SOLDIER
book one
It's been 97 years since a nuclear explosion radiated life on Earth and life support on The Ark is now failing. In a desperate attempt to grant the citizens of the SpaceCraft more time, 100 juvenile delinquents are sent down to the...
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FOR the first time since landing, Vivienne's mind finally cleared. Her legs carried her through the shrubs that softly grazed against her, and a refreshing sense of hope washed over her as she ventured further into the woods surrounding the crash site. Vivienne gawked up at the tall trees, marveling at how strong they stood and how far they reached, almost touching the clouds. A laugh of relief brushed past her soft lips as she took in the world around her
"Vivienne!" A gleeful voice called, bouncing off the various plants and making it difficult for Vivienne to decipher where exactly it came from. Then, from a small clearing just behind her, Charlotte's blonde braid swayed as she ran towards Vivienne before launching herself carelessly into her arms.
Vivienne laughed heartily as her arms wrapped tightly around Charlotte's waist, feeling her reciprocate the embrace by wrapping her arms around her shoulders. "Are you okay?" Vivienne asked, pulling back slightly to take a proper look at the young girl, tucking loose strands of hair behind her warm ears.
Charlotte nodded eagerly, her eyes wide and pupils dilated, giving Vivienne all the reassurance she needed. Her chest heaved with heavy pants, her cheeks flushed red, matching the tips of her ears, and she bounced impatiently on her heels, unable to keep still.
"We're on the Ground, that good enough for you?" a deep voice suddenly tore through the peace of the woods, reminding Vivienne that it wasn't just her and Charlotte anymore.
Standing up slowly and intertwining her left hand with Charlotte's right, Vivienne started walking towards the voice coming from the direction of the drop-ship. A large crowd had gathered by the entrance to the old vessel, and Vivienne stood on her tiptoes, trying to see over their heads, hoping to catch a glimpse of what had piqued their interest.
"We need to find Mount Weather. You heard my father's message. That has to be our first priority," Wells' voice asserted as Vivienne navigated through the crowd, her grip on Charlotte's hand tightening protectively.
Eventually, the Blake siblings came into view. "Screw your father," Octavia spat, standing close to her brother's side. "What, you think you're in charge here? You and..." her gaze shifted to Clarke, "...your little Princess?"
"Do you think we care who's in charge?" Clarke queried, feeling annoyed at both the Blakes' ignorance and Wells' attempt to protect her now after everything.
"We need to get to Mount Weather. Not because the Chancellor said so, but because the longer we wait, the hungrier we'll get and the harder this'll be," she continued, addressing the crowd around them. For a moment, her eyes found Vivienne, and a sudden sense of nostalgia mixed with great guilt washed over Clarke, but she remained composed.
"How long do you think we'll last without those supplies? We're looking at a twenty-mile trek, okay? So, if we want to get there before dark, we need to leave... now," Clarke finished after tearing her eyes away from Viv.
