Ruination

Chapter 13:"Make Algae, not war"

RYDER POV:

The smoke of my cigarette infected my lungs, relieving and slowly killing me at once. Considering most of these men and women were dying from a 'mysterious illness' I didn't help by smoking around them. Not like I would have stopped anyway. At the end of the day it didn't mean anything to me, nothing really did. I sat down on my seat, tucking the cigarette between my lips and reaching into my pocket, pulling out the bracelet from that girl from the defectors. I glanced down at it, picking at it, a latch slipping open as I did, I reached for the cigarette, prying it from my lips and allowing the smoke to leave my lips as I saw the open space. These people surprised me more than I cared to really admit.

The door to Abby's medical bay was thrown open and I looked up to see Kane storming out. "Trouble in paradise?" I mockingly asked, cocking my head to the side as Kane looked at me, stepping toward me.

"It's nothing you'd understand," Kane shook his head, underestimating us. When people underestimated me, it always brought a smile to my face.

"I was a married man once." I shared, chuckling as I watched him closely. "Indulge me," I took a drag of my cigarette as Kane looked at me surprised.

"I don't understand why Diyoza keeps giving Abby pills when she clearly has a problem, they make her a worse doctor than she really is, and someone died today because of that." Kane's voice broke but I watched him, impassive and uncaring.

"People die every day, and she was no one to many of us. We won't miss her." I pointed out, bringing the cigarette to my lips, taking a drag.

"The point of taking in defectors is to save lives." Kane growled, running his hands through his hair.

"I thought it was to gain a political advantage over your little cult." I ideally commented, tapping the edge of my cigarette. "We're at war, Marcus Kane, and in war the only crime is to lose." I drawled out my words slowly and with purpose. "And as far as your girlfriend is concerned, you should cut your losses."

"What?" Kane asked, his eyebrows furrowed and eyes wide in shock.

"Junkies are interesting, I'll give you that. You want so badly for them to be good," I burst out laughing, my chest rumbling as my dark eyes met his. "But you never know what lengths they'd go to for their next fix." I pointed out.

"You sound like you have personal experience in the matter." He commented, glancing over me as I stood up, putting my cigarette out on the table and leaving it there. Slowly I stalked forwards, inching closer and closer to him.

"I'm not particularly interested in swapping life stories with you." I coldly growled. "Besides, it's not a very interesting story to tell." I watched his lips curve slightly, watching me in disbelief. I then began to walk away from him, leaving him and this conversation behind me. My story was one of a kind, but so many were.

RIGEL POV:

The warmth of the morning sun pounded down on me as I slipped into Clarke's tent, poking my head inside and looking between them. My eyes settled on Madi who grabbed the canteen, slinging it over her shoulder. The two looked over to me and Clarke sent me a tender smile. "Come on Madi, I don't have all day." I quickly called out, slipping out of the tent and Madi quickly followed after me, the two of us walking side by side. "Don't you look so cute with your little canteen." I nudged her as she rolled her eyes.

"It's embarrassing." Madi sighed, tilting her head back.

"Well you know Clarke just wanted you to be prepared for your first day at school, now I never went, and I turned out better than Ensis and Wanheda combined." I pointed out, placing my hands on my chest as Madi burst out laughing.