𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐴𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐺𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 [ 𝑇ℎ𝑒100]

Chapter 4

Stars twinkled in the vast sky above, each one a distant promise. I leaned back on my elbows, taking in the beauty of the night, the cool breeze rustling through the leaves.

"It's perfect out here," I whispered to no one in particular, but I felt a sense of camaraderie with the silence.

  A sudden snap of a twig made me bolt upright. I whipped my head to the left, heart racing, but all I saw were my friends sprawled out, wrapped in their jackets. Just then, I realized Clark and Finn were missing. Panic surged through me. How did they sneak out without me hearing? Was my hearing really that bad?

 I stood, determination replacing my earlier calm. "Where did they go," I murmured, more to myself than to anyone else. I glanced back at the sleeping figures, then stepped quietly into the shadowy embrace of the forest. The colors of the night were mesmerizing, the bioluminescent fungi glowing like little neon lights scattered across the ground.

 I walked toward a nearby tree, mesmerized by the strange mushrooms. Their soft glow beckoned me closer. My fingers brushed against one when another snap broke the stillness. I turned sharply, but nothing was there. A shiver of fear traced my spine, yet curiosity tugged at me. I followed the sound deeper into the woods, and there it was, a figure standing behind a tree, I couldn't quiet figure out what it is, is it a man? a woman? an animal?.

 "Hello?" I called, my voice wavering slightly. No response.

 "Hey! What are you doing here all alone? It's dangerous, we don't know what's out there yet!" Clark's voice cut through the tension as he stepped from the shadows, relief flooding through me. I turned back around but the strange figure was far gone.

"I... I couldn't sleep," I stammered, trying to mask my unease. Had I imagined it? The figure I thought I saw?

"Come on, let's head back," Finn said, joining Clark. They turned, moving back toward the camp, and I followed, uncertainty gnawing at me. Should I tell them what I saw? I decided to keep it to myself for now.


________________________________________

"I'll find a vine to swing across. It'll be easier than wading through." He grinned, and I could see the spark of mischief dancing in his eyes.

 "Smart move, Finn," I said, feeling a rush of admiration. 

"Don't stall, you wanted to go first," Clark nudged Finn as we approached the riverbank. The water glimmered under the moonlight.  We didn't want to get bitten by whatever had attacked us the previous night, and none of us could swim.

 Jasper stood nearby, whispering something to Finn.

" Let me do it" He said taking a look at Octavia.

"I knew there was a badass there somewhere," I laughed, nudging Clark. "Go, Jasper!" I cheered, excitement bubbling within me.

"Okay, okay," Jasper said, taking a deep breath. He glanced back at us, determination flashing in his eyes.

"Here goes nothing." He swung himself across the water with a whoosh, landing on the other side.

 "We made it!" he shouted, pumping his fist in the air. We cheered for him, the thrill of victory igniting our spirits.

  "Alright, my turn!" I exclaimed, grabbing the vine. I glanced at Jasper, who was holding a sign he'd drawn in the dirt, "Mount Weather."

 "We did it!" he yelled again, pride radiating from him. I tightened my grip on the vine and prepared to swing when a sudden whoosh cut through the air.    A spear flew past me, striking Jasper in the chest.

 "JASPER!" I screamed, my heart plummeting as I rushed forward.

 "Move! Get down!" Finn yelled, grabbing my arm and yanking me behind a large rock. I could barely process what had happened, adrenaline flooding my system.    I scanned the area, fear prickling at my skin.

"What just happened?" I gasped, trying to catch my breath.

"We're not alone," Clark said, his voice low and tense. The sounds of footsteps echoed through the forest, a chilling reminder that danger lurked just beyond our sight.

 "Run!" Finn shouted, and we took off, sprinting back toward the camp. My heart raced, each beat a reminder of Jasper's injury. I glanced back, my stomach twisting in knots.

 Monty tripped, and as we rushed to help him, something caught my eye—a skeleton lying on the ground, its bony fingers splayed as if reaching for something lost.

 "Who are they?" Finn asked, his voice barely above a whisper, eyes wide with horror.

 "What are they?" Clark echoed, picking up a skull and examining it. We exchanged glances, a moment of understanding passing between us. Then, a scream shattered the air.

  "Jasper!" I gasped, my heart racing as I bolted back in the direction we'd come from. I could hear the others behind me, their footsteps pounding on the forest floor.

  "Where is he?" I cried, scanning the darkness for any sign of him. "He was just here!"

 "He was right there!" Finn shouted, panic rising in his voice.

"No, where is he?" Monty asked, his face pale with fear.

 "They took him," Clark said, his voice breaking.

"Why would they do that? We have to find him!" I insisted, my mind racing with the implications.

 "We need to get back to camp," Clark said, urgency in his tone. "Then we can gather more people and look for him."

A wave of dread washed over me. Why had they thrown a spear at him? And why take him? The questions swirled in my mind, each one sharper than the last. Fear gripped me, I was terrified for Jasper. What would they do to him? Would they hurt him?

 My breath came in short gasps as we stumbled through the underbrush, adrenaline fueling our escape. The forest felt alive around us, shadows dancing in the corners of my vision, taunting me with the unknown.

 "Keep moving!" Finn urged, his voice cutting through the chaos of my thoughts.

__________________________________________________

This chapter is a bit shorter then the previous ones, but i still hope u guys enjoyed it <3

In the next few chapters there will be some more actions going on so stay tuned!