Chapter 10

As they walked through the forest, Finn led the way and Wells followed up at the back of the group. Everyone was in awe of their surrounding including Clarke who had not seen earth like this in hundreds of years...her heart ached to know that Lexa was in this world again and they were not together. She was thinking about how she could make the first encounters with the grounders more congenial. She didn't want to go to war with them again if she could help it. They were already invaders in this land in the grounder's eyes but it wasn't until they crossed the river they are slowly making their way towards that the animosity started. She really didn't want Jasper to have to get speared again but it was important that someone did. It made everyone grow up and see the threats on the ground it brought every together against a seemingly common enemy. It was important for Jasper as well but at the same time, his trauma, unfortunately, escalated things between the grounders when he started shooting at the bridge.

She was so lost in thought she didn't notice Octavia coming up beside her at first,

"Before you get any ideas, Clarke, Finn is mine!"

"Octavia firstly I'm pretty sure Finn has a girlfriend called Raven back on the Arc and secondly I'm gay, so he is in no way my type," Clarke said this loud enough for everyone to hear including Finn. She didn't want him to get any ideas especially when her heart already belonged to Lexa but she also wanted to remind him of Raven. She did not want Raven to get hurt by her again. Obviously, she couldn't control what Finn does but she could make sure she wasn't an option.

Octavia awkwardly responded flushing red,

"Oh...um sorry...that's cool...have...have you got a girlfriend?"

"No not exactly had many opportunities in solitary, I only realized I was gay after I'd been locked up...by which point it was a little late to act."

"That sucks...hey maybe you'll meet someone here!" Octavia says brightly.

"Yeah, that would be nice" Clarke gives her a small smile, knowing in her heart there is only one person she wants to meet. Moments later Finn is crouching down and signalling for them to do the same, as she creeps forward Clarke sees the two-headed deer they saw in the previous lifetime. She's aware that people may not like it but, they got to eat.

Clarke makes a bit of a show of testing the weight of her spear and crinkling some leaves for wind direction, then she takes a deep breath. Levels her spear and throws it straight and true. Her spear strikes the deer through the shoulder incapacitating it, she wastes no time. Leaping over the hedge she quickly pulls out a sharp piece of metal and runs it across the deer's throat, stroking its head she whispers

"Yu gonplei ste odon, mochof" Clarke retrieves the spear and cleans it on the grass before setting it aside. Once she feels the last beat of the deer's heart, she closes the deer's eyes. Clarke then splits the stomach of the deer oblivious to everyone around her as she pulls out the innards of the deer. She then digs a small hole and buries them then cleans her hands on the grass. She stands and turns everyone is staring at her, a mixture of shock, admiration, and disgust.

"how the hell did you do that?!" Octavia exclaims her face filled with envy and admiration and not looking as grossed out as Monty or jasper.

"lucky shot I guess, the rest I learned from my research. The book I mentioned although doing it was a lot harder than writing it." Clarke tried to play it off not wanting to get too many questions. She instructed Wells and Jasper to grab some braces and pulled the rope out of her bag and worked to secure the dear to the branches so they could carry it back easily.

" Monty, Jasper would you mind carrying this back to camp and making sure that only those who have worked get to eat any of it? There are instructions in my book on how to skin the deer and treat the pelt but if you don't feel comfortable just wait until I get back and I'll have a go. Finn would you mind showing them the way back to camp and making sure nobody tried to take it from them."

Finn doesn't answer but skulks away with Monty and Jasper. Clarke turns to Octavia and Wells and says,

"let's continue on in search of some water and maybe some mushrooms or berries that might be safe." As they walk toward the river, Clarke points out mushrooms and does some tests to make sure they are what she thinks. Octavia looks at her,

"what on earth are you doing?"

"I'm checking the mushroom isn't poisonous, the first step is to make sure it looks right, then to scratch it and make sure it doesn't discolor and then lastly you put a little bit on the tip of your tongue if it doesn't start to burn or numb it safe to consume." Wells nods with Clarke,

"yeah, I remember when we learned that in earth skills," he says supportively. They carry on and by the time they reach the river, they have some elderberries, mushrooms, wild garlic, and some pine nuts in Clarke's backpack. As they approach, the river Clarke pulls the empty water sack from her bag and fills it with water. Wells also had brought two plastic casings from the drop ship and filled them with water. Clarke takes the seat belts out of her bag and grabs a long stick from the river bank and helps Wells use them to attach the containers so they can be easily carried.

Clarke takes off her backpack and approaches the vine that dangling over the river,

"Wells I'm just going to quickly scout what's across the river, I'll take my spear but I don't know what's over there so if anything happens get Octavia and the water back to camp. Octavia can you take my backpack and be ready to go, I'll be quick straight there and back I promise."

"Clarke I don't think you should do this it isn't safe we don't know what is over there you said yourself"

"Don't worry Well I promise I'm just going to have a quick look and then we'll head back." Octavia looks at her concerned but does not speak. This is it, Clarke thinks. She has to protect everyone else. She must be the one who gets hurt.

Clarke takes a deep breath grabs the vine giving it a quick tug before taking a few steps back to get a running start and swings across the river...