Homecoming.
Ooooh, suddenly, Lauras is no longer seven years old. Now, she's just turned 18, and the action begins. There will be flashbacks giving some answers as to how she lived those years. But I won't drag out the story anymore; it's time for Laura to experience the ground again. If you are wondering about Laura's appearance, I imagine her as Molly C. Quinn. Especially her in Castle Season 6, episode 6; get a clue. It's possible to search for the episode on IMDB. If you guys have another picture in your head, that's also fine.
…
"Prisoner 301, face the wall." As a woman guard stepped forward, her black hair was slicked back into a neat ponytail. Her deep beige skin had tiny freckles across her face, and she had monolid-shaped light brown eyes. Her lips were pressed together sternly. She placed the box on the table and waited for Laura to move to the wall. Laura complied without a word, and the guard visibly relaxed. Laura recognised the female guard who guarded her during her isolation. She was the only person Laura had interacted with in the past year. The guard opened a box containing arm bracelets that were thick and made of metal, with small spikes emerging from the inside. Laura noticed the spikes immediately.
"Miss, is this necessary?" Laura asked, knowing she had little say in the matter. The guard didn't reply but took her right arm and placed the bracelet on her wrist. Laura winced and rubbed her wrist where her bracelet had pinched her.
The female guard threw a bag of clothes to her. Upon instructing her to change into the clothes provided, the female guard stepped out and locked the door behind her. Laura checked the bag and found a complete set of clothing inside. As she finished, she approached the door. Laura followed closely behind her. It was the day of her 18th birthday, the day of her performance review, and her execution. Laura had already made her peace with her second death. After all, not many could say they lived twice.
Laura changed into her new outfit: an old blue jacket, black cargo pants, old combat boots, and a black tank top. After putting her old clothes in an empty bag, she placed it on the bed. She knocked on the door several times, and after a while, the same female guard waiting outside opened the door.
As Laura opened the door, she was shocked to see the halls with guards escorting criminals in one direction. She turned to the female guard with questioning eyes.
"Am I being executed today?" Laura asked the guard who was transporting her. The guard turned briefly to her, and a small smile lifted the corner of her mouth. The guard remained silent and didn't utter a single word. As Laura and the guard walked, a blonde girl suddenly appeared from a few doors ahead of them. Two guards were chasing her. The girl stopped by the railing and faced the prison escort. An older woman ran past Laura and the guard to reach the blonde girl.
"Clarke, stop! Wait here," the woman told the guards, which was right behind Clarke.
"Mom? -"
"Prisoner 301, let's go." Laura and the guard walked past a mother and her child, heading towards their destination. They joined a line of other prisoners, many of whom were either asleep or under the influence of drugs. Laura couldn't help but think about this as they made their way to the first floor in the back of the building. There, they found a wall with a chair-like backrest screwed into it, with security straps attached. A young man, who appeared to be around 18 years old, was leaning against the other back strap. Laura adjusted her red hair and allowed the guard to secure the straps. Laura's hair had grown long, almost reaching the middle of her back. Sensing her struggle, the guard took out her hair tie and handed it to her.
"I suppose you need it more than I do now. Good luck," the guard said with a smile before walking away with the others.
"Ever heard of a haircut red?" The man beside her asked. Laura turned her head to the voice and asked. He looked like he recognised Laura.
"Sorry, do we know each other?" The man beside her gave out a small laugh. His face growing in a smirk, clearly in a teasing mood.
"I don't think I've ever seen someone with hair like yours; maybe we should mess it up together?" The man smirked at Laura. Laura chuckled as she gathered her curls into a loose ponytail.
"You can't be serious; this is too funny, little man." The man stopped instantly when he heard his nickname and frowned, annoyed.
"Hey, I'm no little man. I'll bet that I'm older than you by years." He frowned, almost like a child. Laura stopped in the middle of her laugh.
"Laura Johnson, 18. Laura smiled. The man seemed like he got caught off guard, and he scratched his head.
"Bellamy Blake, I am 23 and way older than you." He said with a childlike frown. Laura was just about to reply when the shuttle suddenly jolted. While trying to recall where she had heard that name before, she found the surroundings more pressing than the man next to her. As a result, she dismissed her thoughts and focused on the situation at hand.
"What's happening?" Laura looked around, clearly having the same questions as many of the others in front of her. Bellamy also looked around, seeming to search for something in the pod.
"You didn't know?" Bellamy began looking at Laura. Laura met his brown eyes; clearly, he knew more than her.
"Know what?" Laura asked.
"Think red; where would this escape shuttle go from the ark?" Bellamy said. Laura's eyes grew wide. Her mouth gaped, and her breath stopped for a few seconds. After so long, she is finally returning to what could only be Earth. Though it may not be her same universe, it is still her home. She can only hope it resembles her old home even a little bit. The shuttle shook, eliciting screams from the passengers. The screens flickered to life, displaying the face of Chancellor Thelonious Jaha.
"Prisoners of the ark, hear me now. You've been given a second chance, and as your chancellor, it is my hope that you see this as not just a chance for you but a chance for all of us. Indeed, for mankind itself. We have no idea what is waiting for you down there; if the odds of survival were better, we would've sent others. Frankly, we are sending you because your crimes have made you expendable. But those crimes will be forgiven, your records wiped clean. The drop site had been chosen carefully; Mount Weather was a military base built within a mountain before the last war. It was to be stocked with enough nonperishables to sustain 300 people for up to two years. Mount Weather is life; you must locate those supplies immediately. Your one responsibility is to stay alive."
After a few minutes, the pod began to shake violently due to the earth's atmosphere. Laura was frightened and placed her hand and head towards the wall while closing her eyes. Soon after, a hand came around hers, reassuring as the shuttle descended towards the ground. Laura opened her eyes and looked at Bellamy. She gave him a slight nod of appreciation for his help. Bellamy nodded back and closed his eyes as the pod crashed onto the ground. The machine was silent, which was unusual for the criminals accustomed to hearing a constant hum.
When he realised he could undo his straps, he let go of Laura's hand and headed towards the exit without looking back. Some teenagers started shouting directions to the exit, and soon, the lower level was filled with delinquent teenagers.
"Well, see you around, I guess", Laura muttered to herself, clearly abandoned. She undid her straps and joined everyone at the entrance to the ground. The hall was crowded, everyone arguing about who gets to open the door to Earth. Laura noticed Bellamy running to the front, stopping the others from getting out. Laura went to the front of the crowd and observed everyone around her.
"Hey, just back it up, guys." Bellamy was about to pull on the level before a "Stop" echoed around the room. Laura looked to find the voice belonging to that same girl she had seen in the hallways earlier. Clarke, was it?
"The air could be toxic." Clarke tried to reason with Bellamy.
"If the air's toxic were all dead anyway." Bellamy turned to the door, ready to open it.
"Bellamy?" A female voice asked as a figure climbed down the stairs. Laura looked between the girl and Bellamy. These two knew each other. The girl had long, straight brown hair. Her eyes were a mix of green and grey. Her nose was straight, and her cheekbones were defined. Laura couldn't discern anything else. The girl walked past everyone and straight to Bellamy; both seemed surprised to see each other.
"My god, look how big you are," Bellamy said, looking proud. The girl smiled and embraced Bellamy in a hug.
"The hell, are you wearing a guard uniform?"
"I borrowed it to get on the drop ship. Someone has got to keep an eye on you."
Laura was feeling bored as she glanced at the conversation happening around her. It seemed as if everyone had forgotten that there were probably tens and hundreds of people onboard the shuttle. Laura looked around and noticed that everyone else was invested in the conversation. Feeling hot from the trapped air, she began fanning her face lightly with her hand.
"Where is your wristband?" a question came from Clarke. The girl seemed annoyed by Clark's interruption.
"Do you mind? I haven't seen my brother in a year." The girl turned back to Bellamy. Everyone in the shuttle started to whisper. A brother? Laura had never even heard of it being allowed on the ark.
"No one has a brother." A boy's voice came from the crowd. The criminals around it seemed to agree.
"That's Octavia Blake, the girl they found hidden in the floor" Another girl's voice echoed in the crowd. Laura looked at Octavia. This may have struck a nerve with the girl, her face becoming angry. She was about to lash out at the crowd before Bellamy stopped her. He seemed to say something to Octavia, making her smile, and they both headed to the door to open it. Finally, Laura thought, it's about time to get out of this tin box.
The door opened, and a bright white light shone upon the criminals, everyone covering their eyes. Laura stepped behind Octavia and looked out into the bright sunlight.
Laura noticed the fresh air she had missed from her old life. However, she sensed that something was different this time. The air seemed purer, with no harmful gases or pollution, making it more refreshing. She looked around the wilderness and saw greenery everywhere. The trees were tall and stretched out for miles. The sky was pure blue, with the sun shining through the trees, warming everything. The wind was gentle and mild, although it had a crisp autumn edge. Everyone seemed transfixed by the beauty before Octavia took the first steps and jumped onto the ground.
Octavia seemed to inhale before she shouted. "Were back bitches!" and threw her arms in the air. Everyone started running out of the shuttle, clearly excited. After everyone else had left the shuttle, Laura stepped out cautiously and took a few steps onto the ground. She knelt and placed her hands in the soil, thinking Clara and Harry would have loved it. Her thoughts then drifted to the ark. Clara and Harry… Laura's eyes lowered. Maybe she could get in contact with the ark and make things right. Laura went inside the shuttle, trying to find the communications system. There, she found a guy in his late teens also searching for something. The guy turned to her, surprised to see her there.
"Hey, do you know where the communication systems are? I'm trying to reach the ark..." Laura asked the guy. He sighed and shook his head.
"That's what I'm trying to do. Let's go up on the roof and check the solar panels." The guy started. Laura nodded and followed him. He had short, curly black hair, deep brown skin, almond-shaped black eyes, a broad nose, and full lips.
"I'm Wells Jaha, by the way." Wells turned his head slightly and gave Laura a quick smile. Laura gave a smile of her own.
"Laura Johnson here." Laura smiled again. Wells stopped and turned to face Laura with a question on his face.
"Johnson... Are you the girl who was allowed to live by herself at seven?" Wells asked, one of his eyebrows raised slightly. Laura scratched the back of her hair, embarrassed.
"Well, yeah, but I wasn't alone. I had a guardian checking up on me," Laura said, the words coming out like a bitter taste in her mouth. Wells nodded understandingly. He seemed to sense Laura's reluctance to discuss the matter further, and they both ascended the stairs to the roof. The space was cramped, and they had to press together to climb up the latch and open it. Any awkwardness from the tight space soon dissipated when they saw the roof's condition.
"Well fuck us, right?" Laura joked with a severe expression on her face. Wells seemed to grunt in agreement. Several solar panels on the roof were missing or burnt, exposing crispy wires. Laura attempted to descend the ladder but lost footing, nearly plummeting onto the hard metal floor below. However, just in time, an arm wrapped around her waist and prevented her fall. Looking up, Laura saw an amused expression on Wells's face.
"Careful there." Wells joked. Laura smiled with embarrassment, quickly regaining her composure and climbing the ladder with Wells following closely behind.
"What should we do know?" Laura asked, looking at the now-closed hatch to the roof. Wells looked at her and around the shuttle before coming up with a plan.
"Let's go and ask Clarke; she might have an idea." Wells and Laura went together to the entrance, where they found Clarke with a map of the area. Clarke looked up at the pair, her face formed with a focused expression.
"Johnson and I found a problem. The communications system is dead. We went to the roof. A dozen panels were missing heat-fried the wires. "Wells began. Clarke looked at Laura, recognising her from the hallways earlier.
"Hey, Laura here. The roof was a mess indeed." Laura introduced herself.
"Clarke Griffin, all that matters right now is getting to Mount Weather." Clarke started. She showed the map to Laura and Wells.
"See? Look. This is us," Clarke pointed to the map. She drew a line across the map with a metal rod and charcoal. "This is where we need to get to if we want to survive." Laura looked at the line and back at Clarke.
"Isn't it important to tell the ark that we're alive?" Laura questioned Clarke. Clarke seemed to agree with Laura.
"Of course, it's important, but if we are to survive long enough to find a way to contact the ark, we need supplies," Clarke said, standing firm on her decision.
"Where did u learn to do that?" Wells asked, looking at the map. Clarke looked down at the map before giving a slight glance to Wells.
"Your father…" The air around them grew tense. Laura stood there awkwardly, trying to find a way to diffuse the situation before someone came from behind.
"Cool a map." The guy had brown hair and brown eyes. He had a blue jacket with a red hood. Black pants and boots. He had a pair of massive goggles around his head. He turned to Laura with a slick smile.
"They got a bar in this town; I'll buy you a beer. Jasper and Montey, at your service." He joked. He was pointing to the guy behind him.
A guy with tan skin, black hair, and black eyes with a monolid shape. That would be Monty. Before Laura could respond, Wells pushed the guy lightly away towards another Monty standing awkwardly in the background.
"Do you mind?" Wells asked, annoyed.
"Whoa, Hey, hey, hey. Hands off him. He's with us." Laura turned to the group of nine guys, all armed with sticks. One of them seemed to be the leader and stepped forward. He had brown hair above his ears, dark blue eyes, and a prominent nose.
"Relax, we're just trying to figure out where we are, Murphy", Wells started before being interrupted by Bellamy.
"We are on the ground; isn't that not good enough for you?" Bellamy asked with an arrogant smile. Wells looked around and locked eyes with Laura. She stepped forward. What happened with Bellamy? He's acting like an arrogant asshole right now, Laura thought, making her decision to speak.
"Look, whatever our location, we still need to locate Mount Weather to get supplies. You know, food, water, blankets, or something like that." Laura started. Octavia stood right next to Bellamy and gave Laura a challenging stare. 'Great, another girl who hates authority figures.' Laura thought.
"What, so now you're supposed to be in charge here? You, the nobody, the new chancellor, and the little princess?" Octavia joked, gaining a few laughs from the others.
"That's Laura Johnson, one of Sydney's people." A boy shouted, making all eyes go on Laura. Laura wanted to sigh in annoyance; she had forgotten how much of an idiot she had been when she was 18 the first time around. Clarke came forward, clearly not interested in Lauras' history.
"Do you think we care who's in charge? The longer we wait, the hungrier we get, and the harder this will be. How long do you think we'll last without supplies? We're looking at a 20-mile trek, ok? So, if we want to get there before dark, we must leave now." Clark's voice radiated authority, making the others stop and agree.
"I got a better idea. You three go, find it for us. Let the privileged do the hard work for a change." Everyone gave an echoed agreement.
"You're not listening; we all need to go-"Wells began before Murphy came from behind and pushed Wells.
"Look at this, everybody. The chancellor of the earth." Murphy began. Laura was about to step forward before Clarke stopped her.
"Look, Wells needs to handle this himself." Laura gave a quick nod to Clarke before they looked back to the exchange that evolved into a fight. Murphy kicked Wells in the foot, tackling him to the ground. Wells limped back onto his feet, ready to fight back, his fist closed and his face with determination. The crowd around them began to chant and cheer for the guy attacking Wells.
Suddenly, a guy jumped from the wall of the ark and stopped the fight.
"Kid has one leg. How about you wait until it's a fair fight." The guy stretched his arm forward and waited for Murphy to take it.
"I'm Finn, Let agree to be civil, right?" Murphy swatted Finn's hand away and walked away.
"Hey, spacewalker, rescue me next…" Octavia walked over to him, giving him a teasing smile. Everyone around them laughed. The spacewalker smiled at her before Bellamy came over, looking at Octavia with a pointed stare. Laura walked away with the others, leaving the siblings to talk peacefully.
Laura and Clarke helped Wells to the other side of the shuttle and let him sit down. Clarke looked at the leg before Finn walked over, looking for Clarke.
"So, mount weather. When do we leave?" Finn asked, looking at Clarke.
"Right now," Clarke said to Welles and continued. "We'll be back tomorrow with food," Clarke said, looking at wells.
"How are the two of you going to carry enough food for 100 people?" Wells asked. Finn turned around to grab a pair of guys. Laura recognised them both; Jasper and Monty turned around, confused.
"Four of us, can we go now?" Finn said. Clarke gave a nod.
"Sounds like a party, make it five." Octavia stepped forward, ready for an adventure. Clarke looked at Laura standing there.
"You're coming as well, Johnson?" Laura was about to agree before she thought about Wells and the apparent dislike from the others.
"Nah, I'll stay here and see if we can also forage some food here. Double our chances. "Clarke nodded and was about to speak again before Bellamy ran towards Octavia.
"The hell are you doing?" Bellamy asked, clearly distressed from having to protect his wild sister.
"Going for a walk," Octavia answered, embarrassed. Laura looked at them, wanting to snicker before noticing Clarkes' expression. Clarke went over to Finn, grabbed his right arm, and looked at the wrist bracelet.
"Hey, were you trying to take this off?" Clarke asked him.
"Yeah. So?" He answered with a chill indifference.
"So, this wristband transmits your vital signs to the ark. Take it off, and they'll think you're dead." Clarke stated.
"Should I care?" The spacewalker asked.
"Well, I don't know, do you want the people you love to think you're dead? Do you want them to follow you down here in two months? Because they won't if they think we're dying." Clarke said. Making the Finn agree, looking down at his feet before he looked back at Clarke.
"Okay. Now let's go."
Octavia said her goodbyes to her brother and started walking with the others. Clarke went over to Wells.
"You shouldn't have come here, wells," Clarke said before waving quickly to Laura. Laura, Bellamy, and Wells looked over at the group leaving.
…
Woah. That was the longest chapter yet. As you probably noticed, it's very similar to the show, with minor alterations. I had to make sure it made sense for Laura to know their name, considering she didn't know or remember any of them. And things will be more or the same in the beginning. But will Laura's presence make any changes? At the beginning of each chapter, until everything is uncovered, we will glimpse how Laura lived on the ark before she got locked up.