[edited 7 January 2017]

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•••

up the blade, turning it over in her hands, "This knife was made with metal from the drop ship."

"What do you mean?" Jasper asked, fidgeting uncomfortably. He had been doing that quite often, ever since he woke up. His hand was subconsciously pressed against his chest, where the large wound was healing.

Bellamy clenched his jaw, "Who else knows about this?"

"No-one, we bought it straight here." Octavia replied immediately.

"Clarke?" Jasper whispered, persuading the blonde to continue.

"It means the grounders didn't kill Wells. It was one of us." Clarke sighed. Ever since Wells had been found dead outside the camp, everyone had been on edge. They had all had reason to believe that it was grounders, but now it was obvious that it wasn't.

"So there's a murderer in the camp?" Jasper uttered in horror.

"There's more than one murderer in this camp." Bellamy spoke up, and Raine shook her head lightly. Bellamy saw it, but continued, "We need to keep this quiet."

Clarke glanced at the knife again, her face twisting into realisation, before she headed towards the door of the tent. Bellamy caught her, holding his hands out to stop her. She looked up at him, "Get the hell out of my way, Bellamy."

"Be smart about this." Bellamy told her firmly, "Look at what we've achieved–"

"You mean what you've achieved?" Raine butted in angrily, "After all, you do see yourself as the leader."

Bellamy shot her a look, but she just sneered at him. He continued, "Like it or not, us thinking the grounders killed Wells is good for us."

"Good for you, you mean?" Raine cut in again, walking around the table, "Keep people afraid and they'll work for you. Is that it?"

"Yeah, that's it." Bellamy nodded simply, "It's good for all of us. Fear of the grounders is building that wall, and besides what are you going to do? Just walk out there and ask the killer to step forward? You don't even know whose knife that is."

Clarke's face broke into a triumphant smirk, "Oh really? J-M. John Murphy. The people have a right to know."

She pushed past him, and Octavia and Jasper followed. Raine stared at Bellamy, a hard look on her face. He opened his mouth to say something, but she shook her head before leaving. Raine stepped out of the tent just in time to see Clarke shoving Murphy, "You son of a bitch!"

He laughed mockingly, "What's your problem?"

Raine watched as Clarke held up Murphy's knife, "You recognise this?"

Murphy's face dropped, his eyes widening as he took in the knife. Across the clearing, Charlotte's face paled. Murphy looked at Raine in confusion, "That's my knife, where'd you get it?"

He reached for it, but Clarke batted his hand away. Her face was pained as she said, "You dropped it after you killed Wells."

Something flashed in Murphy's eyes; something Raine recognised. Raine remembered that look. It was the look she was wearing as she accused of stealing. Murphy took a step back in surprise, "What?"

People stopped working, walking over to form a ring around the duo. They whispered as they looked at Murphy. Murphy shook his head, "The grounders killed Wells, not me."

Raine knew immediately that he was telling the truth. Something in her gut told her. She thought about speaking up, but Clarke was already speaking, "I know what you did. And you're going to pay for it."

Murphy rolled his eyes, "Oh, really?" his eyes flickered up to Bellamy, "Bellamy, you really believe this crap?"

"Bellamy..." Raine whispered under her breath in warning, watching as the older boy merely clenched his jaw. He was willing to let his right hand man fall.

Clarke was desperate as she yelled, "You threatened to kill him, and we all heard you! You hated Wells."

"Lots of people hated Wells, Clarke." Raine spoke up, stepping forwards. She felt Bellamy grab her bicep, but she shook him off. Clarke was looking at her in shock.

"What?" she asked Raine in fury.

"His dad locked all of us up, Clarke, even if some of us didn't deserve to be." She said, knowing that Clarke understood what she was saying. "We don't know if it was Murphy, there is no solid proof."

Clarke waved Murphy's knife in the air angrily, "This is his knife! He was the only one who got in a knife fight with Wells!"

"Yeah, I didn't kill him them either." Murphy spat.

"You tried to kill Jasper, too." Octavia shouted, and Raine cursed under her breath.

Jasper looked around with wide eyes, clutching at the scab on his chest, "W-what?"

Murphy looked frightened as he looked around, seeing the mass of people actually believing that he killed Wells. But then a smirk slid onto his face and he held his hands up, "Come on, this is ridiculous. I don't have to answer to you – I don't have to answer to anyone!"

"Come again?" Bellamy barked, and Raine wanted to punch him. She clenched her fists, looking up at him in pleading. He ignored her gaze.

Murphy seemed surprised that Bellamy had spoken, looking at him in desperation, "Bellamy, look I am telling you, man, I didn't do this."

"I believe him." Raine spoke loudly to Bellamy, challenging the man to look down at her.

Bellamy crossed his arms, looking at Raine and then at Murphy, "They found his fingers on the ground with your knife."

"That doesn't mean anything!" Raine exploded suddenly, causing everyone to jump. "I'm not supposed to be down here! I was framed! What's to say that Murphy isn't being framed, right now?"

"Why are you so quick to defend him?" Bellamy snapped.

"Because, like Clarke said earlier, every life down here matters." Raine glanced at Clarke pointedly while she said this, but the blonde shook her head.

"Is this the kind of society we want?" Clarke yelled, spinning around. "You say there should be no rules; does that mean that we can kill without punishment?"

"Look, I already told you. I didn't kill anyone." Murphy repeated, growing angry.

"I say we float him." A dark skinned boy yelled, and people nodded in agreement.

"That's not what I'm saying." Clarke ground out.

"Oh, really? Sounds like you are." Raine called out, crossing her arms in anger. Bellamy and Clarke had no way to prove that it was Murphy. So what, they found his knife lying next to Wells fingers? Anyone could have put it there; it was sloppy work.

"Why not?" the dark skinned boy continued, "He deserves to float; it's justice!"

"Revenge isn't justice!" Raine screamed out in frustration. Bellamy pulled her back roughly, attempting to silence the girl. Raine shot him a look that would've put him six feet under, but he glared at her. She hissed, "I don't give up as easily as you do."

"It's justice! Float him! Float him!" the boy yelled, other people joining in. Soon, everyone was chanting to float Murphy. Raine looked to Murphy, watching as the boy tried to run through the crowd. Someone stuck their foot out, and he went crashing to the ground.

Kicks rained down on him as everyone rushed forwards, connecting their feet with his body. Raine tried to pull someone off of him, but the boy spun around and punched her, sending her reeling backwards.

A red rope was tied around Murphy's hands and mouth, leaving his gagged. His screams were muffled as he was pulled upwards, four boys dragging him to the top of a small hill. They threw him down, Murphy's head butting with the ground as he rolled downwards, his face landing in a puddle of mud.

"You can't do this!" Raine screamed, but her voice was swallowed in the crowd. Someone threw a rope over a tree branch, and two boys began to tie it around Murphy's neck. Raine lunged forwards, trying to stop them, but was held back. "Get off of me! Let him go!" She whirled around to face the older boy. "You can stop this! Bellamy, they listen to you! Please, I'm begging you! Bellamy!"

Murphy was pulled off the ground, a crate pushed beneath his feet so he didn't die yet. The boy that had started all of this turned to Bellamy, "You should do it. Bellamy, Bellamy, Bellamy!"

Raine growled as she clutched at Bellamy's jacket, "Please, Bellamy! I know you're not a killer, I saw you in the woods with Atom! Please, don't do this!"

"Bellamy..." Murphy gurgled, the rope around his mouth muffling his words. A tear ran down Murphy's face as he shook his head in desperation.

"Please, trust me. He didn't do this! Believe me!" Raine tried desperately to connect with the man, but it wasn't working. Bellamy walked forwards, heading for the crate, and Raine clutched at his jacket. He turned around and pushed her backwards, silencing her.

Bellamy looked at her sadly, taking in her pained face. He didn't know why, but this mattered to her. Murphy not being hung was important to her. Murphy was important to her, and that made him jealous. He boot connected with the crate, and the rope snapped taught around Murphy's neck.

Whereas everyone cheered, Raine screamed out as she watched the boy dangle. She pushed Bellamy roughly, "How could you? Why?"

She tried to support Murphy's feet, but another boy grabbed her arms and dragged her backwards. Finn burst through the crowd, yelling, "What the hell are you doing? Cut him down! Charlotte, get out of here now! Cut him down!"

He was stopped, a boy holding a knife out threateningly. Charlotte let out a scream, "Stop, okay? Murphy didn't kill Wells! I did!"

A mixture of relief and disgust filled Raine, and she ran forward to grab the axe sitting in Bellamy's belt, cutting the rope. Murphy crashed to the ground, and Raine worked to loosen the rope around his neck. She ripped the gag from his face, the boy sucking in deep lungful's of air.

Bellamy's face dropped as realisation dawned; Charlotte had just been slaying her demons. Jaha was her demon, but she couldn't get him so she chose the next best thing. Wells.

And it was all Bellamy's fault.

•••

Murphy paced outside the tent, his face bloodied and bruised. He wiped his mouth, blood still fresh on his lips. "Bring out the girl, Bellamy!"

"Why, Charlotte?" Bellamy questioned in pain. Raine was sneering at the young girl, her arms crossed.

"Because, I was just slaying my demons! Like you told me!" she cried out, Raine's mouth falling open.

"Oh my god." She muttered, staring at Bellamy. She began to laugh at him. "Oh... my... god."

"What the hell is she talking about?" Clarke snapped, leaning over the table.

"She misunderstood me. Charlotte that is not what I meant." Bellamy said urgently, gripping the girls arm.

"Bring the girl out now!" Murphy screeched, his voice filling the air.

"Please don't let them hurt me!" Charlotte cried, shaking her head.

Raine rolled her eyes, "Boo-freaking-hoo! You're a murderer! You should be the one hanging!"

"Mist." Bellamy sneered, his lip curling in anger. "That's enough."

It was the first thing he had said to her all day, and it was in defence of the murderer. Raine scoffed in fury, shaking her head. She wanted to punch him so bad, but then again she always felt this way around him. Speaking of punches, the bruise on Raine's eye was beginning to swell, shutting it involuntarily.

"If you guys have any bright ideas, speak up." Bellamy said the Clarke and Finn.

"Give her up." Raine muttered bitterly, finally pushing Bellamy over the edge.

"Shut up, Raine!" he barked, surprising her. "If you're not going to help, get the hell out!"

"Me? You're the one helping a murderer!" Raine screamed back at him, clenching her fists.

"Help me." He begged her, making her fall quiet. He turned to a silent Finn and Clarke, holding a hand out, "Now you stay quiet?"

"Those are your boys out there!" Finn responded, nodding his head towards the door. "Control them!"

"This is not my fault!" Bellamy defended himself.

Raine mocked him, "'Slay your demons, Charlotte. Screw you, I'm not afraid.' Blah blah blah!"

"If she had listened to me, those idiots would still be building the wall!" Bellamy pointed at Clarke.

"You want to build a society, Princess? Let's build a society – bring her out!" Murphy said, pacing around the tent.

"No, please Bellamy." Charlotte sniffed, tears welling in her eyes.

Raine knew it was a load of bullshit – Charlotte was a liar and a murderer and deserved to face the consequences of her crimes. Everyone was so willing to hang Murphy even though he didn't do it, but now that Charlotte's confessed, everyone's protecting her because she's a little girl.

Bellamy knelt in front of the girl, placing his hands on her shoulders, "Charlotte, hey, it's going to be okay. Just... stay with them." He glanced at Clarke and Finn.

Raine sighed, "Look, she needs to face the consequences of her actions. Clarke, you said so yourself; do you want to build a society where people can kill and not get in trouble?"

"That was before I knew it was her!" Clarke snapped.

"You're not her damn mother!" Raine sneered, "And Bellamy, you're not her damn father, either. You're the deluded one Bellamy, not me."

A pained look crossed Bellamy's face as he watched Raine step out of the tent, officially choosing her side in the matter. When he slipped out of the tent, he spotted her standing next to Murphy, her arms crossed. Murphy smirked as he walked towards the older boy. "Well, look who decided to join us."

"Back off." Bellamy warned Murphy.

"Or what? What are you going to do, Bellamy? Hang me?" Murphy sneered, getting in Bellamy's face.

"I was just giving the people what they wanted." Bellamy retorted, clenching his jaw. His eyes landed on Raine, but her face remained blank.

"Yeah, that's a good idea." Murphy spoke, stepping backwards, "Why don't we do that right now? So who here wants to see the real murdered hung up?" he asked the crowded, raising an arm. "All in favour?"

Four people raised their arms, and Raine stepped towards Murphy. He smirked at her, "What about you, little rebel?"

Slowly, Raine raised her hand. Jasper and Octavia gaped at her, and Bellamy felt his gut clench. Murphy looked over the crowd, hearing the whispers that were against him. "So it's okay to string me up for nothing, but when this little bitch confesses you want to let her walk? Cowards! All of you are cowards!"

"Hey! Murphy!" Bellamy barked, "Murphy! It's over."

Raine watched on, her gut twisting in apprehension. Murphy paused for a moment, before stepping backwards, "Whatever you say, boss."

Raine knew that Murphy was up to something; he never backed down so easily. Sure enough, her thoughts were confirmed when Bellamy turned around and Murphy reached for a piece of wood, swinging it at Bellamy's head.

"Bellamy!" Raine screamed in warning, but the wood connected with the back of his head just as he turned around. He crumpled to the ground, and Octavia raced forwards towards her brother. Jasper stepped in front of her protectively, but Murphy swung his fist and it collided with Jasper's face, sending the boy flying to the ground.

"What the hell was that for?" Raine hissed at Murphy, who was checking the tent where Charlotte was only a few minutes ago.

"Charlotte!" he screamed angrily when he realised the girl was gone. "Charlotte I know you can hear me! When I find you, you are going to pay!"

"Murphy!" Raine yelled, "Answer me!"

Instead of providing a solid response, he only looked at her, "Let's go get our girl, little rebel."

•••

It was night, and the six of them were carrying large burning torches that provided the only source of light. Even the moon had hidden itself - not wanting to bear witness to what was happening. Raine felt a shiver run through her body from the cold. Murphy, however, wouldn't even feel it if Raine punched him, he was so hell bent of finding Charlotte.

"Charlotte! You can't hide forever!" he bellowed into the dark woods, jumping over a log.

"Don't worry, we won't hurt you!" a boy yelled out, snickering. Raine shot him a dark look before continuing. She wanted justice, not for the young girl to be tortured.

"Murphy! I'm over here!" Came a shrill cry, and Raine's heart began to race. Murphy sped off, grinning wickedly.

"Come on out, Charlotte! Come on out!" Murphy yelled.

There was more screaming, and Raine could make out a tall figure carrying the young girl. Bellamy. This caused Raine to quicken her pace. She and Murphy burst out of the woods to see Bellamy and Charlotte standing on the edge of a cliff.

"Bellamy!" Murphy snapped, the older boy pulling Charlotte behind him. He looked at Raine pleadingly, and it made Raine's heart ache. "You can't fight all of us, give her up."

"Maybe not, but I guarantee I'll take a few of you with me." Bellamy told the crowd, clenching his fists.

"Bellamy, stop!" Clarke erupted from the woods, Finn close on her trail.

Raine stepped in front of Murphy, the boy sneering at her. "Murphy, this has gone too far. Stringing her up is not justice, it's revenge. Just calm down and we'll talk about a punishment for her; one that doesn't involve her hanging from a tree."

Raine thought that her words had actually sunk in, but then Murphy lashed out and grabbed her. He spun her around and placed a knife to her throat, making Raine's breathing hitch. Bellamy eyes widened when he realised what was going on.

"I'm sick of listening to you talk." Murphy whispered in Raine's ear, the knife pressing tightly against her skin.

"Let her go–" Bellamy started but Murphy cut him off.

"I will slit her throat." He told Bellamy, and Bellamy believed him.

"No, please." Charlotte whimpered, "Please don't hurt her."

"Don't hurt her?" Murphy asked, and Charlotte nodded frantically. "Okay, I'll make you a deal; you come with me right now and I will let her go." He patted Raine's shoulder, and she wriggled in his grip.

"Murphy, what the hell–" Raine wheezed, feeling the knife bite her skin.

Bellamy held Charlotte back, the young girl screaming and writhing in his grip. She cried, "No I have to!"

Bellamy stopped her, holding her at arm's length. Then, he turned to face Murphy, "Murphy this is not happening."

Raine could feel the knife cut her skin, and she felt a droplet of blood run down her neck. Murphy's grip was vice-like; there was no way she could move without cutting herself even more.

Charlotte's eyes were filled with tears, and looked tired as she spoke, "I can't let any of you get hurt anymore. Not because of me; not after what I did."

The young girl turned around, throwing herself off the cliff. Bellamy collapsed to his knees, screaming out a 'no', and Clarke burst into tears. The grip on Raine vanished and she raced to Bellamy's side, placing her hand on his shoulder comfortingly.

There was no way Charlotte could have survived that fall. She was dead. Bellamy's face hardened, and he looked at Murphy threateningly. Murphy's face went slack when he realised that it was his fault, and he looked at the older boy, "Bellamy..."