《Common Ground ⇥ Bellamy Blake》[ thirteen ]
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[edited 6 February 2017]
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•••
a log near the edge of camp, watching as teens danced around with full cups in their hands. She blinked up at him, the fire nearby casting a warm orange glow across her face.
"Hey," she smiled. "Having fun yet?"
"I need your help." Bellamy said.
"Sure, anything." she said with a simple shrug. "What are we doing?"
Bellamy sat down next to her, knees brushing as he leaned towards her. He whispered, "Finn set up a meeting with the grounder. Clarke wants us to go as back-up, in case anything goes wrong."
"The grounder?" Raine said in surprise, "As in the grounder that stabbed Finn and that you so barbarically tortured?"
He gave her a pointed look, "I was doing the right thing. Are you going to help or not?"
She sighed, "You already know the answer, Bellamy."
"She wants us to take guns, too. Are you okay with that?" he asked, a little unsure of himself.
Raine rolled her eyes, "Why wouldn't I be? Come on, we better get going."
She was already standing up, looking at Bellamy with a small smile on her lips. He returned it as he stood up, and Raine followed him towards Raven's tent where the mechanically gifted girl was checking the bullets. When Bellamy flicked the tent flap back Jasper was in there as well, sniffing the gun powder and shaking his head.
"This one is not good. Not good at all." He spoke, his words slightly slurred and it occurred to Raine that he might be a bit drunk.
"Jasper." Bellamy spoke, "You're coming with us."
Jasper looked surprised, "I am?"
Bellamy nodded, handing the boy a gun that he had picked up from beside him. Raine picked one up also, the cool metal making her feel a bit uneasy.
"You handed yourself well yesterday." Bellamy spoke, reaching to grab some bullets next to Raven.
"I – I guess so." Jasper said, running a hand through his hair and causing it to stick up in every angle.
Raven reached out and grabbed Bellamy's arm, stopping him from grabbing any bullets. She pointed to the bullets, "If you're planning on shooting with them I'd think twice. I haven't checked them yet."
"Well give me some bullets that work." Bellamy demanded.
"Well, what do you need them for?" Raven challenged, leaning on the counter as she looked up at the older boy. "I'm not just going to give you bullets because you asked for them."
Raine could tell that Bellamy was growing frustrated; he didn't like it when people questioned him. Bellamy's jaw feathered and he said, "Your boyfriend's being an idiot."
Raven thought about this for a second, turning and reaching behind her to grab four fully packed mags. She pressed them to Bellamy's chest, saying simply, "Then I'm coming with you."
Bellamy didn't protest, and Jasper poked his head over Bellamy's shoulder. "What about Clarke?"
Raine rolled her eyes and Raven suddenly looked bitter. She asked, "Clarke's with Finn isn't she?"
Bellamy ignored the question, turning and making his way back to the tent's exit. He stopped next to Raine, asking her, "You ready?"
Raine nodded, tightening her grip on her gun. "Let's do this."
•••
The forest was dark and silent as the group trekked through it. The moon shone through the trees, casting long shadows and making the trees appear menacing. Raine's heart was beating rapidly as she walked behind Bellamy, and she was almost sure he could hear it. Raven was silent behind her, still sulking about the possibility of Clarke being with Finn. Her mouth was pulled into a thin line as she stalked through the forest.
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Jasper, however, was stumbling around and cursing loudly as he tripped over a log. Raine hissed at the boy, "Be quiet!"
He looked sheepish as he said, "Oops?"
Raine rolled her eyes, Bellamy shaking his head as he continued forwards. Raine fell in step beside him, asking him, "Are you sure it was a good idea to bring Jasper? He's completely wasted."
Bellamy avoided her eyes as he responded, "I'm sure."
It was the only response she was going to get, so Raine fell back and followed him. He paused suddenly, bending down to the ground and scooping up a handful of nuts – the same ones that had been the cause of the horrible hallucinations the entire camp suffered only a few days ago.
"At least these things are good for something." Bellamy muttered, throwing them into a nearby bush.
"Clarke's leaving a trail?" Raine questioned, and Bellamy gave a single nod.
Beside her, Jasper stumbled and grinned at Raven, "Sorry for bringing Clarke and Finn up earlier – that was awkward."
"Shut up." Raven snapped out harshly.
"Both of you shut up!" Raine hissed, earning a glare from Raven.
"Mist is right." Bellamy said gruffly, "Follow me."
He walked off, disappearing amongst the trees and Raine skipped to keep up, not wanting to be left behind. Raven let out a low grumble and followed them, Jasper stumbling giddily behind her.
Light was beginning to filter through the trees, making Raine feel a bit more comfortable. She could hear water up ahead and guessed they were nearing a river. Sure enough, the trees ahead of her thinned out and she spotted a river. The soil beneath her boots soon turned to stones and she could see an old red bridge to her left.
On the bridge stood Clarke, Finn and Octavia. Bellamy stiffened, confused as to what his little sister was doing. Jasper peered up at the bridge, noticing the brown haired girl. "What is Octavia doing here?"
Just then, the trees rustled on the other side of the bridge and a figure appeared, jogging towards Octavia. Raine recognised them to be the grounder they had captured, although he was dressed in camp clothes. He jogged towards Octavia, who threw herself at him and wrapped her arms around him.
"Oh." Was all Jasper could say. His face had fallen and he was blinking rapidly. Raine placed an arm on his shoulder comfortingly, but he pushed it away.
"Guess we know how he got away." Raven snickered, but her mood soon crumbled when she saw Finn grab Clarke's hand. Raine snickered.
Bellamy raised his gun, peering through the eye piece to get a better look. A low rumbling filled the air and Raine snapped her head sideways, watching the trees where the grounder had come from. They were rustling, and Raine placed a hand on Bellamy's wrist, pulling his gun down.
"Wait, look." She spoke in a hushed tone, pointing to the trees. Two grounders broke through the trees, riding black horses and Raine gasped, "Are they... horses?"
A third ground appeared riding a large brown horse, and a scowl was on her face as she slowed her horse. Her eyes were outlined with black, making them appear beady and her two guards were dressed in tattered clothing, wearing what looked like skulls as masks. Long swords sat at their hips, and Raine subconsciously grabbed her staff.
She could faintly hear voices; her friends talking. Clarke began to walk forwards, Finn following, but he was stopped roughly by the grounder. There was hushed talking between the group on the bridge, and Raine could clearly make out the frown of Finn's features as he let Clarke walk across the bridge.
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The two leaders met in the middle of the bridge, the scowl still firm on the female grounder's lips. Raine watched as Clarke held out a hand for her to shake, but the grounder just looked at it with distaste.
Raven raised her gun to peer at them through her eye piece, muttering, "Grounder princess looks pissed."
Bellamy shrugged in response. "Our princess has that effect."
Raine shuffled from beside them, stretching her legs as they began to ache. Jasper began to shake his head, something in the trees to his left catching his eye. He looked at it more closely, his eyes widening in horror. He began to mutter, "Oh no, this is bad. This is bad, bad, bad."
Raine glanced at him, her face twisted into confusion, and she hissed, "Jordan, what are you talking about? You need to be quiet!"
He gave her a look at the use of his last name. His grip on the gun became clammy as he said, "There are grounders in the trees!"
Panic flared in Raine's chest and she raised her gun, trying to see them through her eye piece. But she couldn't see anything – neither could Bellamy or Raven.
"Where?" Raven asked, still looking through her gun.
"I don't see anyone." Bellamy lowered his gun, but Jasper shook his head.
"We need to shoot!" he burst through the tree line, revealing himself and he screamed, "Clarke! There are grounders in the trees! Run!"
He pulled the trigger on his gun, bullet spewing out and whizzing into the trees. Raine watched in horror as a dead grounder fell from one, still clutching a bow and arrow. Bellamy pushed past her, quickly raising his gun and shooting Anya in the arm, who was about to stab Clarke.
Raine pulled the trigger on her gun, feeling the familiar kick of her gun as it whirred into action. Bullets fired rapidly and she aimed at the trees, hitting a grounder who fell to the ground with a thud. The two grounders who had accompanied Anya began to fire arrows at Clarke, who fell to the ground with a scream as she covered her head. Finn ran across the bridge, grabbing the blonde and tugging her to safety.
Bellamy's hand lashed out and he grabbed Raine's, pulling her backwards into the trees and out of the way of oncoming arrows. Raine screamed to her friends, "We need to go!"
•••
Raine ran through the forest blindly, tree branches scratching at her face and arms. Ahead of her, Raven, Octavia and Jasper ran for their lives, arms pumping as they tried to put as much distance in between them and the grounders as possible. Octavia seemed to be lagging though, looking behind her desperately.
Clarke was running next to Raine, her eyes wide with fright as she almost tripped over a rock. Raine grabbed her, steadying her, and the two girls ran. Behind them, Bellamy tore through the forest, matching his pace with Finn.
The massive group ran for what felt like ages, and Raine's legs began to ache as she jumped over a fallen tree. Eventually, the camp came into sight and they stopped just outside the wall, panting heavily and wiping sweat off their foreheads.
Raine doubled over as she panted, sucking in deep lungful's of air. Strands of her chocolate hair had fallen out of her ponytail, and they curled around her forehead. She tucked them behind her ears half-heartedly. When she straightened up, she caught the way Finn was staring at Bellamy. His features were twisted into those of annoyance.
Bellamy caught the look, barking, "You got something to say?"
"I told you no guns!" Finn said hotly, gesturing angrily to Clarke.
"I told you we couldn't trust the grounders and I was right!" Clarke yelled in defence.
"And why didn't you tell me what you were up to?" Raven asked, her voice laced with hurt as she pointed to her boyfriend.
"I tried!" Finn retorted, "But you were too busy making bullets for your guns!"
"You're lucky she brought that!" Bellamy spat, pointing to Raven's gun. "They came there to kill you, Finn."
"You don't know that! Jasper fired the first shot!" Finn pointed at Jasper angrily. Jasper looked up in surprise, his eyes wide and anger engulfed Raine.
She stepped forwards and screamed, "Shut up! Don't try and pin this on Jasper – he saved your ass! Your grounder friends had their people in the trees, ready to shoot you and Clarke!"
Finn's nostrils flared and he clenched his fists, "They weren't going to shoot us!"
"Oh, and if Jasper hadn't fired the first shot then Clarke would be dead and you'd still be blaming him!" Raine exploded, throwing her gun at Finn. It clipped his shoulder and clattered to the ground. "He did what he thought was right! So do everyone a favour and shut up!"
She was breathing heavily by the end of her rant, everyone watching her with slightly parted mouths. Finn was going red in the face, his fists shaking. Raine glanced at Jasper, who was watching her with an expression she couldn't read.
Octavia stepped forward, hissing at Jasper, "It's all your fault."
Jasper looked shocked as she turned and marched away, and he called out, "I saved you! You're welcome!"
He pushed through the group, chasing after Octavia and Finn let out a scoff. Raine resisted the urge to punch him.
"Well if we weren't at war before, we sure as hell are now." Finn proclaimed, shaking his head. Bellamy was watching him with narrowed eyes, and Raine had her arms crossed in defiance. Clarke looked upset as he continued, "You didn't have to trust the grounders, you just had to trust me."
Then he stormed past, knocking Bellamy harshly on the shoulder as he did and Raven followed him silently. Raine looked at Bellamy and Clarke, mumbling, "I – I need a drink."
"Best Unity Day ever." Bellamy muttered sarcastically as he watched Raine walk into camp, disappearing behind the wall as she searched for something to drink.
There was a low rumble from above them, and when Bellamy turned, he could see a bright light flying through the air. Confused, he asked, "The Exodus ship? Your mum's early."
There was a smile of relief on Clarke's features, but it melted away when she realised the ship wasn't slowing down. "Wait, too fast... no parachute? Something's wrong."
The ship rocketed towards the ground, crashing into the ground and exploding into flames. There was a gasp from Clarke as a large cloud of fire appeared, easily engulfing the ship and killing everybody on board.
Clarke let out a pained sob as she fell to the ground, her eyes never breaking contact with the ship, even as they began to water. Behind Bellamy, Raine made her way back through the camp, eyeing the ship closely as a crowd of teenagers gathered around her. She watched as it exploded, the red glow of the explosion illuminating her face.
•••
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