CHAPTER 5: THE INCEPTION
"Do you see her?" I whispered anxiously, the tremble in my voice obvious.
My eyes darted insanely quickly between Raven, Harper and the dark part of the forest, than again, I whispered. "do you see the girl?"
—-
Harper:
The bright light of the sun shines through the thick green leaves of the forest surrounding us, as we stand on dirt and wooden twigs. But Now, I stand face to face with a wall of emotions-the Dropships wall, our original home- a wall that was built was feels like another lifetime ago; but one that will always stay with us, to be apart of our stories. And to be apart of who we are.
Monty stands beside me, his arm slung comfortably around my waist.
His face plastered with a look of despair. I hold his right hand with my left and turn my head about to look around at the good friends gathered by,
over to my far right stand Emori and Murphy-united as one. A strong unit indeed, Murphy stands with a solem expression-a soldiers in a way, it's confusing as to how he can be seen as a neutral solider but show such sadness at the same time, well, I guess it just depends on how close you look.
Emoris eyes are filled with understanding.-Understanding that even though she has no real connection to this wooden wall or what lies inside, Murphy does. She has a certain Understanding of what it means for him. And that, I respect.
Echo and Raven stand together-united as one-both with looks on their faces of which I cannot decipher.
And Bellamy.. oh, poor Bellamy. He lost the girl he loves in an acid wave, but not just the girl he loves... the girl he lives for, His soulmate, his friend, in a way his doctor and teacher...his partner; co-leader.
He stands staring dead ahead at the wall, jaw clenched, muscles tensing, fist at his side, and tears brimming his red eyes but refusing to leave them, to actually run down his face-to show weakness. (Love is weakness. Isn't that what Lexa used to say? Something she used to believe? Something that she passed on to Clarke?-But... I think they now know, with the help of the ones they do love, of course; love, it's not weakness. It's strength.)
The expression Bellamy carries heavily is one of such sadness that it breaks me a little to be one to witness it.
I mean, I can't image how I'd cope without Monty. But as I stare at him, his eyes of sadness and longing-I wonder; in this moment of such despair... what is Bellamy Blake thinking?
Bellamy:
As we sit in front of Jaha. Well, at least a digital version-Clarke and I pull on each of our seperate black pairs of headphones Together in almost complete unison.
"I've wanted to talk to you for some time now." Jaha admits, the screen crackling in black and white over his features once again. "Before you do, ah.." Clarke interrupts quickly, a serious but worried and un-prepared tone to her voice, glancing at me swiftly before turning back to Jaha, I feel the confusion rise quickly in my chest (what is she doing?) "I-I'd like to say something." Clarke stutters, taking in a deep breath in the tension filled silence that followed her statement, but the silence only lasted a second, (thank goodness.) as Clarke continued talking soon after-all the while I stared at her, I mean, I knew I felt something for Clarke deep down, but I refused to let myself actually feel it. I had other things to worry about now; being the leader, what I'd do if this didn't work out, if I didn't get pardoned, O.
but I'd be a liar if I said I didn't sometimes think about what life would be like if I told her how I feel. Like, for instance, where would be both be now? "When you sent us down here...you sent us to die." Clarke states quietly with a knowing look on her face. All the while Jaha just continues to stare, blinking neutrally. I started to feel panic, (how would this help us?)
"But. Miraculously, most of us are still alive. In large part, that is because of him." Clarke nods her head towards me slightly,
just big enough for jaha to see.
"because of Bellamy." When Clarke says my name I catch her in the eyes,
in that moment I feel us connect, like where holding the same piece of string, standing-or sitting-together as one. And I almost forget about everyone and everything else, just for a second. But all that goes away too soon as Clarke returns to Jaha and her words of un-deserved kindness. I let my eyes linger just for a moment on her face, her features. But I turn hesitantly back to face the man who holds my fate dangerously in his hands soon after she does as well, "He's one of us. And he deserves to be pardoned of his crimes, just like the rest of us." She smiles seriously, with a light catch to her tone, jaha finally begins to speak, "Clarke, I appreciate your point of view but it's just not that simple-" "yes it is." I determinedly cut Jaha off, it's my turn to talk now. "If you wanna know who in the Ark wants you dead." I finished a daring notch in my words. Than I sit, silently praying as I watch Jaha, practically being able to see the gears turning in his head. Jaha then leans forward slowly, "Bellamy Blake...you're pardoned for your crimes." I feel a huge wave of relief wash over me, Clarke smiles triumphantly with a look of relief, and I smile warmly, So thankyou Clarke Griffin, because in this moment, I actually feel like a winner. Like one of the good guys-like I'm truly, one, Of. You.
I slowly fade out of my memory standing precariously on the dirt and dead twigs of the earth,
"we should go inside." I state through my dry throat, hating how my voice cracks noticeably as I speak the words, "okay." Monty sighs, "Echo, do the honours?" Raven asked sincerely, swallowing quickly, the fact she didn't want to do it was quite clear; as was the fact that no one else who had a connection here did either. Raven gestured towards the rotted wooden doors just as she finished her questionably formed command, "my pleasure." Echo smirks sarcastically, sauntering over to the doors smoothly Before pushing them open quickly yet vigilantly.
Raven:
As we walk inside our once so called 'home' the first thing my gaze lands on is the charred earth, and than slowly I work my way to look at the discarded skeletons littering the ground.
I see the tunnels in the earth we made for the better attacking advantage in the war against the grounders,
I see the drop ship, black marks covering parts of its surface.
I feel the rush of emotions that follow all these sights, and than I see something, something that makes me stop in my tracks.
And I recall it; I recall the time when that must have been written.
Written by Abby, Clarke's mom; Clarke my good friend, a girl I trusted with my life. It was a long time ago though-when it was written, when the mountain men invaded, And the rest of the Skai crew finally came to the ground.
'CLARKE PLEASE COME HOME 22KM SOUTH/SW -MOM'
Monty:
I had almost ran over to Bellamy and tackled him just to block his view when I saw what was written on the wall, but it was too late, he was turning-and he was turning fast.
I waved furiously at Murphy and he caught my eye, I pointed towards the wall and his eyes widened, "Bellamy!" He yelled, and I wonder skeptically how we got all that done in record time as Bellamy turns swiftly towards Murphy having not seen the wall. I sigh in relief.
"what?" He called the emotion thick in his voice.
"There's nothing here! We should head out!; we've got no time to waste if you want to find the others Bellamy!" Murphy replied adding raw emotion to his voice, wow. He's good. I almost chuckled at how close that was, than quickly I grabbed Harpers hand and started pulling her along as I walked towards Bellamy, where I smacked him playfully on the back when I reached him and said; "yeah. I agree with Murphy, there's nothing here, and if we wanna get you outta here before you see the-" I muttered, cutting myself off suddenly, I swallowed, closing my eyes shamefully, hoping he didn't hear. "Everything okay, Monty?" Bellamy questioned, and I nodded, "No, i mean yes!, I-I'm fine." I chuckled nervously, not quite in the clear speech department, but...I'll get there. "Okay..." Bellamy replied, studying me with a confused look. It was then that Echo chose to come up behind us. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go."
—-
Echo:
"Bellamy?" I whisper worriedly, keeping my gaze locked inside the almost pitch black location up ahead, but he doesn't hear me.
"Bellamy!" I whisper-scream, trying desperately to get his attention. The fear bubbling in my chest,
He finally hears me; just enough, and strolls over carefully and quietly understanding with my whispers that the precaution was needed, or helpful at least, he did it but not without a look of confusion plastered across his features,
when he pulled to a stop beside me I raised a shaky hand and pointed to the dark place in the otherwise sunny woods, "what?" He asked quietly not understanding, "I-I heard something, something moved and it came from over there." I explained keeping my shaking hand and fingers locked in their positions.
"What do you think you heard?" Bellamy asked me with a comforting notch to his words, but I only replied in one word, one word that would make Bellamy's eyes widen and everyone turn on the spot to see. And what did I say? "Running."
We'd been standing here for the past five minuets, none of our eyes leaving the spot we gaze at.
When suddenly, a shape moved. And I saw, I saw the...
"Do you see her?" I whispered anxiously, the tremble in my voice obvious.
My eyes darted insanely quickly between Raven, Harper and the dark part of the forest, than again, I whispered. "do you see the girl?"
Madi:
I had been running through the woods looking for water to restock Clarke's and I's supplies, when I glanced over and straight into the eyes of a girl, (woman. Woman?) but I don't think she saw me, I see her call over to a man and have a hushed conversation, her eyes never leaving mine, I don't know why I felt she didn't see me, maybe it was the hint in her eyes that they were still sort of searching for something.
Suddenly her eyes did leave mine, and only for a split second, but I only really registered it when it was over. I stood there, for a whole of 5 minuets not trusting myself to move, but I finally gathered up my strength and took one step forward, and that's when she wasn't whispering anymore, but speaking
Loud enough for all to hear. "Do you see her?" I flinched, "do you see the girl?" I swallowed and got ready to run, but with my jaw clenched and my heart pounding I found it hard to even move. "It okay," the man next to the woman who was still staring at me called uncertainly, "we don't want any trouble. Just passing by, but-who are you? And where...where did you come from?" He questioned from afar, I walked forward slowly, trying to keep myself steady. "Um..my-my." I tried to speak, but I was too quiet, and I couldn't get myself to form quite the words needed.
I moved further forward until I was a few meters away, keeping just enough distance to get a head start on running if I need too. But also being close enough that I was showing corporation.
"My name is Madi." I swallowed, and the guy smiled. A smile that didn't quite reach his deep, brown eyes, "where do you come from? We thought..we thought the wave killed everyone." He whispered the last words so quietly that I barley caught them, they held a sense of hope but also of doubt, as if whatever he hoped for was so far away he wouldn't let himself fully hope for it.
I instantly knew it was a fragile topic.
"I-I'm Sorry, But..I don't..I don't trust you. N-Not yet, and when I trust you. I'll tell you." I smile innocently, my smile didn't reach my eyes either.
"Well than, I hope you're good at walking Madi, because we are about to go on a hike." Another man, standing side my side with another woman, dark blue swirling marks going around her eye and joining by her nose over on her left eye like a tattoo, and with one hand wrapped in dirty and ripped cloth replied, causing me to jump. "E-excuse me?" I asked, the man smiled picking up the bag that lay at his feet, "Well, how are we going to get you to trust us, if you're not with us." a emotionless smile played on his face, I felt a corner of my lips quirk up. Oh, this guy was good.
Murphy:
When we arrived at the bunker I had already gone past the point of starting to feel tired and thirsty and hungry, I wasn't going to worry myself or the others with something like that; not yet at least.
But the moment my eyes landed on the place the bunker should be, and instead found a pile of broken wood and twisted rusty metal the only thing I felt was a hollowness inside where an emotion should be playing at me.
Emori, Bellamy, Raven, Harper, Monty, Echo and I all ran over and started heaving at the heavy wooden beams and planks, Madi stood by frozen in place, eyes wide staring at the pile. "T-the bunker? You want it open?" She muttered quietly, barley above a whisper, before I could ask her how she knew what it was or confirm her theory, my hand suddenly slipped and jerked up sharply cutting itself deeply on a rusted nail, I fell backwards and onto the ground hitting my head sharply on the hard, hard earth sending ripples of pain throbbing through my skull I let out small cries of pain succeeding in my exhausting efforts to stop them from being loud,
"Murphy!" Emori yelled falling down to kneel beside me,
"if we don't do anything...it'll get infected." Harper stated slowly, a second or two later.
"I don't know what to do for sure, I mean I can guess but..." Raven sighed "look, none of us know for sure, and we can't risk making it worse. We need to get the bunker open and Abby Griffin out." Raven commanded. In the corner of my eye I see Madi's eyes widen in recognition at the name, but I'm in too much pain to question her,
l'm gripping the wrist of my bleeding hand so hard my knuckles are going white, I feel tears of pain in my eyes and notice the feel of heat in my face.
"Wait." Echo demands pointing down at a small black puddle on the ground, "what is it?" Bellamy asked still staring at my hand, his emotion hidden underneath his eyes. "Night blood; again." Raven explained, taking in a deep breath.
"Fresh?" Monty asked,
"No. Doesn't seem to be, but It doesn't actually look to old either." Harper replies, squatting beside it. "How could it have gotten here? I mean if everyone else is inside." Monty questions,
Right at that moment, Madi suddenly comes to life registering reality as she bolts towards me, she kneels down and examines me quickly before tearing a piece of her t-shirt off with her hands and teeth, "Madi. You don't know what your doing We can't risk anything." Raven said shocked at the sudden movement, yet still trying to use her words as a way of getting her to stop.
But she didn't. She placed the cloth on her knee neatly and pulled a small bottle from her pocket and poured it over the cut, "alcohol." Was all she said, ignoring my cries of pain, Emori has her hand gripping my shoulder tightly and reassuringly,
the small dark haired girl than rips a small circular bag from her side and pulls a needle and some string out, everyone just looks on in amazement, including me.
She slowly started stitching up my hand, Madi winced when she accidentally stabbed her finger but quickly moved on ignoring that it happened at all.
After it was finished she wrapped the cloth that had also been doused a little in alcohol around my hand and tied it neatly and tightly before slumping back in exhaustion.
"How did you...?" Raven started, Madi sighed, "I will answer your questions. But you must first answer mine." Madi stated and Bellamy nodded in agreement,
"why do you want the bunker open?" She asked,
"so we can free our friends, they've been trapped in there, and we are here to get them out." Harper explained, "How did you know to do that?" I asked, Madi hesitated, "I had a good teacher."
Everyone's faces had a look that spoke of confusion. "What do you know about nightblood?" Madi asked, Raven looked confused "why?" Was the response Madi got, And in return she looked at Raven directly in the eyes as she slowly pulled her hand up and faced it palm towards the sky, Ravens eyes widened as she looked at the bloodied finger, I felt my mouth fall open subconsciously, "you...have nightblood?" I asked, and Madi simply nodded.
"We know that people with nightblood are more resistant towards some things that people without would fall more of a victim too." Bellamy finally replied in a simple way, answering Madi's question.
"wait, a few more questions Madi?" Echo asked something clicking in her mind, the dark haired girl nodded slightly, "who was your teacher? Is it...your blood on the ground? How did you survive the wave? And where did you come from?"
"Oh, uh...I don't exactly know where I came from, I remember some snippets when I was a child, with my mother. And than those are the last things I remember before...I was running through the woods one day, I don't remember why, or who from. But I fell, I guess I hit my head pretty hard. I think I got a little amnesia from it, actually I know I did. And quite a lot, and when I woke up I didn't remember anything at all. It took a long time to get the memories I just told you back, but my teacher found me, that was who I woke up to. And that person helped me start over, to not dwell on what might have been, they taught me so many things, and I owe my teacher more than my life."
Not one person had a clear eye after that story, because we could all relate to it, one way or the other.
"As for the other questions." Madi paused, clearing her voice,
"I don't know how I survived, my fall was after the wave, I know that now, but I don't know if I'll ever remember how I did." Madi was about to continue when a sudden grunt of pain from me automatically cuts Madi off from giving us the rest of the answers we all seek.
It instead sends them all back to working on freeing the bunker from its wooden cage; this time, with the help of Madi.
"C-careful." I stuttered, clenching my jaw and holding my breath here and there as to then let it out in painful exhales.
Emori:
"Got it!" I yelled breathlessly as one final muscle-using push sends the pieces of wood at the top of the pile cascading to the ground noisily.
My muscles are burning but I know the job is yet to be finished.
"Only a bit more left to go." Harper chirps, not missing a beat as she goes straight back to pushing and pulling, "way to look at the silver lining." I hear Echo mutter, And i chuckle lightly, "just hurry up." Murphy groans "don't worry you should be just fine for awhile, oh, but maybe not your head..." Madi tried to smile positively, and Murphy groaned again, "alrighty." Monty says stretching the words out with a smile, dusting his hands off before going straight back to work at heaving at the dusty and rotten wood with the rusty metal, just like all of us, (except for Murphy, of course).
Octavia:
I'm sitting on a wooden box thinking over all my past decisions, things which led me here, things that if i had chosen differently, were would I be?
I feel a hand place itself gently on my shoulder, "Octavia." The deep familiar voice mumbles, this brings me out of my thoughts and back to the present, I smile to myself before turning around and placing a soft kiss on the lips of my loving, caring and brave lover.
"What's going on?" I ask, knowing something's up by the look in his dark chocolate brown eyes. "Some people are claiming that they can hear noises from outside the doors." He explains, monotone,
"again?" I sigh, placing my head gently on his chest. "Mhmm." He hums, I clasp his warm hand in mine and start walking towards the cause of commotion.
"What's going on?" I demand as I stride into the centre of the room, I make eye contact with Indra as she makes her explanation,
"Abby says that Jaha came to her claiming that there's noises coming from outside the doors, as in, tumbling derbies." She says wishfully.
I sigh and climb up the metal ladder that leads towards the thick dusty, heavy doors.
To my shock and surprise the doors swing open at the exact moment i reach the top, I feel hot tears building in my eyes and some falling down freely as a smile expands widely across my features as I come face to face, looking straight into the caring eyes of my loving brother, Bell.
Bellamy:
I can't believe it, O. She's alive! She's okay! I sigh In vast relief. Laughing lightly and smiling widely,
I reach out my hand and Octavia grabs onto it gingerly trying to take in the sudden realness of it all.
I pull her up and straight into a hug, her arms wear tight over my shoulders and I snuggle my face in her warm and soft hair, my arms around her waist and hands placed on her back,
"O, I'm so glad you're okay." I whisper, only just loud enough for her to hear.
"I'm so glad you are okay too, big brother." She whispers back and I feel her smile of relief on my shoulder.
"How did you..." Octavia started, but I cut her off quickly, "it's a really long story, and maybe I should tell you when we can talk without a lot of people standing around us, or at least have everyone hear it at once,"
I chuckle softly nodding towards the grounders and people of the skai crew, our people. now all out of the bunker and standing, walking and talking all around us. "Good idea." Octavia smiled, laughing lightly as well.
Octavia:
After I left Bell's side a few minuets later I set off on my journey to find the others who weren't in the bunker when it was shut.
"Raven!" I yelled happily, when I came crashing into a warm embrace with my good and trusting friend.
"Octavia!" Raven replied warmly as she smiles brightly at me, "i missed you.." I said fondly "I missed you too." She replied, I than turn and hug Monty "oh, Monty, how have you been?" I asked,
"not the same." He smiled and I turned to hug Harper gratefully, being I'm so happy that they're okay!
Afterwards I smiled towards Echo who I than reach out a hand to,
with a unsure yet serious look over each of our features we shake them firmly.
I mean, I may not be able to forgive her (she did kind of try to kill me; and Clarke.)
but I can still be mature on my reaction over the fact that she is still breathing.
Murphy is sitting on the ground, holding his head and his other arm is wrapped in cloth, but he still manages to smirk at me and in return I roll my eyes dramatically at him, I kneeled down and pulled him in really carefully for a gentle hug, he was a little reluctant at first, but than I felt him smile as he fondly but carefully wrapped his arm around me.
"Emori." I said, now separated from Murphy with a hint of uncertainty in my voice, but all that uncertainty soon rushed away as she smiled and nodded back at me softly. Abby than cane over Kane by her side and made her greetings with us while having her attention focused on Murphy and his injuries, "whoever did this did a good job, the hand won't need much more work, so I'll just focus on your head, okay?" Abby asked Murphy, and he gave a small smile and a grunt in return.
"Where's..." I started to ask, But was inevitably cut off,
"Hello everyone, I'm so glad to see all of you are okay." Bell called out to the crowd, standing atop an area just higher than the rest of us.
"We were all worried for all of you, and to get here, let's just say We've had a long journey, and as I imagine it wasn't easy for any of you either, and I will tell you our story, and you can tell us yours, but first, we need to now decide where we will call our home, because even though we face no real threats in the present, we can't stay here forever. We need shelter, food, water and we should be somewhere where we can simply access all of the above." He states with the leaders tone in his words, "but, how did you survive?" A voice called curiously from the crowd, their confusion obvious.
"There was a rocket ship in the lab, Raven got it working and we flew it into space. Were we made our home for the time that now lies behind us." Bell explained,
Suddenly Abby shouted out to him, Murphy's treatment finished.
"wait!"
Bell paused, waiting, I think he somehow knew what she would ask, but yet was still not prepared for it. "where's Clarke? Where's my daughter?" Abby questioned worriedly,
On the platform i see Bellamy flinch. Beside me I just barley hear Raven whisper sadly, shaking her head along with her words. "oh, no..."
"She...she-" Bellamy tried desperately to get the words out, but he couldn't let himself say it, but I didn't do anything, I couldn't,
I so badly wanted to know the answer too. Where is Clarke? My friend? Our teacher, doctor and leader?
So when Monty runs up and stands before us, which is beside Bellamy all I do is look on in confusion, and anticipation.
"Before we, uh, departed the earth...we had to place a satellite dish on a tower so we could have power up in space. Clarke had volunteered, and we let her go, reluctantly. She took the dish, and sadly she didn't make it back before we left. We all regret leaving her everyday, but the timer was running out, and we had to go. So we did...it's what, it's what Clarke would have wanted." After Monty's done I hear Abby sobbing, I see her cuddled into her boyfriend Kane.
My eyes water over, and my emotions boil up inside me. Clarke? She's...she's...dead?
Clarke:
As I walk through the woods trying to quell my fear and confusion with the calm breeze and the smell of the earth under my feet and all around me.
All I can do is wonder where Madi could have gone, she was only meant to be out hunting for food, so was I, the plan was the same for us both, it was to meet back at the car after we did what had to be done, so, when I got there and Madi didn't show up for over an hour after the set time I did the only thing I could, I walked around looking and calling for her, my mind tracking the path I go and embedding it into my brain so I know how to get back.
My mind wonders, it wonders for Madi, Bellamy, Octavia, Harper, Raven, Monty and Murphy, and even for Echo and Emori.
And I can't shake the feeling that keeps gnawing at me, that something bad happened to her, I hope she didn't fall again, or get hurt in any way... I couldn't fight it this time as I felt the fear rise up again, fear for Madi, for her safety and wellbeing. Fear for myself... Fear to lose yet another person I love.
But what I do know, is that I'm not going to stop searching, no, not until I find her. That, I am determined for.
Oh, Madi, where are you?
Jasper:
I am weaving my way through the crowd in search of Monty, he had come off from the stage, I know that at least, but I have to see him. He's my best friend, always there when others can't be, and even when they are, there he is.
we share important memories, and we share loads of emotions, and I missed him for so long,
"Monty!" I called through the crowd, desperately, it's days like this, were you know that you'll finally be reunited with your best friend which whom you haven't seen for over a year, when you are glad your friends saved you. (I should probably explain; when I had lost Maya, I felt that, that was it for me. I had grown so attached, Maya had become a source of my life even in the short time we were doomed too, but after a while of being slightly off my nut from the despair and depression of grief for her death, I had tried to do the deed. I tried to end it, to end it all. But luckily, Monty saved me, he got to me in time and saved me before the darkness enveloped me.
And something about that experience must have knocked my head straight because now, the old jasper, is back.)
"Monty!" I call again, breathing heavily as I dodge and slide, moving through the crowd, discovering Monty being about as hard to find as a needle in a haystack.
But that's when it happened, when all the things I could ever think of, rules in my favour. "Jasper!" I hear that familiar voice call that fills a hole in a place in and on my heart were my best friend will always lie.
I finally saw his figure bobbing through the crowd, and I smile and chuckle lightly in relief.
We came thundering through the crowd and crashed into a heartfelt embrace.
Monty, how I've missed you.
Lincoln:
I stand, the wind blowing gently over me, the place now decided to be our home as the ark, sure, it'd take some work to rebuild. But this time, we don't have to worry about getting it done before a wave comes and kills us all.
Octavia slides her hand into mine gently, and I smile at her, an expression full of love. "Lincoln, I don't know what I would ever do without you." She confessed, blushing a subtle pink, "I don't know what I'd do without you Octavia, I'm so thankful, that we all made it out that day," (so instead of Lincoln getting murdered, he escaped with them in time, affecting Octavia's personality a little, but rest of the story line remains the same somehow, just add a loving and brave Lincoln in there.) Octavia smiled, "me too, I love you, Lincoln." O whispered, just for me to hear, "I love you too, Octavia. Now, let's go make our new home." We both laughed lightly, and I sling my arm over her shoulder, and we both walked off lost with eachother, but with everyone else aswell, at the same time.
All off, on the way, to the place they'll call their home.
(A/N: sorry about how long that took to write, a lot has been going on, but I'll try to make sure to post more often. Have a great weekend! And i hope you liked the chapter, and well, the story in general. Please leave a comment! :) )