somewhere | b.blake ✔️

1x03✔️

"I stared up at the sun
Thought of all the people,
Places and things I've loved"

-If I Lose Myself, OneRepublic

*****

On the Ark, the temperature in the stations was always the same, day after day, year after year. Controlled, regulated, and never-changing—unless, of course, you lived in one of the more privileged stations. Ash had been told that Alpha and Phoenix enjoyed the "perfect" temperature, though she never experienced it herself. The rest of the stations, including hers, suffered the slow creep of discomfort. Heat that simmered beneath the surface, getting worse with each passing year. Ash's station wasn't the worst, ranging between 70°F and 80°F. Livable, if nothing else.

But Earth was different.

Here, the temperature was unpredictable. Mornings and evenings were cool enough to remind her of the Ark's early days, but as the sun rose higher, it felt like the planet was trying to burn her alive. Right now, the sun was beating down, the heat oppressive as it pressed against her skin. Sweat dripped from her brow, blurring her vision as she tried—yet again—to flip the Grounder onto his back.

That was her task for today. One simple, agonizing task: flip him over.

Hours had passed, and she hadn't succeeded once. Not even close. The Grounder was built like a mountain—muscles taut and unyielding, his weight nearly double hers. She strained, using every bit of strength she had, but nothing worked.

A quiet snort came from him as she failed again.

Ash blew a stray piece of hair from her face, glaring up at him through narrowed eyes. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" she muttered.

"I admire your perseverance," he replied, his tone neutral. "I'll admit, I didn't think you'd last this long."

"Wow, thanks for the confidence boost," Ash huffed, her sarcasm barely masking her exhaustion.

"I try my best," he said, a surprising hint of humor creeping into his voice. It was the first time she'd heard anything like that from him, and despite herself, Ash felt a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

But the moment passed quickly. "Find my weakness," he instructed, his voice turning cold again. "Complete the task. Again."

With a roll of her eyes, Ash braced herself for yet another attempt. She locked her arms around his body and pulled with everything she had. But it was no use. He barely budged, and after a few more agonizing minutes, she let go, panting heavily.

Hours later, Ash limped back into camp, muscles aching from the constant strain. She still hadn't completed her task, but the Grounder—whose name she still didn't know—had finally let her go, sending her back when she started showing signs of fatigue.

"There's no point wasting what's left of your energy when you're tired," he had said.

He was right, of course, but it didn't make her feel any better about it. The only thing on her mind now was collapsing into sleep and letting her body recover. At least, that was the plan until she spotted Bellamy and John at the edge of camp, throwing knives at nearby trees.

Bellamy's knife sunk deep into the bark with a satisfying thunk, while John's sailed past, missing entirely.

Ash couldn't help herself. With a grin, she approached them, shaking her head. "You missed," she pointed out, voice teasing.

John rolled his eyes dramatically. "No... really?" he shot back, his words dripping with sarcasm. "I had no idea."

Ash stuck her tongue out in response, childishly playful.