Now for the chapter we've all been waiting for! I hope it doesn't disappoint! :)

Chapter 16

Clarke stood peering into the murky darkness of early morning, a letter clasped tightly in her hands. They came at the same time every morning just as she was coming downstairs to start breakfast a knock would sound and a dirty, crumpled envelope would be lying on her welcome mat, staring up at her as she opened the door.

She had no idea how she'd made it through the past two weeks and two games without making Bellamy, Raven, or the kids suspicious. They were all excited about the semifinals coming up in a day and a half.

Bellamy would be at the house in an hour to pick up Lincoln, and Clarke prayed she could keep everything under wraps for just a little longer. There would be plenty of time to deal with her crazy ex after the finals.

She heard Lincoln bounding down the stairs, and she quickly stuffed the letter in the pocket of her pajama pants before turning to her eldest son with a smile. He stopped, looking at her strangely.

"Are you ok, Mom? You've been acting weird lately," Lincoln said with a frown.

So much for not worrying everyone, Clarke thought morosely.

"I'm fine," she replied with a smile, "Just a little tired, and I think Bell's stress is wearing off on me."

"Oh," Lincoln said, not sounding the least bit convinced.

"You hungry," Clarke asked, trying to change the subject before her son began to ask questions she couldn't answer.

"Yeah," Lincoln said with a smile, wrapping an arm about her shoulders as he led her to the kitchen.

Clarke took a deep breath as she started on the omelets. Having her back turned to her son gave her time to compose herself, plastering a calm smile in place as she served him his breakfast.

"Thanks Ma," Lincoln said just as AJ came trudging into the kitchen.

"Morning AJ," Clarke said, scooting a plate of scrambled eggs in front of the little boy along with a glass of chocolate milk.

"Morning Momma," AJ said, his eyes droopy and unfocused.

Before Clarke could admonish him for obviously staying up much too late that night, Bellamy came through the front door. Octavia had spent the night with Raven and would ride to the game with them.

"Morning Princess," he called, giving her a light kiss when he entered the kitchen.

Clarke stared at him, her fear feeling as though it would choke the life from her. All she wanted was to tell him, to unburden herself and allow Bellamy to protect her. She couldn't do that, not yet.

"Morning," she replies with a shaky smile.

If her boyfriend notices he says nothing, and for that she's grateful. She set an omelet before Bellamy, nibbling on a piece of bacon as she watches her little family.

The thought that Finn could take this all away had haunted her from the moment the first letter came. However, she was resolute. He'd taken many things from her, but this would not be one of them.

"Alright Linc, time to go," Bellamy said, clapping the teen on the back.

Clarke saw them to the door, kissing Lincoln's cheek and then watching him walk to the truck. Bellamy's arm came around her waist, his fingers gently lifting her chin until she was gazing into his dark eyes.

"Is everything ok, Princess," he asked quietly.

Clarke swallowed hard, forcing a smile to her lips, "I'm fine, just nervous about tonight. Now go before you're both late and you miss the bus!"

Bellamy stared down at her for a moment, and she could read the hesitancy in his dark eyes. "You're sure," he says finally.

"Yes, now go," Clarke grins, giving him a smacking kiss on the jaw before shoving him out the door.

Once he's gone, she leans against the oaken portal trying to bring her breathing under control. She hears the truck start, gravel crunching under the tires as Bellamy and Lincoln pulled away.

She was just about to go clean up the kitchen and get the kids ready to go when a knock sounded at the door. Thinking it was Bellamy, she just opened the door wide- terror welling up inside when she saw the man standing before her.

The years had not been kind to her ex husband, his long, dingy brown hair thinning and hanging limply about his shoulders. He smelled like cigarette smoke and stale liquor, his features craggy and his teeth yellow. His clothing had seen better days, his jeans full of holes and his boots dusty and scuffed.

"Hello Clarke," Finn said, his eyes boring into hers.

"What are you doing here," Clarke demanded, thankful when her voice didn't shake with the terror that consumed her.

"Momma is that Bellamy," AJ yelled as he came to a stop behind her.

AJ stood in the entryway, fear and confusion fighting for dominance on his face. He watched the man as he shoved his mother away from him, turning to stare at the little boy.

"Drew," Finn said in disbelief.

"Who're you," AJ asked with a frown.

"I'm your father. Did your mother never tell you about me?"

The little boy nodded, "Yeah, she said you weren't ready to be a daddy. She said you weren't good for us, so Auntie Rae brought us here."

Finn scoffed, "That's a lie. Your mother just didn't love me anymore. She took you from me, Drew."

The little boy looked to his mother, a question lurking in his blue eyes.

"Don't listen to him, AJ," Clarke said, receiving a hard slap.

"Don't hurt my Momma," the little boy raged, kicking Finn in the shin.

Finn grabbed his son's arm, bringing his face even with his own, "She deserved it. She deserves everything that's going to happen to her."

The little boy looked fearfully at Clarke, "I want Uncle Wick."

Clarke opened her arms, but Finn refused to let him go. "You're never going to see your Uncle Wick again, Drew. I'm taking you and your mother to your new home. We're going to be a family," Finn said determinedly

Clarke felt her heart sink as Finn pulled her to her feet, dragging her and AJ to his old, beat up brown truck that sat in the front yard. He grabbed the packed duffle out of her truck, and threw it in the bed of his own.

"Get in. Don't disobey me, Clarke," he snarled.

If it had just been her Clarke would have fought him tooth and nail, but she had AJ to think of and she couldn't bear the thought of her son alone with her crazy ex. So, she crawled into the driver's seat, AJ climbing in beside her.

Finn buckled himself in, ordering Clarke to drive. She hesitated for a second too long, the air freezing in her lungs as Finn pulled a gun and pointed it at her son.

"Don't make me tell you again," he hissed.

Clarke nodded, starting the truck and pulling out of the driveway. AJ curled against her side, trying to put as much space between himself and the crazy man sitting beside him.

She tried to comfort him as her mind wandered to how they could escape. She was running out of time with each mile, knowing if they ever made it out of state they would just be that much harder to find.

Her thoughts often turned to Bellamy and Lincoln. She knew they would be terrified when she and AJ didn't make it to Wakefield. Tears began to burn behind her eyes, and she quickly swiped at them with the back of her hand. She wouldn't appear weak; she would be strong for her son.

An hour later the fuel gauge sank down towards empty. They would need to refuel or they would be left on the side of the road. She told Finn as much, hearing his agitation as he told her to pull off at the next gas station she found.

The station was run down, the paint sloughing off leaving rusted metal in its wake. Trash littered the parking lot, paper wrappers and plastic bottles blowing in the wind.

Clarke pulled up to a pump, putting the truck in park and killing the engine.

"I'm going to get something to drink, don't do anything stupid," Finn said before making his way inside.

She watched him through the streaked glass of the storefront, his gaze rarely leaving them. She ignored him, a plan beginning to form. She bent to speak to AJ, taking his hand in her own.

"I need you to do something for me, baby," Clarke said, "I need you to go to the bathroom and lock yourself in."

She slipped him her phone while Finn's back was turned, quickly sending him on his way as Finn exited the store. She watched as the man climbed into the pickup, tipping back his beer.

Clarke watched AJ as he walked quickly to the bathroom before putting the gas cap back on, replacing the nozzle, and climbing behind the wheel. She glanced at Finn, drowning himself in the amber liquid. She made her move, laying her foot down on the accelerator.

The truck jolted forward, speeding onto the highway. Finn tried to grab for the wheel, but she was too quick. She hit some loose gravel, jerking the wheel, and sending the truck rolling down the grassy slope to the right of the road.

Clarke felt the air leave her lungs as she was thrown forward into the steering wheel, her body tumbling through the windshield. She landed hard, a groan ripping from deep in her chest.

She lay there, unmoving, trying to assess her injuries. She felt the sticky of warmth seeping through her shirt. She moved her hand to her abdomen, wincing when her fingers came in contact with the sharp object protruding from her stomach.

Clarke could feel her eyes beginning to droop, the loss of blood beginning to pull her into oblivion. Her thoughts turned to her loved ones, settling on Bellamy's smiling face as blackness finally crowded in.

Thanks for reading! Please review and tell me what you thought! :)

Hailey: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you're enjoying the drama! There's more where that came from ;)

Emma: Thanks for the review! Hahaha! Bellamy is definitely going to punch Finn in the face! That just has to happen! :)

Emily: Thanks for the review! Awww! I'm sorry I give you anxiety, but at the same time I'm glad you're into the story! :)

Wright: Thanks for the review! Well, the show inspires the slowness lol I don't like it when they're just BOOM together… I like to work up to it because then we all appreciate it that much more. However, things are about to move a bit faster for very obvious reasons. Finn is going to turn up the heat, so to speak! ;)

Melissa Smith: Thanks for the review! Raven is definitely going to be included in the drama! As well as Wick because I just love Wick! :)

HH: Thanks for the review! Did I wow you? Cuz you sounded wowed… lol I'm glad you're enjoying the story, and I hope the newest chapter upped the intensity! :)

Eemmah: Thanks for the review! I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter enough to leave your thoughts! I also hope that the latest update didn't disappoint! More drama to come, I assure you! ;)

Martha: Thanks for the review! Bellamy and Clarke do make an adorable couple! I think that's why they're so much fun to write! I hope Finn's sudden arrival didn't disappoint! :)

ATTN: As always Kingdom of Shadows will update some time tomorrow! If you haven't read it, then please go check it out! It's something a bit different from what I usually do, but I think it's pretty rad! I'm slightly biased though since I co-wrote it… ;)