Mother Earth // Bellamy Blake

Even The Playing Field • 107

When we got back to our camp on the outskirts of the valley, everyone was surrounding us. Gaia was rushed out to Jackson first and Bellamy helped me get out of the back. I turned as I heard smaller footsteps approach behind us. Madi was the center of attention, all of Wonkru looked at her and whispers of Heda saving them started.

"What do I do?" Madi asked softly as she looked to Bellamy and I. I turned back around at the sound of a sword being unsheathed. Octavia was starting towards Madi with her weapon drawn, Bellamy and I stood side by side to block her path. We had no idea what she was thinking or doing and we needed to keep Madi safe. The others surrounding us raised their guns towards their leader.

"What are you doing?" Bellamy questioned as Octavia stopped in front of us.

"Out of my way," she replied.

"She saved us, Octavia," I reminded her. But her expression told me she didn't need to be reminded of that.

"Let her pass," Madi spoke from behind us. I looked back to her quickly and decided to step aside. Bellamy hesitated but ended up following my lead.

Octavia continued to Madi, stopping when they were face to face. Octavia held her sword up and flipped it out of her hand for a second. She caught it upside down and sunk the tip into the dirt while simultaneously kneeling. Octavia was giving up her power, passing it all to Madi. Everyone around us followed Octavia's lead, kneeling down before their commander. Bellamy and I both took a knee along with the others, I noticed Bear lay down next to us. Madi was our commander now.

—

I was in the med tent while the army was getting ready to deploy. Reese was looking at my arm, making sure it hasn't gotten infected. There was so much pain surrounding me here, tons of people were bloody and beaten. I watched Madi as she stood by Gaia, Jackson was rewrapping her injured leg. Gaia was the flame keeper, Madi was worried for her. Rightfully so, Gaia would be the only one to give her guidance with the flame.

"Your arm is looking alright for now. Let me take a look at your side," Reese broke me out of my stare. I was sitting down in a stool since all the cots were occupied with people worse off than me.

I lifted my dirty shirt off my body, leaving me in only a thin fabric bra. I looked down to my side, it was gross in all honesty. It was a deep purple surrounded by a muggy green color with specks of blue and black.

Reese was examining it gently with two fingers, causing me to cringe every time he slightly pressed down.

"Looking any better?" I asked sarcastically.

"It's gonna get worse before it gets better," Reese answered as he moved to look at my back. I wondered if the color grew on that side of my body. The pain from his touching made me realize it probably did.

"Have you passed out again?" Reese asked.

"No," I answered honestly.

"Look, I know you're set on going back out there but you really should rest," Reese encouraged.

"Thanks for the advice," I told him. "But I'm not taking it."

I raise my head to look at Bellamy who was now standing in front of me. "How are you feeling?"

"Reese says I'll be okay. No need to worry," I assured him. His eyes drifted off of mine and onto Reese, he looked a little uneasy at another man touching my body. Bellamy seemed a little bit jealous, it was kind of funny.

"You done?" Bellamy asked to Reese while crossing his arms.

"Yup," Reese answered quickly as he stood up from his crouch. I grabbed my shirt and put it back on. Bellamy picked up my jacket and belt and handed both to me one at a time.