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After I talked to my mom, I decided I wasn't really feeling the social requirements of the mess. So I grabbed the first thing I saw and wandered toward the edge of camp, the edge that faced Mount Weather. As I chewed the nuts I had grabbed I thought back to what Bellamy had said. He wasn't sorry? What does that even mean? Was he just flirting with me because I had revealed a weakness to him? He obviously knew I was attracted to him now and that was the most mortifying thing that had happened to me thus far on this planet. I knew who Bellamy was. He was a cocky, sarcastic womanizing guy and he had to be screwing with me. I know him, I drive him crazy. Or maybe… I just always saw what I wanted to see. When I really thought about it, I realized how much he had done for me, how much leniency he had shown me and how far he had gone to protect me. Yes, he was kind of a man-whore but that didn't mean he was a bad person. I knew deep down he was. No one else would have risked everything to join and protect his baby sister on what was a clear death sentence. I had been awful to him ever since the beginning, demanding he do what I thought was right and letting him clean up my mess when it didn't work out. He was obviously teasing me, but based on how I had treated him the least I could do was treat him like a friend and maybe show him that I trusted him. I needed to show him I knew he wasn't what he appeared. After thinking everything through I felt much better on the Bellamy situation, which I now realized had been all in my head. I could really extend and olive branch to him and make sure we were the best team we could be to get our people back. I sat for a little while longer thinking about what we could do to get through those tunnels. How could we sneak into the tunnels while they were infested with Reapers and covered with cameras and whatever else those psychos had in there. Well, first things first we needed to monitor the tunnels to see if there were any patterns or noticeable intervals we could use to get in. How could we get close enough to monitor without giving ourselves away? I stared out at the forest, watching while a bird landed in the tree closest to me, and disappeared from view. Disappeared from view. I shot to my feet, thinking fast. The grounders used sneak attacks from the treetops, they were afraid of the Mountain men and the Reapers so it made sense that they would have found away not to be seen. Something that they knew would keep them safe. I started jogging back to our tent to see Bellamy and Octavia talking outside.
"I know our first step. I know how to start rescuing our people."
After we were all assembled inside, I explained my plan.
"We go in twos and make sure to stay in the tops of trees and make our way to the tunnel entrance. We'll have to station ourselves around the mountain and try to find where the Reapers enter and exit and then monitor when they come and go, how they walk, get closer looks at them so we can emulate them better. Once we've done that we'll ambush a couple as far away from the mountain as we can and take their horrible clothes and whatever else we can use to blend in." I stared around and watched as the idea sank into the minds of everyone else. Raven and Octavia were nodding and Monroe let out a, "yeah, it'll take a while but it sounds like the safest way." We all looked at Bellamy and knew that if he didn't agree we would find another way. He looked into my eyes and nodded.
"Great idea, Princess. We'll have to take it slow but you didn't think the others were in any immediate danger and based on what you've told us I have to agree. They will turn on them, but if we go in with no preparation it'll be a blood bath. Ok, O, Clarke and I will rotate on watch as you two heal. Maybe start working on that creepy ass jewelry they wear all over their face. It might help hide us long enough to get inside. If there's a way to fake it I would really appreciate it." He grinned at the end and his relief at finally having a plan and working toward something was palpable and it was lightening him up. Raven piped up at this point, "Shouldn't be a problem. Simple magnetism will make sure you don't have to poke holes in that pretty face."
"Thanks Raven."
"I was talking to Ocatvia and Clarke." We all giggle and the chagrined look on his face and it felt good to laugh, to tease one another and just be together. It felt a little like it had before that fateful day of the grounder attack.
"So we start tomorrow? How are we going to get out and in? Clarke's mom seems like she might notice if her daughter keeps disappearing." Octavia had a point.
"We'll just have to cover for them, have contingency plans if too many questions start being asked. We also need to get you guys a couple guns. I don't think that should be a problem. As far as I can tell they haven't been taking inventory in all the craziness. We should grab four and as much ammo as we can before they do notice what comes and goes. I'll work on that. I have a lot of access to stuff around here." Raven seemed to relish the opportunity to do something for the plan.
"Great, we probably shouldn't be huddled alone like this often though. People are bound to notice."
"Well, you should probably go get checked out by your mom, Clarke. It looks like some of your stitches pulled and are starting to bleed." At Octavia's words, I reached up to my hairline and touched my face gently. My fingers came away covered in red. As I pulled my hand away, Bellamy was there, grabbing my wrist and staring at my scarlet fingers. He looked up and looked upset. He yanked me up to my feet and released my wrist to grab my hand.
"Jesus Princess. You need to take better care of yourself. You're no good to anyone if you bleed to death." With that charming sentiment he yanked me out of the tent and started marching me toward the med tent. I smiled up at him and watched as he stumbled. I snorted at his reaction. He was so unused to me being open to his help. Or my ripped up face gushing blood was unsettling. It really could go either way. He pulled me closer and sped up.
"Doc! Clarke pulled some stitches." He deposited me on the table before the surprised eyes of my mother.
"Are you ok, honey? What happened?" She got up closer and Bellamy took a step back.
"Nothing. I was just talking to my friends and started bleeding."
"Well then, its just because of the fragile are of the wound. We use our foreheads a lot and they're just going to be a little easier to bother. Be careful and come to me whenever you need to. They're not torn just a little tender." She leaned forward and kissed my forehead causing my back to stiffen. I saw Bellamy come closer out of the corner of my eye. When my mom pulled back I gave her a tight smile.
"Thanks, mom. I appreciate it." With that I hopped off the table and walked out of the tent with Bellamy close behind. I told her I didn't hate her and that was true but I had also told her I wasn't ready to go back to how things were. I took a deep breath and felt a strong hand on my lower back. For the second time that day I pulled my shoulders back and held my head high. I had a sneaking suspicion that the reason I had been able to confront my mother and stay strong for the sake of our people, was standing right behind me.