Chapter 18 Bellamy

That evening the rain began. The cracked streets reflected the moonlight from the water that gathered in puddles from the sudden showers. Venders had long since packed their wares and abandoned the empty ram shackled booths. The same ones they would return to the next morning. The sound of horse hooves clogging on the street echoed against the backdrop of music and laughing coming out of a bar nearby.

The team positioned themselves across from the alley where the two Ice Nation guards stood. It was a waiting game.

The house girl delivered the meals to the guards, along with their drink. They were served herbal tea. The tea was a staple, it aided in keeping the night guards alert and awake. The house girl delivered Shane and her assistant their dinner and tea.

The team watched as the two guards devoured their food and drink. The plan was simple. It was only about fifteen minutes before the guards were out.

The group rushed towards the guards at the rear door. They quickly removed their outer coats and bound them up tightly. Echo and Serge entered the front. The guard inside at the door was also fast asleep. The young house girl lightly knocked on the Shane's door before cracking it open and peeking inside. Shane and her assistant was sound asleep. Without going in the room, she quietly closed the door. She signaled to Echo, with a nod.

Echo and Serge went from room to room, everyone was sleeping. Things could not have gone better. "Thank you Laine," she told the girl. "Where do you normally have your dinner?"

"In the kitchen," Laine answered.

"Okay, go to the kitchen, drink the tea. You'll fall asleep like everyone else. No one will ever believe you were the one that slipped in the sleeping powder if you drink it too. It will be okay, think of it as getting a good well deserved rest."

Laine smiled. "Tell the sky warrior I hope he gets home safe," smiled Laine.

Echo smiled, she knew when Laine saw Bellamy she had formed a crush on him. "I will make sure Bellamy knows you were the one that helped save him, and if we ever meet up away from Ice Nation, I will make sure to take you to meet him, no matter where he is. I promise."

Laine smiled, then turned went into the kitchen to drink her tea.

Echo and Serge went to the entrance of the basement where Bellamy was imprisoned. They shoved the guard aside that was asleep at the door. They cracked open the door and were immediately met at the door by one of the guards. "What's happened?" Echo asked him. "Everyone has been poisoned or something. I've searched and I think we may be under attack! Have you checked out back?"

"No," said the guard. He looked out into the hall and saw the guards all laid out. Echo rushed past him, he turned to follow. "Wait," said Serge, "I need a weapon or something, if we are under attack," The guard looked around. Then Serge grabbed a shovel that was in one of the empty cells. "Okay," he said as he raised it to use as a club. "I'm ready."

The guard slowly opened to door peering outside. Serge swung hard, hitting him across the back of the head, knocking the last guard out cold. "That was too easy," said Serge.

Echo opened the door the rest of the way, letting Lincoln and the others inside. "We need to move fast," she said. She looked at Miller and Monroe. "You two follow me," she said as she raced back upstairs.

Lincoln, Serge, Monte and Jasper began moving the guards into one of the empty cells chaining them to the wall. "They are going to be pissed when they wake up," smiled Jasper.

"Yes but it will buy us some time. Especially when they find out we have the keys," said Monty grinning back.

Miller and Monroe followed Echo to Clarke's room, she opened the door and Clarke rushed out. She saw Monroe and Miller. "Miller, Monroe" she said as she hugged them both. "How are you…?"

"We don't have time," said Echo. "We need to get the guards chained up, and we need to hurry,' said Echo.

"Bellamy, have you freed him?" asked Clarke

"The others are down there, we need your help here first," said Echo.

They hurried and shackled all the guards to each other, hands to feet then taking all the keys. They worked fast then rushed downstairs into the basement where the cells were.

Lincoln and Serge were chaining the last guard as Monty and Jasper were unchaining Bellamy. Clarke and the others came in. Clarke rushed to them giving quick hugs before focusing on Bellamy.

Bellamy was coming to. "Monty, Jasper? Why are you here…" he struggled to say. "You need to get away, not safe…"

"Were rescuing you, can't you tell?" smiled Monty.

Bellamy struggled to sit up, but it was difficult, he was hurting and weak. He struggled to his feet with Monty's help. He was feverish, weak and in extreme pain. Clarke tied up his broken arm, she noticed he kept his eyes closed and tried to avoid eye contact with her. He made his way out with the others. He was having rough time breathing, and was sweating heavily. He got to the cart and struggled to crawl in. Clarke resisted the urge to help him; she sensed something in his demeanor that told her to give him space.

All the guards had been chained. All the keys were collected. The group made their way outside. They had a cart waiting and horses. Echo and Monty drove the cart. Clarke was in back with Bellamy. The others were on horseback except for Serge. He had the Ice Nation Caged wagon that had been in the alley along with a spare saddled horse. He went in the opposite direction as the others. Lincoln led his group along a well-traveled path. The rain was still falling lightly.

Serge went where a fresh path would be easily followed, running the horses fast and hard. When he had traveled far enough he unhitched the horses and set them loose. He set the cart on fire, and followed the direction of the horses until it was safe to head in a different direction.

Lincoln knew of hidden caverns he would explore as a boy. The group could hide out in the caverns and allow Bellamy time to heal. They weren't in the direction of Camp Jaha, but they knew that would be the first direction they would be expected to take. They didn't take a direct path in case they were followed. Hopefully Serge's decoy would work, but they had to be cautious. When they finally left the main well-worn path, they took extra care covering their tracks.

Clarke could tell Bellamy was becoming agitated. He tried sitting up, but he felt every bump, finally he lay on his back, it was a little better. He shivered, and covered is face with his good arm draping it over his eyes as he tried to shield his face from the rain.

Finally they reached the area closest to the cave's entrance. They couldn't go any farther with the cart. They unloaded their supplies. The cave entrance was well hidden. They made their way inside, where the room opened to a large cavern, stalagmites separating sections from one another.

Lincoln and Miller rode several miles with the horses and the cart. Lincoln knew of a small village. He left the horses and cart with them. He would be able to return and get them when they were needed. He would visit the village as a boy and knew they could be trusted.

Bellamy stopped at the first clear spot he came to inside the cavern. He sunk down slowly against one of the large stalagmite pillars. He was ready to collapse. Clarke was at his side immediately. He tried to push her away. "Bellamy, I need to look at that arm and check your ribs," she said, unsure at why he was being difficult.

"I'm fine, I just need to rest," he said between painful breaths.

"No, you're not fine," said Clarke. "I'm afraid that arm may have to be reset, and I need to check those ribs," she said "Why are you being like this?"

"Please just let me rest," he said as he closed his eyes and turned his head away.

Clarke noticed his demeanor was off, more than his injury or his fever; he wasn't the same cocky Bellamy. He was quiet, almost hollow, like a shell of his former self. It was like his light had gone out and Clarke needed to know why and what she could do for him. "Bellamy," she said softly, "Don't shut me out, please let me help you." she begged softly.

"Oh my God, you guys have to see this!" shouted Monty from around the corner.

Clarke ignoring Monty just looked at Bellamy. Finally she stood and turned to see what Monty found.

Jasper and Monroe went running towards him. "Is that a hot spring?" asked Monroe.

"Oh I think I have found heaven!" said Monty, as he began removing his shirt.

"Careful, we don't know what maybe in there, remember the snake that bit Octavia?" Jasper said.

"It's clear, I can see all the way to the other side," said Monty.

Clarke smiled at the site of the hot spring despite Bellamy's mood. Thinking a good soak would do her good. But later, first she needed to reset Bellamy's arm, and check his ribs.

Echo watched the group from a distance. She focused on Bellamy and Clarke. She could see the tension between them. Although she had only known Bellamy briefly, she could tell he was extremely bothered by something. She owed him her life, now that she had rescued him from Ice Nation, she figured they were even. She found him extremely brave and attractive, but she could tell there was something between him and Clarke. She would say her goodbye and be off when Serge met up with them. She already cut her ties with Ice Nation when she let him escape. She would travel south and meet up with Riverkru. She had friends there. They were her safe haven, far away from Ice nation.