That's Why I Love You

Chapter 10

Clarke

I stared at the cup of water in front of me. Pike was going to be drinking that in less than twenty minutes. And then he was going to die.

"Clarke, you have to do it now." Mom said from the doorway. I glanced over at her and then back at the food. I didn't know if I could. How could I, after Mount Weather? "Or would you rather me do it?"

I shook my head. For some reason, I felt this responsibility that I had to do it. Maybe I was making up for leaving after Mount Weather. Maybe I wanted to take the credit when everyone was overjoyed once Pike died.

"Clarke."

"Alright. I'm doing it." I snapped, standing up. I opened the vial Monty gave me. The poison was thin and clear. It would blend right in to the water, and Monty said that it was tasteless. Pike wouldn't know until it was too late.

I opened the vial and poured it in. After it was done, I took a breath and closed my eyes. Now for the hard part.

"You can do this, right?" Mom asked.

I nodded. Guilt would forever haunt me for this, and Bellamy probably would, too. I took the cup and placed it on the tray with the plate of food.

"You're doing the right thing."

Killing was not ever the right thing. But still, I nodded and walked out the door with the tray.

I made my way outside, my heart pounding. Everything was going to change after this. People wouldn't cower in their rooms.

Suddenly, my mind was filled with doubt. I panicked and closed my eyes. What if we didn't succeed? What if they found out it was us? This plan was near impossible to pull off. Maybe I should've just let Octavia and Lincoln kill Pike.

I spotted Bellamy and remembered what I was expected to do. As I walked over to him, he smiled. My heart sank, but I ignored the drenching guilt.

"Hey." I said, smiling.

"Hi." He said, smirking. "What's that?"

"Oh, we just knew Pike was busy today so I was going to drop his lunch off." I said, holding up the tray. Bellamy nodded like he completely understood. But he didn't understand at all. Pike would be completely suspicious if I delivered it. But, Bellamy, not as much. "I'm a little worried about how he'll react, though. He still doesn't seem very happy with me."

Bellamy nodded and hesitated. "Well...I could bring it to him."

"Oh, no, you don't have to...," I said, drawing him in.

"No, it's alright. I can do it." Bellamy said. He stood a bit taller and smiled down at me. "I'd be happy to."

I nodded and looked him in the eyes. The eyes filled with happiness and love would soon turn to hatred. And I would do that to him.

"Thank you."

"No problem, Princess." He said, taking the tray and walking off.

I stood there for a moment, thinking about what I had just done. And then I walked inside to tell Octavia and Lincoln.

"So...you poisoned Pike?" Lincoln asked.

I nodded.

"Huh." Octavia said in shock. She looked down at her hands.

"Yeah."

"I guess we don't have to leave now." Octavia said.

Lincoln nodded. "But maybe we still should."