𝙃𝙄𝘿𝘿𝙀𝙉 𝘿𝙀𝙈𝙊𝙉𝙎² ➣ 𝐵. 𝐵𝑙𝑎𝑘𝑒✔

27 | Saving Private Raven

I stood outside the office doors with Kane, Abby, Jaha, Clarke, and Bellamy. We watched as the grounders rounded our people up and forced them into the rotunda.

"Jaha, what's happening?" A man asked. He was holding a young boy in his arms.

"That's everyone. Close the door," one of the grounders shouted. The grounders left the room, closing the doors behind them. Our people shouted and made their way toward it, banging on it.

"Three out of four of these people are going to die tonight," Jaha whispered. "Still think you made the right choice?"

°°°

Abby had gone into the office and Kane had followed her. I followed Bellamy, Clarke, and Jaha into the office, closing the door behind me.

"Our people are scared, Marcus," Jaha stated. "We need to tell them something."

"We just spoke with Raven," Kane said. "When she gets here, we'll have all our essential personnel."

"How many spots does that leave us with?" Clarke asked curiously.

I crossed my arms as Abby spoke. "Including the essential personnel and the places we're holding for the children under 16, that leaves us with 80."

"80," Clarke repeated.

"I can't believe we're talking about sending 364 of our people to the heir deaths," Jaha said, a look of disbelief on his face.

I clenched my jaw slightly. "You did it with the 100. What's the difference here?"

"We're lucky they're giving us any space in this bunker at all," Clarke added, looking at the man.

Kane butted in, "Look. I don't like it any more than you do."

"Then let's fight this."

"No." Kane shook his head. "Any sort of resistance will cost us all our lives. Our best course of action is to hold a lottery for the remaining spots."

I ran a hand over my face, letting out a long breath through my nose. Jaha spoke, leaning over the desk. "This is not going to work, Marcus."

"It was your idea," Kane stated, referring to when we were back in Arkadia.

"That was for the chance to survive."

Abby shook her head. "And how is this any different?"

"Until 20 minutes ago, our people believed they were safe. They let down their guard. They picked their bunks. They unpacked their bags. They imagined their futures. You try to rip that from them now, and, believe me, they will fight."

"No one's saying it's gonna be easy," Kane stated. "But we need to make the people listen to reason."

"Someone still needs to get Raven," Bellamy blurted, causing us to look at him. "I'd like to volunteer."

"And I'll join you," Clarke said.

"No. Someone else can go with him," Abby said almost immediately.

Clarke looked at the woman. "Mom, look, Raven needs our help. I know the way to the island. I need to do this."

"I'm coming, too," I butted in. Abby opened her mouth to protest, but I cut her off. "I'm going, Abby. Raven's my friend."

I looked at Kane as he stepped forward. "Well, you be safe. There'll be a place for all three of you when you get back."

"I'll meet you in the airlock," Abby added.

°°°

"Any amount of exposure is harmful," Abby explained to Bellamy. I stood beside them on the bench while Clarke stood beside the staircase. "Keep the suits sealed at all times." I slipped the gloves over my hands, glancing up at Abby, who was now standing in front of Clarke. I had pulled my hair back into a braid so it would fit inside my helmet. "You have 23 hours until the death wave hits. On a good day, it takes ten hours to get to the island and ten hours to get back. That doesn't leave you much room for error."