The First On The Ground

Damocles Part Two

(AUGUST POV)

"Little help, little help. We got wounded," Murphy says as he and Emori jump out of the rover, once we reach the camp.

"Stand down! Stand down! They're with us," Harper yells as she and Monty run over.

"Monty, where's Jackson? She's lost a lot of blood," Bellamy asks as he and Murphy carry Gaia.

"heda ste going gon kep klin osir," A grounder says causing me to hide a smile at the fact they are still willing to follow Madi. The Commander will save us.

"What do I do?" Madi asks as I stand beside her.

"Lead them," I answer her.

"Blodreina's coming. Protect your Commander!" A grounder yells as they start to surround Madi and me while pointing their guns at Octavia.

"What are you doing?" Bellamy asks Octavia as he stands in front of her.

"Out of my way," Octavia orders him.

"O, she saved us," Bellamy argues with her as Madi looks up at me before I give her a small nod.

"Let her pass," Madi orders.

"Heda, that is not a good..." Echo starts as she stands beside Bellamy.

"I said, let her pass," Madi orders with more authority while I give Echo a small almost nonexistent nod. Echo and Bellamy move out of Octavia's way. Octavia walks in front of Madi before slamming her sword into the ground and bowing to Madi. I then bow to Madi as all the other grounders start to bow as well. Lastly, Bellamy and Echo bow as Madi looks out at everyone in amazement.

"We can't wait much longer. McCreary has Raven and Shaw. One of them will break and fly that ship," I explain as Echo and I walk over to Octavia, Miller, and Brell.

"You said Clarke was handling that," Octavia states.

"She is. But I'd rather not let missiles tell us she's failed," Echo tells her.

"What's left of the first battalion is ready," Miller says.

"The Commander's army is, too," Brell adds.

"We're all the Commander's army now," Indra states as she and Bellamy walk over to us.

"So, where's the Commander?" Echo asks.

Bellamy, Indra, and I go to get Madi, who is sitting with Gaia.

"She's lost a lot of blood, but she's strong. If we can get her to Abby, she should be able to keep the leg," Jackson explains Gaia's condition.

"It's time, Madi," I say as I squat down to her level before squeezing her shoulder in comfort. "Everyone will follow you, but you have to lead them."

"I don't want to lead them into a massacre," Madi tells us.

"We have the numbers, Heda. As long as we press forward, we'll make it through," Indra explains to her.

"We'll be right beside you," Bellamy adds.

"I'm not worried about myself. Look around you. There has to be a better way than rushing back in to those guns," Madi explains her worries.

"If there is, we would've thought of it," Indra states.

"Ask the Commanders," Gaia whispers out.

"How, Seda? They only talk to me in my dreams and show me what they want me to see," Madi asks her.

"Close your eyes," Gaia orders as she rests a hand on Madi's cheek.

"Gaia, we don't have time..." Bellamy starts.