The Survivor

I'm Still Trying

(Narrator POV)
They all got up at sunrise and started the voyage once again. Everyone was heading to meet the people of this land which could be a dangerous thing to do.

Rock Line was heavily allied with Ice Nation, but they also had scouts planted all along the cliffs. Being found by a scout would mean that the leaders would be told and warrants would be out for them because they were trespassing. Basically, you could go wherever you wanted to, but unless you checked in with the leader, they could just decide to ban you from the place and then it'd be illegal to be there. It was complete crap in Murphy's opinion, but he declined from making a comment on it. Who was he to mess with Grounder rules?

They approached a castle made from many colors of rock. It was grey, brown, tan, orange, yellow, black and red jagged rocks. The doors were oak and when they approached, Murphy put his mask back on. He knocked and the door opened to reveal 6 guards, all wearing tan shirts, pants and boots with rock-like capes.

"We're here to speak to Track." Murphy stated calmly. He was unfazed by the guards. Rock Line was all about intimidation and that was one of the reasons that they didn't like guests. Guests scared too easily. If you could stand up to Rock Line then they'd respect you forever. Murphy didn't like Rock Line because, despite the fact that he loved playing mind games sometimes, this game was just stupid.

Soon a bald African American man with blue eyes walked out. He was wearing a red shirt, black boots, brown pants and a black and grey cape that resembled rocks. This was apparently Track.

"Survivor. I see you've brought Sky people." He scoffed. "Should've known you'd betray Ice Nation." He pulled a gun out an pressed it to Murphy's chest. Everyone flinched back and made some sign of alarm. Except Murphy, who hadn't even budged or made a sound.

"Do you think this pathetic act of intimidation will scare me?" He snickered. "Please! Shoot me, I dare you." He remained calm. "We're just passing through. You will let us do so and you will not inform Ice Nation of our presence." Murphy stated.

The other man rolled his sapphire eyes. "And why do you think I'd do that?" Track questioned incredulously. He wanted to scoff again, but didn't want to seem repetitive. He was normally a nice guy, but he hated people breaking his rules. He had a no sky people rule and it was being broken.

Murphy pulled out a gun and put it against Track's chest. "Because unlike you, I'll pull the trigger." Murphy smirked. He knew he had won, it was all a game with these people. If they couldn't scare you, you were their equal.

Track looked at him wide-eyed for a moment, then he sighed and put the gun down. "Very well. You have my word." He offered his hand for a shake to seal the deal.

Murphy took his gun down as well and shook his hand. Rock Line were people of their word, they wouldn't break it for anything. Murphy nodded in thanks and they left the castle without even going inside.

All clans had certain aspects to their people that made them special. Delphi didn't have people, it had Clickers and witches. The Dead zone has underground villages that were nearly impossible to find. But the rest of the clans had an organized group of people and they all had different styles and personalities.

Rock Line was all intimidation, honor and privacy. Other places were better and some were worse. Murphy didn't really like Rock Line because they functioned mainly on trust, which was something that Murphy couldn't give that easily.

As they were walking, Raven and Murphy started talking. Suddenly, something tumbled down the cliff and landed right in front of them. Murphy's eyes widened and he immediately felt like he was being hung. A red seatbelt had somehow made it all the way to Rock Line and was now laying in front of them. Murphy was hung by a red seatbelt and he wasn't a fan of seeing one.

Then Murphy got the sudden urge to wrap it around Bellamy's neck and dangle him from the cliff. He continued to stare at the strap until, finally a voice broke through the fog.

"-rphy! Murphy! Look at me, please." Raven grabbed his face and made him turn toward her. "What's wrong?" She hadn't been there for the hanging so she didn't know that was what they'd used.

Then Murphy carefully removed her hands from his face and turned to the stretch of fabric. He kicked the seatbelt and watched it soar into the canyon. He swallowed past the dryness in his throat and spoke over the sense of being hung.

"They hung me with one of those." Was all he said as he continued the walk. He stopped when he realized that all of the Sky people were staring at the belt laying at the bottom of the canyon. He clapped his hands together and got their attention. "Hey! We're wasting daylight. I understand that the hanging isn't a pretty memory for the majority of us, but we've got to keep moving." He said calmly.

Everyone hesitated, but then followed him again. Raven was trying not to cringe. She knew what that fabric felt like and she could only imagine how terrible it would feel to hang from your neck by that.

After a while they made camp and went to sleep. Tomorrow would be interesting.

A/N kinda short, but I hope you liked it.