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

Chapter 25

 Jaha's attempt at consolation did little to ease the turmoil swirling within me. "We did the right thing, Kegan," he murmured, his tone seeking to offer solace in the midst of chaos.

After Bellamy's forceful resistance, Miller, with a look of deep conflict etched on his face, handcuffed him. Bellamy was then led out of the room, his determined steps echoing a silent protest. The guards, now more vigilant than ever, positioned themselves like sentinels outside the door.

My voice was a strained croak, filled with regret and realization. "Yesterday, we might have been right," I said, the words tasting like ash in my mouth. "Today, we're living with the consequences of being wrong."

My mother, her expression one of weariness and disappointment, leaned heavily against the table. "It's like we're back on the Ark," she sighed, a note of despair in her voice. She hadn't looked me in the eyes since entering the office, her gaze fixed somewhere distant, lost in a sea of troubled thoughts.

"We're killing our people, imprisoning them, just to survive," she continued, her voice breaking slightly.

Jaha's question was sharp, probing our moral dilemma. "Bellamy's sister is out there. He'd do anything to get to her. Is that a risk we're willing to take?"

"No," my mother replied quickly, her voice laced with a painful self-awareness. "But I despise myself for making this choice."

Jaha was unflinching, his voice steady and cold. "Our personal feelings are irrelevant, Abby. We've all made unspeakable sacrifices for the sake of our people. That's our burden, our way to live with ourselves."

With a heavy heart, my mother turned and left the room. I wanted to reach out, to comfort her, but my feet felt like they were rooted to the floor, heavy with the weight of our actions.

Jaha tried to reassure me. "Your mother is strong, but you, Kegan, you are stronger. This won't last forever. Bellamy will be free once the danger passes."

"Ok," I managed to nod, a hollow agreement as I sat back down, feeling utterly defeated.

Jaha continued, "We need a guard for Bellamy, someone who prioritizes survival."

"I know just the person," I sighed, already thinking of Murphy.

I found Murphy lingering in the bunker, his usual air of self-preservation evident. "We're keeping Bellamy locked up for five years?" he questioned skeptically as we headed to Bellamy's floor.

"Not permanently," I snapped, my frustration close to the surface.

Murphy understood the stakes. "He won't give up on his sister. But I'm with you. No one opens that hatch, not while I'm here with Emori."

Approaching Bellamy's cell, I saw Miller standing guard. Bellamy's groans of frustration and the sound of his body hitting the door echoed down the corridor.

"How's he doing?" I asked Miller, though the answer was evident.

"How do you think?" Miller retorted, his voice laced with bitterness and frustration.

I couldn't bring myself to meet his eyes, the guilt gnawing at me. "We'll take over," I told him, passing the shock lasher to Murphy.

Miller reluctantly handed over the keys, his expression one of resignation. "This should be interesting," he muttered before walking away.

Murphy inquired if I wanted to talk to Bellamy. I hesitated, torn between duty and empathy. Approaching the door, a wave of emotions paralyzed me. The thought of facing Bellamy, of seeing the hurt and betrayal in his eyes, was too much to bear.