𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐀𝐖𝐍 | the 100

46 | Sacrifice

"I was being weak."

‧ ✩ ｡ ✭ ° ☆ ･ _______ ･ ☆ ° ✭ ｡ ✩ ‧

Amber tries to think of Jules. The thought of finally reuniting with her friend keeps her from trembling as she's dragged past cold stares and whispers and to the wooden post at the center of the village. She almost loses her composure when they stop in front of it, taking in the deep dents and old bloodstains, but she holds in her sobs by biting the inside of her cheek. It will only be a matter of time before she breaks. She knows that. But she will not let them see her fear before they see her pain.

Her jaw is set and arms slack when they strip her of her jacket and shove her against the post, not even a sniffle escapes her as they bind her wrists above her head. This is it. This is my punishment and this is my absolution. After this, I can finally have peace.

The two warriors knot the rope one final time before falling back and joining the crowd. Her eyes sweep over their unfamiliar faces, but only finds hatred in them. Some of these people were probably defenseless on their knees while she let Finn rummage through their homes.

"I heard what you did here, Amber."

As if woken from sleep, she slowly turns to the voice and blinks the person in front of her into focus. Lexa's face is as emotionless as ever.

"Understand that I take no joy in this." She begins to approach, hand resting on the hilt at her hip, and with every step she takes, the heart in Amber's chest beats faster. "But this time, justice will be done."

Clinging onto the last thread of her bravery, Amber raises her chin. "Then get it over with."

Something flickers in Lexa's expression but is gone the same second, hidden under the Commander's mask. Before Amber can decide if she imagined it or not, her brain is shut off by the pickle of cold steel. She sucks a sharp breath through her nostrils as she eyes the spot on her arm that Lexa has chosen with her sword, then the blade draws across her skin and pain takes over.

Her eyes clench shut, her fingers curl into fists, her lungs stop breathing, but she keeps herself from crying out.

When she opens her eyes again, she sees Raven. She stands at the back of the crowd with tears streaming down her face, but her whole body is leaned forward, as if she would run to Amber without a second's hesitation if only Griffin wasn't holding her back. Not far behind her, Kane holds a hand against Bellamy's chest to stop him from interfering as well. It's selfish, but their distress calms her. She's glad to know they care enough to grieve her.

Her satisfaction is short-lived when Indra steps forward.

"You've survived the blade before," she notes, taking in Amber's scarred arms. Then she closes the distance in one determined stride and presses a knife against Amber's lower rib. "I won't let you survive this time."

The blade cuts across her ribcage and a gasp claws in her throat. She grinds her teeth until her temples ache with pressure, but even with all her strength, a faint whimper slips out.

It's too much, and yet she knows that this is only the beginning.

When the next person steps forward, she bites back a plea for mercy. She's not as successful at stopping the tears.

Think of Jules, she screams at her own mind, Jules smiling, Jules laughing, Jules dancing. But her thoughts spiral, chased into madness by the sharp pain that sears through her body with every cut, and the memory of Jules disappears with her last bit of courage.