Three days had passed and the hundred were more and more tired. Jasper's condition was not improving and he was moaning in pain, day and night. Charlie and Camille were asleep outside the dropship, but they were woken up by Jasper once again. They didn't blame him, like most teenagers. They were worried about him and headed for the dropship.
Charlie opened the hatch and climbed the ladder, Camille following her. After seeing Jasper, Charlie's face crumpled up in worry even more. Camille approached Monty and put a hand on his shoulder, as a sign of compassion. Charlie walked over to Jasper and stroked his face gently. Her heart sank at the sight of a tear streaming down his cheek. She wiped it off when Clarke entered the room. She began to observe his injuries.
"Clarke, his temperature is high" warned Charlie
"His pulse is thready" added Clarke
Jasper moaned at the same time at length. Charlie took his hand and whispered reassuring words to him. At the same time, voices rose from the floor below "Shut that kid up"
"Quiet"
Clarke huffed and said to Jasper "Don't listen to them. You're gonna make it through this, okay ? I promise"
"Would you just die already ?" added another voice.
Charlie clenched her fists and shouted "Shut up! The next one who speaks won't survive the night. I'll kill him myself, is that clear?" When no one answered, she added "That's what I thought"
Camille smiled at her and rested her head on Monty's shoulder, her eyes closing on their own. Clarke took the bowl Charlie was using and turned to Monty "I'm gonna get clean water. Keep an eye on him."
Clarke left the room when Jasper moaned again. Charlie started to stroke his face again when another voice spoke up "Shut up !"
Camille raised her head and answered "We're coming for you, asshole"
Charlie nodded and lay down next to Jasper as Camille settled back on Monty's shoulder. And before they know it, they fall asleep. They woke up every now and then when Jasper moaned but they managed to sleep.
Charlie stretched and rubbed her eyes. She turned to Monty and whispered "I need a break. You're gonna be okay?" Monty nodded and smiled. Charlie stood up and walked out of the dropship. She took a deep breath of fresh air and saw Bellamy and Murphy in the nearby forest. So she went to join them.
The boys were throwing axes at a tree. When Charlie came up to them, Murphy missed his throw and the ax fell to the ground. Charlie smiled softly and Bellamy turned to her "You look like a zombie" Charlie hit him on the arm "And you're an asshole but I'm not saying anything". Bellamy shook his head with a grin and Charlie turned her attention to Murphy "You are not very good at it".
Murphy growled "It's that damn kid. He's messing with my head"
"He's not gonna last much longer. Better think of a new excuse. That's how it's done." Bellamy replied before throwing his ax which came crashing into the tree. Charlie turned to Murphy and stuck her tongue out at him. He slapped her gently in the ribs in response.
Atom and another boy approached them "We searched a half mile, all directions. No sign of Trina or Pascal."
Trina and Pascal were two teenagers who had disappeared the day before "You visited your special tree when you were out there ?" asked Murphy with a smirk.
Charlie hit him on the back of the head, still pissed off by the event. Atom had come to see her and told her that he had spoken with Bellamy and that everything was settled. She was skeptical but, after all, it was their story and if Atom was happy with the arrangement, she had nothing to say.
"Atom took his punishment. Let it go" replied Bellamy
"It could be Grounders" said Atom
"Yeah, or they could be in Pound Town. Lot of that going around recently" said Murphy
"Will you shut up?" said a voice and when Charlie turned around she saw it was Camille. The girls greeted each other and noticed Octavia in the distance. They gave her a wave that she returned to them, before giving Atom a look. But he ignored her completely before speaking again "Look, Bellamy, people are scared. And that dying kid, he's not helping the morale around here"
"He isn't dying !" shouted Camille but Bellamy ignored her
"Morale will go up when I find them more food"
" What do we say about Trina and Pascal ?" asked the guy who came with Atom
" For now, nothing. It's possible they're just lost. We'll keep an eye out for them when we go hunting later." replied Bellamy
"Let's go kill something" said Murphy, following the boys. But Belamy quickly stopped him "You're not going. I need you to stay. If Grounders are curcling, I can't leave this place unprotected"
Murphy growled before answering "Fine. But somebody better tell Goggle Boy to keep it shut"
Charlie turned to Murphy and got angry "How would you like us to react if it was you in his condition? Don't you dare tell me that you would like to be killed if there was hope that you would manage to be okay! Stop, you're pissing me off "
Camille walked over and pulled Charlie by the arm. "Come on, let's see how he's doing. Monty will enjoy the company". The girls therefore left for the dropship, leaving a troubled and pitiful Murphy.
When they entered the room, Jasper was moaning in pain as Clarke cleaned one of his wounds. Monty smiled when he saw the girls and gently tapped on the goggles Charlie had kept on her head.
"The Grounders cauterized the wound. It saved his life." said Clarke
Charlie jumped when she heard Finn respond. She didn't realize he was in the room "Saved his life so they could string him up for live bait. Garden of Eden this ain't"
"This is infected. He could be septic." replied Clarke before turning to Monty "Any progress on using the wristbands to contact the Ark ?"
Charlie refrained from rolling her eyes at the mention of those damn wristbands. When the silence took hold, she frowned and looked at Monty. He was staring at Jasper desperately. Charlie slapped Camille on the sides and showed Monty. Camille nodded and went to place a hand on his shoulder. He turned his head and squinted his eyes before sighing loudly.
"Monty !?" shouted Clarke and Charlie hit her on her forehead. Clarke gave him a dark look to which Charlie shrugged.
"That would be a firm no" said Monty
"My mother would know what to do" Clarke whispered to herself.
At the same time, the hatch opened and Wells stepped in. He moved closer and knelt beside Clarke "How's he doing ?"
" How does it look like he's doing ?" Clarke replied maliciously. Charlie saw Camille roll her eyes at Clarke's childish behavior.
"Hey, I'm just trying to help" replied Wells
Jasper moaned again and Clarke looked at him thoughtfully. She took a breath "Right, you wanna help ? Hold him down"
Charlie's eyes widened as she saw Clarke drop a knife into a fire. Monty had the same reaction "I'm not gonna like this, am I ?"
Clarke didn't answer and grabbed the knife before placing it on Jasper's wound. He let out a roar of pain and Charlie felt a tear run down her cheek.
"Hold him still. I need to cut away the infected flesh" said Clarke and Charlie almost threw up because of the smell. Jasper began to have a seizure and his eyes turned white. Charlie rushed to his side and put his head on her knees before stroking his hair.
Octavia walked into the room curtly shouting "Stop it. You're killing him."
"She's trying to save his life." replied Finn
Bellamy walked in and said "She can't"
Wells reacted immediately and stood up before positioning himself in front of Bellamy, chest out "Back off"
"We didn't drag him through miles of woods to let him die" said Clarke
"Kid's a goner. If you can't see that, you're deluded. He's making people crazy." replied Bellamy.
Clarke remained silent for a few seconds before answering "Sorry if Jasper is an inconvenience to you, but this ins't the Ark. Down here every life matters."
"Take a look at him." said Bellamy
"You're right" answered Charlie and everyone looked at her, shocked. She smiled "He's awesome, and then ? You're jealous, asshole ?"
Bellamy glared at her, jaw tightening while the others laughed. He watched Clarke again "He's a lost cause"
Charlie was about to answer him when Jasper breathed more heavily. She looked down and saw that he was sweating a lot. She wets a cloth and patted it on his forehead. There was an awkward silence in the room. Clarke then turned to the other Blake "Octavia, I've spent my whole life watching my mother heal people. If I say there's hope, there's hope."
"This isn't about hope, it's about guts. You don't have the guts to make the hard choices. I do. He's been like this for three days. If he's not better by tomorrow, I'll kill him myself." Bellamy said, before heading for the ladder "Octavia, let's go"
"I'm staying here" she answered and Bellamy left the room, alone.
"Power-hungry, self-serving jackass. He doesn't care about anyone but himself. No offense" Monty commented, once the hatch closed.
"Yeah. Bellamy is all that. But he also happens to be right " said Finn, And everyone stared at him
"If you think Jasper's a lost cause, get out. We don't want you here" said Camille
"Wait. I'm just saying that-" replied Finn, but Charlie cut him off "Leave"
Wells stood up and took him by the arm before forcing him out. Clarke left too. The girls stayed with Jasper a little longer before going out, followed by Wells, to find Clarke. They found her, in conversation with Finn "Whatever this stuff is, it has to have antibiotic properties" said Clarke with the patch in heads.
"Let me take a look"
Clarke turned her head and saw Wells walk over and kneel beside her. She looked like she was about to send him off when he added. "And before you refuse my help, remember who aced botany in Earth Skills" He took the patch and observed it
"The Grounders used it as a poultice. But, I'm thinking, a tea might be even more effective if we can figure out what it is" said Clarke
"I know what it is. Seaweed" replied Wells
"Like Gillyweed ?" asked Camille with a smile
"Potterhead huh ? Yeah, kinda the same. Look, no root structure." replied Wells
"There must be a water source nearby" Clarke said looking at Finn, trying to ignore her old friend's presence altogether. She seemed annoyed when he spoke again. What a child. "It'd to have a slow current. Lots of rocks. The water would probably be more red than green"
"I know just the place" replied Finn
Charlie nodded and turned around, ready to go "All right, let's go. Come on Wells."
"Why is he coming ?" Clarke asked, clearly offended
"Because I said so. Plus he knows how this stuff looks like. Do you ?"
Clarke didn't answer so Camille added "Yeah of course you don't. Come on, guys"
They walked through the forest in pleasant silence. Charlie adored Jasper but it was true that having some respite from these moans was not to be refused. But when it's not Clarke who spoils the mood, it's Wells "You know, you should, uh, really rethink this whole hating me thing. It's not just the Grounders. We're surrounded by criminals"
"Talking about us ?" asked Camille with a smirk
Wells smiled and continued "We need each other. We're gonna be friends again"
"You got my dad killed. Not possible" Clarke replied.
"This is Earth, Clarke. Anything is possible."
Clarke decided to run away from this conversation by walking faster and taking the lead. Finn came closer to Wells " I'd let it go"
"Yeah. I've known Clarke her whole life, better than you ever will so I'll decide when to let it go" Wells answered
"Yeah, I can tell you guys are close"
Charlie huffed "Are you seriously fighting for her ? Like Clarke ? Blondie ? Damn, I'll never understand boys"
They were laughing, but quickly stopped when a metallic clatter sounded.
"What is it ?" asked Clarke and Finn cleared the leaves and a door appeared. He leaned over to open it "It's an automobile"
"Wicked" whispered Camille
"Come on, guys. This thing's been here a hundred years, all right ? It can wait. Jasper can't." said Clarke
They therefore resumed their routes and arrived near a river " So, what does this seaweed look like ?" asked Clarke
Wells pointed at red plants in the river "Like that. Hey, that thing that bit Octavia, how big was it ?"
"Big. We can rig this into some kind of a net. Find something to lower it into the water" Finn said, removing his satchel. Camille rolled her eyes before quickly entering the river and grabbing a plant. "Or we can just do that" added Finn.
She then took the plant back to Wells and Charlie. At the same time, the mood suddenly changed and birds were croaking in the distance. The group was looking around when lots of birds passed within an inch of the group. In reflex, they bent down and put their arms in front of their heads for protection. Once the birds passed, Finn got up "Let's get out of here"
Camille puts the plant in Finn's bag when a horn blew
"Grounders ?" asked Clarke
"It could be a war cry" replied Wells
"Or a warning"
Charlie turned her head and gasped. Her eyes fell on a huge yellow fog hitting them straight.
"What the hell is that ?" asked Wells
Charlie turned and started to run "Don't wanna know. Run. Run !"
They all ran wildly and took refuge in the car they had found earlier. They got into it and Finn slammed the door "It's getting inside" Clarke shouted in panic
"Seal any opening" replied Finn and they took everything they came across: jackets, fabrics that were lying in the car to prevent acid fog from entering. Finn looked out the window "It's still out there"
Suddenly Camille gasped "Oh my god, Charlie ! Bellamy went hunting !"
"He'll be fine" she replied, but it sounded more like she wanted to reassure herself
"We should make a run for it. Jasper can't wait much longer." proposed Clarke
"Us dying in a cloud of acid fog isn't gonna help Jasper" replied Finn
"Duh" said Charlie and Camille at the same time. They glanced at each other, laughing.
Finn forced the storage compartment open and pulled out a bottle.
" Is that-?" started Clarke and Finn cut her off "Booze. Hooch. Rotgut" he opened the bottle and took a sip. Clarke watched him do it in panic "Whaou careful. Finn, it could be-"
"Whisky, I think. Better than the moonshine on Agro station" replied Finn handing the bottle to Wells
"Alcohol is toxic" he said
Charlie rolled his eyes and picked up the bottle "Come on, live Wells" she took a big sip before handing the bottle to Camille, who did the same.
"That's the spirit. This is Earth. Everything's toxic. Plus, it's a time-honored rite of passage." said Finn
"We'll pass" replied Wells
Clarke winced when she heard Wells speak on her behalf and took the bottle from Camille's hand "Far be it for me to stand in the way of tradition"
"Yas girl" shouted Camille.
They were drinking in silence for a long time. After a while, Clarke huffed "It's been hours. Jasper-"
Finn cut her off "Is in good hands. Octavia will take care of him"
"While we're on the subject, why is it that everyone thinks me wanting Jasper to not die is a bad thing ?" asked Clarke, haughtily
"We don't think that. No one touches him or I'll kill them" replied Charlie
"Period" added Camille
Clarke changed the subject and said suddenly, came out of nowhere "I can be fun"
Charlie, who was drinking, choked and laughed.
"Yeah that was a good joke" laughed Camille
Clarke looked annoyed "Screw both of you. You think I'm fun, right ?" she asked Finn and he nodded
"You're fun. You remember that time-" started Wells but Clarke shouted "Remember that time you betrayed me and got my father executed ?"
"Oh come on Clarke, don't ruin everything again" complained Camille
"I am ruining things ?"
"Yeah, we were chilling"
Clarke huffed and turned to Wells "But since you brought it up and I didn't…"
"You clearly did just 2 second before" said Charlie, but was ignored
"...because i don't want to talk about it. What were you thinking ?"
"I made a mistake, Clarke" replied Wells and Charlie knew that wasn't going to end well.
Clarke repeated Wells' words "I made a mistake, Clarke ? Not good enough ! You know, I bet you couldn't wait to run to Daddy. Tell him everything so he'd finally believe you were the perfect son, he always wanted you to be."
"What do you want me to say ?!" shouted Wells and the girls jumped at his sudden mood swing
" I want an explanation" replied Clarke
An extremely awkward silence ensued and Charlie cleared her throat, in an attempt to make someone speak. It seemed to work because Wells said "I can't give you one. I thought I could trust him."
"Well, I thought I could trust my best friend. Guess we were both wrong" replied Clarke
"I'm still your friend"
"No, you're not. If you were my friend, you would walk out into that fog and never come back"
"Okay, how about we just take it easy ?" Finn said, trying to lighten the mood. Which didn't work because she answered "I have no idea how to do that"
Wells looked distressed and picked up the bottle to drink. Camille reached out and put it on his arm. He smiled lightly at her, but it didn't reach his eyes
Seeing him like that, Charlie huffed and decided to get involved "That was super mean, Clarke. You're no one. Don't think you can say stuff like that and get away with it. I won't let you. So watch out next time, princess"
Clarke clenched her jaw and glared at Charlie, which she returned.
"So are we having fun yet ?" asked Finn
"Funny, spacewalker" said Camille then silence took possession of the place and they ended up sleeping there.
The next morning, as soon as they were awake, they got out of the car. The acid fog had evaporated overnight and the outside was safe again.
"Let's go. Jasper's waiting" said Clarke and everyone followed her.
During the ride, Wells and Finn started talking about Clarke and the girls were really overdosing on it. They therefore accelerate the pace to escape this conversation.
After a few moments, Finn caught up with Clarke and Wells joined the girls.
" How are you ?" asked Camille, still worried about how Clarke's behavior would affect him.
"Good"
"Okay, good"
The conversation ended there and Wells seemed relieved that the Clarke topic was not brought up.
They continued their walk when they heard a cry. They rushed to the spring and saw Bellamy standing in front of an Atom on the ground, in bad posture. Camille approached Bellamy "I'm glad you're okay". He nodded and Charlie rushed over to Atom's side "Oh no, no, no, no, Atom ! "
His skin was red and his eyes an abnormal color. She quickly realized that he had spent the night in agony in the acid fog. He raised his hand to her and spoke with difficulty "Ch-arlie"
"Don't speak, it's okay" she replied with tears in her eyes "Clarke ! We need your help ! "
She walked over and knelt beside Charlie "Clarke ?" she asked again, but Clarke just shook her head.
"oh god" A tear rolled down her cheek and she took a deep breath before taking the knife from Bellamy's hands "Okay, hey, gorgeous, look at me. I'm gonna help you alright ? Close your eyes and think about Octavia and the butterfly field."
Charlie stuck the knife into his neck and pulled it out gently. She whispered reassuring words to him, stroking his hair. She waited for her last breath before falling on her buttocks and putting her hands over her eyes. Bellamy walked over and picked her up before leading everyone back to camp.
They arrived at nightfall and a boy shouted "Hey, everyone, they're back !"
"We've gotta get to Jasper. I need boiled water to make the medicine" said Clarke, heading to the dropship.
"Get Clarke whatever she needs" ordered Bellamy
Octavia stormed out the dropship and rushed towards the group "It's about time. They were gonna kill Jasper!"
Camille raised her head quickly and shouted "Excuse me ? Who !?"
"Murphy" replied Octavia and Charlie only had the strength to give him a disappointed look. He frowned and squeezed his jaw. Charlie shook his head and followed Clarke into the dropship. Camille stayed outside to support Octavia when she found out that Atom was dead. Charlie didn't have the strength to endure Octavia's pain.
Clarke had put the weed in a large pot filled with water and brewed it. Charlie walked over to Jasper and sat down next to him before putting his head on her legs and helping him drink.
"I'm really sorry about Atom" said Clarke to Octavia
"I guess we're gonna have to get used to people dying down here, aren't we?" she replied
Charlie looked down at Jasper and whispered "Not you, you're not allowed to die" before wiping her forehead as Clarke left the room
Camille took out the whiskey and handed it to Monty "Smooth" he said before taking a sip and cough. The girls laughed, then he handed the bottle to Octavia "Disgusting. Love it" she said after drinking.
Charlie felt Jasper move on her knees before his voice was heard "Can I, ahem, get a hit of that ?"
Charlie let a laugh of joy come out, wide-eyed
"Jasper !" shouted Monty while Charlie grabbed the water flask and helped Jasper to drink
"Let's started with the soft stuff" said Finn "Welcome back, buddy"
Monty walked over and took Jasper's hand before squeezing it tightly in his. They were over cute.
"Was that a dream or did I get speared ?" asked Jasper
"You'll have a very impressive scar to prove it" answered Clarke while entering the room.
"my savior"
"Thank you for not dying today. I couldn't have taken that"
" I'll try not to die tomorrow too, if that's cool"
They all laughed. Then Jasper realized that Octavia was in the room and his smile widened "Oh hello" The group chuckled and Charlie ran her hand through Jasper's hair saying "It's so good to see you smile. Get some rest buddy. We're staying here".
He closed his eyes and fell asleep smiling. The other people in the room did the same and were finally able to get a quiet night's sleep.