Ark Kingdom: The Magic Within (Bellarke)

Chapter 11

Clarke’s POV

Octavia drags me away from a seething Bellamy. When I turn back to look at him a final time I can see the hint of a smile. Maybe he’s not as up tight as I thought; just maybe.

“Ready to go explore?” Octavia asks when we are standing with Finn, Monty, and Jasper.

“Yes!” They say together. I’m not as excited as they are. I just know that it’s something that has to happen. We need to know which direction to go so that we can get out of the veil. If they had taken us to the right place then we would already have been out, but now we are stuck.

“Everyone, you will look for a way out, don’t take too long. You will have until midday to come back. That should give you enough time to find the right path. Be careful and watch out for other people.” Bellamy commands above the voices. “Those of you staying will be helping check supplies. It may take longer than a few days to get out of here, so we need to make sure that we don’t run out of anything.”

“Octavia! Wait up!” I call after the already running girl. She turns down the path to the right.

“Well, hurry up then.” She calls back as she steps back into view. The guys rush after her. I want to be as excited as they are, but whatever is going on with Bellamy and me is making me leery. Something is going to happen I just don’t know what or when. But, something big is coming.

“Hey,” Bellamy’s voice cuts through my thoughts. “Keep her safe. Got it?”

“I won’t let anything happen to her, Bell.” I give his shoulder a reassuring pat. “She’ll settle down. She’s just excited; they all are.”

“I know, that doesn’t mean I won’t be constantly worrying about her.”

“I understand. But, the more freedom you give her the less she’ll need. Letting her do this means she won’t be going off on her own as much.”

“I hope you’re right.” He has a sad look on his face.

“I better go. They won’t wait much longer.” I wave my hand towards the antsy group standing just around the corner.

“Right. Be safe, princess.” Bellamy grabs my hand with his gloved one and slides his thumb over my knuckles before releasing me from his grasp and gaze.

“You took forever.” Octavia is bouncing from one foot to the other impatiently.

“Sorry. Let’s go.” I lead the way down the path. The ground is very rocky so we have to pay attention to keep from falling. It is an eerie quiet. I don’t like it. I can hear a buzz coming from the green mist.

“Do you hear that?” I ask no one in particular.

“Yes, it’s coming from up there I think.” Monty points ahead of us.

Jasper shakes his head. “No, I think it’s coming from the veil.”

“No, it’s up there.”

“No. It’s not.”

“Why don’t we just keep going so that we can find out?” Finn says when Jasper and Monty’s arguing has caused us to all stop.

“Yeah, I guess that works.” Monty says.

Octavia and I are leading the way. Octavia has a smile on her face and looks like she has never been happier. I wish that I could feel carefree like her. Instead I’m the one who is looking ahead and peeking behind to make sure that no one is going to hurt us. When I’m looking back one time I see someone.

I stop walking and tell the others to stay quiet. They listen immediately. I’m grateful that they take me seriously. I slowly sneak backwards. I pull the dagger that Bellamy gave me out and hold it tightly in my right hand. My knuckles are white from the force of my grip. I see the dark head duck behind a big boulder.

I tiptoe closer, making sure to make no sound. I climb up on top of the rock and peer over it. I can’t make out who it is yet. So I do the one thing I can. I take them by surprise. I feel the muscles in my legs bunch up as I leap over the rock. I have the dagger out in front of my face ready to sink it into whoever it is.

“Ahh!” I scream out as I fall on top of our stalker.

A/N Ahh! Cliffhangers; I love them. Sorry. Who... or what do you think it is?