Hopeless - (Bellamy Blake - Book 2)

Chapter 30.

The Ark camp is in chaos.

It's the middle of the night, and sleep is far from anyone's mind. People are packing bags of food rations, clothing, heirlooms and honestly, anything they can get their hands on that may be of some use.

I stand in the middle of it all, torn between doing the same, and resisting—with the hope that Clarke has an idea to stop this oncoming attack.

She has to, or we're all dead.

"Carter."

I turn at my name, coming face to face with Abby, Jaha, and Major Byrne.

Shit.

"Chancellor Griffin." I smile politely. "How can I help you?"

Abby gives me a look that translates to 'cut the crap', but I don't back down. "Where are they?"

"Who?" I ask innocently.

"Your friends." Jaha says blandly.

I shuffle on my good leg. "Which ones? The ones stuck in Mount Weather, or the ones that aren't?"

A tense silence shifts between us.

Jaha says in his usual monotone voice, "The ones that aren't."

"Oh, of course." I nod. "That should have been obvious."

"Carter." Abby sighs. "Where's Clarke? We don't have time for this."

"Oh, you're looking for Clarke." I wait a beat before shrugging. "I've no clue where she is."

"And the others?" Jaha asks.

"Which others?"

"Your other friends."

"Yeah, but which ones specifically? I'll have you know, I'm quite popular."

"Ma'am," Byrne cuts in, "shall I place her under arrest? This is getting us no where."

Abby steps forward, directly into my line of sight. I don't let my mask fall for even a moment.

"Carter," she says quietly—lowly, "where are they?"

"I already said, I don't know." I don't back down from her intense gaze.

"Carter, she could be in danger. They all could be."

"Welcome to Earth." I snide.

"Miss Carter." Jaha steps forward. "This situation we find ourselves in is...complicated enough as it is. The Grounders are ruthless, and will not rest until our people are dead."

I turn my stare onto him, my eyes narrowing slightly. "I know. I've been here far longer than you have, and if I remember correctly, you're the reason for that." I add as an after thought, "Chancellor." Then I turn to Abby, pointing a finger at her, then Jaha. "Wait, are you both Chancellor now? Is that even allowed?"

"Enough of this." Abby glances behind at her companions. "She won't give them up," She sends me one last displeased look before leading them away.

I watch them all go, releasing a heavy breath once they're completely gone.

Finn, you owe me big time.