I Run to You

Chapter 16

 Bellamy's breath caught in his chest at the way her blue eyes caressed his face. His hand continued to move up and down her side, the heat of her body seeping into his fingers.

"Bellamy, I..."

Before she could finish, the bedroom door swung open and Miller charged into the room.

"Boss, we've got a problem," he said, stopping short when he saw Clarke, "Oh, hey Princess."

Bellamy growled at the use of the nickname, "What do you want Miller?"

"The Sky's have a bounty on your head."

Bellamy felt Clarke's quick intake of breath, saw how her eyes widened and her body began to tremble.

"I take it that's why I was brained with a 2x4."

"Yeah, it was one of their little peons. Lincoln caught him, and Wick's got him now. We've already questioned him," Miller replied.

"How old is he," Bellamy asked, his dark eyes grim.

"Looks to be about fourteen."

"Take him to the shop. Tell him we'll give him a job and a roof over his head in exchange for his loyalty. No crew membership though. I want him back in school, and no more funny business."

"Yes, sir," Miller said, giving a rapid salute before leaving.

"That was really great of you," Clarke whispered beside him.

"I don't want what happened to me to happen to him. No kid should feel like they have to turn to the streets to survive."

Bellamy's mind wandered to that day all those years ago, the day that his life changed.

It had been late May, warm and sunny. He'd come home from school, parking his old pickup in the drive before walking to the mailbox. He pulled out a stack of letters, mostly bills, and then one caught his eye.

Department of Human Services was emblazoned across the top, and Bellamy felt sick. He tore open the envelope, his eyes scanning the letter quickly. Unless he could show proof of steady employment and responsibility, he and O were both going to be placed in foster care.

The thought turned his stomach, and his hands began to shake. He'd just lost his mother two months ago, and now he was about to lose his little sister too. Fear consumed him, and he barely heard the school bus come to a stop.

He felt Octavia wrap her arms around him, a smile on her face and words pouring from her rosebud lips.

"Bell, you'll never believe..."

"O, I need you to go inside and lock the door. I've got somewhere I have to be. I'll be back in a little bit. Don't open the door for anyone," he said as he made his way to his truck.

He waited until the front door was closed before he drove away. His mind was abuzz with what he was about to do. The only place he knew to turn was the Grounder crew. He'd heard they were taking in new members, and the pay was decent.

Bellamy pulled up in front of the Black Panther garage on 36th, putting his truck in park and laying his head against the steering wheel.

"I'm sorry, Mom," he murmured.

He got out, making his way into the dim, noisy garage. He spoke to one of the guys leaned over a car, and was sent to a run down office at the back of the shop. He knocked, entering when permitted.