Chapter 6
For the next two months, Clarke gets into a bit of a routine. She wakes up and does exercises in her small cell to strethen her body. Push up, sit ups using the books as weighs and cycling through a number of different exercises. Then, once she's warmed up, she works on her fighting skills, kicks, push-ups, and footwork. Trying to prepare herself for life on the ground. Her body has already begun to change and respond to her activities
She's thinner and more muscular her body has regained some muscle memory from her previous life, and she's happy with her progress.
After working out, she washes in her small sink and then moves to her research.
She's been reading all the earth skills books that the Arc has to offer, making notes of useful medicinal plants and drawing them in the notebook her mom provided. She writes detailed notes from memory on how to make snares, clean kills, and treat pelts. The earth skills books are mostly just a cover for the knowledge she already holds, but they do provide some useful things that she documents. She is essentially making a survival guide for earth.
After doing this for a couple for hours, she spends some time drawing in charcoal on the walls of her cell. She itches to draw the things she seen, and especially Lexa, but she knows that it could create complications if somebody saw. So, she sticks to the drawings she made in the past life, but within them, she hides Lexa's symbol as a way of keeping her close.
Intermittently, she get visits from Wells and her Mon with Wells she makes sure not to repeat the friction in their relationship from the previous timeline. He sneaks her charcoal and pencils and swaps out the books when she asks. They've become great friends again as close as they ever were.
With her mom, they spoke about the plans for Earth. Her Mom was shocked at first that Clarke had been right about what course would be taken and told her that they planned to send them in 1 month. She says she's put together a reasonable size medical kit for Clarke as requested and hidden it with the help of Sinclair under the seat allocated for Clarke in the drop ship.
Clarke, is pleased with the progress her Mom's made. With Clarke's prediction coming true, she's seen a shift in her mom's sentiment and loyalty to the Arc. Her mom has been making sure to feed every bit of information she has to Clarke to help prepare her. She knows that Clarke can easily become a leader to the youths that will be sent down so she's been making sure Clarke has everything she needs even going as far to convince the council to put enough food and water on the drop ship for one day. It's not much, but it's something.
Clarke knows what she's going to next share with her. Mom will probably be even harder to swallow.
" Mom, there's something else, something you should know..."
"What is it, Clarke?" Concern flooding her features and dread beginning to fill her stomach. What else could Clarke possibly tell her.
"I've over heard something while out of my cell for allocated shower time...there's a hit been put out on Jaha ..and I know you're first instinct will be to warn him but I need you not to"
"Clarke, how do you know this? When will it happen? Why shouldn't I tell him?"
" Mom, please listen, I think word is spreading about oxygen deprivation. People are starting to notice the symptoms to see that something is wrong. They think Jaha is hiding something, which, of course, he is. The reason I have asked you not to tell him is I need it to happen. Not for revenge for Dad, but because Jaha isn't the leader, these people need Mom... you are. I want you to let it happen and when it does, when you treat him, don't use more than the quota. If they find out you will be stripped of your position on the council and you won't be able to help me anymore, "
"Clarke, I don't think you understand what you're asking me. I'm a doctor. I took a pledge to do no harm...if I withhold this information, I'm harming him. "
"No, Mom, you are just letting it happen how it's supposed to. If you did stop this attempt, there could be others, or you could become a target. I need you to keep yourself safe. I need you to stay on the council. Please understand I need you exactly where you are, on the council you can help me. When Jaha goes, you can lead the rest of our people to earth. "
"I never wanted to be a leader, sweetie..."
"Neither do I Mom, but fate has different plans. You just have to be there to step up when it happens. I know you feel that you must do what is right, but believe me when I say this, Mom. His death is how our people survive, all our people, because you will be the leader we need."
"Clarke...I don't understand how you know this or how you know that I would expend resources to save him. But I will do as you say, I will not prevent it from happening and I will not use too many resources to save him...but I will try to save him with what I can."
"That's all I ask mom, I love you. Remember that"
" I love you too, Clarke. I will try and see you before you go...I'll try everything to protect you, Clarke."
"I know, Mom. I will do anything to protect you, too.".