Experiment of Fate ~ A Bellamy Blake story

Chapter 10 - Cell

Isla Griffin picked herself up off the cold, damp ground, her legs wobbling as she tried to regain her balance. Her mind was a whirlwind of confusion and pain, replaying the events of the last few hours. Everything had crumbled so fast. Her heart raced, but she steadied herself, breathing deeply, and with every breath, she reminded herself of her mission. She had to find Kane.

Kane had always been a voice of reason, a source of calm amidst the chaos that seemed to engulf them daily. And right now, she needed that. She needed someone to ground her, to make sense of the nightmare that had unfolded. Moving quickly through the empty hallways of the building where they were hiding, she finally found him, sitting in a makeshift meeting space, head buried in his hands, deep in thought.

"Kane..." Isla's voice cracked as she approached him.

He looked up, his expression softening when he saw her. "Isla, are you okay?"

"I broke," she whispered, collapsing into his arms. "I couldn't understand why he would do this. Why Bellamy... why would he follow Pike?"

Kane's arms tightened around her, his voice calm but firm. "You are not alone in this, Isla. Octavia and Lincoln are with us, Miller and Harper, and me... and your mother. We're all here, supporting each other. We will get through this, together."

Isla trembled in his arms. The thought of Bellamy haunted her. "Kane, if Bellamy finds out about my abilities... What if he tells Pike? What if he—"

Before Kane could respond, the door burst open. Abby rushed inside, breathless and alarmed. "They're back."

Kane released Isla, and both he and Abby exchanged a brief, somber glance before hurrying out of the small space. Kane paused for just a moment, giving Isla a reassuring smile. "Stay strong."

Isla nodded, watching as they left, her heart pounding. The sounds of the camp stirred outside, and Isla followed, slipping quietly into the crowd. She kept to the shadows, out of sight but close enough to see the group entering through the gate.

Bellamy was at the front, his face emotionless, but Isla could feel the tension radiating from him. His jaw was clenched so tightly she wondered if he'd break his teeth. Behind him, the others filed in—exhausted, silent, weighed down by the horrors of whatever they had faced. Pike, smug and proud, took up the rear.

Isla's stomach churned as Bellamy moved further into camp. She saw Octavia rush to him, worry etched into her features.

"Bellamy, are you okay?" Octavia asked, her voice thick with concern.

Bellamy barely spared her a glance. "I'm fine," he muttered coldly.

Octavia pressed on. "What happened out there?"

But Bellamy's attention was elsewhere. He scanned the crowd as if searching for something—or someone. Isla froze as his gaze swept over her hiding place. He didn't see her, but she saw him. He looked... broken. She knew that look. It mirrored the pain she felt. But in that moment, he turned away, disappointment etched into his features.

Pike climbed onto a platform, addressing the gathering crowd with a loud, booming voice. "Everybody listen! Less than 24 hours ago, you elected me as your Chancellor. Every action I've taken since, and will continue to take, will achieve one sacred goal: the creation of a self-sustaining, prosperous, and safe Arkadia."

The crowd erupted in cheers around Isla, but she felt sick. Octavia stood nearby, her face a mix of fury and disgust. Isla's eyes flickered to her mother and Kane, both watching Pike with disdain. They didn't believe his lies. They couldn't.

Pike's voice grew louder, more fervent. "This morning, on the muddy field, our people paid tribute to those who have been taken from us by sending a message to the Grounders. This land is ours now!"