It's the End of the World as We Know it (Silent Moments Series: Book 4)

Chapter 5

 In the dimly lit room, the three of us - Bellamy, Raven, and I - sat around a makeshift table, the air heavy with the burden of impending decisions. Bellamy attempted to lighten the mood with a wry joke about our food situation. "Two meals a day for people working as hard as ours. We won't be making any friends," he said, a half-smile fleeting across his face.

I nodded, acknowledging the grim reality with a touch of irony. "Well, if there's one thing our people understand, it's rationing," I said, my voice tinged with a mix of resignation and resolve. We had all become accustomed to the harshness of survival, where every resource was precious.

The conversation soon took a more serious turn as Bellamy added, "Besides, once we close those doors it'll be one meal a day for the next five years." His tone was solemn, the words reflecting the starkness of our future.

Raven, her frustration simmering just below the surface, corrected him sharply. "Try one meal every other day. Hunting parties are coming back with less and less. Thanks to your friend Cass, we're preserving more meat than ever, but it's still not enough. Without a way to make water, growing our own protein like we did on the Ark is not an option. Remember that when we're starving," she said, her gaze fixed on Bellamy, challenging him to confront the reality of our situation.

Bellamy, undeterred by Raven's pointed words, declared firmly, "I won't be starving because I won't be inside." His statement was a defiant refusal to accept the presumed fate awaiting us.

I immediately responded, "Yes, you will," unwilling to entertain the idea of facing what lay ahead without Bellamy by our side.

Raven, seizing the opportunity, asked directly, "Does that mean you made the list?" Her question was a probing one, cutting to the heart of our dilemma.

I deflected, "No. What about drinking water?" hoping to steer the conversation away from the contentious issue of the list.

But Raven was relentless. "Kegan, don't change the subject. We need to know who's gonna be on the inside of these doors when the radiation comes," she insisted, her voice firm and unwavering.

I sighed deeply, feeling the weight of every decision, every secret. "We don't need to know right now," I replied, trying to buy time, to delay the inevitable.

Our intense discussion was abruptly interrupted by an urgent call for help. "We need some medical help at the front gate. Looks like we got some sick people there."

The news was a stark reminder that our challenges were not confined to future planning but also included addressing the immediate needs of our people. We rose from our seats, our individual thoughts and concerns momentarily put aside as we prepared to confront yet another crisis. As we headed towards the gate, I couldn't help but feel the enormity of our responsibilities. Each step we took was laden with the knowledge that our decisions would impact not just our own lives, but the lives of all those we had sworn to protect and lead. In the face of such overwhelming odds, we pushed forward, driven by a determination to find a way to survive, to thrive, against all odds.

***

The air at the front gate was thick with tension as the guard confronted the group of Grounders waiting outside. "Do not come any closer," he warned, his voice sharp and unwavering.

From among the Grounders, a plea rose. "Please. They need Skaikru medicine."

Bellamy, taking control of the situation, commanded, "Move. Stand back!" His authoritative tone cut through the tension as we approached the gate.

Recognizing a familiar face among the Grounders, I exclaimed in surprise, "Nyko?" His unexpected presence added another layer of complexity to the unfolding situation.