Kingdom Of Heavens - The 100 [1]

Chapter 6

I looked out one of the floor to ceiling windows of the Ark, the one that overlooked Earth. The hallway was emptier than usual with everyone attending the funeral of the 300 that were culled last night. I couldn't bring myself to go, it was all too sad. I couldn't face the people whose beloved family members I helped to carry out, but didn't help to keep alive. Especially Gracie, she didn't know that her father was part of the culling until after it was done. She didn't even get to say a last goodbye to him. Regardless, I could still see the bodies being ejected out into space out of the corner of my eye. I tried to focus all my attention on Earth.

I examined the lush green lands and blue oceans that spread over the planet, wondering just where John was. He couldn't be dead, he just couldn't be. It didn't feel like he was, no matter how much my rational mind told me he had to be, my heart just wouldn't believe it. What my heart did believe, however, was that one day, years from now, he'll die down there on Earth, and I would've already been dead up here on the Ark. 300 of our people were already dead. That's 300 innocent faces I'll never see walk these halls again.

A single set of footsteps made their way down the hall and towards me. I continued to stare out the window, hoping they'd just keep walking. I wanted to be alone right now, either alone or with John. A gentle hand placed itself on my shoulder.

"Venus." My grandmother's voice was soft and filled with kindness. "We missed you at the funeral today. I know this must be hard for you, but-"

"I want to go to Earth." The words came out the second my mind formed them.

"I know sweetheart, we all do." I felt her hand move from my shoulder and rub my back as she stood closer next to me and joined in my looking out the window.

---------------

Flashback, Venus's POV (2 years ago)

"What do you suppose Earth's like?" Skylar and I sat by one of the floor to ceiling windows that over looked the beautiful planet, munching on some brownies we managed to sneak from the mess hall. We knew we'd be floated if we were caught taking extra rations, but neither of us really thought that through. A good friend of Skylar's mom worked in the mess hall, and she was always sneaking us extras since we were little, so we never thought about it as against the Ark's laws. Even though it was.

"I imagine it's filled with life. Like all those plants and animals in our Earth textbooks. The animals are everywhere, running around without a care in the world."

"And without metal walls to keep them trapped." We both laughed and I started on my second brownie. "I think Earth is free. Freedom to go wherever you like with no walls to hold you back, or worries of running out of anything since it's all right there. What was it Pike told us those were called? Natural resources?"

"You really think I know?" I watched as Skylar licked the remaining chocolate off her fingers before reaching for another. "I am not ready for that test on Monday in Earth skills."

"Who is?" I went to reach for my third brownie, fully expecting it to be there as the two of us always got a plate of 6 nearly stale brownies, three for each of us. I was a little surprised to find the plate empty before I noticed the body leaning against the wall behind us.

"Cute stories about Earth." I smiled as I recognized the figure. One hand in his pocket, the other consuming what should have been my brownie, one leg crossed over the other as he stood in that casual way of his. "Why do you two even talk about it when you know you'll never see it? None of us will."