Chapter 2: Distrust

~ 'Deadly poisons are often concealed beneath sweet honey.'

The various colors of greens blended together seamlessly, as if an artist had painted the landscape. Miles of tall trees stood proudly, their leaves rustling in the soft breeze. The sky above was a bright baby blue, the sunlight filtering through the canopy, casting shadows on the ground beneath Sage's feet.

The air was intoxicating, Sage noted, a stark contrast from the air on the ark. She inhaled deeply, savouring the fragrance. As she let it out, the tension in her muscles relaxed briefly.

She was on Earth. She wasn't going to be executed today for her crimes in front of the people that had locked her up. The thought hadn't really settled in until now.

Sage wandered around the landing site, taking in the tapestry of various types of foliage, recalling some of the names from her Earth Skills textbooks. She reached her hand out and gently brushed her fingers along a bright green leaf, charmed by how soft it felt. For the first time in what felt like forever, she was free to explore, to touch, to feel.

Pushing her hair behind her ear, she listened to the excited cheers of the other prisoners as they celebrated their newfound freedom. Groups had formed quickly, friendships forged in the confides of the prison and before, finally reuniting. Her mind started to drift back to the Ark where Ryland was. She wasn't like the other prisoners of the skybox; she had been in solitary her entire sentence and wasn't allowed to mingle with the others. Even before her arrest, she never much cared for trivial things such as friends. Ryland was the only person who had any meaning to her, the only person who had dug himself into her life.

She was more alone down here than she was back up there in that cell, she realised, but she was free, she reminded herself. Raw, unfiltered freedom.

"Do you think we care who's in charge? We need to get to Mount Weather not because the Chancellor said so, but because the longer we wait, the hungrier we'll get and the harder this'll be. How long do you think we'll last without those supplies? We're looking at a twenty-mile trek, okay? So, if we want to get there before dark, we need to leave now."

The speech ceased Sage's trek, catching her attention, as she stopped and tilted her head to listen closer. A small crowd had started to form a few steps away from her. The blonde girl, the one who had been barking out orders within the drop ship, was the same girl commanding the crowd with an authoritative voice.

"I got a better idea. You two go, find it for us. Let the privileged do the hard work for a change."

This time, the young man in the guards uniform spoke up. Bellamy, Octavia had called him. Sage knew for a fact he was no guard. So why he was wearing their jacket, she didn't know. She also didn't know why he seemed familiar. Nevertheless, he seemed to have earned the respect of the others as they cheered along with him as he spoke.

As she observed him, an amused expression slowly spread across his tan face, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. The crowd around them erupted into chaos as a fight broke out, the sounds of shouting and scuffling filling the air.

"Look it's the Chancellor of Earth" one of the other boys taunted, hands balled into fists next to his face, moving into a fighting stance after shoving his opponent to the ground. Sage edged closer, weaving through the small crowd to get a better view. Her eyes widened just a bit as she spotted the dark-skinned boy, who had just struggled back onto his feet. His leg clearly injured, as he winced and limped with each step.

Wells Jaha, the Chancellors son. She recognized him instantly; her blood going cold at the thought of his father. What was the Chancellor's son doing down here? Sage wondered curiously, whatever the reason was, she needed to stay far away from him, the last thing she needed was to be recognized.

"Kids got one leg. How about you wait until it's a fair fight?"

Seemingly coming from nowhere another boy appeared, dropping into the midst of the commotion with surprising agility. His sudden arrival halted the brewing fight before it could even begin. Losing interest Sage turned to wander back into the trees.

"FALLON!"

Fuck. So much for not being recognized.

The crowd, which had only just begun to retreat from the recent commotion, halted abruptly as her last name echoed through the trees, reverberating with a chilling resonance. A tall, lean, but athletically built man forcefully shoved his way through the throng. Four others flanking him, their faces twisted with equal fury, until they stood at the centre of the gathering.

For a moment, Sage's feet felt glued to the ground, her mind racing with disbelief.

How was he here? How was this happening, Sage's thoughts scrambled to make sense of what she was seeing.

"What are you doing alive you murderous bitch!" the man spat, the fury in his eyes seemed to pulsate.

The crowd's murmurs grew hushed, all eyes now fixed on the unfolding drama.

Sage slowed her breathing, her eyes darting around the scene before her. Her fight or flight response was on high alert, but she couldn't decide which instinct would take over. Her fingers twitched, itching to grab the hidden blade tucked inside her boot.

"Dax, fancy seeing you here," Sage finally said, her voice cutting through the thick tension that hung over the group. She immediately regretted her sarcastic remark, knowing it would only escalate the situation.

Ryland always told her that her mouth would be the death of her.

"You're dead!" Dax shouted, his feet digging into the ground as he charged at her full force.

Screams erupted from the crowd as people scrambled to get out of the way.

Seconds before his fist could connect with her jaw, Sage ducked with lightning speed. The whoosh of his missed punch echoed in her ears as she planted her hands firmly on the ground for balance. With a swift, fluid motion, she swung her leg out in a powerful arc, her boot connecting with Dax's knee with a sickening crunch. He let out a pained yelp, collapsing to the ground in agony.

Sage didn't waste a moment. She sprang to her feet, her muscles coiled and ready for the next move. Her eyes darted around, scanning for the next threat. The four others who had flanked Dax began to move in on them but halted as Sage grabbed the back of Dax's jacket and yanked him up. She wrapped her arm around his neck and pressed the blade she had grabbed from her boot up against his throat.

"That's enough!" a commanding voice rang out, gaining everyone's attention. All eyes snapped to Bellamy, his presence demanding immediate attention.

"You don't understand, she's a murderer, she's dangerous," Dax tried to yell, his voice strained as he wriggled against the cold blade. Sage's grip tightened momentarily, her eyes narrowing. With a low growl, she removed the blade and shoved him forward, taking a few steps back to create some distance.

"If you don't recall, our crimes have been forgiven, no matter what they were," Bellamy spoke again, his voice steady and authoritative. His dark eyes, however, remained fixed on Sage, glaring down at her with suspicion and curiosity. He had been watching from the side lines, captivated by how the red headed girl had moved so effortlessly.

"This isn't over, Fallon; you'll get what's coming to you!" Dax shouted; his voice filled with venom as his lackeys hurried to help him off the ground. They retreated from view, casting wary glances back at Sage, who stood her ground, her expression unreadable. The air was thick with unresolved tension, the promise of future confrontations hanging heavily over her.

Great, maybe I would have been better off being executed on the Ark, Sage thought dryly.

The weight of the crowd's judgement pressed down on her, making her feel more isolated than ever. She glanced around, noting the wary glances and whispered conversations as the crowd dispersed leaving her standing there with her thoughts.

Dax Anderson… His name alone made her jaw tense and a sick feeling settled in her stomach.

She wasn't surprised that Dax had found himself locked up; violence was in his blood. Yet, he was still one of the last people she ever wanted to see again. Memories she tried and failed to bury resurfaced with a vengeance. The familiar, haunting images of blood splattered on steel walls flashed before her eyes, vivid and terrifying. Her chest tightened with bubbling anxiety, each breath slowly becoming a struggle as the past collided violently with the present.

"You're good with that thing."

Sage jumped slightly, her eyes darting to the familiar blonde from before. It was the first time she had been able to examine her up close. She took notice of the wavy stands of her hair that fell into a pair of bright, crystal blue eyes which seemed to bore into you with intensity and an air of authority. The girl had come up beside her and motioned towards the blade still clutched in Sage's hand.

Letting out a sigh as if to banish her previous thoughts away, with a small shrug, Sage bent down and slid the blade back into the holster hidden in her boot.

"We're heading to Mount Weather, we could use you," the blonde continued, her tone matter of fact. Then, as if just remembering her manners, she added sheepishly, "Sorry, I'm Clarke".

Not exactly very welcome here at this present time, Sage thought wryly.

"Sage, and ya I'll come." Maybe she would find somewhere else to go, far away from here.

"So, when do we leave?"

The boy who interrupted had long, dark brunette hair that fell in loose waves around his face, and his eyes were even darker, almost black. Sage recognized him as the one responsible for the deaths of the two boys on the drop ship upon landing.

Finn, the spacewalker.

"How are you going to carry enough food for a hundred survivors?" Wells asked, coming up from behind them, his voice steady but laced with scepticism. Though he directed his question at Clarke, his eyes lingered on Sage, who met his gaze with a blank expression.

Wells knew exactly who she was, and he knew he would be an idiot to say anything to her at this moment. He had crossed paths with her numerous times on the Ark, absorbing the whispers and stories about her that circulated among his father and the other council members, often when they thought he wasn't paying attention. She was indeed dangerous, and her reputation preceded her.

Finn leaned over, grabbing the shoulders of two others standing nearby. One was a scrawny young man of Asian descent, whose nervous energy was evident in his fidgeting. The other was a tall boy with oversized goggles perched precariously on his head, giving him a slightly comical appearance. Despite their contrasting looks, both seemed to share a mix of curiosity and apprehension as they waited for Finn to speak.

"Now there's five of us," Finn said, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.

"Sounds like a party, I'm in!" Octavia said as she bounded over to the small group, practically skipping as she approached. She came right up beside Sage and flashed her a friendly smile. Her brother followed close behind her, an unimpressed look on his face. "The hell you are," he barked at his sister, receiving nothing but an exasperated sigh and an eye roll in response.

"You're not my keeper," Octavia retorted, her tone defiant, clearly unimpressed.

Definitely siblings, Sage though amusingly.

Bellamy growled softly at his sister, frustration flickering across his features. But soon found his gaze drawn back to the red-haired girl standing a few steps away from him. She stood there with her arms hanging loosely at her sides, watching them all with a blank expression. However, he noticed there was something in her eyes that was calculating, as if she was studying them.

Murderer. Dangerous.

The words echoed in his mind like alarm bells.

She didn't appear dangerous, Bellamy thought as he scrutinized her.

She was petite and short, her head barely reaching his chin. She wore a dark blue and black hoodie that was at least two sizes too big, the fabric swallowing her small frame, and a pair of ragged, ripped black jeans. His eyes lingered on the large, jagged scar that marred her face, tracing its path from her temple down to her jawline, peeking out from beneath her red locks. When their eyes finally met, he was caught off guard by their peculiar colour, or rather, the lack thereof. Her eyes were a pale grey, almost ghostly, with a dark ring lining them, giving her an otherworldly appearance that was both unsettling and intriguing.

"It's dangerous O" Bellamy warned, his eyes never leaving the red headed girl, his brows furrowing. He had a strange sense that he had seen her before.

The way she fought, those eyes, and that tousled red hair…

"Everything's dangerous, Bellamy, but Sage is badass. She'll protect me," Octavia argued, as she threw her arm around the shorter girl. Sage's unusual eyes widened, and her shoulders tensed as she looked over at Octavia incredulously. If not for the seriousness of the situation, it would have been almost comical.

"Fine, go," Bellamy finally caved, unable to bring himself to ruin the first thing that had seemed to make his sister happy in a long time. His voice was heavy with reluctance, but the sight of Octavia's bright smile was enough to soften his resolve.

"Mwah!" Octavia exclaimed, making a playful kissing sound in his direction. Bellamy rolled his eyes, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth despite his worry. He watched as the small party turned to leave, heading into the dense forest.

The dirt was soft beneath Sage's feet as she took each calculated step through the dense forest. She had pulled her hair up into its usual high ponytail, allowing her to better listen to their surroundings. Every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs was amplified in the quiet, and she took in the sounds of the clumsier steps of her companions with a mix of irritation and amusement.

The humorous banter of the others was carefree and surreal. Sage had been locked in her cell for two long years, often going months without hearing another human voice. The guards who brought her food never spoke to her, and after countless attempts at conversation were met with silence, she had eventually given up trying. The only person she had talked to was Ryland, who somehow managed to sneak into her level from time to time. His visits were rare but precious, a brief respite from the crushing loneliness.

"So, murder huh, that's quite the accusation" it was Jasper, the one with the goggles who had spoken, breaking the small silence that had befallen the group. His tone was light, almost nonchalant, as if discussing the weather, completely oblivious to the incredulous looks he was receiving from the others.

"Jasper!" Monty barked, his tone sharp and reprimanding. Sage glanced back at them all with a raised eyebrow. They all stared back with cautious expressions on their faces. It was clear they didn't trust her and had only asked for her help because of her skills during her showdown with Dax. She couldn't really blame them—after all, she was just some random girl accused of murder, and now they were trekking through the woods with her alone, Sage thought.

"She doesn't owe us any answers," Octavia interjected, coming to Sage's defence, and without waiting for a response, jogged ahead of them.

"I didn't mean anything by it…" Jasper trailed off, shrugging his shoulders sheepishly at Sage. His attempt at casual conversation had clearly backfired, and he looked genuinely apologetic.

Sage sighed, her expression softening slightly. "It's alright, we all have a story," Sage finally spoke, motioning for them all to stop a few steps behind Octavia, who was standing on a small cliff overlooking a large body of water—something none of them had seen before.

"Oh damn, I love Earth," Jasper said as they all turned to watch Octavia shimmy out of her jeans, leaving her in a small tank top and a black undergarment.

"Octavia, what the hell are you doing?" Clarke barked as the brunette, who obviously ignored her, jumped into the water below.

A small giggle left Octavia's lips when the rest of them had run to the edge, a mix of panic and frustration on their faces.

"Come on in" Octavia taunted, letting her arms flow through the water, taking pleasure in the feeling of it washing over her warm skin.

"We can't swim!" Monty said amusingly, but laughed as Octavia stood, the water coming to her waist.

"Ya but you can stand."

Clarke let out an unimpressed sound as she turned away, pulling out the worn map she had been carrying in her pack. For a moment, Sage watched her, a tugging feeling of familiarity gnawing at the edges of her mind. Ever since she had first seen Clarke on the drop ship, and every time her authoritative voice rang out—usually to reprimand someone—Sage was reminded of someone else. Someone she and her mom knew. The resemblance was uncanny, and it stirred memories she had long forgotten.

"Do you know Abby Griffin?, "Sage couldn't help but ask the question. Clarke tore her attention away from the piece of paper and focused on Sage, her brows furrowing.

"She's my mom," Clarke stated suspiciously, watching as Sage's features softened at the reveal. "How do you know her?."

Sage hesitated for a moment, memories flooding back.

"Lorraine, you can't keep this up, you need to say something to Jaha."

The soft hum of the machinery in the medical ward barely blanketed their hushed voices. The bright fluorescent lights shone down from the ceiling, casting a stark, clinical glow over the room. The walls, made of steel like the rest of the Ark were dull, they seemed to absorb the light, making the space feel even more oppressive. Rows of identical beds lined the room, some occupied by a patient lost in their own world of pain or recovery. The air was thick with the scent of antiseptic, mingling with the faint, metallic tang of blood.

"Abby, you know I can't, they'll float him," her mom's soft voice sounded in response.

"Think of Sage! She doesn't deserve this, she's a little girl!"

"I am thinking of her! He is her only hope of survival, he can make her strong enough to survive this world."

"There is nothing to say that we will get to the ground in her lifetime Lorraine, she doesn't need to be trained like a soldier in a war! This is abuse!"

Sage's grey eyes fluttered open, only to be assaulted by the harsh glare of the fluorescent lights above. She winced and squeezed them shut again, the brightness leaving a lingering sting. As she lay there, she became acutely aware of a throbbing pain radiating from her left arm. It felt as though something was tightly wrapped around it, constricting her movements and sending sharp pulses of discomfort with every slight shift.

Summoning the courage to open her eyes once more, Sage blinked against the light, her vision slowly adjusting. She glanced down at her arm and saw it swathed in layers of bandages, held securely in place by a black sling.

"Oh, my baby! Your awake!" her mother's musical voice sounded from beside the less-then-comfy medical bed Sage was currently laying in. It was obvious they had thought she was still asleep when they started talking, not realizing she was listening intently.

"My mom worked with her on the Ark. They were close, I think" Sage explained, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "Abby helped us a lot." More than she could ever say…

Clarke's expression softened slightly, but the suspicion didn't entirely leave her eyes. "What was your mom's name?" she asked, her tone still cautious.

"Lorraine Fallon," Sage replied, a small smile playing on her lips as she remembered her mother. "She was a medic, like Abby. She was an OBGYN."

Clarke nodded slowly, the name seeming to ring a bell. "I think I remember her," she said, her voice softer now. Clarke couldn't help but take note of the way Sage said 'was' meaning her mother was no longer alive.

The tension between them eased slightly, the shared history creating a fragile bridge of understanding.

Clarke folded the map and tucked it back into her pack, her demeanor a bit more relaxed.

"There isn't supposed to be a river here," Clarke said, curiosity evident on her expression as she studied the unexpected waterway.

"Well, there is Princess, so you two get undressed and jump in," Finn interrupted, a sly smile spreading across his boyish face as he stared at Clarke up and down.

Clarke shot him a withering look, her eyes narrowing. "Very funny, Finn," she replied dryly, clearly unimpressed by his suggestion. Sage couldn't help but smirk at the exchange. It seemed the spacewalker had a bit of a crush.

"Octavia, get out of the water! Get out of the water now!" Jasper's voice boomed through the air, cutting through the laughter and ending any further banter. Sage, Clarke, and Finn sprinted to the embankment's edge, their hearts pounding in unison. They arrived just in time to see a massive shadow slice through the water, heading straight for Octavia.

Panic surged through them as the brunette suddenly vanished beneath the surface, the water closing over her with a chilling finality. "We have to distract it," Clarke barked, her voice sharp with urgency. She began pushing a large rock towards the cliff's edge, her muscles straining with the effort, Finn and Monty rushing to help.

The boulder splashed into the water causing the distraction they needed.

Octavia's scream echoed through the forest, a sound of pure terror that sent shivers down their spines. She burst from the water, her face contorted in pain, blood swirling around her in a crimson cloud. Without a moment's hesitation, Sage leaped into the water beside Octavia, the cold shock of it stealing her breath. She grabbed Octavia's arm and pushed off the lake's floor with all her strength, heading towards the shore.

Octavia clung to Sage's small frame, her grip tight with fear and desperation.

"Watch out!" Jasper shouted as the beast charged at the girls again, it's massive form cutting through the water with terrifying speed, slamming into Sage's side and knocking the air from her lungs. The next thing Sage knew, strong hands were pulling her from the water. Blinking against the bright light, she looked around to see Clarke had pulled her up, her face a mix of relief and determination. Jasper was beside them, cradling Octavia, who now lay across his chest, her breathing ragged but steady.

"Note to self, next time, save the girl," Monty joked, easing the tension as they all let out a small laugh.

"Thanks for saving me," Octavia said, leaning her back up against a massive rock along the shore. She looked over at Sage, who was squeezing water from her hoodie, droplets still falling from her red locks. Sage met Octavia's gaze and shrugged. "It was nothing," she responded, feeling a bit uncomfortable with gratitude.

"No, it wasn't nothing, I could have died" Octavia pushed, her eyes earnest. A small smile graced Sage's lips, the sincerity of Octavia's voice breaking through her discomfort. "Are you okay?" she continued, concern swimming in her green eyes. Sage pushed a finger into her side and winced as pain flared through her.

"Ya I'm fine, you'll have to owe me a life debt" Sage shrugged off jokingly, causing the brunette to giggle. It was such a carefree moment, Sage almost forgot them had almost just been killed by a giant water snake.

"Today Finn," Clarke barked, drawing the two girls attention back to the rest of the group. Finn, who was holding a long rope made of vines and wires tightly in his hands, was staring down at them with a cocky smile. It hung down from a large tree branch that stretched along the width of the river, as if it were perfectly placed for their needs. They were going to use it to cross the river and continue their trek to Mount Weather.

Sage watched with a smirk as Jasper scaled the cliff, his determination evident as he seized the chance to go first. His eyes never left Octavia's, holding her gaze from beside her.

He was showing off, thought Sage humorously. There was a striking resemblance between the boy with the goggles and Ryland. Not in looks but in their shared, always-happy personality, even in the darkest of times. The boy's charming, flirtatious banter flowed naturally, much like Ryland's, and he had the same need to always show off.

"See you on the other side! Yeah! Yeah!" Jasper howled as he jumped from the cliff and swung through the air, landing roughly on the other side of the embankment.

The rest of them let out cheers of excitement and laughter at the boy who was waving his hands in the air like he had just won a fight.

"Let's go Princess, you're up" Finn said, pulling Clarke up to the vine.

Suddenly, Sage's head snapped to the side as she eyed the trees behind them. Her eyes narrowed, scanning the ground with intense focus. A cold feeling settled in her stomach as thought she was being watched. Octavia shifted beside her, watching the young redhead curiously.

"Someone's out there," Sage whispered, more to herself than anything.

"That's impossible," Octavia fought back incredulously at Sage's assumption.

Almost as if the universe was helping prove her right, a chilling scream tore through the air. Octavia's eyes widened in horror as a large spear flew from high above in the trees, its deadly arc ending with a sickening thud as it embedded itself in Jasper's chest.

Time seemed to slow as Jasper's eyes went wide with shock, his hands instinctively reaching for the spear protruding from his chest. Blood blossomed around the wound, staining his shirt a deep crimson. He staggered, his legs giving way beneath him as he crumpled to the ground.

"Jasper!"

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Preview: Sage felt her heartbeat reverberate through her whole body as she walked cautiously through the trees. They knew, they all knew, or at least they thought they knew, what she had done, who she was.