Hopeless - (Bellamy Blake - Book 2)

Chapter 29.

"Thanks for telling Raven where I was." I snap at Finn as I join him outside, where he monitors the camp for any updates about leaving.

He frowns up at me. "She wanted to talk to you. Seemed important."

"It wasn't." I reply blandly, sitting beside him and stretching out my leg. I had left one of the crutches behind, wanting to continue on with just the one.

It hurts even more this way, but I will myself to push through it.

"What's wrong?" Finn asks.

"Nothing." I mumble.

I feel Finn's eyes watching me. "Does this have anything to do with Bellamy?"

I turn my head to him. "What makes you say that?"

"Let's call it a hunch."

I scoff lightly and look away.

"Has he done something?" Finn pushes, "Has he hurt you?"

"I don't wanna talk about it."

"Chris—"

"Please, Finn." I look up at him.

After a moment, he nods. "Alright. But if he has hurt you, I won't hesitate to hurt him back."

I smile to myself, then look over at him. "You really think you'd win in a fight against Bellamy?"

Finn shakes his head. "No, but I bet I'd get at least a couple good hits in."

I chuckle, then after a moment, I say, "Alright, let me rephrase that then. You would get into a fight with him if he hurt me?"

"Of course." He looks mildly hurt. "I know we've been through a lot, Chris, but...I'll always do my best to protect you."

I see him look down to my wound, and I watch the shadows plaguing his eyes and most likely his mind. "Yeah, me too."

He looks over at the camp before us, at the people milling around and grabbing what they can, what they think they need.

"We've been here before." He states. "Run from the Grounders, or face them in death."

I nod, having thought the same thing earlier. "Yeah. It didn't work out too well the last time, either."

"This is my fault."

I falter, then take his hand. "Look, I'd be lying if I said your actions didn't make this worse, but... we're at war. We have been since the start and will be for who knows how long." I squeeze his hand, causing him to look over at me. "The Grounders would have retaliated for the death of their Commander anyway. With this, they're just...killing two birds with one stone." I cringe at the wording.

Finn looks down, thinking for a moment, then bumps his shoulder with mine and smirks. "You know, you're terrible at cheering people up."

I smile, then laugh, something I haven't done in...god, I don't even know how long.

It's short lived, as our attention is brought to the front of the Ark, where Abby and Jaha stand to talk to the people.

Finn and I head over, staying close to the edge of the forming crowd.

"A decision has been made." Abby starts, looking out at everyone. "A decision that...hasn't been made lightly."

"This doesn't sound good." I mumble.

"Gather your things." Jaha announces. "We will be leaving this camp at first light."

A murmur goes through the crowd, and some people shout out in protest, others in agreement.

"What about our kids in Mount Weather?" Someone shouts.

"As soon as we are relocated to a safer camp, an expedition will be sent out to retrieve our people." Abby states. "You have my word."

Uproar begins, parents of our friends shouting out in retaliation. Members of the guard start to intervene, and I hear Abby tell people that this is not an optional evacuation.

Finn grabs my arm, turning me to look at him. "I have to go tell Clarke."

I nod. "I'm going too."

"No," Finn shakes his head but I cut him off.

"Finn, I am sick of being stuck here—"

"I know." He says quietly, nodding. "I know, but I need to leave now and I'm sorry, Chris, but your leg will only slow me down."

I huff in annoyance, then nod. "Alright. Alright, go. Go! I'll cover for you."

"Okay." He nods, then I turn and watch as he runs for the fence behind us, crawling through the small gap and not turning back as he disappears into the trees.

I sigh. Fucking great.