud horn echoed through the woods. Within moments, I could almost make out a fog approaching. It smelled toxic, so I started pulling Charlotte away from it. I heard Atom scream when the fog came into contact with his hand. I was suddenly faced with the dilemma of helping him or getting Charlotte to safety. I yelled for Atom to run and picked Charlotte up, then ran with her towards our camp.
(Wells POV)
It took us much longer to get to the river than we anticipated. Finn knew which river we needed, but the section we got to, showed no signs of the red seaweed Clarke would need for Jasper. We had to trek alongside the river for several miles until we found it. The majority of the way there, Clarke tried to walk ahead of Finn and myself, so Finn kept asking me questions about life in the Alpha station on the Ark. I supposed I was quite a novelty for those that didn't outright hate me because of my father's politics. Even still, when he steered the conversation towards Jake Griffin, I would be cautious of saying anything that could hurt Clarke.
There was no denying that I loved Clarke. It was true that once upon a time, I pictured her being my wife and having a family with her. However, after everything that happened with her parents and her being taken to the Sky Box, I realized the truth. Clarke was my very best friend, she was family, and I loved her as such. I realized the feelings I thought I held for her were nothing more than a naive fantasy. She was all I knew for so long and therefore, all I thought I'd want for my future.
Despite realizing the truth of my own feelings, I was still unwilling to let her know that it was Abby that turned her and her father in. I knew Clarke, so I knew that Jake's death had crushed her in ways that may never heal. I didn't want to imagine what it would do to my best friend, if she learned it had been her mother's fault. That was why I let her go on believing it had been me. Losing her friendship hurt like nothing I'd ever experienced before. But, I preferred that, versus purposely hurting her when it wouldn't change the fact that her father was gone. At least she still had her mother, I remember thinking that.
I found out The 100 were being sent to the ground and I found a way to get myself locked. I knew my father would find a way to get me off, and that was why I made my crime public knowledge. I left him no choice in having to arrest me, and later sent to the ground with the others. I was sure that many misinterpreted my affection for Clarke, and I thought she might as well, even if she never addressed it. There was no point in correcting anyone when the only person that deserved to know my true feelings, wouldn't even speak to me.
While I had no intention of revealing what Abby did to her and Jake, I did plan to use what I learned in Earth Skills Class to help her. She was in solitary because of what she knew, so she wouldn't be allowed to attend that class. I didn't risk my life to come to Earth with her because of a crush. I came to help keep my best friend safe in what I was sure would be impossible situations. Though, I never could have imagined the dangers that waited for us on Earth.
We managed to outrun the acid fog in the middle of the night, and hid in a bunker we found by pure chance. We spent hours in there together, and Finn took advantage of that to pry. While Clarke could barely contain her hostility towards me, Finn became relentless with his questions. It was almost like he already knew the truth about what Abby did, before he had any confirmation. His questions were so, that without me having to mutter a single word, Clarke was able to deduce the truth from my silence.
My heart was both, broken and relieved, as I watched her come the conclusion. Her emotions were written all over her face and I was powerless to stop or help with any of it. Her heartbreak, was mine as well. I knew Clarke better than anyone and I knew she was reliving her father's death. Only now, it was with the knowledge that her own mother had been behind it. It was a bitter sweet respite when she launched herself into my arms seeking comfort. I tried to hush her cries, but I knew it would take her a while longer before she could come to terms with what she'd just learned.
When I met Finn's eyes over Clarke's shoulder, he smiled at me like he'd won something. I never hated anyone more in my life, than I did at that moment. While I tried to soothe Clarke, it was not lost on me that he was the reason she was falling apart that way. Finn already rubbed me the wrong way from the start, because I couldn't figure out what he was hiding. I was sure people believed I was jealous of him with Clarke, but the reality was that I just didn't trust him. He really did seem like he liked Clarke, constantly hovering around her in some way. But on the Ark, I met people from all stations and I had learned to pick up on certain things, how to read them. Finn had secrets and he might be obsessed with Clarke. Either way, I planned to watch him like a hawk.
We finally left the bunker after the Acid fog had moved on and Clarke couldn't sit still anymore. I wasn't crazy about wandering the forest before dawn, especially with no sleep, but Clarke wanted to get back to Jasper as soon as possible. Sure, she wanted to save him, but I knew she also needed to get her mind busy with something other than what happened with her parents.
Day 4. Oct 13:
We were near enough to our camp by the time the sun made it's appearance, and we heard a scream. It stopped us in our tracks, until Clarke realized that it had to have come from one of our people. We ran in that direction and came upon an entirely gruesome scene. Bellamy hovered above Atom laying on the ground, with the young girl standing several paces behind them. It was clear that Atom had been caught by the acid fog. I didn't really know Atom, but it was chilling to see him in so much pain and begging to die. Bellamy, despite all his bravado, was unable to take Atom's life, and I could relate to that. I knew it needed to happen, but I doubted I'd be able to do it either.
Clarke realized Bellamy couldn't do it, so she did what she always did. She took it upon herself to help Atom. She once told me her mother taught her that being a doctor didn't only mean keeping someone alive. She told me doctors saved people from their illnesses, but that sometimes it meant saving them from the pain of living when their body shouldn't. She was magnificent as she hummed beautifully, which helped to calm Atom. Then, she was impressively strong as she, ever so gently, gave him the ultimate mercy.
I always knew what Clarke was capable of, so while I was impressed by her ability to handle the situation, I wasn't surprised. I was immensely proud of her and I would tell her so later. I looked between Finn and Bellamy once she'd done what she had to. They were both in awe of her, but the difference between their reaction spoke volumes to me. Finn looked almost fanatical, about ready to worship Clarke's every word, and that just wasn't healthy. Meanwhile, Bellamy looked equal parts grateful and mournful that she had to take a life while he couldn't.
Bellamy's vulnerability showed me a more humane side to him than he'd ever shown since we landed. I hoped this would go a long way in bridging his and Clarke's differences. They were both born leaders, more than I ever could be and together, they could be unstoppable. However, they really needed to find some middle ground, and fast. That's what the rest of us would need to survive this Earth, moving forward.
(Bellamy POV)
The sun had risen by the time the fog had subsided, but Atom wasn't anywhere nearby. I told Charlotte to stay inside the newly built gate while I went to look for Atom. I feared I'd left him to die, but I tried to have hope that he might have out-run the fog. Maybe he'd run off in a different direction. I was hopeful that Atom would wander back into the camp after finding his way.
A shrill scream startled me, so I ran in that direction. I found Charlotte standing over Atom laying on the ground. He was covered in blisters where ever his skin didn't appear to be melting. I had no idea why Charlotte didn't listen to me when I asked her to stay at the camp, but that wasn't important at the moment. I pulled her away so she didn't have to look at Atom that way. I asked her to please head back to camp, and she nodded but my attention was on Atom.
"Oh my God, Atom. I'm sorry I left you. I thought you were right behind me." I told him, kneeling by his side.
"K... Me." He tried to speak, but I couldn't make it out.
"Bellamy, what happened?" Clarke burst onto the scene with Finn and Wells behind her, but as soon as Clarke saw Atom on the ground, she rushed to our side.
"Acid fog. Charlotte and I found him like this." I told her, a she looked Atom over.
Clarke turned her eyes on me and shook her head sadly. I knew she meant he was beyond saving.
"Please .. kill .. me." Atom brokenly begged while trying to grab at my hand, giving me his knife.
I looked down at him in horror. Sure, I agreed that Jasper should be put down and threatened to do it, but I hadn't meant it. Clarke must have noticed how I felt about Atom's request because she gently shushed Atom's moans and reached for the knife in my hand.
"You're going to be okay. I'm going to help you." She whispered to him, then began humming a sweet lullaby.
As softly as she was humming, I watched her gently stab the side of Atom's neck. She did it. Clarke calmed Atom and swiftly ended his suffering. She made the tough decision I thought she incapable of making. She'd given Atom mercy, while I could do little else than hold his hand. If I was confused about Clarke before, I wasn't any longer. She truly was the leader these kids deserved... not me.
Finn and Wells helped me carry Atom's body back to the camp. Upon arriving, we found Monty and Octavia yelling and trying to fight Murphy off because he tried to kill Jasper. I left Atom's body with Finn and Wells, and went to make sure Murphy didn't lay a hand on my sister. After breaking up their fight, Clarke was about to rush inside with Octavia and Monty.
"Get her anything she needs!" I declared loudly, for everyone to hear, and she shot me a grateful look before disappearing inside.
Before going back to my tent, I overheard Wells talking to Finn for helping Clarke realize he hadn't been to blame for her father getting floated. Wells lamented that Clarke had to live with the knowledge that it had been her own mother that turned her father in and got her sent to the sky box. Apparently, Wells had taken that blame, so Clarke wouldn't lose both her parents at once.
After Wells walked away from Finn, I approached him and asked him the story. He confirmed and elaborated on what I overheard. Clark and her father tried to do the right thing by letting everyone on the Ark know about the Air System flaw. However, her mother turned them both in before they could broadcast it. Jake Griffin was floated for his actions and Clarke was sent to solitary in the Sky Box for what she knew.
Something about the name Jake Griffin nagged in my head, but I couldn't figure out why. My mind swirled with two different, but potent thoughts. The first, was a newly found admiration for Wells for what he'd done. The second, was that I felt stronger about my princess, than I cared to admit. My princess? I wondered, but then shook the thought away.
After a couple of hours, I had managed to bury Atom next to the graves that Wells had made for the kids that died during our landing. I felt badly that I had left Atom behind during the acid fog, but there was too much going on to fixate on that. When I got back inside the camp walls, I went to check on Jasper. Also, I couldn't deny to myself that I felt a pull to check on Clarke too.
"How's he doing?" I asked from the corner, watching her check Jasper's temperature.
"He's going to pull through, thanks to the seaweed. It works as an antibiotic of sorts." She told me with a bright smile, and I felt the air leave my lungs.
It was the first time I'd seen her smile, and it was directed at me. I found myself smiling too. She was clearly a very capable doctor who knew when someone was worth saving. And much to my chagrin, she had already proven that she wasn't as soft as Id originally thought. She was strong and determined enough to fight for those she felt still had a chance, while not remaining overly naive about trying to save those that couldn't be saved. I still marveled over how she'd handled the situation with Atom, and I felt indebted to her for helping him when I couldn't.
"I'm really sorry about your Atom. If there had been any way to help him, I would have tried. But, from the way he could barely speak, I knew that the acid hadn't just burned his skin... It had burned through his airway and into his lungs. If I hadn't done what I did, he would have suffered a lot more, and for a longer while." She explained, a pained look replacing her previous smile.
"I get why you did it. You don't need to apologize for helping him, especially not to me. You did what I couldn't do. You helped him, just as you helped Octavia before, and I'm grateful. Thank you, Clarke." I told her genuinely, and her eyebrows rose.
"Gratitude from the Rebel King... I'll take it. Now, if only you'd listen to me instead of fighting me on everything." She commented, smiling at me again and surprising me with what she'd called me.
"Let's not get crazy, Princess." I told her with a smirk before going to check on the wall.
I didn't see Clarke again for a while later. I hadn't seen Octavia either, so I deduced that meant neither of them had eaten or drank water in quite a while. I found it hard to avoid worrying over Clarke and her nutrition, like I did for Octavia, but I decided not to think about it too hard. I grabbed a couple of canteens, filled them with water, and went into the drop ship to find them.
Clarke was standing by Jasper's head while Octavia sat beside him, with his hand in hers. Monty hovered off to the side, but still within several feet of his buddy. I wasn't surprised that Finn was also in there, although I found that annoying.
"Hey guys, how's Jasper?" I asked as I approached them.
"So much better. Oh, and Monty finally got Octavia to eat." Clarke responded happily, which was infectious but her words made me realize that she'd not only saved Jasper, but she was also looking out for Octavia while I hadn't.
"Yep, berries and some killer-cat meat." Monty told me with a satisfied smile.
"Did you save me some cougar?" Jasper's scratchy voice asked, surprising us all.
I could see the relief on all their faces, but it was Octavia that leaned down to hug him gently.
"I'm so glad you're finally awake, Jasper!" O exclaimed and I could hear in her voice that she was close to tears. "Clarke said that once you woke up, you'd be fine. I knew you could do it." She told him happily.
I felt like I was intruding on a private moment between their group. Octavia was my sister, but she had clearly bonded with these people in a way that I couldn't have expected. She already seemed so close to them. So much so, that Jasper's survival had moved her to tears. Her whole life, only my mother and I knew her. Now, she had others in her life and I was seeing sides of my sister I never knew existed.
I wasn't sure how I felt about that, but it wasn't good and I needed to get some air. Clarke caught my eye just before I walked out and she smiled at me again. I barely found myself returning it, so she followed me outside. I took a deep breath of the evening air as she stopped to stand beside me.
"You look like something's bothering you. You okay?" She asked, seemingly concerned over me.
"Nothing for you to worry your pretty head over, Princess." I responded, but my tone failed to lighten the mood.
"I just thought you could use someone to talk to, Bellamy." She responded defensively and turned to walk away, but I stopped her.
"I'm sorry, Clarke. I didn't mean it the way it came out. I'm more tired than I realized, but you're right. Something's sort of bothering me. I just didn't want to worry you with it after everything you've been dealing with lately. That's all I meant." I amended and she smiled softly at me.
"It's been a really rough couple of days, hasn't it?" She joked and I laughed while nodding. "But seriously, if you do need someone to talk to, I'm here." She added and I found myself opening up to her.
We walked towards the fire, where plenty of meat still remained. We sat to eat while I told Clarke that I was beginning to feel like an outsider in my sister's life. I left out the part about me realizing I had feelings for her, naturally. She asked me to tell her about Octavia growing up, so I launched into some highlights. She smiled and laughed a lot. I told her about potty-training Octavia, then teaching her how to write. She found the idea of Octavia hogging the covers to be hilarious. Meanwhile, I was finding that her laugh was one hundred percent helping me feel better.
Clarke also opened up to me, which I found fascinating. She admitted that she was jealous of Octavia and I having each other to grow up with. Eventually, she helped me realize that Octavia was finally getting to experience new emotions through interactions with different types of people, which was something we all took for she'd been sheltered her whole life, whether in hiding or in solitary, Earth was Octavia's first opportunity to grow as a person. Clarke assured me that Octavia wouldn't ever create a bond with that could ever overshadow my bond with her.
Just like that, and Clarke was healing the cracks in my heart. Like she'd healed Jasper's physical wounds and given Atom mercy with her hands, Clarke healed my heart with her words. Clarke Griffin was like no other person I'd ever meet, and I was sure I'd never meet anyone like her again. She was an extraordinary person, and so beautiful besides. there was a stir of emotions building in me, but want was the strongest at that moment.
The air between us started to become charged with something, as we stared into each other's eyes. There was a definite anticipation brewing on my part, and it didn't feel entirely one-sided. Unfortunately, the moment was broken when someone shrieked in laughter close by. I broke eye contact long enough to see some of the kids play-chasing each other. When I looked back at Clarke, she was looking at where Wells sat with Monty, near the drop ship.
"I have to go talk to him for a bit. Are you feeling any better?" She asked me and I nodded.
"Yes, Princess. Thanks for the chat." I told her, unable to say much of anything else, then went to my tent for some much needed rest.
A/N: I wanted to add a bit of Wells POV, because his story line felt cut short on the show. He made one of the sweetest sacrificial gestures, with no thought to getting anything out of it. In addition to that, he also went to Earth for Clarke, wanting to be with her even believing they all might die. In my opinion, he got killed to soon, despite understanding why it had to happen. I wanted to try keeping Wells in my story, but sadly, that's not going to happen.
That aside - BELLARKE BELLARKE BELLARKE will coming soon. LOL! Gosh, I love them! I planned this whole slow burn thing between them, but my anticipation is getting in the way. I'm removing the sticks from their butts and pushing them along as quick as I can. LOL
