𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐴𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐺𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 [ 𝑇ℎ𝑒100]

Chapter 7

The forest was quiet, almost too quiet. I crouched low, brushing aside some ferns to pluck the small, dark berries growing along the underbrush. They weren't much, but they'd have to do. Supplies back at camp were running low, and I needed to bring something back. Clark, Wells and Finn went to look after some kind of algae that is supposed to help Jasper and Bellamy with the others went hunting, I figured I could help out somehow and look for some food myself, I couldn't listen to Jasper anymore I needed to get out even if just for a second. 

The silence shattered suddenly—**flap! flap! flap!** A sharp burst of wings overhead sent my heart racing. I froze, my hand mid-reach for a particularly plump berry, and watched as a flock of birds took flight in a chaotic frenzy. They never moved like that unless something was coming. I straightened, scanning the trees for any sign of danger.

That's when I saw it—a dense, glowing orange fog creeping through the forest like a living entity. It spread fast, too fast, swallowing everything in its path. My chest tightened. Whatever it was, I didn't want to find out. 

I bolted.

The forest blurred around me as I ran, dodging trees and leaping over roots. The acrid smell of the fog stung my nose as it closed in behind me. My foot caught on something, and I went sprawling, pain shooting up my leg as I hit the ground hard.

 "No, no, no!" I scrambled to get up, but before I could move, something—someone—grabbed me.

A bag was yanked over my head.

"Ahh!" I screamed, twisting and kicking with everything I had. My fists pounded against the arms holding me, but they didn't budge. My captor was too strong. I felt myself being lifted, thrown over a shoulder like I weighed nothing. My breath came in short, panicked gasps as the world tilted and shifted.

"Let me go!" I screamed, my voice muffled by the fabric. "Help! Someone, help me!" 

The only answer was the sound of footsteps pounding against the forest floor. He was running, carrying me deeper into the unknown. My heart felt like it was going to burst out of my chest.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he stopped. I was set down, my knees hitting the ground. I gasped for air, my head spinning. The bag was yanked off, and I blinked against the sudden light.

That's when I saw him. The same man from previous night. His face was marked with paint, his dark eyes sharp and unyielding. My stomach twisted in fear. My first instinct was to reach for my knife, but my belt was empty.

I didn't need to look far. He was holding it, the blade catching the sunlight as if mocking me.

"Why are you doing this?" I demanded, my voice trembling. "What do you want from me?"

He didn't say a word, just stared at me with that unnerving calm. Then he pulled a rope from his belt and stepped closer. I shuffled back instinctively, but there was nowhere to go.

"Wait—don't—please!" I begged, but he didn't stop. He knelt in front of me and tied my wrists. The rope wasn't tight enough to cut off circulation, but it was secure enough to make escape impossible.

My chest rose and fell in shallow, panicked breaths. I had to stay calm. I had to think.  

"Did you... were you the one that spear Jasper?" I blurted out. My voice was shaking, but I didn't care. "Were you the one who attacked us?"

No answer.

"Who are you? Why are you doing this?" My voice cracked under the pressure.

He finally spoke, but it was in his language, words I didn't understand. His tone was even, almost disinterested, like I wasn't worth an explanation.

"Please!" I pressed, desperation creeping into my voice. "I'm not a threat to you. I just want to go home."

He didn't react, just watched me like I was some wild animal caught in a trap. My body trembled, every muscle taut, but eventually, the adrenaline started to wear off. My head felt heavy, and my eyelids drooped despite my best efforts to stay alert.

At some point, I fell asleep from the pain in my head. 

When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was the warmth of the sun on my face. For a moment, I thought I was back at camp, that everything had just been some terrible dream. But then I opened my eyes. 

I was still in the forest, and the rope that had bound my wrists was lying discarded beside me.

My heart raced as I looked around. He was gone. 

I spotted my knife lying a few feet away and scrambled to grab it. My hands shook as I held it close, my mind spinning. Why had he let me go? Why had he taken me in the first place? 

The forest was quiet again, the fog nowhere in sight. It was like nothing had happened at all. But the ache in my wrists and the faint scent of his paint in the air told me it was all too real. 

I stood, my legs unsteady beneath me. Whatever had just happened, it wasn't over. I didn't know why he had let me go, but I had a feeling our paths would cross again. And next time, I'd be ready.

_____________

"Is anyone there?" I called, my voice shaky. I strained to listen, hoping for a response.

"Hey! Over here!" came a familiar voice, and relief flooded through me. It was Bellamy, rushing through the trees, his hair wild and eyes wide. "What are you doing here? I thought u were back at the camp, u can't sneak off like that Luna, There are Grounders out here!"

"I—" I hesitated, glancing around as if the Grounder might appear at any moment. "I got grabbed. He—he took me."

"Who?" Bellamy brow furrowed, and I could see the tension knotting his shoulders. "Was it a Grounder?"

I nodded, still feeling the weight of that unyielding gaze. "Yeah. He didn't say anything. Just... took me."

"Damn it!" Bellamy cursed, running a hand through his hair. "He could have killed you! Can you not tell how serious this is! "

"We need to find more supplies," I said, trying to push past the fear. "I thought I could help."

"Help?" Bellamy shot back, frustration lacing his tone. "You almost got yourself killed! You can't just wander off alone."

I took a breath, grounding myself. "I know, Bellamy. I just... I couldn't listen to him anymore. I thought—"

"Thought what?" He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "That you could handle it? That you could take on a Grounder by yourself?"

"I didn't think he'd be there!" I snapped, anger flaring at the memory. "I didn't know!"

Before Bellamy could respond, We heard a little scream, we rushed in to check what was going on. A Little girl was standing next to a body. It was Atom's body. I looked away, closing my eyes.

" Is he?.. " I started.

" Luna, take Charlotte and get back to camp" Bellamy barged in.

" But.."

" Luna! now! " He said. I didn't say anything, I just took Charlottes hand and walked off. Thinking about it now, seeing Atoms body, I think the grounder tired to save me, but why?.

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Hey! This chapter was a little chaotic, but I hope it was good and u guys liked it, I decided to bring some more actions in, a little bit more of Kael( the grounder) since this book it about it. 

Do you guys like it so far? Let me know <3