Dividing Lines
Disclaimer: I don't own any of this.
The Ark Camp stank of despair but Clarke refused to let it pull her under. Even after spending hours going over the past few months with Diana and her guards, Clarke wasn't pushed over the edge. She kept her head high and her voice even-that or else she just shouted.
When she was finally let go, Clarke took the time to glance around the camp. It was still a pile of metal, filled with hopeless people and half stocked supplies. It felt so different now, like she was a stranger. As she spotted her mother, Kane and Finn waiting for her, Clarke figured that's exactly what she was. Those three people, who had once made up her family, now felt distant from her. She could only wonder if they felt the same. Yet when she was hugged once more by Abby, Clarke did realise how much she had missed them.
"I was so worried about you honey," Abby said, "The things I imagined that they'd do to you-."
"Mom, they did nothing but welcome me and look after me," Clarke snapped, "They're my friends."
She had already told all of this to Diana, tried to make her understand that the 100 Camp did not want to hurt anyone. The problem was that the Ark Camp had declared war through their bombs and kidnapping Jasper-Bellamy and the Grounders were done being patient.
Clarke knew this but she also knew that she had little information about the Ark Camp. She needed to look around, try to find evidence. There was no doubt that the wider population of the camp had no idea what was going on. It was definitely Diana and her guards behind all of this. So, Clarke would have to play it safe and that meant keeping her head down for a while.
Finn appeared over her mother's shoulder and smiled warmly. That smile, which had once made her feel butterflies like a giggly teenage girl, now seemed only friendly.
"We are really glad to have you back Clarke. We were just worried."
Clarke nodded, her fingers still clutching at the smaller jacket in her hands. "I have to go find Chris and see how he is. I'll see you later."
Abby frowned at this and opened her mouth but Kane stopped her. "Clarke," he said, "I'm afraid that we're all going to have to adjust. To us, you were kidnapped and now you're here. But clearly, you know the truth of what happened. Your mother is just really happy to have you home."
Home. The word left a bitter taste in Clarke's mouth and she clenched her jaw so tight, her teeth hurt. This was not home. Home was wooden camps and the fresh smell of bread over a fire. Home was her medical bay and the lake in spring. Home was Bellamy and the way he said good morning. But she kept her thoughts to herself and she managed a tight smile.
She turned on her heel and marched through the camp. Ignoring all the stares and whispers, Clarke looked around for Chris. He wasn't at his section or the fires and she was starting to lose hope when she heard a loud, "Clarke!" from her left. Spinning around, she reached out in time for Chris to barrel his way into her arms. He hugged her and it was all she could do not to cry.
"I missed you so much," she mumbled to him as she crouched down.
Chris' face was dirty and he had no jacket but he was grinning so widely that she hardly noticed. "I missed you too," he said, "but I knew that you would come back."
Clarke patted his hand but her fingers brushed against the material of his bandage. "What happened?" she asked, turning his hand over to examine his wound.
"Oh...a guard hit me with his stick for stealing food. But Kane and your Mom helped me. And I've been really careful since."
Clarke tried to swallow her anger and she hugged him again.
"I met Jasper-he said he was your friend," Chris whispered to her and Clarke nodded as she glanced around. She didn't want anyone to overhear.
"He is-he's a great friend. Do you know who else is my friend?" Chris looked confused and Clarke replied softly, "Bellamy Blake."
Chris' eyes went wide and Clarke held out the jacket in front of her. "I told him all about you and he is really excited to meet you. When I said that you keep giving your jackets away, Bellamy thought that you should have one of your very own to keep. He made you this."
Chris ran his fingers over the jacket in awe. Clarke couldn't tell if he could see the similarities between it and the one she was wearing but that didn't matter. She put the jacket over him and he put his arms through the sleeves.
"Now, you can't give this one away ok? This is your jacket to keep you warm."
Chris nodded quickly and Clarke almost chuckled. He was so innocent, even after all he had been through. He would have loved the 100 Camp with Luke and Jennifer and all the other kids. She quickly corrected herself. He will love the 100 Camp because he was going to live there-and so was she. This was not forever, she thought as the shouts from the guards and the clang of metal doors filled her ears. This was only temporary.
Clarke smoothed down the collar of the jacket, the material soft and lasting. There was something in the way Chris looked-all wrapped up in a 100 jacket made by the man she cared for so much-that started those tears again. So Clarke sniffed and brushed the stray ones away. "Come on," she said, "Take me to the other orphans and I can see how they are."
Chris held her hand all the way back to her mother's section, chatting about everything she had missed.
Bellamy scanned the outer walls of the Ark Camp; his eyes picked out all its faults and weak points. He scoffed silently as he counted another hole, before casting his gaze back to the guard on patrol. He looked half asleep.
"Their security is so bad I feel personally offended," Hunter said from his side.
The Grounder had joined him on a scouting mission to the Ark Camp, two days after Clarke had gone back. They were currently leaning against a tree whose thick branches shielded them from the guards.
"This doesn't add up," Bellamy said gruffly, "How can they be so efficient with the bombs and the kidnapping but be worthless at their own security at their own camp?"
"That's a really good question isn't?" Bellamy glanced at the wall again, his brain hallucinating a flash of blonde hair at every turn. He felt useless being stuck outside when Clarke was alone behind those walls. And he missed her. It was like someone had reached into his chest and pulled out a piece of him without him seeing. His instincts were telling him to just storm the place and rescue Clarke.
But the truth was, she knew what she was doing and he had to trust that. She must have a plan but because she knew him so well, she had to leave without telling him that plan. 'Cause he wouldn't have let her leave; he would have bartered, prayed and schemed his way to another, much more dangerous solution. Her decision to sneak away in the night was something he had to understand. He had to or else he would go crazy. The important thing was that he spoke to her; saw her, before the Ark made a move.
"You said that Collins knows ways in and out of the Ark Camp?" Bellamy asked and Hunter folded his arms.
Bellamy hadn't reacted well to the news that there was a hole in the wall, especially not since Clarke had used it as her way out. They had blocked it up the day after but he was hoping that Finn hadn't spilled his secrets.
"Finn can get out of the camp, that's true. But I suspect that he makes a lot of trips into the forest-a guy like him doesn't like being caged up for too long at one time."
Maybe he was changing his mind now that Clarke was back. The knowledge that Finn and Clarke were in the same camp again made Bellamy's blood boil but he trusted his girlfriend. She said there had never been anything but silly flirting and he knew that was true.
"But posting a guard at the entrance for days, right under the nose of the Ark guard isn't the best plan," Hunter added, "Plus, Finn won't really be willing to help us."
Bellamy smirked at him and Hunter felt that familiar feeling of dread. "It's not us who are going to be asking."
Finn and Raven had history; it was something neither of them could deny. Ever since they were kids, their lives had been intertwined. Until of course, the day she found out Finn cheated and that connection was snapped, chopped and burned to the ground. She had broken up with him and he had left. They had not spoken since that day two years ago.
So imagine Finn's surprised when he saw the necklace he gave her sitting at the entrance to his secret escape. She hadn't given it back to him, mostly because he had left so soon. Finn could guess why it was there however; she wanted to talk to him. He could also guess the topic of their conversation.
So, when the guards changed for their evening watch, Finn sneaked out of the camp and crept away from the wall. He had only walked a couple of metres, passed a large line of trees when Raven stepped into his view. She wasn't alone either. Bellamy Blake and Hunter appeared, looking incredibly pissed off. Finn was starting to think he had been ambushed.
"What? Are you going to kidnap me this time?" he asked and Bellamy seemed ready to throw a punch.
To his surprise, Bellamy controlled his temper and bit out, "Unfortunately Spacewalker, we need your help. It's time you got filled in about what's really going on."
He had never seen these three so serious. He had seen them in the chaos of war, with Grounders surrounding them at every turn but this was different. Finn turned to Hunter quickly. "Is this about what you and Caitlin were talking about before winter? You think the Ark Camp is up to something?"
"We know they are," Raven finally spoke. "The Ark Camp built bombs and blew up Grounder villages; they killed innocent people. They also kidnapped Jasper but you already know that."
"And now Clarke is stuck in there with the people who are the actual threats," Bellamy finished.
Finn narrowed his eyes at him, glancing at the different jacket he was wearing. Bellamy raised an eyebrow with impatience and Finn finally asked, "Is it your jacket Clarke's wearing?"
Bellamy smirked and replied in a smooth tone, "Nice to know you're paying attention, Collins."
A violent tension appeared between them and Hunter quickly stepped up. "Alright, calm down, this isn't the time. Finn, we need you to get a message to Clarke. She has to know about your secret exit."
Finn shook his head, staring at them in disbelief. "You're all crazy; there can't be bombs at the camp, I would have seen them. Or at least, seen people leave to plant them at your camps."
"We wouldn't be telling you this if we weren't sure Finn," Raven said, "I looked at the pieces of bombs myself and they match all the equipment that the Ark has."
"Plus, you don't have to believe us-you just have to help Clarke talk to us," Bellamy added.
"What makes you think she'll want to talk to you?" Finn shot back.
Bellamy clenched his jaw tightly, his eyes drilling a hole through Finn's skull. "If you know even one thing about Clarke, it should be how pissed she gets when someone makes decisions for her. Do you think you can look her in the eye and not tell her that we need to see her?"
The answer was a clear no but Finn wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of knowing that. Instead he straightened his shoulders and made to turn away. "When do you want to speak to her?"
"We'll be here tomorrow at noon, when the guards stop for lunch," Hunter said and Finn gave him a curt nod.
Hunter left out the part where it was only Bellamy going to meet Clarke. There was no point in annoying Finn further.
Finn hurried back around the trees and headed back to the wall. The three let out a collective sigh before Raven said, "I am really proud of myself-I didn't punch him or anything."
Bellamy kept his eyes trained on the wall, his arms still tightly folded. Hunter paused but clapped him on the shoulder. "We should head back for now my friend; you'll see her tomorrow for sure."
The thought of that, of seeing Clarke's face, made Bellamy's chest clench; as if the air left his lungs all at once. It had been three days and he was a mess. What had this woman done to him?
Clarke had tried to look for evidence, she really had. She had even attempted to keep an eye on Diana. The problem was that she couldn't help but look after her patients instead.
She had learned so much from the 100 Camp and Monty; with her mom's help, Clarke wanted to improve things for others. She was busy healing and stitching up cuts. She was giving advice to people on new ways to stay warm and new soups and stews that would last longer. She wanted to share what she had learned at the 100 Camp so that less people could suffer. It also meant that she couldn't dwell on her situation.
But when Finn grabbed her elbow one night after a pitiful excuse for a dinner, Clarke was hit by another problem she had wanted to avoid. Whatever she had once felt for Finn, whatever puppy love she had, paled in comparison to Bellamy. She knew that but Finn didn't.
They hadn't gotten around to talking yet but from the glances people were throwing her way, she knew that others were curious. She also knew they weren't stupid. The jacket she always wore outside was clearly a man's and from the 100 Camp; people could connect the dots.
Finn led her around the back of a drop ship before letting go of her arm. She brushed some stray blonde hairs away from her face. "What's up?" she asked, seeing that he looked nervous. Finn hardly ever looked nervous about anything.
"Listen, I don't know what went on in the 100 Camp," he finally said, "You sure as hell don't hate them, in fact sometimes I think you wish you were still there. But it's obvious that there's some danger going on that no one else knows about. The truth is that-that I also know a way out of this camp, not just the 100. And Bellamy Blake really needs to speak to you."
Her heart jumped to her throat but Clarke just managed to take in a deep breath through her nose. She folded her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Ok, when and where? And can you show me this exit?"
Finn paused and looked annoyed that she was so willing to just go along with Bellamy's plan. Clarke was just getting impatient to see her best friend again.
Finn sighed quietly but replied, "I'll show you how to get in and out. Bellamy will be outside tomorrow at noon. But you need to be careful Clarke. As much as I don't like Bellamy and those Grounder siblings, they might be right about Diana being up to something. They said-."
"It's ok Finn, I know what they must have said," Clarke interrupted, "I'll be fine, don't worry."
He didn't seem to believe her but Clarke marched back to her section. She had to bite the inside of her cheeks to stop herself from smiling.
She was going to see Bellamy tomorrow. Having his jacket, being wrapped up in something that smelt just like him, was a comfort but nothing compared to actually seeing him. He would probably be furious-there was no doubt about that. But they could talk, that was something at least.
The hours that ticked by were the longest that Clarke had ever endured. She was constantly waiting until noon, until the guards turned away and she could sneak out. She also had to make sure her mother and Kane weren't missing her. Chris was busy teaching one of the younger kids to tie her shoes so she knew that he would ok too.
Clarke skirted around the edge of camp, squeezing behind the drop ships until she could walk along the wall. Running her hand over the bent metal, she looked ahead for the loose sheet to pull back. Finn had showed her the night before and it had certainly answered some questions. She had always assumed that he had somehow gotten out of the gate to follow her all those months ago. It also kind of pissed her off that he had a way out while the rest of them were essentially trapped.
Her fingers caught the metal and quietly, Clarke pulled it back from the wall. She went through the hole and put the sheet back in place, all the while keeping an eye out for guards. Clarke turned around and faced the forest, already feeling more at home. She jogged down the back hill behind the camp and around a large group of trees.
She was looking around wildly when she saw him. Bellamy stepped out from behind one of the larger trees, looking worried and relieved all at the same time. Her feet were moving before her brain registered anything else. The momentum from the climb down the hill made her run faster and she collided with Bellamy with a force that caused him to take a step back. But by then he had his arms securely around her and was holding her close to his chest. Her arms were around his shoulders and she could do nothing else but press her face against his neck and try not to cry with relief.
"You have no clue how much I've missed you," she gasped out, although she knew it had only been a few days.
Bellamy pulled away slightly and replied, "I have some idea Princess."
She grinned at the nickname, never being so happy to hear it. Bellamy took her face in his hands and leaned his forehead against hers. "I'm trying really hard to not be mad Clarke. But waking up to find my girlfriend running into the lion's den doesn't really help."
Clarke sighed and covered his hands with her own. "I'm sorry- there was no time and I had to help Jasper."
"I know. The worst part about this is that I know. And seeing your face after four days without you is kind of making me less angry."
Clarke smiled again and pressed her lips firmly against his. His hand went to the back of her neck and she twisted the material of his shirt in her fist. "This is also helping," he mumbled which only caused Clarke to giggle.
This was one of the things she loved about him-he could make her happy when she was surrounded by devastation.
A shout from the wall broke them apart and Bellamy pulled them behind the tree for cover. Her back was pressed against the bark and her front was against Bellamy. They stood silent for a long moment until they realised one of the guards had just dropped his spare torch. Bellamy shook his head and turned back to her.
"Are we really sure these guys are the big bad enemy? Have you found anything?"
Clarke shook her head, her hands still wrapped around his biceps. "No. But there might be something in Diana's personal quarters. She doesn't let anyone in there unless it's for a meeting and even then she has several guards posted. It's locked when she's not there but the only other way in is a tiny window that I can't fit through. What I am sure about now is that these are not well trained soldiers."
"I guessed that pretty quickly. Hunter almost walked over there and gave them personal tips, he was that annoyed."
"I think that they focus on their attacks one at a time," Clarke said, "It's like they learned exactly how to kidnap Jasper the right way but didn't try to hurt our camp. They were so close, why wouldn't they attack? It's the same with the Grounder camps-they planted the bombs but didn't try to recover supplies that they really needed."
"You think their sudden improvement is just smoke and mirrors, Princess?" Bellamy asked, casting an eye back at the wall.
"I don't know. What I am sure of is that there are innocent people in that camp who think Diana is concerned for their safety. Maybe if I find evidence that she's been hurting others, they'll agree to banish her. Maybe even join our camp?"
Bellamy stared at her again, his fingers brushing back a strand of hair from her face. "Everyone would be welcome, you know that. Are you sure they'd agree though?"
Clarke bit her lip and shrugged. "No but we can't let Diana keep her power. She's hurting too many people."
Bellamy nodded and Clarke let out a puff of air. It felt so good to talk things through with him instead of being so alone.
"Hey, how's Chris?" Bellamy suddenly asked, "I saw that you took his jacket with you."
"Yah, he's fine. And he loved his jacket, especially since I said you made it for him. Of course, some guard hit him across the knuckles and his hand is all bruised and cut."
"I'll kill the bastard," Bellamy bit out, "That's what the older guards used to do back on the Ark."
Clarke was glad and actually not that surprised that Bellamy was so protective; he had been looking out for Chris for so long, without even knowing him. There was more shouting from behind the wall and Clarke sighed heavily.
"I need to get back," she said reluctantly, "Even if I don't want to."
Bellamy frowned and held her tighter before kissing her. "I'll be here in two days time at noon again. You're going to have to leave first Princess, because I don't think I could walk away without taking you with me."
Clarke surged up on her toes to kiss him again and again until she physically had to pull herself away. He watched her until she was out of sight, every part of him screaming to grab her hand and take her home. But then she was gone again and Bellamy had no choice but to walk away.
Chris had never really been a fan of cramped spaces. Ever since the Ark had landed, he loved to be out in the open with the fresh air and small of trees. The guards wouldn't let him outside the walls so he made use of what he had. But that didn't mean that he paid any attention to locked door and windows. They were sort of just, there and the goal was to get passed them.
So, when the handmade, uneven football-the only toy the orphans had-got accidently kicked through an open window, Chris saw no problem with climbing through it.
The window had been cracked open, just let enough air in but the ball was small and kicked at the right angle. Chris wriggled his way through and fell to the ground with a thump. He grunted and rubbed his leg but hopped right up and search for the ball.
He frowned when he saw it sitting innocently near the door on the far side of the room. The room was dark, filled with all sorts of junk he didn't like the look of. There were wires and metal pieces and some stuff in jars that smelt weird. He shivered slightly and quickly hurried over to the ball.
He would be in big trouble with Clarke if she found out that he was in someone's house without permission. She was strict like that sometimes. A thin strip of light came in from the other room and as Chris picked up the ball, he looked inside. That mean lady was taking to her guards again. She did not look happy.
"That girl is going to ruin everything!" she said lowly, "The people are starting to doubt my decisions...Clarke must be dealt with before we make our next move."
Chris' eyes widen and he scrambled backwards. She was going to hurt Clarke! In his panic, Chris toppled over one of the jar and it smashed across the floor, spilling its black contents. Chris hadn't survived the Ark for as long as he did without his instincts and they were telling him to run for it.
He had one foot out the window as a guard burst through the door. He was hitting the dirt by the time that guards shouted for help. He took off running, the ball forgotten as he dodged past people and buildings with one thought in mind. "Find Clarke; just find Clarke."
There were several guards running around after him but he managed to lose them before he ran into the medical bay.
"Clarke!" he exclaimed and the girl whirled around to stare at him. He was panting heavily but managed to get the words out. "That mean lady and her guards are after me! They're going to hurt you too-I heard them!"
Clarke gently pushed past him but quickly looked out of the medical bay. There were an abnormal amount of guards running around, pushing people to the side as they searched for something.
"I didn't mean to get in trouble but that lady had weird stuff in her house and it smells bad and they said you were in the way."
Clarke clenched her fists together and forced herself to take measure breaths. She was stuck in a drop ship, with an eight year old being hunted down by armed guards with no way out. Well, that last part wasn't exactly true.