After the End [ The 100 ]

7. Audibly ambiguous

earth skills

[eiden]

I'm frowning as I look up at the ceiling of the drop ship. Lately there have been some... sounds coming from up there. Like a creaking.

This thing's older than our entire society. Maybe I shouldn't be standing inside of it. The trip to Earth could've been its last straw.

The tarp is noisily pushed aside, and the outside light illuminates the darkness within. It fades a moment later as Clarke forces a small smile and heads over.

"Hey," I greet her. She's stressed. It's kind of her thing ever since we got down here. And what happened to Jasper has only amplified it.

She's in front of me, so I lean down a little, my frown growing as I gauge how much the situation is getting to her.

"There's no time," she says, catching the concern on my face. With a huff, "You can say no."

My head tilts. "Give me a chance to surprise you." —about whatever it is she's getting at.

Another sigh, "It wouldn't, actually. You broke your hand because you trusted your father's Guard training, right?"

There's a little accusation in her voice. I roll my eyes because I've already told her what happened, but if she needs to be reminded again, "Sprained wrist, not a broken hand. I should've punched straighter. But... what do you need?"

With a frown, her eyes roam my shoulders before looking up. "Someone who knows how to use a gun."

[...]

"Hey," Wells calls into the tent.

I send Ali a look, so she gets up and stretches her arms.

"Everyone's looking for Clarke. You seen her?"

"Yeah," I answer. "I'll take you."

Ali scoffs before giving me room to get up. "It's fine, I'll catch up," she says before leaving. I'm not sure where she's going.

So I walk over to Wells who holds the tent flap open.

"So you really got yourself arrested. I remember you specifically telling me it was a stupid idea."

"This again, huh?" He asks, and I walk through with a shrug and a smile.

I've seen enough of the camp, but it's daylight, and I'm sore from walking. Wells' foot is messed up from his tussle with some guy named Murphy. So we wordlessly decide to take it slow.

"I lied. And I'm glad I convinced you."

I mumble in disgruntled agreement. "I am too. Truth is, we need you. But the smart side of you. Not the idiotic side who thought that was a good idea. At the end of the day, Wells—" I sigh, "Just keep yourself safe. And I'm not talking about Grounders with spears. I'm talking about the people we came down here with."

We had stopped walking and were making eye contact. But he nods, so we resume our way over the grass toward the drop ship.

"So..." and I know that tone. Wells and Clarke usually — USUALLY — have pretty good communication. So the few times Warren and I have acknowledged each other, it's been that tone. "Has Clarke said anything?"

"About?" I start, and raise my eyebrows. He nods, wondering if she's brought him up to me. I laugh nervously and shake my head. "I'm not getting involved in that." We finally make it over. "But you can ask her yourself when she isn't busy. For now, here she is."

Wells glares down at me as we both go inside. I don't plan on staying for long as Clarke barely glances from Wells to me.

As predicted, she's doing stuff. Busy. I take the hint but don't leave just yet.