𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄─𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐞¹ (𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠)

74. innocence

I sat with on the cold ground, my knees pulled to my chest as I buried my face in my hands. Everyone else sat silent as we awaited whatever fate was to come to us. I had told everyone that it wasn't me, begged them to believe me through watery eyes. It seemed that they all believed me and were ready to defend me at whatever means necessary, well most of them that is.

"Avery," Clarke whispered as she knelt down beside me. I looked up at her with a blank stare, not wanting to hear what she had to say, "I need you to me honest with me-" she began, her eyes searching mine.

Raven, who was sitting next to me cut in, "You better back up" she warned, anger in her voice.

Clarke ignored her as she kept her attention on me, "He was your brother, and I know how upset you are. If you did this just-"

She didn't get a chance to finish because in the blink of an eye Raven had sent her fist into Clarke's cheek. I scrambled up, my eyes wide as I rushed to hold Raven back, "The only murderer is you!" Raven yelled as she tried to push against my grasp.

Clarke was stunned, but she didn't say anything to Raven, instead she looked past us, starting to speak. She said something about "giving her no choice", asking "why did you turn yourself in". None of us had any idea who she was speaking to, to me it sounded like she was speaking to Finn.

I watched her with curious eyes as she marched off in a fluster, slumping down into one of the chairs.

Everyone was alert now, so I took this as my chance to speak. Regardless of whatever was going on with Clarke at the moment, I needed to say something. My feelings towards this whole situation had changed in an instance.

"We need to stop this," I announced, finally letting go of Raven who had calmed down, "We can't fight with each other, we are not the enemy." I paused, taking in the expression on everyone's faces, making sure they were listening to what I said, "I didn't poison that cup, but they think I did and if they're going to kill me for it, you have to let them."

It was now that everyone began to speak all at once, everyone instantly protesting my words. Bellamy was now at my side, taking a hold of my arm, lowering his face to mine, "Don't be stupid, Avery."

I met his eyes for a moment, staring him down before pulling free, "They want blood for blood, they need someone to punish. They aren't going to believe that I didn't do it, Clarke's right, it makes the most sense that it was me. I'm not letting any of you get hurt over this. They can do what they want with me, it will be okay."

Octavia now came to my side as well, "We're not letting you do that Aves."

Kane nodded, "Octavia's right, we can prove your innocence, no one has to get hurt."

I shook my head, "How can we prove I didn't do it? They found that thing in my pocket, there's no getting around that!"

"We have to find out who did it, who would want her dead."

Lincoln spoke up for the first time in a while, "Too many to count. Forming an alliance with you was a risk, especially with what Finn did to this village."

Octavia nodded, "So it would have to be someone trying to break the alliance."

We didn't get a chance to get much further in our investigation as the sound of footsteps coming towards us echoed throughout the room. A group of Grounders approached the door, swinging it open with force. The sight of them coming towards us reminded me of the small stint I spent as a prisoner of the Grounders, enduring days of pain. I could only imagine what they were going to do to me now.

Indra and a few other men now stood in front of us.

"How's Gustus?" Lincoln asked.

The man in front stared at him for a moment before giving a curt reply, "Gustus will live."

Indra now spoke, her words full of disdain, "Take her away".

Two men began marching towards me, all of my friends instantly springing into action by blocking their path. They were not listening to what I said, clearly ignoring what I said about letting whatever needed to happen, happen.

"She didn't poison anybody!" Bellamy yelled as he tried to stop one of the men from moving any further. One hand was held out in front of him while the other kept a firm grasp on one of my hands.

I remained silent, trying to calm my breathing and do what I needed to do.

"I argued for all of you to die, but the Commander is being merciful. She wants only one." Indra announced, her eyes meeting mine.

"She's innocent." Lincoln argued, his own body stepping in front of mine as well.

Indra began walking towards us, "I don't care." she growled, "They move they bleed."

The Grounders took this as the opportunity to take a hold of me, shoving Bellamy and Lincoln out of the way. My hand slipped from Bellamy's grasp as he stumbled to the side. I felt numb as the grabbed either side of my arms. Octavia tried to pry them off, "Let her go!" she yelled, but she too was pushed aside.

"Stop!" Bellamy yelled, trying to follow after us. I turned my head slightly, my eyes meeting his own. His eyes glossed over as he stood there in defeat, there was nothing he could do, nothing any of us could do-I was going to die.

-an-

another quick little update for you guys! hope you enjoyed :) comment and let me know if you did

-maddy xoxo