Until First Light (Bellarke)

Prologue

1 year ago...

Clarke

"I don't know about this guys." Once the words left Clarke's mouth, the excited chatter behind her slowly died down. She pondered turning around but decided against it, keeping her eyes trained on the flames licking inside the fireplace. Being honest, she did know. It's an idiotic plan that is no doubt going to hurt someone.

"Oh come on, Clarkey. Don't be like that. It'll be fun!" At Roma's teasing tone, Clarke whirled around. Five other people were gathered around the dining room table. To Clarke's left sat Raven, who had resigned to sitting in one of the chairs and fiddling with a video camera. Next was Octavia, who was shifted on her feet nervously, looking everywhere but the group. To her left was Monty Green, who didn't seem to be paying the slightest bit of attention to what was happening. Next was Roma, who met Clarke's gaze with a teasing one of her own. She was leaning on one hip almost challengingly. Instead of replying to Roma directly, she addressed last person standing in their small group. Bellamy Blake.

"What do you have to say about this?" Clarke questioned. Bellamy shrugged.

"We're stuck in a cabin in the middle of the woods for the weekend; might as well have a little fun." She glared.

"Don't you all think this is a little too mean?" Her question was skeptical. Out of the corner of her eye, Raven set the camera down on the table.

"Maybe, but it's not like Charlotte doesn't know how to have fun. She'll get over it." Raven stated.

"Yeah, and besides, Bell and I," Bellamy subtly winced at the nickname, "clearly have a thing going on. She can consider this as a warning of sorts; to keep her hands off my man-"

"Hey now, I'm not anyone's man." The cocky tone of Bellamy's voice made Clarke roll her eyes. Looking over at Octavia, she clearly had the same idea.

"Whatever you say." Roma retorted playfully. Gag.

"Using her crush against her is desperate and wrong." Behind the group, Clarke caught sight of Finn and Jasper, who had passed out on the kitchen island after a few too many drinks. She shook her head. "I won't be a part of your prank." With that, Clarke spun on her heel and trudged through the living room and up the stairs to the bedrooms.

"God damn stickler." She ignored the comment and continued her way up the staircase. It really is a nice place, she thought to herself. The cabin was huge, to say the least. Around her, wooden walls arched up into an elegant sphere above her head. Retro Tiffany chandeliers hung from the ceiling with the intent of illuminating the large space. However, the power was knocked out during the blizzard and left only the fire to bathe the walls in its soft orange glow. Below her sat a magnificent sitting area with windows lining the wall and a grand stone fireplace. Connected to it was a large kitchen and hallway filled with entertainment areas. The staircase began as one and split off into two shorter ones at the top; one going left and the other going right. The U shaped hallway above consisted of large guest bedrooms and bathrooms.

"Charlotte?" Clarke called out. The soft patter of her sneakers against the hardwood floor was the only thing that kept her from noticing the still silence that had consumed the upper level. The loud conversation below had slowly died down as the group dispersed. I wonder where Fox is. "Charlotte, you up here?" She tried again. Nothing. "Come on Lottie." Her voice was softer this time, almost tentative. She turned the corner and continued walking, glancing at each door along the way. She took a deep breath. "Charlotte!"

"What?!" Clarke jumped at the sudden response. She whipped her head to the door on her left.

"Jeez, you scared me." She let out a small huff, her lips turning up at the corners. She twisted the door handle only to find it locked. "What are you doing in there?"