Torn

A Risk Worth Taking

"We need to talk" Clarke said shoving her way into his tent

"Not now Clarke," Bellamy had his head in his hands

"No. Now Bellamy, it's important." 

"Clarke, go away. Half of my friends just died, please, just leave me alone," he whispered

"I'm not moving. They were my friends too Bell-"

"No!" He jerked his head up and stood. "They weren't your friends, they never were! You never even bothered to know their names!" He towered above her, "You were too busy causing trouble, you were too busy trying to fix things that you only made things worse-"  

"So what," she cut him off pushing him, "you're going to get angry and walk away? Huh? Is that what you're going to do Bellamy?" she pushed him again, a little harder this time, "Well get over it, I don't care if you hate me!" she shoved him against the wall of the tent, "I cared about all of them, Fox, Atom, Glass, Luke, Maya, Harper, Finn...I knew all of them, hell, I treated all of them, " her lip trembled, "Hating me isn't going to solve anything and you know that. We need to retaliate- 

"Shut up Clarke!" Bellamy shouted, grabbing her shoulders and shaking them, "Enough! No more fighting, no more trying to fix things! We need time, time to recuperate and gather our supplies and repair our camp. But after that we're done, I'm done." He let go of her in self-defeat  

"46." she whispered, "That's all that's left of the 100 that were sent down here. Now we will never live in peace if we don't make peace with the grounders, if we show them that we can live together-"

"So now you wanna live with them"

"Will you just let me speak" her voice hoarse from yelling, "If we can strike a deal with them then they'll have no reason to wipe us out."

"Yea, until the rest of the ark comes down from space. The Grounders will take that really well and we'll all just hug and put this behind us." He laughed bitterly

"Clarke" Miller said stumbling in, his breathing heavy, "You...need...to see this, " he coughed

Clarke manner changed in an instant and knelt next to Miller, "Shh, don't speak. Put your hands above your head and take deep breaths." She held his elbows and softened her eyes, "Now. what happened?"

Miller was breathing regularly now, "Grounders."

"WHAT?" Bellamy cried out, "Again?"

Miller led them to the camp's gate where a group of Grounders stood. They stood just before the camps wall. Clarke crossed her arms and Bellamy clenched his fists.

The rest of the camp gathered behind them in silence and stared at the group of outsiders. 

One of the Grounders stepped forward and Bellamy stood in front of Clarke, "Not another step." He growled. 

Clarke put a hand on his chest and nodded, Bellamy sighed and stepped beside her, his switchblade in his hand, "Just for precaution." 

The grounders grunted and motioned for his followers to lay down their weapons, "We come in peace" his voice was deep

Clarke's eyes widened but Bellamy only scoffed, she shushed him but he kept his arm in front of her. 

"My name is Lincoln, and these," he gestured behind him, "Are my brothers by bond. We are from Trikru and we have come here to offer you shelter."

The campers murmured but Clarke held her hand up, "Why do you want to help us?"

"Clarke you can't seriously believe him" Bellamy whispered into her ear

"We don't agree with what our people did to you and we want to offer our help, people of Skikru."

"What's the catch?" Clarke asked

"There is none" Octavia said coming out form behind Lincoln

"Octavia?" Bellamy and Clarke gasped

Now the camp was starting to get agitated but Clarke shut them up. 

"What the hell are you doing O?" Bellamy hissed

Octavia planted a kiss on Lincoln's cheek and smiled, "Saving us."

Bellamy could hardly contain his anger, "How dare you-" He stepped towards Lincoln, his face contorted with anger, Clarke held him back.

"Let go of me Clarke." He breathed

"Octavia, come here" Clarke said. It wasn't a question nor a suggestion it was a command. 

Clarke's strange anger and Bellamy's quieted rage scared Octavia and she grudgingly walked to Clarke. Bellamy made a move to grab her hand but she jerked away and hugged Clarke. 

"I'm sorry Clarke" she pulled out a syringe and injected the contents into her neck, Clarke fell to the floor

"What the-" Bellamy caught Clarke and shouts rang from the campers, "Octavia, what are you doing?"

"We haven't got much time Bellamy-"

"The hell we do. What did you do to her?!"

Horns sounded in the distance and Lincoln spoke, "That's our cue, the others have started the acid fog, we need to leave. Now."

Bellamy looked at Octavia and she nodded her head, "Please," she pleaded, "Trust me." 

"If you're wrong?"

"I'm not." she whispered

Bellamy picked up Clarke and turned to the campers, "Grab your things, we're leaving!" he shouted

"No," Lincoln cut in, "We don't have the time for them to grab their belongings, we need to leave before the fog rolls in, your things will be here in the morning but you guys won't, unless you come with us."

Bellamy had a pained look on his face but then saw Octavia looking at him, her eyes pleading.

"Scratch that!" He turned his head back at camp, "We're evacuating. Move out!"