𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒪𝓃𝑒 - a Fanfiction of The 100

chapter six

It's been a week since my landing. I haven't been able to go outside until today when Lincoln finally says that it's safe, for the time being, and my shoulder is healed enough. I don't care how long I can go out as long as I'm not in the stuffy, cramped cave a minute longer.

"Follow me and be quiet." Tala says, taking her torch and giving me a stern look. I nod, striding behind her through the long tunnel.

I realize suddenly that I haven't seen the way I was taken into the cave. Probably so I could've escape or lead anyone there. Why am I trusted enough not to, now? In the last week, I've been shown the utmost kindness and compassion, I have been treated like a friend, not an untrustworthy prisoner. There have been times where both Tala and Lincoln have been cold to me, but they continued to feed me and keep track of my wound. Both of them have been careful in what they tell me, what they speak aloud in English, and yet, I haven't been able to learn that much about earth and its inhabitants.

Mostly, this last week, I have spent nights in the cave with only one or the other, never both of them at the same time. I think that has to do with their people and the suspicion of both of them being gone constantly. Maybe the threat of Azgeda has something to do with it, too. Tala and Lincoln stay with me for good amounts of time, making me food, cleaning my shoulder, giving me things to do and wear. I'm curious, probably too curious, about their families, their culture. Mostly Tala stays with me, though she sometimes seems reluctant about it.

I have learned much about modern earth, though. Tala, probably by order of Lincoln, told me about their culture, about the Grounders, and how they survived what they call 'Praimfaya', or what the people on the Ark call the nukes that trashed earth. She told me they have a commander, a heda, who leads all the clans. Tala and Lincoln are Trikru, like their commander, Lexa, and she told me what the other clans are, but I've forgotten all the rest. Except Azgeda. There's so much more Tala's told me, so much history and things I can't even begin to remember at the moment, but I've gotten the gist.

Both of them are hard to read, understand, even talk to on occasion, Lincoln especially. A day will have gone by before I realized how little I've spoken. I feel I'm going insane. It's not like it's dull being in a cave, but... it's boring. So, a bit dull.

This has got to be the most excited I've been in a very long time.

We continue along the bend until a very bright light starts to shine in my eyes. I try not to squint, hard as it may be, and attempt to see as much light as possible. If I'm to stay in the cave more permanently, I am not going to waste the briefest of seconds without seeing daylight. Finally, I breathe the sweet, sweet scent of fresh air. Inhaling deeply, I exit the tunnel, sighing and letting the warm air and cool breeze caress me. Suddenly, it's as if my aches and pains and everything else have disappeared and I'm back to my old self. Not the person I was when I landed, or even on the Ark. The girl I became with the help of two mysterious people, neither of whom I'm related to.

I giggle, Tala turning in surprise, and close my eyes.

"Air." I murmur. Opening my eyes, I fix them on the confused little girl. "It smells so sweet." I add, not hiding my smile for a second longer. An eyebrow cocks on the girl before me, but then a little grin shows itself.

"You're weird, Calloway."

"Cal." Immediately, I snap. I'm not angry, far from it. The only person who really called me that was... well, someone I'm not too fond of.

Tala isn't fazed, she simply nods, then turns and starts walking.

"Come." She commands, not looking to see if I'm following. I trot after her, relishing in the beauty around me, although I'm incredibly lost.