Chapter 10

Author's note: heavy stuff in this chapter. Don't read if you don't like.

They ran through the woods as they tried to escape the dangerous fog, not caring that their bodies tore through the foliage. Their main focus was finding shelter and not running into trees. "Come on, there are caves up ahead!" Bellamy's voice was what she clung to in the storm. She kept a tight grip on Charlotte, making the young girl run faster than she ever had in her life.

They reached the caves he had spoke about, the tall man shoving his female companions into the cave ahead of him. He turned when they heard the desperate cries of Atom who must have fallen behind. He started out as if to go after him, quickly throwing an arm across his eyes as the gaseous cloud hit him. Ari yanked him into the confines of the cave, running and gagging as they went deeper to avoid the fumes.

She collapsed against a wall, breathing heavily as she and Bellamy recovered from the brief inhalation of the acid fog. Once they could breathe again Bellamy stormed over to her, his talk frame towering over Ari's diminutive one. "Why the hell did you stop me?!"

"I wasn't going to let you die for a man that's already dead," she whispered up at him, having to crane her head from his close proximity. Charlotte was looking on in fear at the angry man and the solemn young woman. Bellamy turned away, running a hand down his face as he sighed heavily. "He died because of me," was his response finally.

"He died because he couldn't keep running. I know that sounds cold but he died only because he couldn't keep up. To stop down here is to die," Ari told him assuredly. Bellamy glanced at her, apprehension and something else she couldn't quite place in his eyes.

He was the first to look away once more. "We're going to be here awhile. We should get some rest." Ari nodded, conceding to the fact that he wanted to be left alone. She turned to Charlotte, offering her the jacket she wore. The small child accepted as Ari leaned against the cold rock. Soon Charlotte was asleep, curled up against her side as she often was.

Ari followed after Charlotte but not before she saw Bellamy watching them with surprise at the obvious closeness between the two girls and with a soft look shining in his eyes.

[page break][bellamy]

He woke to the sound of Charlotte's cries. She was protesting and thrashing in her sleep. He turned to look at he in concern, getting ready to go to her and help her but Ari beat him to it.

As she turned to Charlotte, she failed to realize in her half awake state that her back was to Bellamy where he could see the scars lining it as she was no longer wearing her jacket.

He stifled a gasp at the sight of the bare part of her upper back, covered only by the thin straps of her tank top. Thin, pink lines that were raised about half an inch off her back crisscrossed repeatedly over the sensitive flesh. They were obviously old as they were a pale pink and faded some.

He was drawn back in as Ari shushed Charlotte, rocking the smaller girl in her arms as she stroked her hair. "It's over, Charlotte. I got you," she whispered, her voice choked with concern for her ward.

Hesitantly he moved closer," What are you scared of?" Ari glanced at him guardedly, unsure where he was going with his question. Charlotte glanced at him before looking away obviously embarrassed that he knew about her nightmares. He shook his head lightly, "You know what? It doesn't matter."

Charlotte glanced back up at him in curiosity and he continued, "What matters is what you do about it." Her curiosity turned to confusion, "I'm asleep?" "Fears are fears," Bellamy told her, "slay your demons when you're awake and they won't be there to get you while you sleep."

Ari was now staring at him in something akin to awe. He wasn't sure why but he had a feeling she was taking his advice to heart. "But..how?" Charlotte's question brought his focus back to her.

Bellamy glanced at Ari as he spoke, "You can't afford to be weak down here. Down here, weakness is death. Down here, fear is death."

"Now let me see that knife I gave you," he instructed. She handed it over and he took it in a firm grip, "Now when you feel afraid you hold tight to that knife and you say,' Screw you. I'm not afraid.'" He handed her the knife back and smiled as she repeated his actions. He patted her knee, "Slay your demons, kid."

Before long Charlotte was asleep, knife clutched in hand. Bellamy sat back against the wall across from Ari who was watching him. He stared at her, really studying her.

She was short and slender, bordering on malnourished from her time in the Sky Box. Octavia had been the same and he was happy to see meat being put back on both girl's bones. She had long pale brown hair, lighter than his and Octavia's. At the moment it was braided so that it wasn't in her face. When it was undone though it fell to her hips. She had pale skin and delicate features. A button nose, rosebud lips, big innocent looking green eyes with long lashes. A single dimple when she smiled.

She was beautiful and she seemed very innocent almost doll like. But he knew what she was capable of as so few did. She quirked a brow at him, "Take a picture. It'll last longer." He smirked, "You going to tell me about those pretty little scars on your back?"

Her face immediately fell and she looked away as she swallowed heavily. He felt like shit being the one to put that look on her face and moved towards her. He reached a hand out as if to touch her and she jerked back. "Fuck off, Blake." He made calming motions at her, "I'm sorry. That was a dick move."

She glared at him with fierce determination in her eyes. "Actually I am. You see there was this little girl who had great parents. They loved her dearly and she thought they hung the planets. Everything was great."

He stopped as he listened to her story, "But?" She swallowed heavily once more, licking her lips before glancing at him. A humorless smile graced her face, one full of pain. "The mother got sick, she had some terminal illness that couldn't be treated. They couldn't waste rations on someone who would die in a couple months anyways so they floated her. Her husband and five year old daughter were devastated."

She took a deep breath as she fiddled with her hands, tears streaming freely down her cheeks. "As the girl got older the father saw more of his dead wife in her everyday. She could've been her mother's twin. He turned to alcohol and began trying to beat it out of her it seemed. He took all his anger on losing her out on the thing his wife loved the most: their child."

Bellamy was floored at the story. Had no one ever noticed? How had he hidden it for so long? He realized then that she was staring at him. Seeing him come into focus she smirked at him but it looked more like a grimace. "And that's how I got those pretty little scars, Blake."

The words were practically spat at him and he felt shame flood him at his earlier words. The next question tumbled from his lips without warning. "Is that why you killed the guard?"

Her head snapped up, alabaster skin going sickly white. "What?" Her question was whispered in his direction as she glanced at Charlotte to see if she had heard.

"You were arrested around the same time as Octavia. Her arrest was such a big story that no one really remembers your arrest. But before they fired me from the Guard I heard about a thirteen year old who killed a guard. Her name was Aria Winters."

My revelation seemed to have made her upset. She looked as if she might be sick. "You can't tell anyone. You can't, they wouldn't understand."

He raised a brow," I'm not sure I understand. Why did you kill him?" Her jaw clenched as shame and hatred flooded her eyes. "That's another depressing story I'd rather keep to myself." He studied her over, "He did something to you." She didn't answer but her silence was all that was needed.

He sighed and jerked his thumb to Charlotte. "You should probably get some rest. I'll wake you in the morning." She nodded before curling up with Charlotte. He leaned his against the wall of the cave as her heavy breathing reached his ears.