The Ruling - Bellamy Blake

5. Seaweed Tea

"It's all clear." Bellamy says as we all step out. "Is anyone out here! Jones!" He calls out for the other hunters.
"We're here!" I hear one of them call out from afar.

We go over to them.
"Lost you in the stew. Where'd you go?"
"Made it to a cave down there. The hell was that?"
"I don't know. Where's Atom?" I look around now realizing he's not here. He might've made it to another cave.

We set out to look for him. I hear Charlotte scream and stop looking for Atom, turning to run over to her and see Atom on the floor covered in red burns and boils.
"Oh my god." I mutter as I feel my blood run cold.
"Son of a bitch. Atom?" Bellamy says as he runs to him. I follow after him to see if there's anything I could do to help.

His eyes are white and foggy and he smells burnt.
"Kill me. Kill me." He starts whispering. I look away for a breath of air. Bellamy stands up, he's trying to look strong, but the fear in his eyes gives his facade away. Atom is struggling to breathe. Charlotte walks over and hands him his knife.
"Don't be afraid." She says.
"Go back to camp." He says to the other hunters who quickly follow the order. Bellamy kneels down by Atom.
"Go with them, Charlotte." I say to her. She can't watch this. She steps away.

Bellamy looks up at me.
"You shouldn't have to see this." He says in a low voice.
"I'm gonna stay." I say kneeling down on Atoms other side.

I watch Bellamy just stare at his friend in agony. He shouldn't have to be the one to do this. I reach for the knife in his hand. He looks at me softly and I shake my head. There was no hope for Atom.
"Please." Atom starts begging me too.
"It's okay, Atom. I'm gonna help you. You're gonna be okay." I say brushing his hair back. I really with I could help him. "Everything's gonna be okay." I start humming what my mom used to hum for me as a little girl, when I would wake up from a nightmare. "You're okay." I repeat going back to humming. I move the knife up to his neck and let out a breath before stabbing him. I continue to hum while stroking his hair. I can hear Atoms breathing hitch as blood begins to slip from his lips.

"Thank you." Bellamy says in a hushed voice as I close Atoms eyes. I nod looking up at Bellamy. I look up and see Clarke watching us.
"There was no hope. He was caught in the fog." I say. She nods with a sad look on her face.

"Let's go back to camp. I found the seaweed for Jasper." She says. I turn to Bellamy just to make sure he's okay and he nods. We stand up and start making our way back.

Bellamy is really quiet at my side as Clarke tells me about the seaweed.

It's getting dark once we finally get back to camp.
"I'll tell Octavia." I say to Bellamy. I know that's gonna hurt her. He nods.
"Thank you."

"Nova, come on we have to get to Jasper." Clarke yells.
"Go. I'll make sure you guys get everything you need." Bellamy says. I smile before running over to her and Finn.
"I'll need boiled water to make the medicine." She says.

We walk over and Octavia runs out.
"It's about time. They're gonna kill Jasper. Did you get the medicine? And where did you go?" Octavia says to us all in desperation.
"Yeah, I got it." Clarke says.
"Tay I need to talk to you." I say softly prepared to break the news.
"Hold on." She responds before running to the body that had just been carried in. Atoms body.

Bellamy grabs her trying to stop her.
"Octavia just stay there please." He tries looking at his sister with a pleading glare.
"What? Stop." She says pushing past him. I run over and watch as Bellamy turns to me as a last hope.

Octavia pulls the jacket off his face revealing Atoms identity before I can grab her arm.
"Atom?" She whispers softly as her voice breaks my heart.
"There's nothing I could do." Bellamy tries to comfort her.
"Don't!" She says covering his face. She gets up and starts walking off ignoring Bellamy. I give him a reassuring nod and follow her.

"Octavia." I say. She turns to look at me wiping away tears.
"We need to go help Jasper." She says dismissing my help. I nod knowing that you can't help someone who doesn't want it. She turns and begins to climb up the drop ship. I let out a soft sigh and follow her.

"Is the tea ready?" I ask. Clarke nods stirring it.
"Here, I'll help lift his head." Octavia says. I nod letting her past me. We kneel down by Jasper. He looks awful, so this better work.

Octavia lifts his head while Clarke puts the cup to his lips.
"Im really sorry about Atom." Clarke says. I nod softly looking up at Octavia.
"He didn't deserve to die." I add.
"I guess we're gonna have to get used to people dying down here, aren't we? But not you, you hear me?" She says to Jasper. "You're not allowed to die." I feel my lips curl up watching Octavia hold the unconscious boys face with such gentleness.

"Now we wait." I whisper.
"Now we wait." Octavia repeats. I smile at her.
"I'll be back." Clarke says walking out.

"I have booze." Finn says walking in to sit.
"Thank fuck." I sigh going to where he's sitting with Monty. Octavia comes with me.

He hands it to Monty who takes a sip and coughs.
"Smooth." He says before handing it to me. I take a big sip letting it burn the back of my throat as I let my mind wander. I would've been floated in 2 days. And now we could be killed any second. I pass it to Octavia. She takes a sip.
"Disgusting. Love it." She says.

"Can I uh- get a hit of that?" I hear Jasper ask.
"Jasper?" We yell running to him. I let a relieved laugh escape my lips as I look down at him.
"Let's start with the soft stuff." Finn says grabbing water. I help him give it to him.

"Welcome back." I say. Him and Monty grab each others hands.
"Was that a dream or did I get speared?" He asks.
"You'll have a very important scar to prove it." Clarke says walking over to us.
"My savior." He says smiling.
"Thank you for not dying. I don't think I could've taken that today." She says.
"Well. I'll try not to die tomorrow, too. It that's cool." We laugh.
"Very cool." I say giving his shoulder a light squeeze.

Octavia grabs his arm.
"Oh, hello." He says making us all chuckle before he falls back asleep.

"We should get some sleep too guys." I say. They all nod. I get up and climb up. "Goodnight." I say to the group. Knowing that Jaspers okay makes me feel like I can finally get a good nights rest. 

I walk out and see Bellamy standing by a tree.
"Hey." I say walking over to him.
"How's Jasper?" He asks turning his body to face me.
"He's alive and well." I say. He smiles.
"I'm glad to hear."
"And look who had doubts." I say playfully pushing his shoulder.
"Looks like you and Clarke do know your stuff."
"That we do." I say with a soft smile.

I see Octavia walk out and she looks over at him. They need to talk things out.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow, Bellamy." I say patting him on the arm.
"Goodnight." He says. I nod and step away.