Chapter 26

"Stop fidgeting Bellamy,' said Abby as she cut away the old bandages and wood strips from his leg.

"It itches," he answered back.

"That's normal, it means its healing," she told him "But you have to be still until we get Ravens brace on."

"Clarke, I need you to hold his leg," said Abby. Clarke stepped up and held his leg while Abby re-wrapped his leg in gauze.

Raven brought the brace. Abby slipped it on with Ravens help. It was three metal bars with a piece connecting under his foot and straps securing it tight around his leg. It came up to his thigh and angled so his leg was slightly at a bend. Then Raven grabbed a rolled blanket and placed it under his bent knee. "Just stick this under your knee for support when your in bed, it will make it more comfortable," said Raven.

"Wait, how do I walk with my leg bent like this ?" he asked

"That's the point," Clarke said "You don't. Bellamy , you can't put any weight on that leg," said Clarke.

"I can't sit in bed for six weeks ," he argued.

"Just a second," Raven said as she stepped out of the room and came back in with crutches she had made. "I made these," she said with a big grin.

"You can get around on crutches Bellamy but you still have to be extra careful," said Abby.

"You're welcome," said Raven

"Thanks Raven," Bellamy said back.

"Bellamy, moms right, you have to be careful, you can't go running off again," said Clarke

"Clarke, I have responsibilities." Bellamy said softly.

"Bellamy, Clarke's right," said Abby, No leaving camp, not until your leg is completely healed. If you fall or trip on something and break it again, I can't guarantee I'll be able to repair it ," she said.

Bellamy slammed the bottom of his fist against the wall in anger, his jaw clinching in frustration.

"Bellamy!" yelled Raven "Everyone's just trying to help."

Bellamy just sat there quietly looking away, finally he looked at Raven. "You're right," he said "Thank you for the brace, I appreciate all the work you put into it Raven. Oh and the crutches," he said. He looked over to Abby and Clarke,"Thank you both for everything you've done, I'm sorry I got angry," he said softly. Then he leaned back onto his pillow. He stared at nothing, finally closing his eyes and shutting everyone out.

Clarke wanted to shake him, she knew he was frustrated, but she also knew when he decides to shut down, there's nothing anyone can do.

"Lets let Bellamy get some rest," said Abby. "We need to start getting ready to leave."

Clarke looked at Abby and Raven, "I'll be there in a minute,' she told them. She nodded towards Bellamy, letting them know she wanted to talk to him alone.

After everyone left, she sat on the edge of the bed facing him. "Bellamy, whatever it is you feel you need to do can wait," she stressed.

Bellamy looked at her "You're right, I'm sorry Clarke, I didn't mean to lose my temper. I'm just...never mind. I just thought once I had this brace..."

"Don't be in such a hurry to run off," she teased. "Six weeks will fly by, you'll see," she smiled.

The group spent the rest of the morning gathering supplies. Niylah packed them plenty of food for the trip.

Bellamy spent time getting used to his crutches, they were uncomfortable, but he would make it work.

Bellamy was outside alone staring into the forest. He heard footsteps, and glanced out the corner of his eye when Niylah stopped beside him, also looking in the same direction. They both stood next to each other staring into the dark green trees. "Thank you for letting me stay," Bellamy said.

"I didn't do it for you," Niylah said.

Bellamy closed his eyes, "I know," he said.

"What you have been doing for the villagers, that means a lot," she said.

"I haven't done anything," he said and then he turned and left.

The group loaded the rover to begin the trip back to Arkadia.

"You okay Bell?" Octavia asked, she noticed he seemed quiet.

He frowned for a second before forcing a smile. "Yea. I'm good O," he said as he thought of Niylahs words. He had so much more to do. He wasn't close to being finished. He knew he had to get back to hunting and help the people he had so badly damaged because of his blind hate.

He asked about Apollo and Octavia's horse Helios. He hoped Indra had them, but wouldn't be surprised if he never saw the white beast again. He had grown to love the horse and would miss him.

"Even if you get Apollo back, you're not getting on him. Not until that leg is healed, I'm serious about what I said before Bellamy" said Abby. "The last thing you need it to put any weight on that leg, sliding off a horse," she added.

"She's right Bellamy, you've got to take it easy," said Clarke. Bellamy just looked at her with a smirk. "Yea," he mumbled.

Everyone sat in silence through the ride. Clarke glanced down at Bellamy's hands and fingertips. She looked up at him and realized he had followed her glance. "Mom said they should grow back eventually," she said softly then she nodded towards his hands."Your nails," she added.

"Doesn't matter," he mumbled with a frown.

The rover pulled beside a river bed and the group got out and made camp.

Bellamy was finally able to lie on his back, but it got uncomfortable after a while. It had been two weeks and although he was healing, the deepest gashes were still tender.

Clarke noticed his discomfort but didn't mention it, nor ask about it. She could tell he didn't want anyone to fuss over him.

Monty and Harper wandered off to be alone. No one questioned it. Clarke was relieved when Murphy didn't make a tacky comment or tease the couple.

Murphy sat by the fire. He glanced across to where Bellamy was lying. He heard stories of Bellamy going crazy and running after Clarke through the middle of the Ice Nation Army. So much happened that he missed. So much death. Indra told him and the others what Bellamy was doing, feeding the grounders. Bellamy had to be loaded with guilt, thought Murphy. He wanted to help, he didn't know why, it wasn't his problem, hell he didn't even like Bellamy, still something made him feel like it was important.

Bellamy didn't know everyone knew the secret, it wasn't a secret at all anymore. That made Murphy laugh. Bellamy's big secret about feeding the grounder villages. The only one that didn't know the secret was Clarke.