A Kiss Before The War

Chapter 3: Tunnel Love

Clarke's Perspective

As we entered the tunnels that the reapers traditionally called home, my sense of foreboding went up. There were many twists and turns we were sure to face, but the sheer unpredictability of the place was sure to strike sooner rather than later.

The only sources of light came from the entrances into the tunnels, the dim lighting that was strung up high along the walls every so often, and the light that was generated by those carrying torches.

I looked over as one of the aforementioned lights on the wall flickered and then promptly died. With any luck that'd be the only light that was extinguished and we would be able to continue on without having to grope around in the dark where the fear was not necessarily from the unknown but from the anticipation of when those opposed to us might strike.

Lincoln was one of those furthermost to the front with his expert knowledge on the layout of the tunnels an asset which we were utilising to hopefully avoid as much conflict as possible as well as taking the fastest route necessary to the Mountain Men.

A shuffling noise up ahead brought everyone to a stop. We all watched as the shadows up ahead flickered and moved as though someone was carrying and walking past a source of light. Lexa stepped directly in front of me,

"Stay behind me Clarke," was all she said as she didn't look at me but at the danger ahead.

Who did she think she was? Stepping in front of me as if to shield me from harm's way. I was never going to be respected by her people or taken seriously if she kept on insisting that I be wrapped in cotton wool. I grabbed her arm and turned her around to face me,

"I don't need you to protect me Lexa. I'm a big girl, I can handle myself."

I heard her sigh as I stepped around her so I could see what was coming,

"Do you have to fight me on every decision?" She asked the exasperation evident in her voice.

As we both watched, reapers began to emerge from around the corner up ahead. We hadn't travelled too far into the tunnels as of yet, so this group must have already been heading out for one of their raids.

Time seemed to slow down as I didn't need to be a psychic to see what was going to happen next. As they spotted us, recognition blossomed in each set of eyes that were now trained on us. Their expressions were ravenous as the lust became apparent.

They weren't after our bodies in the traditional sense of the word. They only had one thing on their minds and that was to rip, tear and feast on our flesh. Almost in unison they bellowed out a call which echoed both ways down the tunnel and before I knew it they were racing towards us.

I withdrew the machete that Lexa had given me earlier as I couldn't risk firing off bullets from my gun in such close quarters. Those in front of me didn't have such qualms as the sound of gunfire along with the sound of steel meeting steel or flesh begun to ring out through the tunnel.

These were mixed in with the odd grunt or two as the exertion of fighting with armour on as well as the heat generated from all the bodies packed into a small area made conditions stifling and a little uncomfortable.

After several minutes of fighting the reapers who had initially been cut down at the front were joined by their comrades who were slow making inroads into our defences. We'd win eventually but at what cost? I wondered to myself if they even realised the impossible odds they faced, but this thought was quickly dashed as a handful of reapers had gotten through and now it was my turn as well as Lexa's to enter the battle.