Hopeless - (Bellamy Blake - Book 2)

Chapter 19.

Clarke suddenly reappears with a long cloth. "There's no bandages here, this will have to do for now." She says. I watch as she tears one side of the fabric in half to make it longer. "And there's no stretcher." She glances up at my face. "Take a deep breath."

I do as she says, then scream as the knife is suddenly pulled out of my thigh, quickly replaced by Clarke's bandage that she wraps tightly around my thigh.

"Shiiiit," I draw the word out as a hiss and clench my eyes shut.

"You're alright." It would be more comforting of her to say that if she actually had an emotion in her voice. Clarke tightens a knot in the makeshift bandage, making me grimace. "Done. That should limit the bleeding. Let's get you up."

Bellamy places a hand around my back and lifts me up, the movement making me cry out as my thigh throbs and burns.

"Hang on, let me check the back is covered." Clarke crouches down to take a look.

"Okay," I nod, though I have no where to move as Bellamy has both arms locked around me, I don't even think I'm holding myself up, it's all him.

After a few seconds, Clarke stands to her feet and takes my arm. "Okay, it's just a flesh wound so you'll be fine. Sit here."

Both Bellamy and Clarke help me get settled on top of a barrel, and I stare down at the bandage across my left thigh and sigh, clutching my shaking hands tight. Another wave of nausea rises up, and this time I don't fight it as I lean to the side and throw up bile, water, and the few nuts we had eaten yesterday. Gross.

"Alright?" Bellamy asks, a soothing hand resting on my back whilst the other pulls some hair away from my face.

I spit a few times to ensure everything is out, and wipe my mouth against my sleeve. "Yeah."

"That normal?" He asks Clarke.

Clarke nods. "Yeah, it's just the shock. You guys will have to take shifts carrying her. She can't walk like this."

"Seriously?" I ask, shifting my weight on the barrel to try and ease the throbbing in my thigh. "Monroe did just fine."

"That was an arrow, not a knife." Bellamy tells me. "Besides, it slowed us down more."

"He's right, we need to get you back home as soon as possible."

"Home." I repeat in a quiet voice.

"The Ark." Clarke clarifies. I nod at her.

"Hey." Octavia bounds over with Murphy and speaks directly to Clarke. "We need to leave. Now."

Clarke nods. "Alright."

Octavia nods in return and leaves, not looking at me once. I open my mouth, but close it again, not even knowing what I would say. She knew these people, and I facilitated in killing them.

My gaze wanders around the rest of the village, the sights and sounds now fully overwhelming me. Bodies—people, lie on the ground unmoving, their loved ones crying over them.

I can't believe it. We...we did this. We caused this. All these innocent people who were just trying to live their lives...we came in and destroyed them. My body shivers, either from the shock, the cold air, or from sheer terror and disbelief.

"Hey." Bellamy says quietly to me, noticing the look on my face. I nod at him. "Come on."

Clarke looks away from the bloodshed too. "We need to keep your leg up high, limit the blood flow."

"I got you." Bellamy puts his arm around me once more and lifts me to my feet.

Next thing I know, I'm being propelled in the air, Bellamy's arms wrapped around me as he carries me like a child, ensuring my legs are elevated like Clarke said. I wince and cringe at the movement, gripping onto his shoulders tight.

"Hey, let me know when you need a break." Murphy says. "Carter looks pretty light, I won't drop her."

"If I didn't know any better," I groan as Bellamy takes the first step, "I'd say you're trying to get back into my good books."

"Is it working?" Murphy gives me a small smirk.

Bellamy sends him a look, but neither of us replies as Bellamy slowly starts to walk away, carrying me in his arms.