"Feel the Fear and do it anyway."
September Thirteenth was the day that everything changed. Rowan and Octavia had been woken up — being ushered into the showers. The two were told to wash before being given new clothes that had less holes in them. The two didn't complain, washing their hair and body thoroughly, putting on the "new" clothes, and then heading down to eat breakfast with the other delinquents. There, the two girls ate food as Joshua talked their ears off about how annoying his roommate was.
"I'm serious guys," Josh groaned. "He keeps going on and on about his girlfriend! I'm so close to just asking the guards to float me two months early!"
Octavia let out a laugh while Rowan rolled her eyes. "Leave Spacewalker alone, Josh," she teased. "He's a lovestruck idiot who's stuck with you."
Josh spluttered. "Me?" He asked incredulously. "What did I do?"
The two girls exchanged looks. Neither answered because at that moment breakfast was over, the two rising to their feet. "Bye, Josh!" Rowan calles over her shoulder.
"Wait!" Josh cries, jumping to his feet. "What did I do?"
The two girls ignored him as they were escorted back to their cell, the two immediately driving towards their card game "box".
"Can we play something more exciting than Go Fish?" Octavia complained.
"Old maid?" Rowan questioned, holding up the deck of cards with faces covered in dirt.
Octavia shook her head with a blank look on her face, causing the auburn haired girl to sigh.
Rowan turned back towards their pile, ruffling through the small stack as she shuffled through the games in her head. "Spit?" The girl questioned, holding a normal deck of cards out for the brunette.
Octavia grinned. "You suck at this game," she teased. "Why would you want to play it?"
"Practice makes perfect."
Octavia laughed and began to shuffle the cards. The two set up the game before beginning, their eyes flickering across the cards with lightening speed. For the next several hours, playing games is what the two did; like they did every day for the past year. It wasn't until midday that things went awry.
Guards began to make loud noises from beyond the door, things being slammed and voices flooding the usually quiet Prison. "O, do you hear that?" Rowan whispered.
Octavia raised her head from her cards, her gaze falling on their door. Quickly, Rowan lunged for the small pile of cards, stuffing them into her pockets with a frantic look on her face.
"What the hell are you doing?" Octavia cried.
Rowan looked at Octavia, the last two deck of cards, other than the one the two were using, in her hands. "If I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die with entertainment!"
"That doesn't make any sense," Octavia hissed. "Are you high?"
Rowan rolled her eyes. "Not high. Just... high on adrenaline?"
The brunettes face morphed into one of disbelief, her mouth falling open and her eyebrows shooting upwards. Before Octavia could say another word, two guards burst into their cell.
"Prisoners three-one-five and three-one-one face the wall."
The two girls shot to their feet, bemusement covering their faces. "Why?" Rowan demanded, stepping closer to Octavia. Rowan stared challenging into the guards eyes.
"Don't ask questions," the guard with dirty blonde hair snapped. "Face the wall."
Rowan nodded at Octavia, knowing that there was no way they could overpower the two guards, and the two girls faced the wall. The sound of heavy footsteps filled the cell as the two guards made their way towards the girls.
"Hold your arm out."
Rowan complies, wincing as a metal bar was latched onto her right wrist. A shoot pain shot up her arm and she glanced to Octavia, seeing the girl wince as well. The two guards grabbed each girl by their arms and dragged them out of the cell.
Rowan's mouth dropped open at the sight before her. Teens were being lugged out of their cells and towards the entrance, everyone being led by guards.
"What's happening?" Octavia whimpered.
Rowan glanced at the girl, shooting her a reassuring smile. "Everything will be okay," she promised as the two were shoved forward. "Just follow the crowd, O."
Thankfully, Octavia listened, and the two followed the crowd in the direction of a drop ship. As Rowan's eyes locked onto the metal contraption, realization hit her and she stopped dead. Her green eyes stared at the guards with a confused expression.
"We're going to the ground?" She questioned.
The dirty blonde guard looked at her slightly before giving her a sharp nod. Blood drained from Rowan's face and she felt light headed. The Ground. She quickly looked over her shoulder to find Octavia.
"I don't break my promises," she joked before turning around. Rowan had never hoped for survival on the ground more in her entire life. The guards pushed the two onto the Dropship, separating the two girls as they tried to find seats.
Rowan found herself sitting next to a boy with dark skin, his brown eyes flickering around nervously. "H-hey," he stuttered, smiling at Rowan as she strapped herself in. "I'm Miller, Nathan Miller."
Rowan shot the boy an amused look. "What a James Bond introduction," she joked, awkwardly holding her hand out. "Rowena Les-Cameron."
If Nathan had caught her mistake, he didn't acknowledge it. Instead, the boy glanced around at the others who were strapping themselves in. "What a time to be alive," he sighed. "Can't wait to die on earth.
Rowan rolled her eyes. "Everyone on this ship is as depressed as my generation," she whispered quietly to herself. Thankfully, no one heard her. Rowan's loose red shirt seemed to get stuck on some loose nails, the thought creating nerves in her. "I don't like this," she admitted.
"Why?" Nathan questioned.
Rowan stared at the boy. "Oh, no real reason..." she said, sarcasm dripping like rain from her voice. "Just the thought of plummeting to earth at nine-point-eight meters per second squared is making me a little nervous."
Nathan shot her a confused look. "Nine-point-eight meters per what?"
Rowan rolled her eyes. "It's basic Physics, Nathan."
Nathan winced. "Please, call me Miller."
Rowan raised her eyebrows, but complied. "Well, Miller, nine-point-eight meters per second squared is the approximate acceleration of gravity on Earth."
Miller stared at her for a moment, his narrowed brown eyes searching her face before shrugging and staring straight ahead. Rowan sighed, letting her head bang against the back of her chair with a thud. She could already tell that something was going to go horribly wrong.
The sound of machines wiring up caused the entire floor to tense. A loud clank echoed through the drop-ship, and suddenly the feeling of zero gravity made her stomach lurch. Then, they were falling. The feeling of G-Force instantly made her already nauseous stomach drop, and the force of the Dropship hitting the atmosphere caused a couple of people to shriek. After a few moments, a screen with the Chancellor, Thelonious Jaha, appeared.
His voice rang out clearly. "Prisoners of The Ark, hear me now. You've been given a second chance, and as your Chancellor, it is my hope that you see this as not just a chance for you, but a chance for all of us, indeed for mankind itself. We have no idea what is waiting for you down there. If the odds of survival were better, we would've sent others. Frankly, we're sending you because your crimes have made you expendable."
Rowan scoffed. Expendable. How kind of the Chancellor to accuse someone like Octavia Blake a criminal. The girl didn't deserve the punishment she received, and the fact that Jaha thinks so upset her.
"Mount Weather is life. You must locate those supplies immediately." Jana's voice continued over the loud shouts of protest that erupted from the teens. "Your one responsibility is stay alive."
"What an asshole!" Someone on her floor shouted, a large amount of cheers following it. Suddenly, the entire ship shook, jolting Rowan harshly. Her head banged against the back of the seat, and her vision blurred slightly before focusing.
"What was that?" She whispered, noticing the silence they followed. It was almost deafening, the silence. After growing used to the machine hum that was always on The Ark, being on the silence of the ground made her nervous.
Rowan unlocked her seatbelts, others following her lead as she rushed towards the ladder that lead to the floor bellow. Once she reached it, she froze. Standing at the door in a guards uniform, was Bellamy Blake. The older Blake was trying to organize the crowd, pushing them back so they didn't rush towards the door.
"Hey, just back it up, guys," the man said, shooting them back.
Rowan stepped forward, inching her way towards the man when a blonde yelled from the ladder. "Stop! The air could be toxic."
Bellamy turned around, an annoyed expression onto his face as he stared at the blonde. "If the air is toxic, we're all dead, anyways."
"Bellamy?" The soft voice of Octavia flooded through the Dropship. Both Bellamy and Rowan snapped their heads towards the ladder where the young Blake was climbing down the ladder.
Rowan turned her gaze back to Bellamy who had a look of utter adoration on his face. "My god," he breathed. "Look how big you are."
The two hugged, Bellamy digging his face into the girls shoulder. The entire Dropship was murmuring slightly, everyone questioning what was happening.
Octavia pulled away from her brother, a small smile on her face before her eyes ran up and down his figure. Her smile fell into a scowl. "What the hell are you wearing?" She spat out. "A guards uniform?" Her voice was filled with hidden anger that Rowan recognized quite easily.
"I borrowed it do get onto the Dropship," he explained. "Someone has to keep an eye on you."
Rowan smiled softly. Until she was lightly pushed to the side by the same blonde who called out earlier. "Where's your wristband?" The blonde demanded, reaching out to grab Bellamy's hand.
Octavia ripped her brothers hand away from the blonde. "Do you mind?" She growled. "I haven't seen my brother in a year."
"No one had a brother!" A voice called out from the crowd.
"That's Octavia Blake!" Another shouted. "The girl they found hidden in the floor."
Rowan clenched her jaw, her eyes flickering in the crowd as Bellamy held his younger sister back. Rowan ignored the older Blake's low murmurs to Octavia as her eyes locked onto a familiar Brown in the crowd. Her eyes widened in surprise and she could feel a large grin grow onto her face.
The sound of the dropship's doors opening startled Rowan. Octavia stood on the ramp, her back facing the groups as she breathed in the Earth's air. With one final step, Octavia hopped onto the ground, shouting, "We're back bitches!"
Prisoners rushed out of the Dropship, all wanting to breath in the fresh oxygen the earth provide. Everyone except Rowan. The auburn haired girl waited patiently for the crowd to diminish, ignoring Bellamy as she launched herself into the awaiting arms of Joshua.
"You're back," Josh breathed. Pulling away to stare out at the trees. "How does it feel?"
Rowan's eyes trailed over the green trees and forest floor. "Amazing," she breathed. "It's more green than I remember..."
"Remember?" Another voice piped up. The two friends snapped their heads towards the other person in the room. Bellamy Blake stood with his arms crossed, his brown eyes resting on the two.
Rowan instantly feigned a smile. "From the pictures," she lied smoothly.
Bellamy narrowed his eyes, his gaze telling Rowan that he didn't believe a word she just said.
"Why don't you go join your sister, Blake?" Josh snapped. His hand gripped Rowan's arm tightly, his eyes staring down the older man who's eyes were trained on Rowan.
Bellamy's eyes hardened as he shot Joshua a glare and exited the Dropship. The two friends were silent for a moment, staring outside for two different reasons. Joshua stared outside to observe the scenery, while Rowan watched the older Blake walk away.
Octavia described him as a kind, loving older brother with an overprotective side. He would tell stories of mythology to the girl. How her name was from the young sister of Augustus, a Roman emperor.
The man Octavia described was different to the man being portrayed on earth. Bellamy showed off an air of arrogance that made Rowan uncomfortable, and even though his love for his sister was there, there was something else that was driving him forward.
"Come on," Josh's voice brought her back. Her green eyes training onto his brown ones. His smile was radiant, and Rowan felt her heart leap into her chest. "Let's go explore."
Rowan could feel her smile grow as Josh intertwined their hands and dragged her out of the Dropship, into the fresh air that was her home. She closed her eyes, hearing the trees rustling from the wind and feeling the sun beaming onto her face.
"I almost forgot what this felt like," she whispered. She could feel herself wanting for her old house, her bedroom in all its yellow and white themed glory, and the comfort of Massachusetts.
Josh squeezed her hand. "You'll be okay," he whispered.
Rowan opened her eyes, her head turning to look at the boy. "I know," she said. "I just miss it."
A loud shout stopped Josh from responded. The two glanced over to the left, only to see a large crowd forming nearby. "Of course," josh scoffed. "We're here for ten minutes and chaos is already beginning."
Rowan ignored the boy, unlinking their hands to walk towards the crowd. She pushed past teens with Josh hot on her heels, only to see the blonde and Wells Jaha standing in the middle. At the moment she seemed to be in the middle of a long monologue that Rowan quickly realized was about Mount a Weather.
"-How long do you think we'll last without those supplies? We're looking at a twenty-mile trek, okay? So if we want to get there before dark, we need to leave now."
"She's right," Rowan called, stepping into the middle to stand next to the blonde. "Winter is coming, and when it does how many of us will survive the cold?" She shouted. "Mount Weather holds not only food, but basic supplies that we need to survive on the ground."
Bellamy's facial expression changed. A scowl appeared on his face and his jaw clenched tightly together. "I got a better idea," he spat out. "You three go find it. Let the privileged do the hard work for a change."
The crowd cheered and Rowan's eyes narrowed in anger.
"You're not listening!" Wells called out. "We all need to go."
"Look at this," a voice spoke from behind the three teens. The three whirled around to see another boy coming from the crowd, his smirk was plastered onto his face. "Chancellor of the earth," he mocked.
Wells stepped forward, anger on his face. "You think that's funny?"
The boy pushed Wells back. Wells tripped over his foot and fell to the ground with a thump. "Wells!" The blonde cried, trying to rush forward but was held back by someone in the crowd.
The crowd began shouting encouragement to the boy as Rowan rushed to help. "No," the boy stated as Rowan held her hand out. "But that was."
Wells accepted the Auburn's hand and she hulled him to his feet as the boy taunted him. Wells winced, but shook Rowan off him gently to stand up to the dilenquint.
"Wells," Rowan warned, moving forward to grab his arm again when a figure landed between them and the boy.
The guy had shoulder length brown hair that swung back and forth as he stared at the boy. "Kid's got one leg. How about you wait till it's a fair fight?"
Octavia strutted forward, past Rowan who was giving her a look. "Hey, spacewalker," she called. Spacewalker turned around. "Rescue me next," she flirted.
Rowan raised an eyebrow in amusement as Bellamy rushed over and grabbed the girls arm. The two began whispering harshly to each other, and Rowan glanced at Wells before helping him sit down.
The blonde rushed over and grabbed Wells' leg, looking at it with a worried expression. "It's sprained," she announced, looking up.
Wells sighed. "I guess I'll stay here," he muttered.
Rowan offered him a small smile. "Think of it as an excuse to keep an eye on Bellamy," she murmured.
Wells gave her a nod as the blonde shot her a smile. "Hey," The blonde started. "I'm Clarke," she held her hand out.
Rowan accepted the hand, giving the blonde a smile. "Rowan."
Clarke pulled her hand away. "Thank you, for what you did."
"Don't thank me," Rowan said. "Mount Weather should be our first priority."
"So," a voice called. "Mount Weather. When do we leave?"
The two girls turned towards the voice, only to lay eyes on Spacewalker and Joshua.
"Right now," Clarke said, rising to her feet. "We'll be back tomorrow with food and any supplies we find."
"How are the two of you gonna carry enough food for a hundred?" Wells asked.
Finn turned around, grabbing two more guys and bringing them into the circle. "Four of us. Can we go now?"
"Sounds like a party," Octavia's voice piped up from behind them. "Make it five."
"He-Hey what are you doing?" Bellamy questioned, grabbing his sisters arm once again.
Octavia ripped her arm out from her brother's grasp. "Going for a walk."
"Were you trying to take this off?" Clarke questioned. Rowan glanced at Spacewalker, only to look at the bracelet that was attached to everyone's wrist.
"Yeah, So?"
"So," Clarke started. "This wristband transmits your vital signs to The Ark. Take it off, and they'll think you're dead."
"Should I care?"
"Well, I don't know." She said. "Do you want the people you love to think you're dead? Do you want them to follow you down here in two months? Because they won't if they think we're dying."
Spacewalker's face fell into guilt, his gaze flickering to the wristband with pain. "Okay," he muttered.
"Okay, let's go," Clarke said.
Rowan latched onto the blonde's arm, pulling her back for a moment. "If you see doors in the ground while you're out, they're probably safe houses," she whispered. "They can hold supplies as well, okay?"
Clarke gave a sharp nod. "I'm assuming that's what you'll be doing?"
Rowan grinned. "You know it," she joked.
Clarke grinned back before beginning to walk away. "We'll be back," she promised.
"Be careful," Rowan called to the group. "Including you, Octavia!"
Octavia turned around to flip the auburn off, a grin on her face.
Rowan shook her head in amusement, she turned her body in the direction of Josh and Wells. "Josh," she called, catching the boys attention. "Come 'ere."
Josh said something to Wells before getting up and walking over to Rowan. "Yes?"
Rowan grabbed the hair elastic that was on her left wrist and tied her hair into a high pony tail. "Wanna go on an adventure to my past?" She questioned with a wiggle of her eyebrows.
Josh grinned. "Yeah I do," he exclaimed.
Rowan could feel herself blush at Josh's smile and she tried pushing it back by turning to Wells. "We're going exploring," she called. "Hold down the fort?"
Wells smiled slightly. "I'll try!"
She shot the boy a smile before turned towards the forest, Josh hot on her heels.
"Where are you two going?" A masculine voice called. Rowan rolled her eyes, annoyance filling every part of her.
Rowan turned around. "Me and my privileged ass are going exploring," she said, a smirk on her face. Her eyes narrowed on Bellamy's face. "I'm working for a change," her voice oozed with sarcasm.
authors note
the pilot has started! I'm so excited for this, and I love rowan a lot (I hope you guys will, too).
please give me feedback! it's greatly appreciated. have a wonderful day!!