「 ✦ Bambi- Bellamy Blake ✦ 」

Guttitim

drop by drop

Jasper and Athena stood side by side, the weight of the situation settling heavily around them. Athena's gaze was locked on Myles, his lifeless form and the plastic bag beside him a grim reminder of what had just transpired. 

Jasper and Athena knew what Murphy had done, and Murphy knew that they knew.

As the tension mounted, Jasper's eyes flicked toward the gun lying on the table. Murphy noticed the glance and moved swiftly, grabbing the gun and pointing it at them.

"Don't even think about it," Murphy snarled, his voice trembling slightly but his grip steady.

"Murphy, what are you doing?" Athena's voice trembled, her panic evident.

"Murphy, just put the gun down," Jasper urged, trying to keep his tone calm and steady.

Murphy glanced back at Myles, his expression conflicted. "He tried to kill me," he stammered, attempting to justify his actions. "I had no choice."

Athena's gaze darted towards the entrance, a silent plea for help, but Murphy's barked command snapped her attention back to him.

"Eyes on me, Athena," Murphy demanded, his voice harsh and strained.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she locked eyes with him. This wasn't the Murphy she remembered from the Ark. 

"Ok. Ok. It's cool," Jasper said, his voice steady as he stepped protectively in front of Athena, attempting to calm Murphy down.

"No, it's not," Murphy retorted, his eyes flashing with desperation. "You know what'll happen to me if you tell Bellamy." He glanced at Athena, his voice dripping with bitterness. "Especially considering how close she is to him."

Athena felt a wave of helplessness wash over her. She couldn't believe Murphy would actually hurt her, but the cold look in his eyes made her doubt everything.

Athena's heart skipped a beat as Bellamy's voice crackled through the walkie-talkie. "Tell Bellamy what?" he asked, the tension in his voice clear.

Murphy's eyes widened, his grip on the gun tightening again. "Idiot," Athena muttered under her breath, her eyes darting to Jasper, who had closed his eyes, realizing the gravity of the situation.

"Murphy, please," Athena pleaded, taking a cautious step forward. "We can figure this out without anyone else getting hurt."

"Give me the radio, Jasper," Murphy demanded, his voice cold and unwavering.

Athena nudged Jasper slightly, urging him to hurry as he slowly pulled the radio from his pocket. The tension in the air was palpable, every second stretching out agonizingly.

Jasper looked Murphy in the eye, a spark of defiance flickering there. "Murphy has a gun. He killed Myles," he said into the radio, his voice clear and resolute.

Murphy's eyes widened in fury, and in an instant, he swung his gun, striking Jasper across the face. The force of the blow sent Jasper sprawling to the ground, dragging Athena down with him as she had been standing just behind him.

Athena's head hit the ground hard, a sharp pain exploding in her skull. She saw stars and then, blackness engulfed her vision as she lost consciousness.

 Athena's blackout didn't last long. As she began to regain consciousness, she heard the loud creaking of the dropship door closing. Her head throbbed, and when she raised her hand to touch the back of her head, she felt something warm and sticky—blood. Groaning softly, she tried to orient herself.