ATARAXIA • BELLAMY BLAKE

[ 3 7 ]

It's dark out when we finally step out of the woods. Through the pitch black, the light of Alpha Station shines brightly. Torches surround the area that has been walled up with a tall fence that seems to stretch all the way around. Only some parts of the Station has electricity.

I pause briefly to take in the sight. For a second I think I'm back in space, looking out the window of Farm Station at the other Ark stations as I mop the floor after just having finished cleaning the men's room.

And then I'm back, and I notice the wreckage that surrounds the large metal base from its landing, hidden away in the darkness of the night.

We walk up to the fence gate and a feeling of dread settles in my chest. We now have doctors and the Guard down here. Leaders to take the weight off our shoulders. We have a large fence that undoubtedly will be surging with electricity in no time. I should feel safe now. So how come I only feel more uneasy at the revelation?

Looking above the tall gate I catch sight of a large sign. It's barely legible in this lighting, but I can just about tell that it reads Camp Jaha.

"Open the gate," Bellamy's voice suddenly demands next to me. I hadn't even noticed that he'd made his way to my side.

He and the guard on the other side of the fence lock eyes. Then the guard gestures to another guard stationed in the watch post just next to us. A loud clicking sound releases the gate from its locking mechanism, and soon enough the gate opens widely for us all to enter.

The guards are quick to get to Bellamy. They grab him forcibly by his arm and I watch with surprise as they pull him with them. I'm surprised to find that he doesn't fight their grip.

"He left camp against orders," I look in the direction the voice had come from and is completely taken aback when seeing Raven making her way over. "Stole guns as well. Kane's not happy."

I can't help the smile that takes over my face, having been sure that Murphy's bullet had killed her after all. But then I look down and see the brace around her leg. And only then to I notice that she's walking with crutches. She stops just in front of me.

"Raven," I smile. Then I pull her into a hug. I probably hold on a little longer than she would have liked.

When I pull back she smiles tightly, probably detecting the pity despite my best efforts. But the reality is that without a functioning leg, her time on the ground won't be easy. But now that the Ark is down, maybe it won't be too bad for her. I hope not.

"Wait a second," I say once her words finally sink in. "Kane?"

"Jaha never made it down," she says, seemingly grateful that I hadn't pressed the subject of her leg any further. Her gaze shifts to something behind me and I look over my shoulder to see what it is.

It's Finn. He's awkwardly making his way towards the Ark while throwing glances at Clarke. She just stays by the gate, unable to look at anyone.

"What happened out there?"

I scoff exhaustedly and run a hand through my hair. "It's a long st—"

Raven pulls the bottom of my shirt up and I quickly pull it back down. "What are you doing?" I rush the words out.

But Raven doesn't answer. She just gives me a look. My shirt must have ridden up just enough for her to see a sliver of the skin underneath when I'd pushed the hair out of my face.