Chapter 1: Shadows in The Trees

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Clarke's POV

Walking through the trees I try to keep my goal in mind. Jasper just had a spear thrown through his chest and was strung up in a tree as cat bait. If I can't find something to help him, he's going to die. There's nothing else I can do. I need that red plant for Jasper. It must have had some sort of medicinal properties, Wells told me it's a red flower or something. He wanted to come with me, but I didn't want him to endanger his life on this stupid quest too.

I draw my gun... Well Bellamy's gun, I went ahead and took it earlier. It's not like he knows how to use it anyways, not that I necessarily do either. Clicking back the hammer I listen closely. Someone is walking very loudly behind me... so, not a grounder. I spin around, aiming at whatever's behind me only to see Wells' hands shoot up in the air.

"Woah, easy Clarke. Don't shoot." He says, teasing me slightly. Though he does seem genuinely concerned I'll kill him.

"Gods Wells... I could have killed you!"

"I see that." He smiles nervously.

"I thought I told you not to follow me?" I question angrily.

"And since when do I take orders from you?" He asks, grinning. I can tell he's just messing with me, but it's only pissing me off further. Rolling my eyes I spin on my heels, keeping my gun out as I press on.

"Go back Wells," I mutter bitterly.

"Clarke, you know I can't do that." He walks faster, trying to catch up with me. "You know I'm not going to leave you alone out here." I sigh, pausing a moment, before looking over my shoulder back at her.

"Just stop Wells. I know you're trying to help but-"

"Do you even know what this stuff looks like?" I open my mouth to protest but sigh. Grumbling to myself I keep pacing.

"Fine, let's go." I snipe angrily.

"Alright then." He smirks thinking he's won and I can't stop myself from rolling my eyes. "Do you know of any water sources nearby? A river... or maybe a stream?"

"Besides the one with the giant snake that attacked Octavia? Oh and grounders that can throw a spear 100 yards?"

"Yeah... besides that one." That instantly wipes the smile off of his face as his eyes drop to the forest floor.

"Actually yes, there was a small stream Finn and I went to."

"Finn. Right." I don't miss the sound of disappointment in his voice, that hint of jealousy. You know what, I'm glad me being close with Finn pisses him off. We switch directions, Wells following close behind me. I'm going entirely off of the general direction I remember us going in. Finn would be a lot better at this than I am, but I wanted some time to myself... So much for that. It doesn't take us long to find where we're going and we immediately split up, each searching separate sections of the creek. I don't see anything that looks red.

There aren't many plants in the water as is, so it wouldn't be hard to spot. I keep scanning the water anyway. There's a strange darkness over my head, that causes me to look up, though it's gone in an instant. I heard branches rustling earlier. Honestly, since we got Jasper back there's been this strange sensation about... like I'm being watched. I know it's not just me either, Finn was on edge too.

I try to ignore the rolling of my gut and that uneasy feeling in my chest as I continue to wade through the water. It's not very deep here, so I doubt anything would grow, but what do I know. I was always horrible at botany. Maybe it would have been a good idea to have brought Monty along.

A branch snaps behind me and I twirl around, aiming my gun at the trees. Slowly my eyes scan through the branches, looking for anything I can shoot. Be it human or animal.

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