Book 1: We are grounders - The 100 (Raven Reyes x reader)

Episode 2 - Earth skills

They tore through the dense forest, hearts pounding in their chests, the shadows of towering trees stretching like claws in the fading light. Every snap of a twig and rustle of leaves made their fear surge like wildfire. "Come on! I'm not sticking around to watch you all die!" Riley yelled, her voice sharp with urgency as she kept running, her feet slamming against the uneven forest floor.

Suddenly, Monty's foot caught on something, sending him sprawling forward. "Monty!" Riley shouted, skidding to a halt and reaching out to help. But the moment froze when they both saw what Monty had tripped over—bones. Scattered all around them. The pale remains gleamed eerily in the dim light. "Who... who are they?" Finn asked, his voice shaky as his wide eyes scanned the ground.

Riley crouched down, her fingers trembling as they brushed over a ribcage, brittle with age. "What are they?" Clarke murmured, lifting a strange, misshapen skull in her hands. The hollow eye sockets seemed to stare back at her. "Maybe monkeys?" Riley suggested weakly, though doubt clung to her words.

"We're screwed," Octavia gasped, her breath coming in sharp, ragged bursts as she struggled to her feet, her face pale with exhaustion. Then, without warning, a distant, piercing scream ripped through the woods. It echoed like a ghostly cry, freezing them all in place.

"Jasper!" Clarke's voice broke through the tension, and in an instant, she was off, sprinting toward the sound. "He's alive! Let's go!" Riley was right on her heels, determination cutting through her fear. The others, though exhausted, scrambled after them, but they were losing ground. Octavia was lagging, her breaths coming in desperate, shallow gulps. Riley noticed and darted back, grabbing her arm. "You're not falling behind!" she urged, her grip firm as she pulled Octavia along, though it was clear she could barely keep up.

"Wait! Hold up!" Finn's harsh whisper cut through the frantic pace as they reached a small clearing. Clarke skidded to a stop, eyes scanning the ground. The group gathered around, panting, their bodies spent. There, etched into the dirt, was a sign—fresh but ominous. But there was no sign of Jasper.

"He was right here!" Riley's voice cracked with panic, her eyes darting around as if Jasper might reappear if she looked hard enough. "Where is he?" Monty whispered, crouching low as he peeked through the underbrush, his heart racing in his chest.

They all stood there, nearly choking on their own breath, sweat trickling down their faces. Clarke's breaths were so loud and ragged that Riley was certain whoever had taken Jasper could hear her from miles away.

"They took him..." Clarke whispered, her voice tight with horror. Riley's eyes locked with hers, both wide with terror and frustration. Neither wanted to admit what they were both thinking—but it hung in the air like a storm cloud, dark and inevitable.

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As the group sprinted back toward the dropship, the atmosphere crackled with tension and adrenaline. Clarke's heart raced as she caught sight of John Murphy and Wells Jaha locked in a fierce knife fight, the glint of steel flashing ominously in the dim light. Wells had a blade pressed against John's neck, forcing him to the ground in a vulnerable position. "Wells! Let him go!" Clarke shouted, urgency lacing her voice as she stepped forward, Riley right beside her, the weight of the situation heavy on both of them.

Around them, some members of the group stood frozen in shock, their eyes wide as they took in the chaotic scene. Bellamy, however, was focused, his gaze sharp and penetrating as he assessed the unfolding drama. With a swift movement, Wells shoved Murphy to the ground, but John quickly scrambled back to his feet, his eyes blazing with defiance. Just as he lunged toward Wells, Bellamy intervened, grabbing Murphy by the shoulders and forcing him to stay back. Blood smeared Murphy's face, a stark reminder of the violence that had erupted between them.