SOLDIER
book one
It's been 97 years since a nuclear explosion radiated life on Earth and life support on The Ark is now failing. In a desperate attempt to grant the citizens of the SpaceCraft more time, 100 juvenile delinquents are sent down to the...
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THE AIR was damp, and the raw scent of burning logs filled Vivienne's nose, stirring her awake. As she rolled onto her back, her jacket became speckled with soft mud and the gentle sun blinded her, causing her to squint and rest her arm over her eyes.
"Rise and shine, Kane," Murphy's taunting voice sang as he nudged her boot with his own, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "We've got work to do."
Groaning, Vivienne reluctantly sat up, running her fingers through her tangled hair in a futile attempt to smooth it out. When she looked up at the boy towering over her, his hand extended, she hesitated for a moment before slipping her palm into his. Their fingers interlocked naturally, and a slight squeeze passed between them, sending a rush of warmth straight to Vivienne's ears.
As they walked through the bustling camp together, their hands gradually drifted apart. Vivienne's gaze wandered, taking in the busy campers still laboring on the camp walls.
"Have you seen Charlotte?" she then asked, turning to face Murphy. He shook his head silently. Her eyes returned to the clusters of people around them, scanning the crowd in a quiet, anxious search for the young girl.
Noticing Vivienne's furrowed brow and the nervous bite of her lip, Murphy gently nudged her arm, drawing her attention back to him. "I'm sure she's already up and working," he reassured her, his voice steady and comforting. "Bellamy's got everyone working on this wall. He wants it finished by tonight."
Vivienne couldn't help but scoff lightly, a small smile playing at her lips. She glanced at a pair of weary boys hauling logs nearby. "That's optimistic," she remarked wryly. "No one seems particularly eager."
Murphy shrugged nonchalantly, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Who needs a wall when you've got me?" he quipped, a hint of self-assuredness in his tone that made Vivienne chuckle softly.
"John Murphy: savior of The 100," Vivienne teased, her smirk mirroring his as they continued on through the camp.
Suddenly, their laughter was cut short by Bellamy's commanding voice. "Murphy! Stop flirting and get over here!" His shout carried over the bustling camp, and Murphy's expression turned sheepish as he hurriedly obeyed, leaving Vivienne behind without another glance.
While the two boys engaged in a discussion about the progress of the camp wall, Vivienne's gaze finally found Charlotte, who was quietly working on her own nearby. The young girl's head was bowed, her hands busy with the rope as she worked in silence.
"Charlotte," Vivienne called out as she jogged over, her concern evident in her voice. "Where were you this morning?" She approached with a mixture of curiosity and worry, tilting her head slightly to catch the girl's eye.
Charlotte hesitated, her nervousness clear as she rubbed her palms on the sides of her grey jacket. "I woke up early," she began, her gaze evasive. "I went for a walk around camp. Don't worry, I didn't go outside the wall," she added quickly, the lie hanging heavy in the air between them. Charlotte had never lied to Vivienne before, and it showed.
Furrowing her brows, Vivienne regarded Charlotte with a knowing look. She moved to question her further, not convinced by the explanation. However, before she could speak, Murphy's voice carried across the camp, breaking the moment of tension.
"Hey!" Murphy's voice boomed across the camp, drawing attention as he strode purposefully toward where Connor had collapsed to his knees in the mud, dropping the large tree part he'd been carrying. Bellamy watched closely as Murphy approached, his expression hardening with each step. The playful demeanor Vivienne had seen moments earlier had vanished, replaced by a colder, more intense demeanor that seemed unfamiliar to her.
"You think the Grounders are just gonna sit around and wait for us to finish the wall?" Murphy's voice was sharp with frustration as he stood over the weakened boy, his tone laced with impatience and a touch of scorn.
As Connor remained achingly crouched on the ground, Murphy's gaze flickered toward Charlotte, a hint of derision in his eyes. "Maybe we should let the little girl do the lifting for you, huh?" he taunted, his finger jabbing in Charlotte's direction.
"I just need some water, okay? Then I'll be fine," Connor reasoned weakly, looking up at Bellamy as he approached. Sensing the tension, Bellamy nodded curtly to Murphy, instructing him to fetch what Connor needed. Murphy hesitated, his jaw clenched tightly, before nodding sharply and turning away to carry out Bellamy's order.
Then, Bellamy nodded toward Charlotte, who, alongside Vivienne, had been observing the whole ordeal. "Hey," he said, "you got this?" Without hesitation, Charlotte rushed forward to lift the discarded tree. A hint of humor softened Bellamy's stern expression as he watched her.
"I'm just kidding," he assured her with a smile, crouching down to lift the tree himself. With practiced ease, Bellamy stood up, the tree resting comfortably on his right shoulder. He caught Vivienne's scrutinizing gaze and held it for a moment, understanding her concern. He offered her a peaceful nod before striding away, purposefully continuing his tasks around the camp.
Once Bellamy disappeared from view, heading down the other side of camp, Murphy returned empty-handed from the water station. Unnoticed by Connor, he silently approached and stood over him. With a quick, deliberate motion, Murphy unzipped the fly of his cargo trousers and relieved himself, his urine soaking Connor's jacket and the ground around him.
"Hey, what the hell, man!" Connor exclaimed, leaping to his feet and shoving Murphy back a step.
"Murphy!" Vivienne's voice cut through the commotion, dropping the rope she'd been fiddling with as she strode over to him. She placed a firm hand on his chest, forcing Murphy to step back while he hastily tucked himself away, a sly smirk playing on his lips.
Lightly pushing Vivienne aside, causing her hand to drop, Murphy took a step back. "Get back to work!" he commanded loudly enough for everyone to hear. Unable to tear her wide eyes away from Murphy, Vivienne stood with her mouth slightly agape as he strolled off, a smugness evident in his walk.
Vivienne couldn't believe that was the same boy she'd laughed with that very morning.
