Chapter 16
Ari was out by the fire just staring at it in silence when the shooting star flew across the sky. She glanced up at it as the others who noticed it made noises of awe. As it grew larger and more distinct, burning as it moved she realized it wasn't a shooting star. Others came from their tents to see what the hubbub was about.
Ari glanced over to see Bellamy zipping up his pants as he approached shirtless. It was obvious he had just gotten done fucking the two girls who emerged from his tent wrapped in blankets. Ari looked away unsure why that hurt her. Bellamy wasn't hers, she had no right to be hurt by him fucking the girls in camp. But you want him to be yours. "They're coming down to help us, alright now we can kick some grounder was." The voice shook her from her thoughts reminding her of the task at hand.
"Please tell me they sent down shampoo," one of Bellamy's sluts remarked hopefully. She sneered at the girl in disgust but said nothing. Her gaze shifted to Bellamy who looked at her guiltily, why she wasn't sure, and then looked away. They all stared up at the pod hopefully but Ari continued to watch Bellamy. She saw the dread on his face and wondered what could have caused it.
[page break][bellamy]
"If we clear the ridge it's probably near the lake." Before Bellamy could respond O and Ari were entering the tent. "Everyone's ready," O assured him, certain that they would be leaving soon. "No one's going anywhere, not while it's dark out. Its not safe," Bellamy told them, eyes flicking over each of them.
"We head out at first light. Spread the word," he gave the order to his men who soon dispatched to do just that. He made to leave but was stopped by O. "Everyone for a hundred miles saw this thing come down. What if the grounders get to it first? Bell we need to go now." "I said we leave at first light," he told his sister authoritatively. With a huff the younger girl left the tent leaving he and Ari alone.
The short girl eyed him intelligently. "You're going to go after it yourself, aren't you?" Her question was soft enough for only him to hear and he was surprised that she knew him so well. He nodded slightly and was surprised once more at her response. "I'm coming with you. Meet me outside the camp." Before he could protest she was gone.
[page break][ari]
They were jogging through the woods when Bellamy slowed to a walk. "Why are you helping me?" She snorted defensively, walls going up. "Believe it or not, not everything is about you Bellamy." He raised an eyebrow, "Cut the shit Ari. Who don't you want following you down?" She stopped, turning to him. "I don't know why you suddenly think you can interrogate me but I don't need to help you. Keep that in mind."
She started forward once more only to be stopped by his hand on her elbow. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be rude, I'm just curious. Why do you seem so eager to keep them from knowing we're alive?" She met his eyes briefly. "My father's up there." His face crumpled in confusion, "So?" She rolled her eyes, "Men. You never listen. Remember those 'pretty little scars' on my back? He gave them to me. I'm not too eager to see him again."
She started to jog again before he could say anything or give her his pity. That was worse than the receiving the scars, people looking at you like you were broken. Bellamy didn't say anything as they jogged together in silence. The silence didn't last long as Octavia's voice broke the silence. "Bellamy!"
"What are you doing?" "Go back to camp, it isn't safe," Bellamy protested. "You lied to everyone. You lied to me. You just want whatever's in that pod for yourself," Octavia told him. Bellamy shoved her roughly, "Just go home!" "You always want to play the big brother? Huh? The joke's on me, you're just a selfish dick." Ari kept out of it, standing off to the side silently.
"To protect you. Look, if the Ark finds out we're alive they'll come down. And when they do I'm dead." Both girls stared at him in confusion, unsure what he was talking about. "What did you do?" "I shot him. I shot Jaha," he told his sister quietly. "Why?"
"I found out they were sending you to earth. I couldn't let you go alone. Someone came to me with a deal. Do this, kill him and they would get me on the dropship. And I did it." His confession didn't phase Ari who had already killed once and hadn't exactly been a fan of Jaha. Octavia was another story.
Horror filled the teen's face. "You killed the Chancellor?" "He floated our mother. He locked you up. He deserved it." Disbelief colored Octavia's face, "I didn't ask for you to do that." Bellamy sagged in defeat. "You're right. I made the choice. This is on me. Whoever they sent down, I'll take care of it." Octavia didn't seem to hear him. "I didn't ask for any of this," shaking her head she turned and ran back the way she came.
The person in the pod was unconscious when they got there. Bellamy pulled out his knife and eyed the sleeping form for a moment. Ari lay a hand on his arm. "We don't have to kill them. Just take the radio." He nodded and cut it free. They hurried down to the river and he threw it in, albeit hesitantly. It was done.