It is here. The day for the decision. The judgment day. Save for the four people, for everybody in the camp it is an ordinary day. Better than ordinary as it turns out. It is sunny but not scorching hot. It is unbearably pleasant. The day has apparently decided not to coincide with the seriousness it is supposed to carry. The breakfast's been all right, all things considered. However, Bellamy only takes couple of bites and spends the remaining of the time picking at the rest. His sister's words about the decision being his plague his mind. For the first time, he wishes someone would take the choice away.
The first shift is his today so he buries himself in work. He goes over the every inch of the gates making sure there is no potential breach. He cleans every weapon they have and helps Sinclair with some boxes. The hunters come back with two boars (a great day indeed) and he helps them carry them into the kitchen. He skips lunch though (the dread is twisting his insides) and retreats to his room. The worst thing is that once again Kane manages to catch his eye. Kane and his pitying looks that don't make anything easier. Over time, somehow he enters the state of daze; there is absolutely nothing on his mind.
Knock, knock. Is it dawn already? He must have dozed off. Knock, knock. The Grounders have come for him. For the answer he does not yet have.
He opens the door to a Grounder, but it is not the one he's expected, "She's not here."
"Actually, I came to see you." he pulls nervously the collar of his jacket, "May I come in?"
Bellamy is not the one for company at the moment, but really it couldn't do any harm. He gestures for his surprising guest to enter and shuffles back to his spot.
"What's up, Lincoln?" he asks the man who is taking a seat at the desk. He still looks uncomfortable wearing guard's uniform, the sign of the Ark like a brand of mockery. It isn't, of course but some of the more radical Arkers would whisper sardonically whenever Lincoln would walk past them. That's what he gets for being the only honorable Grounder to stand with them at the mountain.
Anticipating Bellamy's unwillingness to speak, Lincoln decides to end the awkward silence before it spreads, "I know about the treaty and don't get angry, Octavia's just worried about you."
Not one day, one single day could she keep it from Lincoln. Bellamy shakes his head and laughs. He isn't even mad. He is relieved actually. Lincoln has the insight others do not.
"So, you know I have to make the decision today or your great Commander will slaughter us all." all right, now he is getting mad. He looks up at his friend, unable to truly comprehend him, "How could you follow such monster?"
"Our world before," he begins after a pregnant pause, "Was much worse than anything you've ever seen. She's done a lot for her people. But the way she abandoned you at the mountain… I have no respect for that leader." the fact about the kill order on him remains unsaid.
"Then how can you expect me to trust her with my people's lives again?"
"I know it would be hard to trust her. She's lost respect of many, even some clan leaders. And Nyko assures me that some of them are on your side. You don't have to trust her just keep an eye on her... I believe Clarke would have wanted you to do this."
Bellamy's eyes shoot up at the mention of her name, "Oh, Clarke would have wanted?! Well, maybe I would have wanted that she hadn't left me. But she didn't give a damn about me, did she? Why should I care then?"
Lincoln realized mentioning her name was a mistake, he is looking at him with remorse.
Bellamy breathes deeply for a couple of seconds to compose himself before continuing, "She's gone, Lincoln. She left us."
Lincoln steps towards him and puts a reassuring hand on Bellamy's shoulder, "I know. But right now, this is the only way to keep your people safe."
Deep down Bellamy's known all this time what the only possible answer is. The deadline was just given to him to come to terms with it. And now he has, "Thank you, my friend."
One Grounder left and that was it. None other came.
As the Sun was setting on the horizon, Bellamy was standing by the gate waiting for any sign of messenger. He is not moving nor blinking. He doesn't lean against the gate. It would give him some comfort and for what is coming he needs to stay sharp. The people are looking at him strangely and any who dare ask him something is met with his low growl. The Sun sets completely and the Moon is starting to take its place in the sky.
Bellamy gives one last look towards the woods and spits out one word, "Cowards."
As he marches past the only people who know of the proposal (and were impatiently standing there for the last two hours), he can hear Lincoln say, "I don't understand."
Well, neither does he. He's been through his own personal hell to honor his end of the bargain and she doesn't even bother to show up or at least send someone. What kind of sick game is she playing?
All the pressure gets to him at once the moment his head hits the pillow. It is unclear whether it is relief or the fact that he's just fed up with everything that puts him to sleep. Though, that doesn't last long. Some unease seeps into his unconsciousness. Like someone is there, watching him. He shifts, sliding a hand under the pillow. The knife is under his fingertips. He feels the movement and in one swift motion pins the intruder to the wall.
"What do you want?" he barks at the hooded figure. They are silent, not resisting and Bellamy doubts the only reason is the knife against their throat, "Who are you?" he smacks them against the wall again and yanks the hood off.
In shock, he takes a step back bumping against the bed frame, "Commander."