𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐴𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐺𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 [ 𝑇ℎ𝑒100]

Chapter 5

The camp was alive with noise as we drew closer. Cheers echoed through the trees, but my heart sank when I spotted Wells, knife glinting in the dim light, pressed against a boy's throat. The kid's eyes were wide, reflecting pure terror.

"Wells! Let him go!" Clark shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.

I shuffled next to Octavia, trying to keep her steady as Monty supported her on the other side. Her leg was a mess, a brutal reminder of our encounter. Wells hesitated, then shoved the boy to the ground, the blade slipping away from his throat.

"What's going on?" She demanded, scanning the group.

"Octavia! Are you alright?" Bellamy rushed to her side, his brow furrowed with concern. She nodded, though I could see the strain on her face.

"Where's the food?" he asked, examining her wound.

"We didn't make it to Mouth Weather," I admitted, guilt washing over me. Octavia had been injured on my watch.

"What the hell happened out there?" Bellamy's voice was low, demanding.

"We were attacked," Clark interjected, stepping forward.

"Attacked? By what?" Wells raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched on his face.

"Not what, who," Finn piped up, urgency in his tone. "Turns out when the last man from the ground died on the Ark, he wasn't the last Grounder."

"It's true," Clark added, her gaze darting among us. "Everything we thought we knew about the ground is wrong."

"There are people here, survivors. They're dangerous," I said, the weight of my words pressing down on all of us.

"The good news is, that means we can survive. Radiation won't kill us," Clark offered, looking around at the faces of our group.

"The bad news is the Grounders will," Finn shot back, his eyes locked on Bellamy.

"Where's the kid with the goggles?" Wells asked, his focus shifting again.

"Jasper was hit," Clark replied grimly.

"They took him," I added, my voice barely above a whisper as I stared at the ground.

"Where's your wristband?" Clark asked, suddenly grabbing Wells' arm.

I couldn't believe it. Jasper was missing, maybe in pain, and all she cared about was a stupid wristband? My frustration bubbled over.

We should be looking for Jasper, not wasting time.

"Ask him," Wells said, pointing at Bellamy.

"How many?" Clark pressed, stepping closer to him.

"Twenty-four and counting," a boy chimed in.

I felt my patience wearing thin. I didn't want to hear any more about wristbands or numbers. I turned and headed for the dropship, desperate to find something—anything—that could help Octavia. Inside, I rifled through the supplies, my heart racing. Bandages, antiseptics... I shoved them into my pockets, but something caught my eye in the corner. A piece of sharp metal, perhaps a remnant of our descent. I picked it up, testing its weight in my hand. I could fashion a knife.

With a quick wrap of string, I had a crude but effective weapon. I slipped it into my boot and headed back outside to find Bellamy crouched next to Octavia, carefully examining her leg.

"Hey, I got this," I said, kneeling beside her and pulling out the bandages. She winced as I began to wrap her leg, her pain clear in her eyes.

"What the hell was it?" Bellamy's voice was sharp, filled with anger.

"I don't know," Octavia replied, her voice strained.

"It was like a giant snake," I said, the blame creeping into my tone. I couldn't meet Bellamy's gaze, I knew he would hold me responsible.

"You could have been killed! You were supposed to look after her!" Bellamy snapped, stepping closer.

"Hey, she's alive!" Clark defended, rushing in. "If it wasn't for Luna and Jasper, she wouldn't be."

"Are you guys leaving? I'm coming too," Octavia insisted, trying to rise to her feet.

"Me too," I added, determined not to be left behind.

"No, no, no way. Not again," Bellamy said firmly, shaking his head.

"Your leg will slow us down," Clark echoed, her voice softer but no less resolute. "I'm here for you."

"I hear you have a gun," she said, turning to Bellamy.

"I do," he replied, lifting his shirt to reveal a holstered weapon, his expression unreadable.

"Good, follow me," Clark said, starting to walk away.

"And why would I do that?" Bellamy challenged.

"Because you want them to follow you, and right now they think only one of us is scared."

"Murphy, come with me," Bellamy commanded, his tone brokering no argument. "Atom? My sister doesn't leave this camp, is that clear?"

"I don't need a babysitter," Octavia shot back defiantly.

"Anyone touches her, they answer to me," Bellamy said, his voice firm as he looked at Atom. I stood up, ready to argue, but Bellamy stopped me.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"To look after my friend!" I shot back, my confidence unwavering.

"No, you're staying here with Octavia," he insisted.

"The hell I am!" I exclaimed, anger flaring.

"You promised me you would look after my sister, and now look at her!" He stepped closer, his frustration palpable. I held my ground, challenging him with my glare.

"You can't keep me here. This isn't your decision!"

"You are staying here, end of discussion." He turned and walked away, leaving me in stunned silence. I wanted to follow, but Atom's hand on my arm stopped me.

"If you don't take your hand off of me, you won't have one," I warned, glaring at him. He just smiled nervously, and I shook his grip off as I helped Octavia back toward the dropship.

"We're going to make your life a living hell," Octavia teased lightly, throwing a sideways glance at Atom.