Disclaimer: The usual. I don't own anything.
Clarke: Day 7…
Clarke didn't go to sleep even when she was exhausted. She sat by the makeshift bed where Octavia was lying down, waiting for the girl to wake up. Octavia had passed out from the pain and the blood loss and Clarke has been trying to get her body to heal, and for her to wake up.
"Ugh." The sound snapped her from her thoughts and look at the girl. Octavia was waking up and groaning from pain shooting through her.
"Easy. You're still recovering." Clarke said in a soft voice, but holding Octavia down so she won't move around.
Octavia had trouble focusing. Her mind was still foggy and the pain wasn't making it easy for her. She kept trying to focus and then she saw Clarke's face staring down at her.
"Where am I?" She asked in a hoarse voice. Clarke looked up and then back at her.
"You're in the med bay of the dropship." She answered. Octavia started to remember how she got there.
"Bellamy!" She exclaimed and looked around, searching for him. Clarke looked sadly at her as Octavia kept searching for him around the dropship.
"Where is he?" She asked Clarke, panicking.
"He's not here Octavia." Clarke told her with regret. At Octavia's narrowed gaze, Clarke looked away as she continued.
"He covered our escape and he didn't come back to the camp." Octavia's stare was searching for something unsaid and Clarke didn't want to voice it herself. Saying it out loud will make it true.
"Where's Bellamy, Clarke?" Octavia asked once again. Her tone sounded even, but it had an underlying threat of explosion. Clarke looked up at her.
"We don't know." Clarke answered honestly. Because she didn't know what happened to Bellamy. He was not at the camp. She couldn't tell if he escaped and went back to the grounder village, or if he ran away to a safe place in the woods. If he is captured, or at worse, he was killed.
"I must find him." Octavia said and started to get up from the bed. Clarke stopped her from moving by holding her to the bad forcefully. Octavia struggled against it, but she couldn't escape. Clarke was strong when she had to be.
"Let me go." Octavia commanded, still trying to struggle against Clarke's grip. "He's my brother." The last part came out pleadingly for Clarke to understand. And she did. She understood more than anyone, how the Blake siblings were. No matter how much they fight one another, they both will die for one another. But she couldn't let Octavia go in her condition without any plan.
"You can't run into the woods looking for him when there's an army waiting to attack us." Clarke replied back, hoping Octavia understood. Octavia's struggle was weakening, but she hasn't stopped yet. "Anya said she had scouts watching us. They must be furious about us escaping and they will kill you if you step out of the camp." She argued rationally.
"I need to find him. I need him." Octavia started tearing up and she looked more her age than the strong person she acts like most of the time. She looked like a broken child crying for her parent. And in a way, she was. Clarke relaxed her grip from holding Octavia down to rub her arms in soothing motion trying to share some comfort. Clarke can understand her feelings. To be honest, she was feeling the same need to find Bellamy because she needed him too. She didn't feel like she could go through the battle without him. But right now, she needed to be the strong voice for Octavia to prevent the death of the Blake she knew was alive still.
"I know. I understand." She whispered, wrapping her hands around Octavia to calm her down and hold her as she sobbed.
"Lincoln's out there. He will find Bellamy. We will find him soon. I promise." She assured Octavia. She hoped what she was saying is true.
They stayed like that until it was morning. Clarke stayed by her side until Octavia calm down and laid back once again.
Clarke: Day 8…
In morning, Clarke had to inform the camp on what happened. They all knew she had left that morning and saw her come back with an injured Octavia. She had to keep them informed and calm, so they won't start panicking.
Luckily, Miller and his people were able to control any dissent on what happened at the bridge. Nobody started to act out after Clarke's announcement. They had got used to preparing for the attack and realizing it was coming in a few days strengthen their resolve. But they were not prepared. Clarke needed a solution to make it difficult for Anya's clan to attack the camp.
She went to Raven's tent and peeked in. Found her still working on the bullet pile.
"Hey." Clarke said and entered the tent.
"Hey." Raven responded and unlike last time, she turned around and smiled. It seemed like they were building a friendship now.
"Will those be enough?" Clarke asked looking at the pile of untested bullets.
"Don't think so. But we need all that we can get." Raven said nodding towards the ones she had already packed as useful bullets. Jasper's chemical test made it possible to find useful bullets faster, but she had barrels of them to go through.
"Is there anything more we can do? I'm desperate." Clarke asked helplessly.
Raven looked at her, with a thoughtful gaze. "How desperate?" She asked and Clarke could tell wheels in her brain started spinning about something.
"The fate of the camp relies on us finding a way to defend ourselves, if that answers your question." Clarke pointed out. Raven chuckled and looked at her seriously.
"I have a suggestion, but it's a big risk." She said and Clarke's interest peaked.
"What is it?" She asked, wanting to know.
"Remember the dropship that crashed?" Clarke nodded. "I need to take a team and go there." She told Clarke. Clarke's immediate response was to say no, but her curiosity won over.
"Why?" She asked wondering. Last time they were there, they didn't find any weapons or evidence of anything surviving the crash.
"I want to get as much Hydrazine as I can." Raven said and Clarke understood what Raven was planning. She warned about the fuel being combustible. She even demonstrated the explosion that day. If they could somehow contain it, it could work as a good explosive bomb.
"How will you carry it?" Clarke asked and Raven grinned, realizing Clarke quickly figured out her plan and wanting to know more.
"I have been creating these vacuum sealed containers to store food that could go bad. They are stable and air tight. Once we get the Hydrazine in them, it won't ignite." Raven said and showed a decent size container. Clarke took it from her hand and saw that it was a good sealed container.
"What can we do when we get it here? They will stay sealed and we can't use it effectively." Clarke pointed out. But Raven had ideas for that too.
"I was thinking about it yesterday. What if we put some of it in a container and take it to the bridge? That's their way to the camp, right?" Clarke nodded and let Raven continue. "We place the container in the bridge with a timer of sort and once the timer runs out, it will explode and bring down the bridge." Raven suggested. Clarke could see it as a good plan. It may work and it will make Anya difficult to cross and reach them. She would have to circle around or go down the valley where Bellamy was at. Either way, it will buy them time.
"Do we have a timer though?" Clarke asked. As far as she knew, they didn't have any timers.
Raven looked at the watch Clarke was wearing. Clarke's eyes went wide at the implication. Raven wanted to use her father's watch to set the time.
"No." Clarke said holding onto her watch to her heart as if Raven was asking her beating heart.
Raven looked at her, trying to say something. But the look in Clarke's face made her re-think. She opened her mouth and closed it a few times before she spoke.
"You're right." Clarke visibly relaxed when Raven said it. "Maybe a trigger will work better." Raven said and her mind was thinking again. "Of course." She looked back at Clarke once again having come up with a better idea. "What if we booby trap the bridge?" Clarke looked confused and Raven continued explaining. "We set the container at the bridge, but we run a wired trigger on the ground. They won't know it until they cross it and when they do, kaboom!" Raven said demonstrating the explosion with her hands in excitement. "It will take out the bridge and also some of them along the way. Weaken their army just like what they did for us."
Clarke can see that the new plan was better. It will lead to more loss of life which she didn't like but it was necessary. Like once Bellamy said, "Who we are and who we need to be to survive are very different things" sounded very true at this stage.
"Ok. But how do you plan to get around the scouts?" Clarke asked. She was still worried about the scouts watching them. She didn't want her people dying in their hands.
"That's up to you. You need to find a way to get us around." Raven said and got back to making the bullets. She wanted to get as much as possible done before she left.
Clarke left the tent positively excited at the prospect of having a way to defend themselves and lost in her thoughts on how to find a way around the scouts. She went to Miller for advice, since he has been in charge of security.
Miller had been busy all morning after her announcement. He looked tired but he wasn't resting. He is busy supervising the wall reinforcements.
"Hey Miller" Clarke said and his attention turned towards her.
"Hey" he said to her before turning back to the people he was supervising to give them some instructions. Then he stepped away and Clarke started walking with him away from the wall.
"What can I do?" He asked her, knowing she was there for his help.
"I need you to tell me a way to find out if we are still being watched by Anya's scouts." She asked. Miller already knows about what Anya and Clarke spoke in the bridge. The inner circle was wary of being spied upon.
"I already have people watching the trees for any activities. There're more eyes looking at the woods than before. We have not seen any activity yet." Miller reported.
"We can't assume it's safe to leave just because of that, can we?" She asked him. She thought it may be worth the risk, but she would leave it to the person in charge of security to decide.
"Safe for what?" Miller asked her, confused.
Clarke got closer so she doesn't speak out to everyone. "Raven has come up with an idea to detract the attack. At least for a short while." Clarke saw Miller's eyes go wide, but he remained quiet listening. "But to do that, she needs to go to the dropship crash site."
"I think it's worth the risk." Miller told her. "We need a way to fight the attack and if there's one, we should take it." Having Miller agree with what she thought convinced her too.
"Alright. Let's get everyone in the loop."
- 100 -
It was about mid-day when she was able to get the inner circle in one place. She had to wait for people to finish the work they were doing and she had to check on Octavia herself. They all decided to meet in the med bay near Octavia so she can also be part of the decision-making process.
"Ok. So, here's the deal." Clarke said to those standing in front of her and Octavia sitting next to her in her bed.
"Raven has come up with an idea to make bombs out of the rocket fuel from the crashed dropship." People gasped when they heard it. "She is going to go to the crash site and get as much fuel as she could."
"Clarke, it's not safe. Not right now." Finn argued first. Raven looked at him annoyed, because he was talking to Clarke about a decision she made.
"Raven made that decision Finn." Clarke pointed out. "Miller has been on the lookout for anyone in the woods and haven't seen any. And the direction they will go will be away from Anya and her clan are at. It should take them to a safe zone. They may even get to avoid the attack if it comes before they return." She smiled when she said the last part and heard Jasper and Monty chuckling and Raven shaking her head with a smile.
"But she is going to need some help. I don't want to order anyone to go. Whoever is volunteering can go with her." She told the group.
"I'll go." Finn said. Raven looked like she had something to say, but she decided against saying anything.
"We'll go too." Jasper volunteering and Monty nodded. Clarke looked at them gratefully. "Thanks guys."
"I'll also go. They need someone for backup in case they run into trouble." Miller told her. Clarke nodded at him. "Take as much bullets as you need." She told him.
"I would like to volunteer as well." A voice from behind said. Clarke turned around and everyone looked at the person speaking. They saw Murphy standing there wiping his hands in a dirty cloth. They didn't realize he was there. He was still healing and confined to the med bay. But he has been assisting those who were still recovering from the infection and others around the med bay.
"No." Miller said as if the decision was final and Clarke looked at Murphy, confused.
"Why would you want to risk your own life?" She asked him trying to understand his motivation.
"What else am I going to do? At least this way, I can be useful." He told her. Clarke was unconvinced.
"We have enough people to go to the crash site. You can help here in the med bay as you have been doing so far." Clarke knew that Murphy had not done anything suspicious since he came back. And with the attack looming over them, they needed all abled bodies to protect them, which is why he is still around. But she didn't want to risk the lives of her friends in the chance that he betrays them.
Murphy didn't like it but he didn't argue. He went back to the corner where he was confined to in the med bay, keeping quiet.
"So that's settled. Finn, Monty, Jasper and Miller come with me to the crash and we carry the containers and fill them up as much as we can to make as many bombs as we need." Raven told the group.
"We should leave now if we want to reach there before sun sets." Miller pointed out. They all realized it would take half a day to reach there.
"Let's get moving." With that, everyone left the dropship to prepare for their departure.
Clarke exhaled and sat down in the bed next to Octavia. Octavia patted Clarke's nervously twitching leg to reassure her.
"They will be ok." She told Clarke convincingly. Clarke nodded in return.
"I should go too." Clarke's head whipped back at Octavia as she stared wide-eyed.
"What? No. You are still recovering. There's enough people going with them." Clarke rambled fast. Octavia shook her head.
"Not with them. I should go meet Lincoln. Find out if he found my brother." She said and realization dawned on Clarke.
"You can't walk yet. You need a day of bed rest to heal to be able to walk let alone run." Clarke told her.
"I can't lie around while my brother is missing Clarke. I need to do something. I'm going mad like this." Octavia argued. "Besides, you have them leaving from the camp. How is it any different if I leave?" Clarke couldn't argue with that. Octavia will be taking the same risk as Raven when she steps out of the camp.
"Whether you let me or not, I will leave." Octavia said determined. Clarke could see that she will not be able to convince her otherwise.
"Alright." Clarke agreed. Octavia relaxed when she heard that. "But I'm coming with you." Clarke told her. Octavia started to argue, but Clarke interrupted. "You're not healed enough to run or fight yet. You will need someone to look after you. I'm coming. That's the deal. Take it or leave it." Clarke said to the younger Blake sibling. Octavia stared down trying to decide. Clarke knew that the girl didn't like to show vulnerability or accept that she needed help. But she was not giving an option this time.
Finally, Octavia said "ok. We should go now." Clarke shook her head.
"Not right now. Let's wait till sun sets. Darkness will give us some cover and you know your way through the woods in the dark." Octavia could see the point and nodded. She lied back down in her bed, trying to conserve energy and strength for the trip in the evening.
Clarke left her to get back to the camp businesses. With most of the leadership gone from the camp, she needed to make sure that the delinquents will not run out of control. She needed Miller to have his people maintain order around the camp.
- 100 -
The evening sun set came all too soon. Clarke had seen her friends leave after the meet. She watched from the guard post to see if they were attacked. They were safe and she didn't see anyone following them. But she was not an expert in these things. She hoped that it was true and they will return back safely the next day.
"Are you ready?" She heard Octavia ask from behind her. She turned around and saw that the younger Blake was in much better condition than she thought. She was still leaning to her left to reduce putting weight on her injured right leg. But she was standing on both feet as if it didn't bother her. Clarke knew it was a façade and she has seen Bellamy act that way as well. Another trait both Blakes shared.
She nodded at Octavia. She had been waiting by the gate, prepared for the trip. She was about to go get Octavia when she appeared herself.
They both walked out of the camp together. Unlike last time, they were moving in a slower pace. Clarke knew it but she didn't voice it. At times, Octavia struggled to find footing and Clarke held her hand to help as they walked through. Octavia was grateful for the assistance but she never voiced it. Instead, she gave a squeeze when she was letting go of the hand or smiled to indicate her appreciation.
They took their time and reached Lincoln's cave. This was the first time Clarke went there. It was relatively close, but hidden away from anyone seeing it unless they were really close.
There was a fire going on inside the cave when they walked in. Octavia rushed inside and Clarke followed. She found Octavia hugging Lincoln by his neck. Lincoln was doing the same, holding her tight close by her waist.
When they separated, Lincoln dropped to his knee to inspect Octavia's wound in her leg.
"It's fine. Clarke patched me up." Octavia said dismissively. She didn't want Lincoln to fuss over her. Lincoln seemed satisfied at what he saw and he looked at Clarke gratefully, nodding at her. She understood that he was thanking her and nodded back in response.
"Did you find my brother? Is he ok?" Octavia asked Lincoln desperately. Clarke was nervous to hear his answer.
"I didn't see him." Lincoln said and Octavia visibly looked upset. "He wasn't there when I looked. I checked around the bridge and followed the tracks. There was a struggle, but no sign of your brother." Octavia stepped back, getting more and more upset at the news. Clarke stepped forward to grab her by her arms.
"Octavia. Hey. Hey. Look." Trying to get the girl's attention. When she saw she had it, she pointed out the fact. "This is good news. It means Bellamy's not dead yet. They wouldn't have taken his body if they had killed him." Clarke pointed out.
"It's true." Lincoln said and they both looked at him. "He was probably taken to their camp for retribution. Blood must have blood!" He stated. They both looked at him, trying to understand.
"He killed many people yesterday. They will want revenge. Death by a thousand cuts. They will tie him up and cut him until he receives a thousand cuts. If he is still living, they will run a sword through his heart to kill him. It's our way." Lincoln explained. Clarke and Octavia looked horrified at the thought.
"We must save him." Octavia said and Clarke couldn't disagree. But they didn't know how.
"You can't." Lincoln told her. He reached down to the ground to pick up his gear. "But I can." He said as he started to put on his gear. Octavia started to argue, but Lincoln silenced her. "You are not in a condition for a fight. You will be a burden than an asset." He pointed out.
Then he looked back at Clarke. "You should prepare for the attack. They will come for you once they have all the information from Bellamy. They are probably hesitant because of your recovery from the sickness and concerned you may have something hidden to attack them with." Lincoln said and Clarke realized now why they haven't been attacked yet.
"But it won't last long. I predict they will be attacking in two days." He warned her.
"We have a plan. We will be ready." Clarke said convincingly. Lincoln's brows rose at that in surprise. But he didn't ask about it. He nodded and hugged Octavia once again.
"You should go back to your camp and prepare. I will find your brother." Lincoln assured Octavia and left. Clarke and Octavia followed him out of the cave and moved in the opposite direction towards the camp.
A/N: I know Murphy isn't the way he was in Season 1. I couldn't find it in me to make him a bad guy. And since the story is taking a different route towards the finale, I decided to switch him up as well.