SOLDIER
book one
It's been 97 years since a nuclear explosion radiated life on Earth and life support on The Ark is now failing. In a desperate attempt to grant the citizens of the SpaceCraft more time, 100 juvenile delinquents are sent down to the...
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MORNING arrived at last, the endless night giving way to a calm, blue sky as the storm finally subsided. The world outside seemed peaceful again, but Vivienne found no solace in it. She hadn't slept a moment—every time she closed her eyes, the memories came rushing back: the death, the pain. She didn't know how much more she could bear.
And her thoughts never strayed far from the Grounder held captive just one floor above her. Bellamy had made it clear—no one was allowed near him except the few boys he trusted, rotating shifts to keep watch over the chained man they called a beast. All night, Vivienne had listened to their taunts, their cruel laughter, and the sound of chains rattling as they goaded him like some caged animal. They pushed and pushed, testing his limits, and it gnawed at her sanity.
By the time the first light of dawn slipped through the cracks and the dropship doors groaned open, Vivienne had had enough. Rising from her slouched position in the corner, she dusted off her knees, ran her fingers through her tangled hair, and clambered down the ladder.
Vivienne's pace was brisk. She didn't stop for Clarke, whose head lifted at the sound of her boots hitting the ground, nor did she spare a glance toward Finn, still being carefully tended to by Raven after a long night by his side.
She strode through the camp, her gaze sweeping over the teenagers beginning their day as though it were any other. Vivienne couldn't fathom it—how they managed to act as if everything was fine, as if their world wasn't crumbling around them piece by piece.
After a short walk, Vivienne arrived at the water station. She grabbed a dented metal cup and carefully dipped it into the container, filling it to the brim. Moving cautiously to avoid spilling, she turned and made her way back to the dropship. Once again, she slipped past Clarke and Raven without a word, her head ducked low, and began climbing the ladder, this time all the way to the top floor.
Gripping the cup tightly, water sloshed slightly over the edge, trickling down her right hand. She reached the closed metal hatch and knocked firmly, the sound echoing in the confined space. Heavy footsteps approached from above, and Vivienne shifted impatiently on her feet until Miller opened the hatch with a grunt, stepping aside to let her through.
"You're not supposed to be up here, Vivienne," Miller said, his golden-brown eyes narrowing as he leaned against the open hatch door. His tone was firm but not unkind. "Bellamy gave strict orders."
"I don't care what Bellamy said," Vivienne shot back, brushing past him without hesitation. Her steps slowed as she approached the Grounder, her heart sinking at the sight before her. His head hung low, his skin sweat-slicked, and his eyes remained tightly shut. At his feet, a dark pool of blood had collected, each crimson drop falling steadily from his clenched right fist.
Vivienne set the cup of water down on a nearby surface and grabbed a piece of scrap fabric left nearby. Dunking it into the water, she squeezed it out until the liquid ran clear, washing away the old stains of blood. She moved carefully, her heart pounding in her chest as she reached for the Grounder's clenched fist. Her hand hovered for a moment before gently resting on it, and with her other hand, she brought the damp cloth toward his bloodied knuckles.
"Vivienne, what the hell are you—" Miller's scolding was cut off abruptly.
The Grounder's eyes snapped open, blazing with alertness, and in an instant, his arm shot out. His powerful right arm wrapped around Vivienne's neck, pulling her tightly against his chest. His bicep flexed, firm but calculated—not crushing her airway, but holding her in place.
Vivienne gasped, the wet cloth slipping from her hands and falling to the floor as she slapped her palm weakly against his strong arm. "Hey!" Miller shouted, his voice rising in panic. "Bellamy!" His call echoed down the hatch, and within moments, Bellamy appeared, eyes wide with alarm as he faced the scene.
"Don't!" Vivienne's voice cracked as she urgently shouted, her body tensing when she saw Bellamy reach for the broken cables that Raven had used on the Grounder the night before, hoping to keep Finn alive.
Vivienne's breath hitched as the Grounder's grip tightened, and she tried to twist her head enough to meet his gaze. "It's okay. I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice softening. "I was just trying to help." The weight of his arm around her neck made her feel utterly powerless, almost pathetic.
"What's going on?" Octavia's voice cut through the tension, and she stepped out from behind Bellamy, her eyes flicking to Vivienne before landing on the Grounder.
"Hey," she said gently, taking a slow step toward him, her voice calm and soothing. "It's okay, let her go."
Her words worked like a charm. The Grounder's arm loosened around Vivienne's neck, his grip softening as his panic began to fade.
Vivienne stumbled forward, her breath coming in choked gasps as she rested her hands on her knees. She glanced back at the Grounder, her voice shaky but reassuring. "It's okay..." she muttered, her hand resting on her chest as she tried to steady her breath. "I'm okay."
•••
SOME time had passed, and Vivienne sat outside the dropship, her head resting in her palms. Her fingers gripped her blonde locks tightly, a mix of frustration and self-punishment clawing at her. She was lost in the thoughts that seemed to swirl endlessly in her mind, unable to shake them.
"You look like you could use a distraction," Clarke's voice pierced through the haze of Vivienne's thoughts.
Vivienne exhaled sharply, not bothering to lift her gaze. "It'd have to be something big," she replied, her tone sharp.
Clarke, undeterred by Vivienne's snappy response, offered a small, understanding smile. "I think I have just the thing. Kane gave me the coordinates for a bunker. He says there might be supplies there that could get us through the winter," she explained.
Vivienne finally lifted her head, her brow furrowing slightly. "You want me to go with you?"
Clarke hesitated, her gaze flickering downward before meeting Vivienne's eyes again. "Not exactly. I want you to go..." She paused, taking a breath before finishing, knowing Vivienne wasn't going to like it, "...with Bellamy."
Vivienne's expression immediately hardened, her eyes flashing with defiance. "No, no way," she said firmly, rising to her feet, her face contorted in refusal.
Clarke's expression softened with understanding. "I've seen you walking around camp, Vivienne. You need to get out. And besides, you'll be so focused on how much you don't want to be with Bellamy that you won't have time to think about anything else," she added, hoping to convince Vivienne. She knew the walls of the camp were slowly driving her mad.
Vivienne looked at Clarke, her expression torn, before letting out a deep sigh. "Fine. When do we leave?"
______________________________ A/N: some exciting bits coming shortly :)) Also, fun fact, I met Lincoln <3
