ATARAXIA • BELLAMY BLAKE

[ 6 0 ]

Lincoln is pacing again. He's been at it since the first rays of sunlight started creeping through the bars of our cell.

I didn't sleep. Too much on my mind. Besides, I figured I might as well stay awake—experience what little time I have left before my execution.

Miller, Harper, and Jaime still haven't been brought in. I know Bellamy is aware they were part of yesterday's coup, so why the hell hasn't he locked them up yet? Maybe he wants to use them as double agents. Or maybe he just hasn't caught them yet.

"You inspire them," Kane says to Lincoln, nodding toward the Grounders in lockup.

Lincoln stops pacing, pulled from his thoughts. He meets Kane's gaze, then lets out a quiet scoff as he takes a seat beside him.

"I'm not gonna let you give up either," he replies, offering a small smile.

"Chancellor on deck," a sharp voice announces as Pike approaches our cell. Bellamy follows close behind, scanning the room until his eyes land on mine.

"I thought we had more time," Kane mutters, rising from the bench. I stand too, pushing myself up from my spot in the corner.

"I'm not here for you," Pike says before either of us can step forward, expecting to be taken away.

He looks past us, addressing the entire cell. "Each of you is guilty of the same crimes as Kane and Avery. And as such, you will share the same fate. Death."

A woman stands abruptly, asking something in Trigedasleng, her voice edged with fear. Lincoln lifts a calming hand and responds to her softly before turning back to Pike.

"My people are innocent. They know nothing," he says, keeping his voice low. "Don't let them suffer for my crimes. Please."

"Sir, Lincoln's right," Bellamy cuts in, his voice rough. "All they did was run through an open door. Same thing we'd do if we were in there."

Pike shifts on his feet, eyes still locked on Lincoln. "I believe that's true." He scans the cell before delivering the final blow. "Kane, Avery, Lincoln, Sinclair. As the leaders of this coup, you will pay for your crimes with your lives. Execution is set for dawn."

The shock has dulled for me since last night, but I don't miss the uneasy looks on some of the guards' faces. Even now, I don't think they fully grasp what they signed up for with Pike. Bryan, for one, looks like he's seen a ghost as he hesitates, then turns to follow Pike out.

Bellamy lingers, frozen under the weight of Lincoln's deadly glare. For a moment, he looks like he might say something—but he doesn't.

"You killing your own people now, too?" I ask, forcing him to look at me. "Or are you gonna do something to make this right?"

Bellamy does meet my gaze, but I can't read him. He glances at the guard stationed by the door.

I arch a brow, willing him to say something, but he doesn't.

"Bell?" My voice wavers, betraying the composure I've been clinging to. My eyes plead with him—say something, do something.

For a brief second, his expression cracks. Then, just as quickly, he shuts down. Without a word, he turns and walks away, heading in the opposite direction of where the others had left.

Disappointment sinks into me as his footsteps fade. I grip the bars tightly, letting my forehead rest against the cold metal. Kane places a hand on my shoulder. I turn to see the solemn expression on his face.

He doesn't have to say it. I already know. There's no way out of this.

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