Barricade- John Murphy

Chapter 54

Season 3

Episode 13:
Join or Die

Days had passed since I took the chip. I still had my wits about me, somehow. Maybe since my sob story rocked, ALIE just believed me? But I doubt that. It was a relief not thinking about whatever had hurt me though. I had been sleeping so much better. Murphy still stuck to my side like glue. Thankfully no one questioned why he seemed more clingy.

Nate had confronted Murphy about me taking the chip apparently. I walk outside, Jaha and the others getting here the night before. I was the in-between, with them and Lexa. She would only talk to me and have me go talk to them. I didn't blame her though. According to Jaha, I was breaking her walls, to get her to join us.

I hear someone talking and walk out into the streets with the others. "It's alright Jackson." I hear Jaha saying and spot Marcus. Shit... didn't plan for this. He'd know right off the bat too. "Thelonious, Arty. What is this?" He asks us. "It's the chip." Someone says that's next to him. I don't recognize them though. "This is unity. Like you always wanted." Jaha tells Marcus.

I turn watching a warrior hand out the chips. I really wished I could just burn all of them already. Someone grabs me, making me curse myself for not staying focused. "Everyone back away, or Wanheda dies." The person yells. Two guards from the Ark walk over and hit the man letting me jolt forward.

Marcus hasn't seemed to catch on yet, and blocks me himself. "There are no stations here. Just the city of light. There's no more need for fighting. Join us." Jaha tells the man. "We both know there's no way in hell I'm taking that." The man snarls. Two grounders throw a bag over his head and drag him away.

Jaha turns on Marcus and I slink back into the crowd. If he realizes I'm still here, he'll know somethings wrong if I don't protest. ALIE shows up next to me and I look at her. "We need him. He will help us find the others, along with the other AI." She tells me. So far, the only ones I've seen since I took the chip, was Murphy, my siblings, and a few others.

Not Nate, Jasper, Clarke, any of them. Lexa kept them busy and away from me so ALIE would think they weren't here. He rejects it and they take him away. "Don't put him with the others. I'll handle him." I tell them and Jaha nods. I turn following the grounders who were pulling him away.

I wait for a bit before walking over and nodding at the two by the door. They both nod and step away. I open the door, slipping in like it was a secret. "Arty? You shouldn't be here. It's dangerous." He says coming over to hug me. "I had to check on you. I saw them drag you away and had to wait for them to wander down the hall." I tell him.

"Is everyone okay? Where are the others?" He asks me. "Murphy and a few others are still here. They've been hiding out. But a few of them aren't here. Do you know where Clarke or my siblings are? Or Nate? I haven't seen Bell or Tavi since they left to go get something from Arkadia, and I'm freaking out." I rant.

"No. I thought all of you were here." He tells me softly. "He's telling the truth." ALIE says from behind him. "Clarkes mom said she left Arkadia with Jasper in the rover. But that's not right because she first left with me." I tell him confused. "It's okay. We'll figure this out." He tells me gently.

"Marky I'm scared. They keep talking about Clarke having something. But no one will tell me anything because I won't join them. I don't want anyone else to get hurt. What they've been doing is... barbaric, even for me." I tell him hugging his waist. "What if... what if it's safer to join them? They would finally quit questioning me. Quit questioning all of us." I say against his chest.

"Arty that's crazy. Joining them?" He asks softly. "I've seen them torturing people. And I get it, I did some messed up stuff too. But this is too much. I don't wanna be next." I tell him. "I understand. Whatever you choose, I'll support you." He tells me gently. "If I did it. Would you do it too?" I ask him and he pauses.

"I don't wanna be alone in this... freaky no pain city." I say softly. He seems to debate with himself, making faces as he goes. "Okay." He caves with a nod. "Thank you." I mutter hugging him tightly. I walk over opening the doors and he follows me. The guards look ready to fight before I glare at them. "He's with me. Back off." I say and they step aside. "Good to know Wanheda still has pull here." He jokes softly.

"I'll always have pull here." I smile and he hums. We get outside and I walk over to Jaha. "Jaha" I call and he turns. "Have you changed your mind?" He asks looking at Marcus. "I have." He nods sending me a small smile. He holds a chip out to him and he takes it. "Don't you need one?" He asks me. "Right. Jaha." I say holding my hand out.

He seems to catch on and nods handing one to me. I move just a bit slower than Marcus and stop as he takes his. I hand the chip back to Jaha and he nods. "Good work, Artemis." ALIE tells me and I smile. "Arty." I hear and turn seeing Murphy by the doors. "I'll be back." I tell them walking away.

"Hey handsome." I smile up at him. "Hey Goddess." He smiles softly back. I was somehow able to pick and choose when to close ALIE out, which made me feel special. "How's it going?" He asks softly. "Good. I convinced Marky to take it. I'd rather him be a robot for another few days, then get tortured for not joining." I say softly.

"I get it. We're almost there." He assures me. "Good. This city of light crap is stupid." I mutter and he chuckles. "I have a bad feeling. We need to get it done... in the next day if we can. Something feels wrong." I tell him and he nods. "I'll tell the others." He says kissing my head.

"I'll be inside in a bit." I tell him softly and he nods. I turn joining Marcus who smiles at me wrapping an arm around my shoulder. "How are you? If this is how the city of light feels. I don't blame you for joining." He tells me. "It feels really good. It's always so... positive. In a simple word." I tell him. "I agree. Soon it will all be great." He tells me.

I wander a bit longer, making myself look good. I head inside and go to find Lexa. "It needs to be soon." I say simply. They could view that in any way, not in the way I meant though. "Of course. I agree completely." She tells me and I nod. "Good. I need to check on Murphy." I say and she nods with a small smirk.

Although we didn't verbally talk much since I took the chip. We talked enough with our eyes. I head out to find Murphy and smile seeing him already in our room. I shut ALIE out and walk over cuddling into his chest. "We're almost done." He mutters giving me a soft kiss. "Almost." I smile up at him