Chapter Twelve: Fight For You (part two)
"Be friendly but cautious, you're gonna have to count your losses
Easily attracted, but dangerous to get distracted
I'm drawing circles don't you know, protect the seed that wants to grow
To a garden, pardon my territory
I'd fight for you
I didn't wanna have to raise my voice
I'm right for you
You really leave me with no choice
I'd fight for you
I'm right for you…"
-Morgan Page ft. Elisabeth Maurus
xxXxx
As Murphy predicted, the Mountain men began attacking the Grounders and the group from Camp Jaha the next day, as soon as the air was clear.
Roxanne fought next to Bellamy and Murphy, trying her best to defend her companions as well as the Commander's people. Confident that the boys would have her back, Roxanne drove back three Mountain men from taking Indra and Nyko, who were still sporting injuries from the previous day as well as new ones from the Mountain men's weapons.
Gritting her teeth, Roxanne dodged the makeshift prod that they were using that conducted electricity, as well as sported a razor sharp edge. She had already felt the harsh blow from the weapon, which had cut open her still injured arm again.
Roxanne heard Indra's fierce cry as the Grounder leapt back into the fray. She nearly smirked, knowing that it would take a lot more to take down the Commander's second.
"Roxanne, get down!"
Instinct had her dipping into a crouch right as Bellamy hurtled his knife into the chest of a Mountain man that was getting ready to shock Roxanne again.
Twisting her body, she slammed her fist into the man's cheekbone, knocking him unconscious as his wound bled slowly.
She didn't spare a thankful glance at Bellamy, but instead pushed him out of the way when the Mountain men began firing their guns at the small group.
xxXxx
Clarke heard the gun fire from where she was, since the group had been split when the Mountain men had attacked. She had been fighting alongside Octavia, Finn, and Lexa when she turned towards the sound.
When a pained cry rang out, she looked at Lexa with wide eyes.
The Commander tightened her grip on her weapon, looking around before nodding.
Together, the two young women ran through the forests towards the sound.
Clarke nearly gasped when she saw that Roxanne was being dragged off by the Mountain men, along with Bellamy and Murphy. The other girl cried out again when her weight was forced down on her left leg and she hissed when her torso twisted, revealing a small bullet hole that had hit her right above her hip.
But before Clarke could rush forward, Roxanne's eyes narrowed dangerously before she flung her head back, striking the man that was holding her. Her hand dipped down, yanking one of her hidden knives free, before she twisted quickly and embedded it into the man's throat.
Bemused, Clarke moved forward to help Bellamy and Murphy. The latter lashed out against the hold he was in, and grunted when he was struck in the back of his head.
The Mountain men then noticed her and Lexa's advance.
"Grab them!" one shouted.
Lexa twirled her weapon and lowered her body, cutting down one of the men by striking the back of his legs. He toppled over with a cry and Murphy turned and delivered a swift kick to the man's head, knocking him out.
Clarke darted forward quickly as the man holding Bellamy released him and took aim at Clarke with his weapon. She dodged the blow, bringing her elbow down so the weapon skittered across the ground before Bellamy lunged at the man. They grappled on the ground before Bellamy managed to get the upper hand.
When Bellamy looked up at her, Clarke offered her hand so he could get back on his feet.
"Thanks," he said, breathing hard.
She nodded before looking around. "Let's find the others."
xxXxx
The other Grounders had managed to drive back the Mountain men and the members of Camp Jaha had found shelter for all of them until Clarke and the others found them.
Clarke and Lexa agreed that a retreat was necessary to take care of the injured and of their dead. Both leaders gathered their people before they made their way slowly back to the Grounder's camp, since it was closer than Camp Jaha.
While Nyko took care of the injured Grounders, Clarke focused her attention on Roxanne first, who had been carried back by Finn and Bellamy after collapsing from blood loss.
Roxanne's eyes fluttered open when Clarke began cleaning the wounds. She looked around before meeting Clarke's gaze. "Did we win?"
Clarke nearly scowled. "You keep getting hurt like this, you won't be around to see us win."
The other girl's lips curved. "Don't look so pissed, boss. It's a cut."
"And a bullet wound and a strained ankle."
Roxanne shrugged, her gaze now sliding away to fix on the wall.
Clarke sensed Bellamy as he walked up to them.
He looked over her shoulder as she pulled the bullet from Roxanne's side and grimaced. "You need to quit shoving people around, Roxy."
"If I didn't, you'd be lying here instead of me."
Bellamy's eyes flashed. "And who died and made you the martyr?"
"I'm not a martyr."
"Really? Maybe you're just a dumbass with a death wish."
"Bellamy," Clarke said, trying to keep her voice calm. "I'm working."
He glared and seethed before stalking off.
Clarke looked up at Roxanne again. "He's not wrong, you know."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Roxanne huffed, still refusing to meet Clarke's gaze.
"You're always getting hurt. So much so that I've begun to wonder if you do have a death wish."
"I don't, alright?" Roxanne snapped.
Clarke nearly sighed as she sewed the wound close before applying a bandage over it. She decided to keep quiet as she tended to Roxanne's arm, knowing that Roxanne wouldn't admit to her overtly risky behavior.
Clarke wondered if it had anything to do with Roxanne's past. That would make the most sense, and yet, it seemed like Roxanne was doing all of this out of anger than remorse.
It's easier to be angry than sad, she thought to herself.
So she didn't say anything when Roxanne made her way slowly out of the tent, favoring her sprained ankle. She only sighed and hoped that Roxanne's actions wouldn't cost her her life one of these days.
xxXxx
Murphy leaned against a tree, closing his eyes.
Clarke had checked the gash on the back of his head, saying he would be fine and that it didn't need stitches before sending him on his way.
People in the camp had been milling around, so he decided to get some space by climbing one of the small hills that over looked the area and found a spot below a large, drooping tree.
His hand still held onto the piece of Bradley's shirt, which he hadn't let go.
He wondered if she was doing all right. Since the communicator was still down, there was no way for him to contact her to reassure her that everyone was all right. He figured by now she had worked herself up with her worry and was probably off somewhere, pacing and talking to herself.
He smiled slightly.
Murphy also knew that if Clarke hadn't ordered Bradley to stay behind, she would've taken one of the horses and would have been here quickly. But he acknowledged that Clarke needed the other girl to run things at Camp Jaha while she was away, since Bradley was more than capable of handling the others there.
The sound of approaching footsteps had him cracking an eye open.
Roxanne made her way to him slowly before taking a seat next to him without asking. She exhaled sharply as she leaned against the trunk as well.
"You look like shit," he said, closing his eyes again.
Roxanne snorted. "Thanks. I feel like shit too."
"Can't imagine," he replied sarcastically. "You dumbass."
"You know, if one more male decides to call me a dumbass, I'm going to introduce his balls to my knife."
Murphy chuckled. "I'm guessing Bellamy had me beat."
"As usual."
"Why did you push him away?"
"Why do you care?" Roxanne challenged.
"I don't," Murphy said calmly. "Just call it healthy curiosity."
Roxanne didn't reply for a moment. When she did, she sighed heavily again. "I don't know."
"That isn't much of an answer."
"What do you want me to say, Murphy?"
"Nothing I haven't before. Like I said, you keep shoving him around, people will start getting ideas."
"Ideas?" Roxanne growled.
"That maybe you don't hate him."
"I do hate him."
"Are you trying to convince me or yourself?"
Roxanne snarled under her breath and Murphy glanced at her. She was glaring at the ground, her arms folded in front of her.
"What's your point?" she asked, aiming that glare his way.
Murphy shrugged. "Just something to think about."
xxXxx
Back at Camp Jaha, Bradley stalked back into Raven's tent.
Her mood had only grown worse as the day progressed, her anxiety mounting as her thoughts began imagining the worst.
"Is it working yet?" she asked, more sharply than intended.
Raven shook her head. "From what I can tell, the other communicator is still jammed. I'm thinking that these Mountain men don't want them calling out for help."
Bradley's hands fisted before she forced herself to take a deep breath. "Thank you for trying, Raven."
Raven glanced over at Bradley before nodding.
Bradley walked outside again, looking around. The others were doing their daily jobs, gathering food, water, and wood, and were working on building more huts so they weren't all cramped together in the few that had been erected already.
Then her head snapped towards the entrance as she picked up the sounds of a horse galloping their way.
She strode over to the main gate and passed Wells, who was standing ready with his weapon clenched tightly in his hands.
The rider approached them quickly and when they dismounted, Bradley nearly cried out in relief.
Lincoln walked over to her and Wells, leading the horse behind him.
"Wells, take the horse," Bradley said as she met the Grounder halfway.
Wells nodded and did what she asked, leaving her alone with Lincoln.
"What happened?" she asked, looking up at him.
"The Mountain men attacked. Many were killed, and those who were injured were brought to our camp."
Bradley felt a lump lodge itself in her throat. "And?"
Lincoln's gaze softened only slightly with understanding. "No Sky people were killed. Your friend, however, was hurt."
"Roxanne?" Bradley breathed.
Lincoln nodded. "She will heal, she is being tended to by Clarke."
"Why didn't they come back?"
"Some aren't ready and Clarke told them that they would stay until their injuries were mostly healed."
Bradley nodded, lowering her gaze. "I see."
"Your Murphy is relatively unscathed," Lincoln said in a low voice.
Bradley's eyes snapped back up.
The Grounder smiled briefly. "He wished for me to give you this," he said, handing her something he had been holding.
Bradley lifted her own hand and looked down at the piece of cloth Lincoln had placed on her palm. When she unwrapped it, she smiled.
Within the torn piece of Murphy's shirt laid one of the mutated, five pointed stars. Its petals were only slightly crushed from the ride.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Lincoln nodded. "I must return soon. Next time I come back, he will be with me."
Bradley reached out to take one of the Grounder's hand before squeezing it. She let it go and led him back into the camp, offering him some water and food.
And that night, she slept better with the flower laid out on the pillow next to her.
xxXxx
Disclaimer: I do not own the 100.
Author's Note: Please review!
