Fallen

Chapter Six: Memories

Ten year old Ash walks down the hallway of the Ark, focused on her screen. She collides with a mass, causing her to stumble. The screen falls out of her hands and lands on the ground. She looks up to see a boy with messy brown hair.

"Sorry," he states, picking up the dropped device.

"No. It's my fault."

As he goes to hand her the device back, he sees what's on it.

"Comics?" he chuckles. "And here I was thinking you might just be a really young worker."

"I find them interesting," she mutters.

"I'll take your word. Bellamy."

"Ash."

*****

Bellamy leads a group through the woods in hopes of finding Octavia. Ash follows a bit behind. Octavia has been missing all day. Though Ash maybe angry with Bellamy, she needs to make sure Octavia is safe. Ever since she found out about her, she tried to protect her as well.

"It looks like she fell here," Finn calls out. They group hurries towards where he is. There are some damaged plants and a bit of blood at the bottom of the hill. "There are some footprints leading away."

The group goes to follow the path through the woods. Soon they come across impaled corpses, some already as skeletons, propped up as a warning.

"We're in Grounder territory," Bellamy calls. "Keep a sharp eye out."

*****

Ash knocks on the door, tears threatening to fall. Bellamy opens it looking at he in shock. She quickly embraces him and he hugs her back. He looks around before pulling her back inside. He pulls out a seat by the table for her. As she sits, he sits across from her. He gently wipes tears away from her cheeks.

"What happened?" he asks. 

"Mom was killed," she manages.

"Who did this?" 

She tries to gather herself some to tell him.

"Some radical. He was going for Dad instead but ended up killing Mom. Dr. Griffin couldn't save her."

He grabs her, letting her cry some more into his shirt. Once she cried all the tears she could, she pulls away. She focuses on her hands instead of looking him in the eye. That's when she notices a bit of fabric sticking out of the floor panels. 

"What is that?" she asks, pointing it out.

He notices it.

"Nothing," he quickly answers. She tries to pull it out, but can't. Instead, the panel moves slightly. The table weighing it down though.

"There's something down there," she responds, going to move the table.

"Ash, don't worry about it."

She ignores him and move the panel some. Only to see a girl about her age hiding in the hidden compartment. The place is full of blankets and pillows, making the tight space more comfortable.

"You have a sister," Ash gasps.

"Please don't tell anyone," Bellamy begs. 

"I would never," she tells him, looking him in the eyes. "No one should lose their family." She turns to the girl, who is cautiously getting from the hole. "I'm Ash."

"Octavia."

"Nice to meet you."

*****

"Has anyone seen John?" Roma asks. Everyone stops and looks around. A body falls in the middle of the group, almost hitting Ash. John lays there, blood staining his lifeless body.

"Run," Bellamy orders. The group takes off running. They keeps running as random spears or arrows fly past them. Ash keeps pushing herself though her legs are screaming to stop. Her eyes keep scanning around, trying to make sure her friends are still alive. Soon no new weapons are thrown towards them. Bellamy stumbles to a stop while ordering the others to follow suit.

 Ash trips while stopping, causing her to slide across the soft ground slightly. She stops right next to a tripwire only for Diggs to keep running through it. A log with spikes sings around, impaling him in the stomach. Ash scrambles to her feet as Roma screams. Roma takes off running in panic. The others go to follow her only to see the poor girl with a spear through her chest. 

"They're playing with us," Ash mutters. Jasper shakes his head before throwing his hands in the air.

"We are right here," he calls. "We are right here."

Grounders start surrounding them just as a horn is blown. The Grounders take off as Ash and Bellamy look at each other.

"Acid Fog," Ash calls. The delinquents rush to start pulling out tents and throwing them up enough for people to gather in. 

*****

Ash drinks from a cup as Bellamy walks over with Octavia. The young girl is wearing a mask similar to Ash's to blend in during the party. It's her first night out of the home. Unity Day Masquerade seemed like the only chance. Especially since Bellamy is on guard duty. The music is a bit loud but everyone is enjoying themselves. Teens are all around, dancing.

"You look handsome in your uniform," Ash smirks. He chuckles, rolling his eyes. Ash loops her arm with Octavia, handing her a cup. The girl takes a sip before coughing some. "Sorry. Forgot to warn you how strong it is. Farming station kids made it."

"You could get in trouble for having that," Bellamy jokes. 

"Are you going to arrest me?" she teases. Octavia goes to dance, staying in eye line of the others though. 

"The home next to mine opened up," he states. "The older couple passed away. Big enough for the three of us."

Unsure if it is because of the alcohol or what he said, but her face starts warming up. 

"Are you serious?"

"We've been talking about it for the past year. I can get it now and when you turn eighteen, you can move in."

Before she could respond, alarms start going off. Solar flare. The regular lights turn on and people are being made to line up and remove their masks. Ash stashes the cup where it can't be seen before finding the Blake siblings. 

"I'll take her back home," Ash tells him, looping her arm with Octavia. She notices he has his weapon. "And put that away. You'll look suspicious."

He hesitates before doing what she requested. Just as the two females are about to leave, Lieutenant Shumway walks over. 

"IDs please," he requests.

"I already scanned their IDs," Bellamy quickly answers. 

"You don't have a scanner."

Ash rolls her eyes before removing her mask.

"I'll owe you one if you let us go," she tells him. "My friend is feeling sick and I need to get her home before she throws up."

"I'm sorry Miss Kane, but I need to scan both of your IDs."

"Please," Bellamy pipes up. "From one guard to another, I will owe you one."

"You're not a guard," Shumway snaps. "And just because you're friends with a councilor's daughter also doesn't mean shit."

At this point, other guards are gathering around. Ash pushes Octavia to get her to start running. The young girl starts going but one grabs her.

"Let her go," Ash orders. Octavia's mask is ripped off of her face. Ash just acts, rushing towards the guards arresting Octavia. Before she knew what was happening, she punches one of them in the face, easily breaking his nose. A couple more guards rush over, restraining Ash as well. Some hold Bellamy back as he watches the two get dragged off. A tear falling down his face.