At first we all thought Jasper was going to die, but with Monty's magic touch he lives, and heals surprisingly quickly. Finn found some kind of special seaweed with healing powers. Now Jasper is walking around, albeit stiffly.
It's been a week, and my situation hasn't changed much. They found a way to let me go to the bathroom. Some mousy girl named Monroe comes with me. I haven't tried to escape again, and I won't until I have a plan. Bellamy is mad that we haven't received any supplies, but my mom says that it's just taking them time to prepare it all. I haven't been allowed to talk with her, and she doesn't try to talk to me after they hurt me. They haven't touched me since, though, so maybe they're bluffing.
After three kids died because of grounders, Bellamy has decided to build a wall. They are using scrap metal from the drop ship and nearby fallen trees. I would say 'we', but I'm not helping because I'm stuck in the drop ship. At least I'm not tied to a chair anymore. Now I'm just locked up in the top level. I had Jasper as a roommate for a while, but now I'm alone again.
I'm snapped out of my daydream as I hear the hatch unlock and creak open. It's Monroe with some berries. After I eat them she lets me down the ladder. We go outside and I go behind a bush and quickly relieve myself. On the way back I look at the ground, kicking rocks. I see a piece of scrap metal and kick that. That's when it hits me. I can use the scrap metal as a knife. I bend down, picking up the metal.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Monroe asks me cautiously. I hide my new knife in my sleeve.
"I just dropped my last berry." I pretend to put one in my mouth. Monroe rolls her eyes.
"You're disgusting." She says as walks me back to the drop ship. She's never actually touched me or used force. I appreciate that, but I can't think about it now.
When we enter the drop ship I pretend to cough before I ascend the ladder, giving myself time to slip the knife out from my sleeve. I turn around and stab Monroe in the stomach. Before she can scream I cover her mouth with my hand and lead her gently to the ground. I rip off pieces of my shirt, using one piece as a gag and the others to tie her hands to the ladder.
"I'm sorry." I whisper into her ear. "You don't deserve this." She glares at me in response. "You won't die." I promise. "Monty will save you." Before I waste anymore time I exit the drop ship. I look around, glad to see everyone working. I slip behind the drop ship and leave quietly.
When I feel that I'm safe distance from camp I begin to run. Like before I have no idea where I'm going, but I won't let that stop me. I run until I feel stitches in my side. I look around and see that I am near a creek. I am worried that it is too open and someone will see me, but I'm too thirsty to care. I run to the creek, not caring that my pants are getting wet as I kneel to drink. Before I can sigh in relief I hear branches snapping behind me. Damn it, they've found me already. I spin around, expecting to see Bellamy or Murphy. What I see is much worse.
In front of me are three horses with people on them. I've never seen a horse in person before; they're bigger than I expected. There's a woman, and two men behind her, so she must be in charge. She slides off of her horse, never taking her eyes off of me. She takes a step towards me, and I realize that I'm frozen in fear.
"Chon yu bilaik?" The woman asks. I stare at her, not understanding. "Disha ste Trikru."
"I'm sorry, I don't understand what you're saying." I look up at the two men still on horses. One is holding a bow and arrow, and the other is holding a spear. Both of their weapons are aimed at me.
"Skaikru." The woman snarls, baring her teeth. I turn to run, but I don't even make it five feet when the woman tackles me to the ground. I feel my cheek scrape against a rock. She pulls me up by my hair, dragging me towards the horses.
"Please." I beg. "You don't have to do this."
"Shof op." The woman grunts. I assume she is telling me to shut up, but I don't. Instead I try a different tactic.
"I'm running away." I say, continuing to struggle against her strong hold. "I am no danger to you."
"Running from your own people?" The woman spits in my ear. I stop struggling in surprise. She speaks English. Before I can respond she begins tying my hands behind my back.
Suddenly I see the other grounder's shoulders stiffen. There are voices coming from the woods behind us.
"Clarke? Clarke, I know you're out here somewhere!" It's Bellamy. I surprise myself by sighing in relief. I would rather get tortured by him than these grounders. Besides, things might work out if we have a common enemy.
"Bellamy! Over here!" The grounder woman quiets me by stuffing a piece of cloth in my mouth. I struggle as she throws me over the back of her horse. I can hear Bellamy and others running through the woods. The other horses begin to move as the woman climbs on hers, securing me between her and the horse's neck. I try to yell, but the cloth in my mouth absorbs all of the noise.
For the second time in the past week something hits the back of my head. I feel like I have a permanent concussion. The last thing I see before we enter the woods is Bellamy, Murphy, and Monroe running into the clearing, staring after the grounders as they ride away with me as their new prisoner.
I am unlucky enough to stay conscious during the ride. It feels like days, but it's probably only been an hour or two. I try to keep my eyes open so I can see where we're going, but the motion of the horse sends waves of pain through my head, making me nauseous. After riding for a few more hours I feel the horses slowing down. I lift my head high enough to see that we're approaching more grounders. These ones seem to be guarding the entrance to a village. There are canvas tents and people moving around inside of the fence.
"Chon ste disha?" One of the guards asks, gesturing to me. The woman jumps off of her horse, dragging me with her. I groan as she holds me upright by the back of my jacket.
"A honon gon Heda." She responds, handing the reigns to the guard. I hear the word 'Skaikru' muttered again as I am pushed into the village. That must be what they call us. My arms are starting to ache after being tied for so long.
I am dragged into a large tent and forced onto my knees. Another grounder comes in, but the woman sends him out with the order "ge Heda." Heda must be their leader. A few minutes later a woman comes striding in with another woman behind her. The second woman has dark skin and short hair. She goes to stand by the large chair in the center of the tent as the first woman settles into it. I stare at the first woman, 'Heda', and am surprised by what I see.
She can't be much older than me. She's wearing thick dark clothes, almost resembling armor. Her long brown hair is worn down, save a few braids. I can't help but admire her beauty. I pause at her eyes. Surrounded by black paint, her green eyes sparkle with power and curiosity. I don't look away as she looks me up and down.
"What is the meaning of this, Anya?" Their leader speaks English, addressing the grounder who took me. I now know her name is Anya. She holds my hair tightly as she responds, making me wince.
"I found her by the river, Heda. She is Skaikru." I feel helpless as I kneel in the dirt. All I can do is glare as the leader stands and approaches me.
"Who are you and why are you here?" She asks, gently pulling out my gag. I spit on the ground, trying to get the taste of that dirty cloth out of my mouth.
"I don't have to tell you anything." I spit again, this time aiming for the woman's boots. My head snaps to the side as I am slapped. Anya takes a step back, giving me and her leader some space.
"You are in no position to argue with me, Skai Gada." She says dangerously. I roll my eyes.
"My name is Clarke, and I was running away before your servant here grabbed me." I see Anya take a step towards me angrily, but the leader stops her with a look. The woman standing by the throne steps forward.
"Heda, she is obviously lying. She wouldn't be running away from her own people." I scoff. They don't know anything about me.
"Indra, shof op." The leader silences the woman, holding up her hand. Indra resumes her previous position. "She has a point, though." She says, turning back to me. "Why are you running from your own people?"
"I don't see why you care." I say, earning another slap.
"You and your people killed almost an entire village when you landed! I should kill you and wipe the rest out right now!" I stare into the woman's calm but angry eyes. When I don't say anything she pulls out a large hunting knife. I try to hide my fear, but she sees my eyes widen.
"I was running away because they were keeping me hostage, okay? Please don't kill me." I beg for the second time today. The woman only smiles.
"I am not going to kill you." She says while slowly turning the knife in her hand. "If your own people were keeping you hostage, that means that you are very important." I frown, knowing I've already given too much information.
"So what are you going to do with me?" I ask, lifting my chin and trying to sound brave.
"We're going to use you, Clarke." She puts away the knife. "You're my hostage now."