Ark Kingdom: The Magic Within (Bellarke)

Chapter 12

Bellamy’s POV

They have been gone less than an hour and I already want to send a search party out after them. I hate myself for letting them go. I should have stopped Octavia. The worst part of it all is that for some reason I’m not as worried about my baby sister as I should be. A certain blonde haired, blue eyed girl keeps invading my thoughts and worry. The feel of her hand in mine comforts me more than anything has before.

I should have gone with them. Maybe if I go now I can catch up to them. I’m sure they haven’t gotten far. Yes, I will meet up with them. I’ve got to make sure that they are safe; all of them. I grab my pack and head off to the pathway. I stop when I hear sobbing. It reminds me of Clarke last night. It hurts my heart and makes me go to the young girl who is curled up in a ball.

“Hey, are you okay?” I squat down so that I can gently shake the girl’s shoulders. She is so small that her entire frame quakes from my touch. She shivers. “It’s okay. Wake up.”

“Sorry.” Sad brown eyes meet my own. The girl sits up and wipes her tears away.

“Don’t worry. Are you okay?” I repeat my question.

“Yes, it was just a dream. My parents, they were floated. Every time I close my eyes I see it. I miss them.”

I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her close. “I’m sorry. It happened to mine to.”

“Really? How did you get over it?” She asks.

“Well, I had to learn to slay my demons. That’s what my mom taught me to do. It helps also that I have Octavia,” and now Clarke. Where did that last part come from?

“What do you mean you slayed your demons?”

“Well, I killed off the nightmares.”

“How?”

“Sorry, it’s not really something that’s easy to explain, but here. Take this dagger. It’ll help keep you safe from the demons. Every time you go to sleep just hold onto it and you’ll remember that you are safe now. The nightmares can’t get you.” I hand her one of my smaller daggers.

“How?”

“You say that you’re not afraid. Fear is the only thing that can get you now. Say it. Say that you’re not afraid.”

“I’m not afraid.” She whispers.

“What’s your name?” I ask trying to make her more comfortable.

“Charlotte.”

“Okay, Charlotte. What are you going to say?”

“I’m not afraid.” She says a little louder with a clearer voice.

“You’ll be okay.” I pat her arm and stand up. I hold my hand down to her to help her to her feet. “Now, how about you help me collect some water? There’s a river just a ways back.”

“Are you sure you want me to come?”

“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want you to come.” She follows close behind me as we walk towards the river. “Murphy, Miller, come with us!” I yell to the two guys just sitting around.

“Where are we going?” Murphy asks.

“To untie Atom and get some water.” I respond even though I know they’d still come if I said nothing.

It reminds me of how Octavia was when she was younger, when we were both younger. Back when life was simple.

“O, I have a surprise for you.” I hold the beaded mask behind my back.

“Really? What is it?” My sister looks at me with the purest smile I’ve ever seen. She has always been such an innocent soul. She sets down a little blue bird that was sitting on her shoulder. It was chirping into her ear and she had been nodding her head as if she could understand. Mom thinks that she’s not well but I know the truth. She’s like me.

“If I told you it wouldn’t be much of a surprise, now would it?” I laugh at the pout that she gives me.

“I’ll just have Henry tell me.” She looks beyond me to the dog that is walking towards us.

“No, you are not cheating this time.” I tuck the mask under my coat out of view of the brown dog.

“Fine.”

“Close your eyes.” I wave my hand in front of her face and when she doesn’t react I pull the mask out from under my coat and place it in her open hands.

“Oh, Bell. It’s beautiful. What’s it for?” She holds it up and the sunlight catches on the small jewels. I spent a whole months pay to buy this for her. The look on her face and hug make it completely worth it.

“It’s for you to wear to the ball tonight.”

“But, I can’t go out. It’s not safe.” She pushes the mask back towards me.

“It’s okay. It’s a masquerade and I’ll be working there tonight so I can keep an eye on you.” I take the mask from her grasp and tie it into place on her face.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, now let’s get you dressed. We have a ball to crash.”

“Bellamy, did you hear me?”

“What, Miller?” I turn my glare to the boy.

“One of the search parties is back and someone’s hurt, bad.” He gives me a worried look.

“Who?” My heart is racing when I sprint back to camp.