A Kiss Before The War

Chapter 18: Trouble in Paradise

Clarke's perspective

I'd seen, heard and done some terrible things since first coming to the ground, but this was definitely one of the worst if not the worst. Seeing the despair on that mother's face as she cried for the child she'd lost, the one who'd been murdered by some monster.

I think it was fair to say that it shocked and outraged everyone. Nothing remotely close to this had happened since Lexa and I had started living together as we continued to rebuild Ton DC. It had taken these people, her people and guess now mine too awhile to get over all they'd lost during the war with the Mountain Men and the bombing of Ton DC and this was likely to be a setback.

On a day which held some significance to the Grounders as well I was instantly suspicious. Whoever was behind this had planned to take everyone by surprise by committing this atrocity on a day meant for celebration & happiness.

"Clarke! Go and make sure no one disturbs the body and keep the crowd back with Indra, Octavia and Lincoln until I get there," Lexa said to me as she turned away to deal with the ferocious masses.

I wasn't too impressed with her ordering me around, but I let it go because I loved her and because of the urgency of the situation that we had on our hands to deal with.

I exited the arena as quickly as possible and as I made my way towards the marketplace, the earliest onlookers had already arrived to gawk at what turned out to be a sickening sight. My heart broke anew when I got my first glimpse of the little girl's body which was left out in plain sight.

She was still wearing bloodied clothes and the multiple wounds which led to her demise could be seen. Her poor body lay crumpled on the ground and unseeing eyes gazed to the heavens. I had to swallow the bile that had risen in my throat so that I wouldn't throw up.

"Everyone stay away from the body and the surrounding area until the investigation is complete and the body can be moved," I said in what I hoped passed for an authoritative tone.

I had a nearby Grounder turn his attention to me and I could see his glare directed fully at me,

"We don't take orders from you. You're just the Commander's plaything," he said as he tried to stand over me and intimidate me.

I was shocked and even a little hurt at his words though. Is that how her people saw me? As nothing more than Lexa's stress relief whenever she felt like it. I felt cheapened like I was some possession that you could put away and forget about when you were bored of it.

I wasn't just going to take that from this Grounder though. The audience watching was growing and if I didn't stand up for myself now they'd never respect me.

"I'm telling you what your Commander wants you to do but if you have a problem with that...," I trailed off that sentence as I took a step into his personal space and looked up at him in open defiance, "I'm sure the Commander would love to have her time wasted by having to punish you for disobeying her directives."

His face blanched and took a step back but I wanted him to see how serious I was. I took a step forward so as not to let him get away that easily,

"I'm sure you're well aware of her temper too and she might not like all the nice things you've been saying about me too especially since she listens to me," I added, my voice dripping with sarcasm at the appropriate places.

I watched him stomp off and give me one backward glare before moving out of sight. I was already making friends it seemed. I felt a hand clap on my back and I turned to see Indra,