Fears on Fire

Chapter Twenty

The moon shined down on Camp Jaha as everyone grew restless from our encounter from the Grounders. The guards stayed at the front of the gate, making sure nobody walked through the entrance way. I stepped out of the crashed ark station as I looked over the crowd to try and find Clarke or Bellamy. I felt the crisp wind brush up against my shoulders. I shivered, zipping up my black jacket that I was given by Bellamy. I heard the door of the medic tent open up. My mother walked through the entrance, making eye contact with me. I hadn't spoken to her since our argument last night. She soon appeared by my side, she glanced at me and smiled. "Has Clarke gotten back?" she asked. I shook my head, crossing my arms. I turned my head to look at the metal boundary, finding Clarke walking towards the gate. I heard the sound of footsteps trailing behind me. I turned around and saw Finn running towards my sister. He smiled in relief at the sight of my sister. They embraced each other before walking over to me and my mother.

Clarke glanced at me and smiled before giving me and Mother a hug. We waited till Clarke informed us of what the Commander had spoken. "What did she say?" I questioned, "Is there a chance for a truce?" At the corner of my eye, I saw the crowds of people slowly stepping towards us. I could sense the anger in the air among the people. "Yes," Clarke answered, her expression changed from relief to worry. My mother and I exchanged a worrisome look. Bellamy stepped over to us, strapping the gun to his back. "What's wrong?" I asked, "You have this look on your face telling us that something's wrong." Clarke sighed and uncrossed her arms. I put my arms at my side as the tension between us began to thicken. She breathed in and out before glancing up at Finn. I looked to my left and saw Raven had approached the group and I, standing beside my mother. "They want Finn," Clarke informed, "If we want a truce, we have to give them Finn."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Raven spoke, uncrossing her arms. "That's their offer," Clarke said. "That's not an offer," I said as I shook my head with disagreement. "It's punishment," Finn corrected, "For what happened at the village." I scoffed and shook my head once more. "Clarke, we can't just hand him over," I said, "There's got to be another way." My sister lowered her head then looked up from the ground.

"That's their offer," Clarke said. The crowd around us became restless, faces contorted with anger. "And what happens if we refuse?" Mother inquired, trying to think of another way. Finn crossed his arms as he stared at the dirt floor. "They attack," Clarke replied. Finn looked up from the ground with his face full of worry, I could practically see the wheels turning inside his mind. I looked beside myself and saw the people begin to inch closer. A couple of the men set their arms at their sides, fists clenched. "I say give him to them!" a man in grey shouted, "Get rid of him!"

"Give him to the Grounders!" another man yelled, stepping in front a group. A man with black hair walked forward to push Finn away. Raven moved to the left and pushed the man back. The civilians became defensive from Raven's actions. I rushed forward to help her, but was pulled back by another denier. I grabbed my gun in my left pocket and kneed the guy in the groin. He doubled back, Sargent Byrne held the man back. She gave me a small nod before dragging the man away. Bellamy reached forward and took my hand into his, pulling me away from the brawl. I gave him a reassuring smile, he slowly nodded his head.

****

The halls of The Ark station weren't as crowded as they usually were. Some people walked past Bellamy, Raven and I as we waited till my mother finished speaking with Jaha and Kane. The three of us waited very impatiently to know what's going to happen with our friend. We heard the sliding door open up, my mother walked passed us. "Mom, what's happening?" I questioned, following her down the hallway. I grabbed my mothers arm and turned her to look at me.

She rose her eyebrows at my action, I retreated my hand back to my side. "You were in there a long time," Bellamy said, joining my side. "There was a lot to talk about," Mother replied. "Well, what's going on?" Raven questioned. Some of the guards passed by us as we walked down the pathway of The Ark station. "There was a lot to talk about," Mother repeated. "Mom," I said, "We are not turning him over to the Grounders, do you know what they'll do to him?" She stopped walking and turned to look at us.