Fallen

Chapter Ten: The Virus

People rummage through the wreckage, trying to find the black box for Raven. There is some hope of finding out why it crashed. Also could get some scraps to fix the radio. They still haven't had any contact with the Ark. A loud boom causes Ash to flinch and turn towards Raven.

"We need to clear out," the young mechanic orders. Bellamy repeats it to those out of earshot before they walk back to camp. Ash takes up the rear of the group, Raven walking beside her. "I'm sorry about your dad," she tells her.

"We're on our own now," Ash mutters, glancing back towards the wreckage. 

"For now."

Once back inside the camp, everyone goes back to working on their tasks. Ash helps work on building the meat smoke building. They are overlaying materials to trap smoke but still allow ventilation so the person inside can breathe. Ash happens to glance over to see a bloodied Murphy being taken into the dropship. She quickly lays the log in place before hurrying inside. Many are leaving the building on Bellamy's order.

"Why did you come back?" Ash snaps at Murphy, who is curled up on the ground. Bellamy aims his gun at him.

"He knew the risk coming back here."

"Wait," Finn interrupts, stepping in between. "He may be able to tell us about the Grounders."

"He's right," Clarke adds, bending down by Murphy. She gently looks at his hand. "They tortured him. They removed his fingernails."

"What did you tell them?" Bellamy snaps. 

"Everything," Murphy responds.

"Let him get better and then force him to leave again," Clarke suggests. "If not, then kill him."

*****

People soon end up sick, coughing up blood or having it run down their faces. Clarke had everyone that physically touched Murphy to quarantine in the dropship on a different level from those who are sick. Ash walks over to Bellamy.

"What are we going to do?" she asks him.

"Now you want to talk?" he sneers.

"Get over yourself. I am talking about our people. Panic is ensuing and the quarantine is not working."

"I've noticed that too."

"Not everyone seems to be effected, so is through contact or is airborne and not everyone develops symptoms?"

"This is something you should be talking to Clarke."

"Well I would if it weren't for the fact she is busy trying to save lives. That leaves you as the only available leader."

"Available? I am trying to find a way to keep Grounders from attacking us while we're short handed."

"I don't know. Blow up the fucking bridge or something." 

She turns to let out a cough. As she pulls her arm away from covering her mouth, she sees red splattered. Her eyes widen before backing up some.

"Your eyes," he points out. "You need to get to the dropship now."

She agrees and goes to take a few steps. Bellamy's instinct kicks in and he starts going to help her.

"Stay back," she orders. Her legs give out and he quickly catches her. He scoops her up before rushing her inside. Clarke looks at the two of them.

"Over here," she orders, laying out a blanket. Bellamy lays her down carefully as she starts coughing even more. He helps Clarke turn her on her side as she hacks up more blood. Murphy starts hurrying over to help.

"You stay away from her," Bellamy snarls.

"He's helping us," Clarke states. She notices his concern. "I won't let anything happen to her. Wash yourself and change. They need you out there."

He hesitates a moment before doing what he is told. Murphy comes over and gently dabs her forehead with a cool, wet cloth.

*****

Bellamy stand there, looking at the sketched out map of the woods. Finn and Raven are also there to find something out.

"We could blow it up," Finn suggests.

"Ash said the same thing," Bellamy mutters before speaking up. "It survived all this time."

"It hasn't dealt with me," Raven states. "I can use the hydrazine and gunpowder to make a bomb. Someone just has to shoot it from about two hundred feet."

They look at each other.

"I'll do it," Finn states.

"But you won't pick up a gun," Bellamy points out.

"If no one is on the bridge, I'm not killing anyone."

"You know the people that created the A-bomb also wanted peace, right?"

"Who else is going to take the shot?"

"Bellamy," Raven snaps. "You're nose."

He places his hand under his nose to feel the blood running down. He stumbles out of the tent, calling Jasper over.

"I need you take a two hundred foot shot," he tells him.

"Because I am the only one not sick?"

"Don't miss."

Bellamy tries to take a couple more steps only to stumble forward. Jasper calls others over for help, who quickly take him into the dropship. Octavia spots her older brother being helped in.

"Over here," she orders. He is laid down as Octavia rushes over. "Hey, big brother."

"I'm scared," he quietly admits to her.

"I won't let anything happen to you, I promise."

"That's what I said to you the day you were born."

"I know. You told me a thousand times."

"I'm glad you're here."

"Just get some rest, okay?"

She walks away and he feels something brush against his hand. He turns some time see a weak Ash grabbing his hand. He manages to turn to his side, coughing.

"We'll make it through this," she manages, before coughing. He grabs her hand, putting on a weak smile.

"We will."

The two soon fall asleep like this, hopefully getting better soon.

*****

Bellamy, now better, pulls a blanket onto Ash to keep her warm before walking back outside. Murphy walks over to Conner, dabbing a cloth on his head. Once he is sure no one can see, he holds the wet cloth over Conner's nose and mouth. The poor boy suffocates to death. 

"Bygones," Murphy mutters once he stops squirming. He tosses the cloth into the water bucket and walks away. Someone will find Conner soon enough and no one will suspect a thing.