𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐀𝐖𝐍 | the 100

12 | Bloody Hands

"He's not innocent."

‧ ✩ ｡ ✭ ° ☆ ･ _______ ･ ☆ ° ✭ ｡ ✩ ‧

Before Amber can even make out Charlotte's face in the shadows, she thunders past them and Bellamy shoots up from their hiding spot. Charlotte shrieks as he grabs onto her but it's quickly muffled as he forces a hand over her mouth, and when she finally sees his face, she stops her flailing.

"It's okay," he reassures. "It's me."

But her relieved face then distorts into a pained grimace and she squirms in Bellamy's firm grasp. "Let me go," she insists.

"Hey, be quiet," Amber begs. She's noticed a faint glow emerging through the trees not too far away and gives Bellamy a pointed nod in the direction. Murphy is still dangerously close.

"No, no, you don't understand," Charlotte cries, ignoring Amber. When she makes another attempt to free herself from Bellamy, he begins to drag her away from the flaring lights. Amber follows behind, putting herself between Charlotte and the distant fire.

"I'm trying- Hey!" Bellamy mutters as she squirms. "Hey, I'm trying to help you."

Charlotte finally manages to push him away and she forces him to look at her. "I'm not your sister. Just stop helping me!"

As Bellamy stiffens in stunned shock, she takes her chance and bolts. "I'm over here!"

"Don't be stupid," Amber exclaims and jumps in her way, fear festering into irritation. Charlotte tries to push her aside but fails.

"Are you trying to get us all killed?" Bellamy demands as he grabs Charlotte's arm and jerks her back towards him

She makes another futile attempt at pushing him away. "Just go. I'm the one they want."

"Shut up," Amber snaps, her patience fraying with every refusal of their help. With maybe a bit too much force, she grabs onto Charlotte's shoulder, spinning her around to face her. Charlotte's lip trembles. "Stop the martyr bullshit because sacrificing yourself won't help anyone. Do you hear me? You're too young to be a hero."

She can sense Bellamy warily glancing at her but he doesn't say anything to her, only tightens his grip on Charlotte's collar and pulls her closer to him, away from Amber's forceful hold.

"She's right, Charlotte," he says with a firm but much softer tone. "You don't have to try to fix this alone, you can let me handle it. I won't let you get hurt."

His words crack something within Amber and her arms fall slack at her sides. All she can do is stare at Bellamy with deep appreciation. If someone had told her the same thing, maybe she wouldn't have convinced herself that it was her responsibility to carry everything herself at such a young age.

"Please," Charlotte says and forces out a pained smile. Her gaze flickers between them, weighing the odds of changing their minds. Whatever she sees must dash her hopes.

When she runs, she doesn't get far before Bellamy catches up. She tries to fight him but he throws her over his shoulder with ease. "Murphy!" she screams. "I'm over here!"

The lights are stronger now and Bellamy doesn't pause to catch his breath before he takes off in the opposite direction. Amber follows closely behind. She glances over her shoulder, spotting torches bobbing through the trees behind her, and pushes her legs faster as the echoing yells grow closer.