𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄─𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐞¹ (𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠)

98. truth

Day had come by the time Bellamy entered our quarters. I stared up at him from where I sat on our bed, trying to restrain myself from reaching out to him.

"Someone pay your bail?" I muttered, looking back down to flip a page in the book I was currently attempting to read.

Bellamy shifted uncomfortably, "Pike won." he whispered.

My eyes paused on the page, my heart dropping to my stomach. After spending most of the morning trying to figure out how my brother's ashes had mysteriously disappeared, I had voted in the election this morning, like everyone else that could. I had voted for Kane, but apparently the majority voted the other way.

I finally looked up at him, "So you're his bitch now?" I questioned, instantly feeling guilty as a look of hurt flashed across Bellamy's face.

His throat bobbed as he shook his head, "He's doing what's best for us."

"He's doing what's best for him." I corrected, locking my eyes with his.

He broke first, shifting his eyes to the ground, "I have to go." he muttered, looking back up at me briefly, "Can we please talk later?"

I locked my jaw, resisting the urge to be difficult, "Yeah." I finally answered, turning my eyes back to my book before Bellamy could say another word. He left a few seconds later, the door quietly clicking behind him.

If I had known what he was on his way to do, I would have never let him leave.

—-

After Bellamy had left, I had sat wallowing in anger for a while before deciding to make myself productive.

I had found my way outside to the garden, offering up my assistance. I needed the fresh air, and medical was slow today so I wanted to offer my help where it was needed. Lyla, our head gardener and crop grower gladly assigned me to harvesting some of our ready crops.

I was in the middle of picking vegetables when a figure stepped in front of me, casting a shadow across my line of vision. I looked up, using my hand to shield the sun from my eyes. Through a squint I could see that It was Jasper standing in front of me.

I smiled, wiping the dirt from my hands onto my pants, "Hey, Jasper."

He gave me a small smile, but I could tell by the look on his face something was wrong, "Can we-uh...can we talk?"

I gave him a weary look as I pushed myself to my feet, "Are you okay?" I questioned.

He glanced around for a moment before pulling me away from the garden, to a part of the grounds that were less busy.

I stared at him, my brows furrowed in worry as I waited for him to start speaking. "Jasper?" I proved softly, reaching out to touch his arm.

He shook his head, tears welling in his eyes, "I'm sorry." He whispered, his voice breaking.

My heart thudded in my chest, "For what?" I questioned, "What are you sorry for?"

"I took them." he muttered, guilt covering his face.

I still had no idea what he was talking about, "Took what? Jasper, what-"

"Finn's ashes." he cried, his eyes casting downward, "I took them and I was holding them and I fell outside of the dropship and I-"

I cut him off, not needing to hear anymore. My first initial reaction was to cry, or yell or walk away, but I let myself breathe for a minute. When I calmed myself down, I didn't question why Jasper took them or how he had known I had them, but instead I pulled him into a hug. He was tense at first, shocked at my reaction.