I'll be the Bad Guy

Chapter 27: Life is a Game

I feel my heart drop and a wave of panic passes through me. Once I hang up the intercom, I hurdle out through the tent and past Raven and Finn.

"Why so fast, Princess?" Finn calls out to me. I'm too focused to engage so I continue to trek forward, borderline running as I weave through the hundreds of tents and small buildings.

I finally get to the large bonfire where our dining table has been planted. At the long table, there are almost 50 place settings and 20 servants for the guests at the table. I typically would be eating with them, but Bellamy's call disrupted my schedule as well as the fact that the Commander had been having an attitude towards me.

I approach the table where Octavia, Indra, Lincoln, Anya, Gustus, and the Commander eat some sort of meat. Everyone stops talking to watch me near where the Commander sits.

Her chair is at the head of the table and is larger and taller than the rest. It resembles her throne in a way with its pointed sticks that tower over everyone's heads.

I feel everyone's burning eyes on me. All except the Commanders who continues to sit and eat, staring out to the distance. She doesn't wear her warpaint, but she is dressed in her full armor.

I clear my throat as I stop in front of her. She doesn't turn to look at me.

"Commander?"

Reluctantly, she sighs and puts her glass down and slowly turns her head and eyes to meet mine. Her mask is firmly planted on her face and her jaw is locked and barred.

She raises her eyebrow at me, ushering me to explain my appearance.

"Can we talk? In private?" I whisper so the entire table can't hear.

She takes another few moments to analyze my face and scope the severity of my request and reasoning. Her eyes travel between my eyes and finally she gives a small nod.

"Yes, this way." She whispers back, standing up to lead me.

The entire table stands with her, bowing their heads, then sitting back down once Lexa has left.

She leads me across the camp and into her tent.

Immediately after she shuts the opening behind me, I blurt, "A missile."

"What?"

"Bellamy says there's a missile aimed at Ton DC and we're the targets. It'll be here in less than 2 hours."

She takes a moment to hide her shock before she responds.

"Who've you told?" She asks sternly.

"No one. Just you."

"Good."

"We need to start evacuating. Now." I insist.

"No."

"What do you mean, no, Lexa?!"

"If we get everyone out, then the Mountain men will know we have a spy. This war will be lost before its even began."

"We have to do something! Start a fire! Send everyone home! Anything!" I yell.

Lexa is unphased, as she watches me panic with her poker face and calm demeanor.

"No." She repeats.

"I will make sure the army gets out and to a safe distance away. It will be a blow. But it will inspire them." She continues.

"You're killing them!!"

"No, I'm not. The mountain is."

I scoff as my eyes darken.