Love At First Sight (1)

Chapter 6: Payback

Unfortunately, Mackenzie couldn't find any clues that would lead them to Jasper. But fortunately enough, Clarke and Finn head near a small lake that they had taken a dip in before bringing back water for them all. Mackenzie was mostly glad they found a water source as well as spotted, wet blood and a trial. Finn had taken the lead after that, and she followed reluctantly as he made out the path left behind in a crouching position. Every now and then, she'd glance around, almost as if she expected one of the survivors to pop out of the trees and attack the wandering group.

"How do we know this is the right way?" Murphy spoke, breaking the tense silence in a n irritating voice

Although his words made Mackenzie stiffen and bite her tongue, he did have a point, and wandering aimlessly through the woods wouldn't help any of them, especially Jasper, "We don't," Bellamy responded, "Spacewalker thinks he's a tracker" Finn was hardly listening, more focused on the course they were taking

"It's called cutting sign," Wells explained to the irked males, "Fourth-year earth skills"

Having enough, Finn finally spoke up, "You want to keep it down?" He recommended, "Or should I pain a target on your backs?"

Jamming her hands in the pockets of her jacket, Mackenzie looked away from the trees and back to their direction, "You say that like you know for sure we're being watched," She spoke her thoughts aloud

The survivors had been here longer than any of them, and in a way that they were described to her, they didn't sound so friendly. None of them had time to consider Mackenzie's guesses, as there was suddenly a loud moaning in the distance. Mackenzie picked her head up, her eyebrows furrowed as she tried to make it out. It didn't sound like an animal, it was more human-like but more full of pain and it definitely wasn't far away.

"What the hell was that?" Murphy demanded, tightening his fists, immediately on guard

"Now would be a good time to take out that gun," Clarke said, her words shot towards Bellamy

She held her chin up, remaining brave as she took the lead and headed quickly into the direction of the groan. Mackenzie contemplated if going towards the noise was actually a good idea, considering the people left on the planet, but she remembered Jasper and tried to push down the frightened feeling long enough to catch up with the others. She jogged through long grass that led to a single open field where Clarke, who had been guiding them came to a quick halt.

Mackenzie couldn't figure out why until she glanced up and her eyes widened in shock, her jaw slacking open as she let out a shocked gasp, "Holy hell," She breathed out

It was Jasper, the source of the aching grains. He was tied to a tall tree by his wrists, hanging loosely and shirtless, spotted in his own blood, "Jasper," Clarke whispered bewildered

"Oh my god" With no thoughts on how safe this was, she began to dash forward in his direction

"Clarke wait!" Mackenzie hissed, following more cautiously and slowly. The others were equally as careful, but Clarke was still rushing towards Jasper, "We have to be careful, or..."

Before Mackenzie could finish her sentence, the step Clarke had taken had caved in. Bellamy, who had been beside her, had quickly caught her wrist before she fell all the way through, "Clarke!" Mackenzie exclaimed, her heart racing as she forgot about being on alert and running forward

He wasn't doing, only gripping her wrist and letting her dangle, "Pull her up!" She lurched forward, feeling Wells right next to her as she gripped Bellamy's arm and tugged

It took a minute of aching muscles from the weight, but the group managed to all pull Clarke up together. Mackenzie waited until she was reset on the ground, to catch her breath after her near death experience in a hole full of spikes before asking with a hand on Clarke's shoulder, "Are you alright?" She questioned, looking her friend up and down worriedly