Fears on Fire

Chapter Fifteen

The wind howled as the six of us walked through the crowded woods. The sun slowly peeked through the tips of the trees, casting a golden shadow in between the tree trunks. Sounds of crickets and birds echoed throughout the woods as we stepped on dead leaves. Bellamy stood beside me, holding his gun at his side. Finn walked ahead of the group and looked both ways. He glanced back from time to time, making sure the rest of us were keeping up. Cheers go to Finn for releasing Bellamy, Murphy and I, but he seemed mentally unstable. His sweet and caring demeanor was not the one I was witnessing. 

Sterling and Monroe stayed at the end of the group, keeping an eye on our surroundings. While Bellamy, Murphy and I walked in the middle. Finn stopped abruptly and turned his head to the rest of us. "Alright," Bellamy said, sighing. "Where to next, Murphy?" Bell asked him. "I say we loose these first," Murphy replied, putting his hands up in reference to the zipties strapped to his wrists. I left Bellamy's side and pulled Murphy back with my brows raised. "Oh hell no," I countered, "Do you really think we'd just let you go after what you've done." Murphy scoffed, biting the side of his cheek.

"If we get attacked, I need something to defend myself," he responded.

Finn walked over with the clippers, cutting Murphy free. Bellamy and I followed Finn with our eyes. Murphy looked at Finn and smirked. "Thank you," he said, pushing Bell and I aside. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" I said, running over to Finn. "Did the 'Not letting go' thing not ring any bells in that brain of yours?" I added. Bellamy soon appeared by my side. "It was your idea to bring him," Finn said, pointing to Murphy. "Yeah, because he's the only one that's been to their camp," Bellamy replied. "Then we probably shouldn't let him be defenseless out here," Finn stated, "We can handle Murphy."

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The clouds moved in the sky, covering the yellow sun. Grey clouds laid a shadow over the surroundings. The sounds of crickets had dimmed as we strolled through the forest. I could smell the sent of pine, which put me at ease. A particular memory popped into my head I favored of my friendship with Cass. We had spent a whole day trying to recreate the aroma of what we pictured Earth to smell like. I yawned, getting exhausted from all of this walking. At the corner of my eye, I saw Bellamy glance back at me and smile.

The search for our people was interrupted by Murphy telling us to get down. He grabbed my arm, pulling me down to the ground. I looked at him with furrowed eyebrows. Murphy slowly retrieved his hand and pointed to the village ahead. "There it is," he said, "I told you I'd find it." Murphy looked back at Bellamy then to Finn. The group and I glanced back at the Grounders village. Its inhabitants stood at the front of their camp, conversing with each other. I heard small conversations happening between the strangers.

Bell brought his gun out, looking through the scope. I grabbed my own and looked through it as well. "There's nothing but Grounders," I informed, "Our people aren't here." I sighed and lowered the gun. I looked back at Bellamy, he shrugged. "Wait a minute," Finn spoke, "They've got stuff from our Drop Ship." I furrowed my eyebrows and looked through the scope again.

"So maybe they know where our friends are," Bellamy said. "Yeah, or maybe they killed them already," Murphy stated. I looked back at Murphy with raised eyebrows. "Way to be a Debby downer, ass hole," I commented, hitting the back of his head. "Son of a bitch," Finn mumbled. I whipped my head towards Finns reaction. "What?" Bellamy asked, "What is it?"

"The guy with the one eye," Finn replied, "Around his neck." He pointed with his index finger I grabbed the gun again, looking through the small scope. My breath hitched in my throat as I saw the familiar silver watch. "That's my fathers watch," I stated, "He gave it to Clarke before he was floated, she never takes it off." I could sense the worry in the air as we sat there.