Brave New World
Chapter 9: Beginnings
Authors note: Hello lovelies, I'd like to apologize again for the last chapters wait. That's precisely why I'm posting this today, you shouldn't have to wait long for the next few chapters. So don't forget the 100 Give away, the 20 reviews for this chapter= Posting early, and to read and REVIEW!
Clarke
"Cla..." I registered a stir of words being spoken in panic towards me.
"arke!... Clar... Arke!" there they were again, the words. A desperate cry, pulling me back into a world of pain, emotions, and stress.
"Clarke!" I groggily opened my eyes. The darkness my eyelids offered tempting me to close my eyes and drift back I to the peaceful oblivion of sleep. I saw the flashing of a light as a silhouette moved back and forth in front of the naturally provided light.
The dark figure was none other than Bellamy Blake, and the naturally bright light was the damn sun. I groaned and tilted my head to the side, my eyesight becoming clearer as the brightness was lessened. I felt the tug and sting in my left side, my head still spun but I couldn't focus on anything except a tight pressure on my hand.
I rolled my head to the right, and saw Bellamy once again. His teeth were grinding together and his face looked hard and unforgiving, yet his brown eyes sparked with despair and hidden concern.
I released a deep sigh, the pain in my side had left as soon as it had come. Yet I couldn't bring myself to sit up or even check on the flesh wound. I was to memorized by Bellamy. I felt safe, his prescene gave me a natural ease. Whenever Bellamy was around, he would always take the role of fighter and the tough one. Something I couldn't do.
I respected him greatly for it. It wasn't just his personality or stances he had. It was something else. I felt safe near him; Like I didn't need to worry or watch my back because he was watching everywhere. He protected me when I couldn't protect myself.
His deep brown conflicted orbs met my clear blue ones. His hold on my hand tightened as he shifted towards me. His features softening and his eyes scanning over my body, than face, and then meeting my gaze once more.
"How are you feeling?" He questioned instantly. I shouldn't have expected anything less. I did briefly wonder where the princess had gone, it seemed like the right time for him to use it, but he hadn't.
"I'm alive... Aren't I?" I tried a joke, my voice cracked and the dark humor did little to portray my own conflicted emotions.
It was all foggy, I remembered meeting up with Bellamy and barely starting a conversation before I felt a pounding headache began and fell unconscious from the blood loss of my open wound, the stress of the day, and the fear I had for Monty and Jasper's lives.
"How long have I been out?" I asked as I glanced around me. We were still by the river, which meant I hadn't been out for more than five hours. I took a deep breath and began to rise, settling on my elbows.
Bellamy began to help me sit up as the pain seared through my side. I nodded thankfully as I leaned against a giant tree trunk, Bellamy sat crouched in front of me. His brown eyes critically analyzing my condition and now patched wound.
"Thank you, for patching me up." I murmured, the sincerity beaming through my eyes and voice.
"Thank Grounder Princess." He muttered, his eyes narrowed and posture grew tense. He seemed upset and slightly jealous. I didn't dwell over his mood instead I watched as Anya walked over.
"Good to see you're conscious again." Anya spoke as her eyes traveled from my own blue orbs, over the bandaged wound and then over the crouching Bellamy.
"I would like a word with Clarke." Anya spoke to Bellamy, I looked from her serious and tense form to Bellamy's stubborn gaze.
"Then speak." Bellamy bit out, his head snapping and a hateful gaze pierced Anya's own amused stare.
"Privately..." She hissed out. I saw Bellamy spin as he stood up, his eyes sparking with anger. I'd missed something within the last few hours. Yes, Bellamy would hold a grudge, he'd even act hateful, but it was something that recently struck him to be acting so harshly towards the grounders.
I watched as Bellamy opened his mouth, about to threaten or hiss something menacing towards the grounder. I reacted quickly and rashly. I attempted to stand up, a small cry escaping my throat. I'd planned to step between the two, there was no point when Bellamy swiveled around and grabbed on to me.
"Clarke, you're going to pull your stitches. Sit down." His voice was still harsh, and still angry, but he'd softened his dark features and venomous tone as he dealt with me. I offered him a small painful smile. He quickly scooped up my legs and set me down on the ground.
His eyes never left mine. I could tell he was concerned, I also knew he was angry, I just didn't know why. I sighed and looked at the amused and irritated grounder behind him.
"Anya, can you give us a minute." I said, a small underlining confusion found its way in my tone. Her eyes drifted over Bellamy, obviously she knew something I didn't. I glanced at Bellamy in a silent question and then back at Anya as she nodded and walked over to the small tribe of grounders.
"Bellamy, what is going on?!" I demanded as I stared at him in confusion and uncertainty.
"Nothing, you fell unconscious, Anya stitched you up and we will start moving whenever you're ready." Bellamy spoke, his tone cold and detached, totally different from five minutes ago.
"Then what's going on with you?" I asked, for a moment I saw his eyes flash with disbelief and anger before his mask disclosed everything from me.
"Nothing's wrong with me princess." He shot back cockily and took a few steps away from me.
"Oh really, then why are you being so hostile towards Anya and the grounders?" I asked, my blue eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Explain yourself Bellamy Blake." I demanded.
He seemed to consider it for a moment before he cheekily replied. "I don't take orders from you, princess."
My blood boiled. What was he, bipolar? One moment he was worried about my health and pain tolerance and the next he was mocking and defying me. It was no secret we'd hated each other the first two weeks we'd been down on earth. He was a dictator and threatened the people and things I cared about.
Over time we got along and began to rely on each other. I hadn't expected us to always get along and agree with each other, but I didn't think it would be the second we'd all escaped that he would become the fake, ignorant, oh mighty leader that he pretended to be.
"I don't know what your problem is," I hissed at him, my own blue eyes fogging with anger and clear displeasure, "I won't let you ruin the chance for all of us to have peace with the grounders. You got that Blake?" I snapped, my defiant gaze piercing his slightly shocked look.
He didn't think about my words, he focused on my tone as his eyes glazed over with anger and control. "If I want to mess up some damn useless truce, I can." He bit back, his pride blocking his good judgment.
"Then you'll be leading us into a second war," I nearly yelled at him, "And this time... there won't be any survivors. Their lives, and blood will be on your hands!" I finished in a furious whisper and shoved him away from me. My blue eyes were wide in fury and my blonde hair fell in my face. The small rough wobble I had when I stood up didn't help me look any more menacing, but I continued to glare at the older boy.
He didn't retaliate like I expected him to. He stood and stated at me, his eyes just a furious and narrowed as mine. But his posture was defeated. He was listening to what I said, and he knew I was right. I took a small and calming breath and tried a different approach.
"Bellamy," I murmured and took a small step forward, so his eyes would have to meet mine, "Their lives are our responsibility. We're alone down here, if traveling with them for a few days puts us on good footing with one of the nine tribes... That's at least one tribe we won't have to worry about murdering us in the morning." I said quietly.
I watched as he exhaled and turned his head towards the ground, staring at it, weighing his thoughts. His wavy ebony hair fell and covered his chocolate eyes from my sight.
"They'll follow you in any decision. Sometimes the toughest decisions to make are the best ones." I said and then leaned against the tree behind me. I felt dizzy again, but didn't want to sit down.
"The second they cross us-" I interrupted Bellamy's start of an angry rant or threat.
"I know Bellamy, you'll send them all to hell." I murmured, a small hint of amusement crept into my voice. I looked away as his eyes fell on me.
"We'll begin heading back towards camp in fifteen minutes. You'll be hiking in the front with me." Bellamy stated sternly, leaving no room for complaints or other options.
His eyes flickered over Anya who was patiently waiting with a scowl on her face. I still didn't know why Bellamy was so tense. I understood why he'd hold a grudge and distrust the grounders; we had been at war with them. But there was no reason to start a second war if it could be prevented.
"I won't be far away. Shout if you need something." He muttered as Anya started towards us. I nodded and looked at my neat stitches once again.
"Thank you." I said quietly, Bellamy's eyes flashed with annoyance and anger once again as they met my blue orbs and then looked at my wound.
"I told you Anya stitched you up." He bit out, his eyes flashing with raging emotions. Jealously, anger, concern, worthless, vulnerability, and flickers of avoidance. I wondered if his attitude towards the grounders was because of me.
I quickly dismissed the thought. We didn't hate each other anymore, but he wouldn't care how I was stitched up if it meant the doctor and Co-Leader of the camp was okay. He stood up his face and eyes masked once again.
"Yes she did. But you stayed with me all night and cared, that's a lot more than anyones done for me in a while." I told him honestly, his eyes briefly flashed, he shrugged and a carefree cocky smirk worked its way on to his chiseled face.
"You're a valuable necessity for us to survive. We won't get far without a doctor, plus they listen to you when it's concerning their safety." Bellamy stated, his tone was detached and uncaring.
"That's not what I meant Bellamy..." I growled in annoyance. Why couldn't he take the compliments sincerity and just accept that some people saw his actions differently than the excuses he made for them.
"I know what you meant. But I'm telling you what my actions meant." He states and lifted his eyebrows for a douchy effect. I narrowed my eyes at him, I'd admit it stinged a little. Dismissing his emotions and small caring actions so quickly and easily. I knew he was lying, I just didn't know how to tell him I knew, so I didn't.
He seemed to have felt my small sorrow and irritation his words had caused. He started walking away, my eyes pinned to his back. As he passed Anya he turned around and glanced at the woman and then back at me. "Don't be getting sensitive on me princess!" He threw, a small smirk edging on to his face.
In that moment I knew he'd been lying about his actions towards me. I also knew I didn't have to say anything about it, because there wasn't anything to say. We were black and white, and no matter what excuse we had to come up with to justify our actions that kept us in our black and white world was acceptable.
We couldn't enter the gray oblivion; I just...
I questioned if we already had.
Jasper
We'd been walking for hours. We stopped late in the night when it was barely possible for all of us to see Monty's small beam of light provided by his life saving flashlight. We each took watch for two hours and then when the sun was one forth in the sky, we set out for the river.
I hoped Clarke, Bellamy, and the others would be patiently waiting for us at the river. I doubted we'd make it before the left. Though we were less noticable in our small group of four, it felt safer with a large group of rebel teenagers with guns.
It was nearly noon now, the rations Clarke had provided for us was small but it was only meant for two days of travel for four people. Along the way Monty had pointed out an apple tree and we'd collected some of the fruit.
We avoided the berry bushes, Clarke, Octavia, and Finn were a few of the people that came to mind anytime I saw bushes with fruit. They all knew what and what not to eat, or how to turn it edible. Even Bellamy probably knew a blueberry bush from a poisonous one.
The walk was quiet and boring. Miller didn't talk unless it was to throw sarcastic comments at Monty and I's conversations. And Grant was primarily silent, he always stayed alert and guided us to the river.
I'd wondered how Octavia was holding up, if she was okay. Clarke had told me she had left with Lincoln and went south east. I guessed she would be happy. She would probably enjoy seeing the renewed earth and traveling. Things were probably easier for her, she got to finally live a little; while things were built and a real home was being established here.
When she came back I knew she'd rejoin us. It still hurt that she loved the grounder and had chosen him over me. But I couldn't do anything about her choices. It was no secret that I'd been in love with her since I'd first laid eyes on her, which also was the night she was placed in lock down.
Maybe I was bad luck, but I loved her. I still do love her. First I loved her because of her natural beauty. Then I fell in love with her as I met her daring and Courageous personality. I was a laid back guy, down for whatever. She made me brave, she brought out the best of me.
I was upset, and I probably always would be. She'd chosen someone that she'd probably always be unhappy with, someone things would always be nearly impossible to be with, over me.
I'd die for her, and she didn't even bat an eye in my direction. Nothing other than a friend. I would always want her to be happy, and I would never intentionally ruin her happiness. But I did believe that over time, if she would have stayed with our remaining group, that she would have been happy with me.
That she would have eventually fallen in love with me, and Bellamy would give me his blessing; hopefully without having to be tortured for it, then we'd have a kid or two when we were older, and have our own family.
But she'd chosen Lincoln, and though she'd probably struggle with that decision, I'd always be here for her. Even if I was her second, third, or hundredth choice, I'd always choose her. Always. Because love didn't leave room for other options, and I was In-love with Octavia.
I sighed as I walked around a large tree branch. Love sucked, and unrequited love was a total bitch. Monty seemed to see my sadness and knew just how to cheer me up.
"I think there's sugar canes around here. It was near the river when we found them last time." Monty stated. I was about to comment when Miller beat me to it.
"Oh, Monty, are you going to make moonshine!" Miller sounded pleased by the idea. Monty looked towards Grant and then Miller.
"If we find the sugar cane, then I think I'd be able to cook some up by the end of tonight, Tomorrow night for sure." Monty spoke as he counted how long the sugar and radiated water would have to boil and steam before it turned into alcohol, on his fingers.
"What's the sugar cane look like?" Miller asked.
"It's green, strong stem, and long grass like frayed tops. Typically cluttered together and near water sources." Grant stated as he trudged forward.
"Do you celebrate with moonshine after you stab children and kill puppies?" I asked, a small laugh escaping at my joke. Grant shot me a warning luck and I sobered my laugh.
"We have our own alcoholic beverages and recipes." Grant spoke, his eyes calculating.
"Beer is easily made from barley. Barley isn't uncommon, though it's far west of mount weather. Wine is made from grapes, which are commonly grown around here. It's the main spring beverage we drink. Grain is common in this area, the grain, corn, barley, rye, and wheat can make Whiskey. Whiskey is easy like beer, it just takes more time and is stronger." Grant spoke. The large grounder paused in his walking as a familiar sound met our ears.
A small trinkling sound wasn't far off in the distance. We were less than half a mile away from the river. Though it was probably two or three by now, at least we were making head way. We'd be meeting up with the group by nightfall.
Clarke
I pushed off of the tree and took a few dizzy steps forward as Anya walked towards me. She eyed me with interest. I gave her a questioning look, still confused as to what was going on.
"He's..." She dropped off, both of us knowing how many names Bellamy Blake fit. We shared a small smile.
"What happened between you two while I was unconscious?" I asked, I spared a quick glance at Bellamy as he rallied everyone together and gave them directions to prepare for the days travel.
"He is by no means a doctor. He couldn't stitch you up himself and he refused to let me and piper sew you back together." Anya started, obviously I was missing something and Anya sighed in annoyance.
"He was jealous and soaking in his own self pity because he couldn't help you. He finally gave in and let us fix you, but it seemed to take a toll on his dominance and ego. He seems to still hold a grudge that we were the best thing for you, has that been common?" Anya explained in a bored tone but piped up in interest towards the end.
I blushed and looked away, confused and embarrassed by her question, I was quiet surprised to learn of why Bellamy was acting out. He was acting out and being rash towards the Grounders because he couldn't help me, because he wasn't invincible.
"Bellamy is..." What was he? He was a lot of things, not all good, but not all bad. I decided on the best word to describe him. "A very complicated person." I settled with and nodded my head. Complicated fit Bellamy like compassionate fit me.
"He's possessive that's what he is." Anya hissed lightly, obviously not affected by his attitude anymore but still irritated.
"Bellamy's a lot of things." I stated, but didn't let my mind wonder towards him.
"Your stitches seem to be holding well." Anya commented, sensing my confusion over the previous subject.
"Yeah, thank you for fixing me up. You have an incredibly steady hand, how were you taught?" I asked in general curiosity and amazement.
"When growing up we were taught things from our parents and grandparents. Anyone you could learn someone thing new from, you did." Anya explained light heartily, I wondered who she was thinking of.
"It looks like everyone is ready, we should get with the group." I stated, and begun to walk towards the large group of teenagers.
"Anya," I called to the older girl and turned around, "You know, there's no rush for you to leave." I stated, her eyes seemed to flash with something close to fear, I wasn't completely sure, so I let it go. She nodded and gave me a tight smile. I turned towards Bellamy and the ready delinquents.
I couldn't get the small flash of emotions Anya had briefly shown out of my head as I walked beside Bellamy, following the easy trail I had traced on my map.
Was she scared or uncomfortable around us? Was there a problem amongst her people? I questioned many possible ideas, each time it came back down to; What would she have to fear?
The Ark
It was almost four in the afternoon. The sun set around seven forty. We'd need to regroup at camp in roughly two hours to hand out food, start large fires, collect excess wood, and discuss what we were going to do.
The four council members on the ground all agreed that after one complete week of searching for the kids we'd have to move and find shelter for the winter. We'd have to settle down and fight through the cold.
It was already day four, and almost three fourths through the long day at that. We didn't have a single thought as to where, and why they'd leave. Raven had thought everything through multiple times, each time she only concluding the grounders had won, or they ran.
I sighed in frustration and looked all around me. I was in another clearing, searching for hints of footprints, clothes, weapons, anything they might have left behind. My searching group consisted of Kane, Callie, Jackson, three armed guardsmen, and seven civilians.
We hadn't found anything in four days, nothing. It was like they'd just vanished and all they left behind was an injured Raven and a burnt camp. The council wondered if Raven suffered insanity or a disease, they questioned I'd she was sane or if she was lying. They questioned if she'd been banned and was using all of us to protect her.
I didn't have proof to prove them wrong, but I did have their shame on my side. If they had any conspiracies about Raven they decided to keep it to themselves or out of my immediate hearing.
I had so many questions, my own conspiracies, I wasn't sleeping at night and couldn't stop thinking about Clarke. She hated me, I'd killed her father, to her I was as good as dead. I felt my body rack with a silent sob, a few tears falling to the ground.
I felt a comforting hand at my shoulder, I looked up and saw Kane with awkward shifting, unsure of how to comfort me. His small gesture went a long way for me, I seeked comfort. I pulled myself into his embrace and let myself break down in his arms.
"Sh-e-e's going to h-hate me for-ever." I choked out, my silent sibs becoming loud hiccups as tears collected and fell from my eyes at a fast pace.
"She won't hate you..." Kane tried, I knew this wasn't his area of expertise. But I needed someone that was tough. Callie would have broken down and began crying with me, which would have only made me feel worse. Jackson, though was good with words, wouldn't hold and understand that my only daughter hated me.
Kane understood my pain, and knew that I didn't want words of affirmation, he knew I just needed to be held and understood I wasn't alone. I buried myself deeper in his embrace and sobbed to myself.
I sobbed for Raven, I sobbed for the fourteen graves dug outside the camp, I sobbed for Thelonious, and finally; I sobbed for my lost family and the hope of being reunited with Clarke, I sobbed with hope that Clarke would allow me to explain myself and we'd both be okay after some time.
After twenty minutes I was calm and composed once again. We continued searching. It was nearly seven when we realized we were a few mikes from camp and the sun was beginning to set. I cursed myself for forgetting the time, we'd be traveling back when it was dark, and that was dangerous.
Raven and I hadn't noticed anymore watchers. She still didn't know who they were. She guessed a higher up or different type of grounder. It was the only thing that fit the description.
As we were walking back a large branch snapped. The guardsmen instantly had their guns out, as did Kane. I didn't take long for the shadow to Merge into the clearing. There stood a man, his hair was long and ratted, he wore animal skins and heavy clothing.
He had large and disgusting piercings all over his face. He wasn't one of our own. It was a possibility that he was a grounder, but he seemed to fit what Raven had discribed was a reaper. Raven said they knew nothing of the reapers. She didn't even know if they spoke English, or understood it.
"Who are you?" I asked through the silence and guardsmen waiting for an order to fire.
"You're all a long ways from home, aren't y'all." He commented, a devious smile creeping on his face, showing his missing teeth. I shivered in fear.
"Who are you?" This Time it was Kane who spoke. He'd stepped protectively in front of me, partially shielding me from the disgusting mans view, which I was silently thankful for.
"I'm what y'all call a reaper..." He stated proudly, his hazel eyes skimming over our group of fourteen.
Clarke
We'd been walked for nearly an hour, the trail was rough but do-able. Bellamy didn't allow me to carry anything, nor did he allow me to have a gun. Instead he'd given me my two knives back and told me to stay in a twenty foot range of him. I didn't mind, I just was utterly exhausted.
"You know if you're getting tired I can carry you, like a princess, of course." Bellamy shot sarcastically. I rolled my eyes and refrained from commenting. I recognized the area we were heading, even though it was nearly pitch black.
I was thankful for the thirty some flashlights we had, they helped us navigate through the cobwebs, tree roots, and large rocks. I knew we weren't more than two or three miles from the camp. I was irritated that Bellamy was right... I was tired, all I wanted was to lay down and rest.
My body was sore from being shot and enduring stitches, I still only had about three fourths of my blood, and I was mentally and emotionally exhausted. I felt Bellamy's piercing gaze on my back, I was half tempted to turn around and comment on his lingering stare, but I decided against it.
We were entering a clearing, just what caught our attention was bright fires that lite up the clearing next to this one. I could vaguely see a cliff and large hill like landing, but everything else was blocked by the mass of trees.
"Someone's there." Bellamy stated, his eyes focused solely ahead of him. I nodded in silent agreement. Anya quickly joined the front of the group.
"We should investigate, put out the flashlights, observe whoever they are." Anya suggested, her eyes taking in the small sight before her.
"We'll split up in three groups. One goes left, one goes right, the other takes middle." I stated logically, I felt Bellamy's uncertain look.
"Fine, but Finn is leading a group and you," His brown eyes bore intensely into my blue ones as he spoke to me, "You're coming with me." Bellamy stated, his eyes and posture leaving no room for argument. I stared him down for a moment. Anya cleared her throat and stared at both of us. We were wasting time, I sighed and nodded in a defeated manner.
Bellamy and I turned towards the group of remaining delinquents. Bellamy simply lifted a hand and split the line down the middle, motioning for half to follow Finn and half to follow us.
When all the lights were off, I felt Bellamy's hand rest on the lower portion of my back. I started forward, Bellamy at my side. I was secretly thankful We crept closer to the clearing, the light becoming brighter and sending shadows dancing around the clearing.
The sight shocked me. Inside the clearing were nearly two hundred ark survivors, and surrounding them were nearly sixty reapers. I took a step forward as I saw my mother, the instinct to protect her and warn the people I'd known since I was little was immensely strong. The only thing preventing me from doing so was Bellamy's arm wrapping around me waist and keeping me implanted where I was.
I swirled in his strong embrace and stared at his frown and calculating expression. "We have to help them..." I whispered, my blue eyes filling with unshed tears. Bellamy tilted his head down towards me at the sound of my muffled and worried voice. His frown was still deeply sketched in his face, but he nodded in understanding.
"Let's figure out what's going on before we jump into a massacre." He whispered in my ear, his hot breath tickling my skin. The warmth his body and light hot breathes that fanned my neck sent quick and inappropriate thoughts through my head, I quickly dismissed the idea. Thankful the darkness of the night hid my blush.
"I can't hear anything they're saying." He growled in my ear once more. His voice barely audible. His hot breath was still fanning my neck. A small shiver rippled down spine, I would blame it on the cold of the night because it was easier than thinking of the possibility that Bellamy Blake; had any effect over me.
It wouldn't be until many months later that I came to terms that it was simply Bellamy and that he did have an effect on me. A large effect.
The Ark
We were currently standing in a lighted clearing. There was a circle of reapers surrounding us. They'd tricked us. Some had make up fake stories to lead us here, while others said the were forced and couldn't fight back. It didn't matter how we'd all gotten here, it mattered that we were.
These pierced cave-like-man we're talking about how and who they wanted to eat first. About how they had finally escaped. Escaped from what or where? And about what they were going to do with so many of us.
Negotiating was useless, we had no leverage. They took our guns, our few supplies, and our only connection with Jaha and the Ark. The reapers hadn't killed anyone, not Yet anyways. Raven expressed they ate humans, they were cannibals.
My mind kept drifting back to Clarke, and how I'd die by being eaten to death and would never be reunited with my daughter. I didn't get a lot of time to think or accept my death when one of the reapers addressed me.
"Oh isn't she a pretty one... She looks so delicious." A reaper muttered as he pushed Callie and Kane away from me. Kane jumped to my defense ready to fight, it didn't take more than two guns pointed at his heart and head for him to stand still and watch me with fearful and critical eyes.
The reaper leaned in close to me, I tried to step backwards but he caught my wrist in a tight grip. I tried to jeer myself free but it was useless. He leaned in close to me and smelt the tips of my brown hair. I felt like I was going to throw up.
He opened his mouth as he roughly yanked my arm and prepared to bite my smooth skin. I closed my eyes in fear and anticipation. I could list thousands of other ways I'd liked to die by before being eaten to death within the first month on earth.
His teeth were just coming down in my olive skin when a shout and a loud gun shot echoed through the clearing.
"STOP!" The voice was familiar, the blonde hair I would recognize from anywhere. Standing partially in the clearing was my daughter. Clarke stood with a large gun pointed directly at the leader of the reapers.
His name had been mentioned, I was too stunned by seeing Clarke to recall his name. In the surprise of it all, the reaper had left me and turned to the new entree.
"Clarke..." I breathed, I felt tears of relief swell up in my eyes. But those were quickly replaced by tears of fear. She was all alone and there was fifty or sixty reapers that wanted to eat her flesh, and some had guns pointed directly at her, yet she stood her ground, her gun ready to fire and her mouth set in a hard line.
"You foolish little girl, you came all alone to try and save these people." The reaper leader had said and laughed a throaty and dry laugh.
"That is where you are foolish," Clarke hissed, her blue eyes shinning like jewels in the night, "I am not alone. I have one hundred men standing behind me, ready to slaughter all of you, this very second." She finished, her blonde hair blazing as bright as the fire against the blackness around the clearing.
"Then where is this army, huh?" The man with deep and ugly piercings challenged my daughter.
"In the tree tops, covering all sides of you, even amongst your own people." I knew when my daughter was lying, I felt it, like a sixth sense. She was lying through her teeth, but paranoia seemed like a good thing to use against them at the moment.
"Prove it, child." The man called as all the reapers laughed at her. I watched as she gridded her teeth together in irritation.
"Come forward." She called out, in a moment, a heavy stomping started. It sounded like thousands of soldiers were coming towards this very clearing. I glanced around waiting to see one. Finally I started to spot some, as the reapers were surrounded by a circle of teenagers.
The reaper leader seemed to pause in fear and think about his previous words and Challenges. The loud stomping that sounded like thousands of men continued.
"You dare challenge me and my thousands of men?" Clarke bit out, her eyes promising pain and bloodshed. I held my breath for a moment, I'd never seen Clarke look so menacing and blood thirsty in my life. She wasn't the same, I saw small flickers of the old Clarke.
A lot had changed on earth, and not just the earth itself. I meant with Clarke and her innocence. She was different, and I wasn't sure if it was a good different or not. I guess I'd just have to trust her.
"Our guns are far Superior to your small pistoles." A new voice chimed in, a man that I instantly recognized as Bellamy Blake stepped in behind Clarke. His eyes focused between any threat towards him and Clarke, to the silent and shocked reaper.
"Do you regret messing with the invaders now?" He spoke again and watched as the reaper recovered and quickly tried to explain himself.
"Can we just... Negotiate..." The reaper king tried, his eyes looking over the crowd of angry teenagers, they spotted and landed unsurely on a specific woman.
"Anya, what the hell is going on?" He demanded, the stomping picked up and the earth shook lightly. The reaper leader took an uncertain step backwards.
"Let's all three of us leaders negotiate, on top of the cliff!" He recommended, I watched as Clarke's blue eyes flickered to the cliff, then towards the boy standing beside her and then back to the pierced reaper.
"Fine, we can negotiate." Clarke spoke coldly.
Kane stepped forward preparing to represent us, he opened his mouth to speak when the reaper cut him off.
"You are not the leader." The reaper spoke, his voice rough but his eyes clear.
"She," He pointed at Clarke and then looked back at us, "Is the leader of your continuing race." The reapers eyes were trained back on Clarke's defiant gaze. I wanted to run up to her, hold her, tell her she didn't have to negotiate with this disgusting being. Her icy eyes held me in place.
"That is where you're wrong." Clarke spoke loudly, everyone's eyes were on her. The boy beside her looked at her, a small smirk on his face, the large gun was still expertly pointed at the cowering reaper.
"He," She motioned to the older boy beside her, "Is also a leader of these people, the people you call spacewalkers and invaders." Clarke stated, her blue eyes merging Bellamy's. She seemed to have made a statement not just to the reapers, but to us. She'd claimed us and protected us, she also made it clear that Bellamy was one of the leaders, and to join them, we would be agreeing to their terms.
Kane took a step forward, one of the reapers snapped a gun on his form, just a quickly as the gun pointed, two red lights where searching the reapers form. One light admitted from a dark skinned boy, and the other from a scrawnier kid with an axe tied to his jeans.
"You are the peacemaker I assume; I'd think this is a negotiating moment, so I'd like to speak with you." The reaper explained, his eyes trailing over my daughter. Clarke tilted her chin higher in the air.
"Fine." Clarke spoke with venom, her icy gaze turned and softened towards Bellamy's unhappy one. I saw him whisper a few things to her, he seemed just as uncertain and displeased by the situation as I was. I felt better knowing someone had been looking out and caring for Clarke.
A girl that I assumed to be a grounder, she looked only a few years older than Clarke stepped out of the circle and walked towards Clarke and the reaper leader. I saw Clarke quietly instruct the older boy beside her before she began walking towards the cliff.
"No weapons..." The reaper stated and set his gun down a few feet away from Bellamy. I saw the protesting look the older boy shot my daughter. She had a frown etched in her usually soft features, but nodded and dropped the gun at Bellamy's feet.
I saw Bellamy eye her boots as she took the lead up the hill, the grounder woman behind her by a few feet, though they seemed to be talking. The reaper king followed a good five meters behind the two girls.
Standing in front of us, we're still the reapers, our guns held in their hands and aimed at us. Behind them stood a group of almost one hundred. I looked behind me for Raven and saw the girl quietly sleeping and going unnoticed.
"Listen up," The ebony haired young man yelled to the one hundred that were currently protecting us, "Keep your guns trained on the reapers. We'll deal with the Ark survivors later." He stated, his eyes landing on Kane, brushing past mine, and then focusing on Clarke's retreating figure.
I saw the smallest tightening of his lips and his eyes narrowed as he watched my daughter. The older Blake kept his gun on the reaper following after Clarke and the grounder the entire time. His finger on the trigger and ready to shoot the man, the second he posed a threat to Clarke.
Authors note: Hello! What do you guys thinks going to happen? Are they really going to just "negotiate?" The grounders are scared of the reapers, and the reapers are scared of the spacewalkers, and the spacewalkers are scared of everything... It's like a food chain. Hahah, anyways, tell me what you think, what you want more of, less of, ect.
REVIEW! Please, how is fanfic writers are paid are in reviews! DON'T FORGET THE 100 GIVE AWAY, 20 reviews= update in 24 hours, and REVIEW!
WE FINALLY GET MORE LINCTAVIA NEXT CHAPTER! GET PUMPED! Also we get Chancellor Jaha's perspective! Is he really going to sit up there and die? Possibly, well see. Also I'm super curious as to which couple (pairing) you guys like better...?
Lincoln and Octavia or Jasper and Octavia?
I can do whatever, it's literally what you guys want. The only couple I won't change would be Bellarke, they are end game. Besides that all the characters are flexible. I kind of like the idea of Jasper and Octavia... But like I said if you guys are crazy about Lincoln and Octavia I will keep them the entire time.
I was thinking, obviously they'll be together for like twenty more chapters, but with what I have planned it would be okay if in the end Jasper is happy. So you guys would get Linctavia for like three fourths of the fanfiction, and then end game would be Jasper and Octavia... I don't know, so LET ME KNOW!?
Anyways, I was just thinking, so don't freak out. Hahaha, The three part escape is finished and next chapter we finally get to lead into small action and start our path to their new home! An awesome fight breaks out, and we have AN AMAZING BELLARKE MOMENT! IT'S SO GOOD! UGH let's bond over Monty's moonshine ;)
Until next chapters, my lovely Bellarke obsessors ;)!