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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USING the worn, tattered map Clarke had given them with the coordinates, Vivienne and Bellamy made their way through the woods in an uneasy silence. Neither had much to say; Vivienne's words would likely be a cutting remark, and Bellamy lacked the energy to respond with anything equally harsh. Instead, they endured the tension, trudging along and silently wishing the journey would end quickly.
As they walked, Bellamy reached into his bag, pulling out a packet of nuts—part of the rations harvested to help the camp survive the winter. Vivienne's gaze shifted to his bag, her brows furrowing as she noticed how many packets were tucked inside. She lifted her chin slightly, trying to get a better look just before Bellamy hurriedly zipped the bag shut, his movements a little too quick.
Another stretch of silence lingered between them before Vivienne broke it, her tone sharp with suspicion. "Why so many rations?" she asked, narrowing her eyes and raising a brow at the dark-haired boy. "We're only out here for the day."
Bellamy barely glanced her way, adjusting the strap of his bag higher on his shoulder. "A lot can happen in a day," he replied evenly, his voice giving nothing away.
"You're not planning on ditching out on us are you, Bellamy?" Vivienne's voice dripped with mockery, her tone striking every nerve in his body.
Bellamy's shoulders tensed, but he kept his gaze forward, refusing to look back at her. "Why would I?" he replied curtly, his steps widening as he moved ahead, putting a slight distance between them.
Vivienne shrugged nonchalantly, her eyes narrowing as they bore into the back of his head. "Well," she began casually, "with the first dropship coming down full of Council members and the Chancellor..." Her voice sharpened, "I didn't get the impression you're all that eager to reunite with Jaha."
For a fleeting moment, Vivienne almost smirked. Clarke had been right—being out here with Bellamy was definitely a distraction.
Abruptly, Bellamy stopped in his tracks and spun around, forcing Vivienne to halt sharply to avoid colliding with his broad frame. His dark eyes locked onto hers light ones. "Your father should be on that ship, right?" he countered, his tone cold and cutting. "I'm guessing you're not too eager to see him either."
Vivienne's jaw tightened, her teeth grinding together as she swallowed the sting of his words. Her fists clenched at her sides, and for a brief moment, she considered snapping back. Instead, she bit her tongue, stepped past him, and deliberately brushed her shoulder against his as she moved ahead, her pace brisk.
Suddenly, this day trip didn't seem like such a good distraction.
•••
CONTINUING their journey in the same uncomfortable silence as before, the pair eventually reached a clearing beyond the woods. A sprawling lake flooded the space, its surface littered with the protruding remnants of buildings, half-sunken and ravaged by past explosions.
"The depot's supposed to be around here somewhere," Vivienne said, her eyes flicking between the map in her hands and the desolate scene before them.
Bellamy stepped up beside her, his gaze sweeping the area. "Let's split up, cover more ground," he suggested, already moving off in one direction before she could respond.
He paused mid-step, glancing over his shoulder to catch Vivienne's eye for a brief moment as she stood still. "Stay within shouting distance," he said, his voice softer than before.
Vivienne made her way down a slope, stopping at the water's edge. The dampness seeped into the toes of her boots as she scanned the area, searching for any sign of the bunker. Instead, her eyes landed on the remnants of sunken buildings, their crumbling structures older than anything else she'd seen on this planet. The lake had clearly claimed this space long after the buildings were abandoned.
Rusted signs jutted out of the murky water, their surfaces cloaked in moss that obscured the faded writing. Time had bent them at odd angles, their warped shapes leaning precariously.
Vivienne took a deep breath, her teeth worrying at her bottom lip as she fought to shove the intrusive thoughts down, burying them in the pit of her stomach. She needed to focus—finding the bunker was their best shot at surviving the winter.
"Kane!" Bellamy's deep voice echoed across the lake, snapping her out of her thoughts. Turning, she spotted him standing atop a small mound above her, one leg planted on a higher patch of uneven ground. "I found a door!"
Clambering up the muddy slope, her boots struggled for traction, slipping and sliding against the slick earth. Each step teased a fall back to the bottom, her frustration mounting. As she neared the top, the damp mud beneath her gave way entirely, and her stomach dropped along with her balance.
Bellamy reacted in an instant, his large hand shooting out to grip her arm tightly. "I got you," he assured, his voice steady as he hoisted her up with surprising ease, pulling her so close that for a brief moment, she was nearly against his chest.
With an awkward cough, Bellamy released his hold, letting his hand drop as soon as she was on stable ground again. Vivienne stepped aside, brushing off her sleeve as if to reclaim her composure. She glanced at him briefly but said nothing, waiting silently for Bellamy to take the lead.
Together, they heaved against the rusted metal door, its hinges groaning in protest before it finally gave way, revealing a dark pit below. Dim daylight poured in, faintly illuminating the cracked and aged stairs that spiraled downward.
Vivienne hesitated at the edge, her eyes scanning the open space, noting the thick cobwebs clinging to corners and the dust swirling lazily in the stale air.
"Ladies first," Bellamy quipped, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips as he extended a hand toward her.
She glanced at him warily before slipping her palm against his, her grip tentative as she took the first cautious step into the shadowy unknown.
"If there's anything down here—" Vivienne started, her voice tinged with unease. She glanced back at Bellamy, and for a fleeting moment, her usual sharp, guarded gaze softened into something almost vulnerable.
"I'll be right behind you, Kane," Bellamy comforted her, his tone steady and reassuring.
Vivienne gave a small nod, her fingers slipping away from his as she turned back to the stairs. Taking a deep breath, she descended further into the darkness. True to his word, Bellamy stayed close behind her, the beam of his torch cutting through the shadows as he flicked it on, lighting the way.
______________________________ A/N: updates are gonna get a bit slower cos I'm going back to work this week! But I promise to update as much as possible <3
