Experiment of Fate ~ A Bellamy Blake story

16 - Luna

The sky had started to darken, and Isla's eyes were fixed on Luna's silhouette disappearing against the hazy backdrop. She barely had time to process Luna's abrupt departure before she was herded with the others into the rig. She glanced around at the large room they'd been left in, noticing people scattered around, eating and talking, and a girl at the front engrossed in a tale.

One of Luna's people gestured for them to wait, then left without another word. Isla exchanged confused glances with Bellamy, Clarke, and Octavia, wondering what Luna was trying to accomplish. The tension was thick, with Octavia sitting unnervingly still. Isla's worry grew—was Octavia in shock? They hadn't expected Luna to turn them away so completely, especially not when they were so desperate.

Jasper, unfazed, leaned back in his chair and let himself be drawn into the storyteller's world. Isla noticed his faint smile, and it was almost enough to ease her own unease. But the moment was cut short as she spotted the woman who had denied them. She reached out, grabbing Clarke and Bellamy's attention.

"She's here," she said, nodding toward Luna.

Bellamy's face shifted, his hope cautious but evident. "Maybe she's changed her mind." He stood, and Isla followed with Clarke close behind, making their way across the room to where Luna sat.

Before Clarke could speak, Luna's voice cut through with a finality that left no room for hope. "The boat returns at nightfall. Then you leave. Forever."

Clarke tried again, her voice tight, "Luna, let us explain—"

"I said no." Her voice was steel, her eyes unyielding.

Bellamy reached out, trying to stop her as she turned to leave. "No, you need to hear this. There is something out there that's going to destroy us all."

Luna shook her head, barely pausing. "Whatever it is, it can't reach us here."

Isla's frustration boiled over. "It can and it will," she said sharply. "My brother spoke of you as a hero, this great woman. Where is she now?"

Luna's expression didn't falter, and she brushed past them, moving toward Octavia. Jasper rose and quietly walked away, leaving them standing there, feeling the weight of her indifference. They watched as Luna handed Octavia Lincoln's journal, sharing a brief conversation before drifting back toward a couch, curling up with the man who'd been at her side.

Isla looked away, a pang of guilt at her own curiosity. She felt Bellamy's hand take hers, and together with Clarke, they joined Octavia around a small fire, settling into silence. Resigned frustration was etched into Bellamy's face, while Clarke sat rigid, her anger barely contained.

Bellamy glanced at Jasper, his lips lifting in a faint smile. "Jasper's actually smiling."

Isla followed his gaze, seeing her friend talking animatedly with the storyteller, his face alight with a joy she hadn't seen in ages. She managed a small smile, though the warmth of it quickly faded as Clarke glared in Luna's direction. Bellamy shook his head, quietly urging, "Let it go."

"We can't just leave," Clarke argued, voice tense.

Octavia's voice was a murmur, heavy with acceptance. "It's not like we have much of a choice."

But Clarke's eyes had lit up with a new idea. "Maybe we do," she said quietly.

Isla frowned, uncertain. "What are you talking about?"

Clarke looked at each of them. "I'm talking about putting the Flame in her without asking."

Isla's heart sank. "Wait, no. Clarke, that's not a good idea."