somewhere | b.blake ✔️

1x07 Part 2✔️

"But there's a side to you
That I never knew, never knew"

- Set Fire to the Rain, Adele

*****

The hatch right next to where Ash stands creaks open, allowing much-needed fresh air into the tense room as Clarke climbs up, her expression a mix of determination and dread.

"Finn?" Ash's heart races, mentally preparing herself for the worst.

"He's fine—" Clarke trails off, catching sight of the tied-up and bloody Grounder. "Well," she says after a few seconds of observation, "If he didn't hate us before, he does now."

"Who cares?" Bellamy snaps, his voice flat and devoid of regret. "How's Finn?"

"Alive," Clarke replies, the weight of the word heavy in the air. "But his people will care. How long until they figure out where he is?"

"And what happens when they do?" Ash interjects, her voice shaking as she steps closer, her eyes darting between Bellamy and Clarke. She's never felt so out of control, the tension coiling in her chest like a spring ready to snap. "We're putting ourselves in danger."

"Relax. No one saw us take him. He was out cold in that cave the entire time. And thanks to the storm, we didn't see a soul on the way back." He flips open the book he clutches, revealing the drawing of their camp marked with tally marks, the lines sharp and unforgiving. "How many more of our people need to die before all of you realize we're fighting a war?"

"But we're not soldiers, Bellamy. We can't win." Clarke's voice trembles, yet it holds a steely resolve.

"You're right. We can't. If we don't fight," he insists, the desperation in his voice striking Ash like a physical blow.

"Clarke!" Raven screams from below, her voice a piercing wail that sends chills down Ash's spine. "He's seizing!"

Ash's heart stops. Panic floods her mind, thoughts spiraling to Finn, one of her first friends, and the worry that he could be the next one of them to die. 

"On my way—" Clarke shouts back, scrambling toward the ladder.

Ash moves to go down as well, her instincts screaming at her to help, but Clarke's hand shoots out, halting her. "No, stay here," she orders, the finality in her tone leaving no room for argument.

If Finn wasn't dying down there, Ash would have challenged that order. But he is, so she holds her tongue, nodding mutely while dread churns in her stomach. Every second that ticks by feels like an eternity, her heart pounding faster as she anxiously paces, her thoughts racing.

When Clarke finally returns, her expression is frantic, her eyes wild as she paces the floor like a caged animal.

"Hey! Open the door!" she demands, her voice filled with urgency and something darker that sends a shiver down Ash's spine.

Clarke's face contorts with rage as she stalks toward the Grounder, the bloody knife glinting ominously in her hand. "What's on this?" she demands, her voice low and dangerous.

"What are you talking about?" Ash asks, confusion lacing her words. The tension in the air is palpable, thick with unspoken fears and regrets.

"He poisoned the blade," Clarke replies, her voice cracking. "All this time he knew Finn was going to die no matter what we did. What is it? Is there an antidote?"

Ash's face pales, the words hitting her like a punch to the gut. "Clarke," she says worriedly, "I don't think he understands you."

"Vials." Bellamy's voice cuts through the tension, referring to something he and Miller must have found while Ash was down with Finn. "It's gotta be here." He thrusts a small box full of different liquids and herbs toward Clarke, his expression fierce and determined.