Defender of Man

Chapter 5: You're pretty too

She was talking to Finn when I walked over. "Whatever,this stuff is, it had to have antibiotic properties." She stated as I came to a stop. I started to ask for it but Wells spoke first. "Let me take a look." He took a piece of it. To my surprise he handed me a piece too. "Before you argue remember who aced botanty in Earth skills." He stated then he nodded at me to take a look too. "Leda is just a genius I think." "The grounders used as a poultice. I'm thinking a tea might be more effective if we can figure out what it is." Clarke stated and I nodded. "I know what it is. It's seaweed." Wells stated. I hmmed in agreement. "Yeah, just look at the root structure.There isn't one." I added. "Well then there must be a water source nearby." Clarke stated. I nodded. "Yeah, it would have to have a slow current, lot's of rocks-" I started. "The water would probably be more red than green." Wells added and I nodded. "I know just the place." Finn stated and they all stood up. "Let's go." I stepped back. Clarke and Finn started walking away. Wells gave me an exasperated look. I whistled loudly and Clarke and Finn turned back. "Hey, Wells knows what this looks like do you? Cause I'm not going with you today." I stated. Clarke looked reluctant but soon she was off with Finn and Wells.

I went to find Bellamy. "Hey, where's Al?" I asked and he looked down at me. "He's with Octavia and Monty." He stated and I nodded. I noticed he had a group with him and they are all armed. "Going hunting?" I asked and started walking with them out of the camp. Bellamy nodded. "Yes." He stated and I nodded. "Good. I'm a great tracker I can help." He wanted to argue but before he could I stole some kids spear and started leading the group. It didn't take me long to find the prints I neaded. I followed the signs of broken twigs and patches of fur to a small clearning where a boar was grazing. "Shhh...She's mine." Bellamy whispered to the others in the group as he stepped forward. I followed close behind him with my own small spear raised so I could throw it if he missed. Right as he was about to take the shot there was a crack behind us. He turned around and quickly threw his hatchet. I tossed my spear and it landed in the flank of the boar. It wasn't deep and the boar began to run but I let the others chase it. I turned to see what Bellamy had thrown his hatchet at. A little girl, no older than thirteen was standing right beside a tree with Bellamy's hatchet sticking out of it. Damn.

"Who are you?" Bellamy demanded as he strided towards her. "Charlotte." She responded and I sighed. She's the second youngest of the hundred. "Why aren't you back at camp?" I asked much gentler. I looked over to see Adam had joined us too. "Well, with the dying kid I just...couldn't listen anymore." I felt a pang of sympathy for the girl. "There's grounders out here. It's not safe for a little girl." Bellamy said firmly and Charlotte straightened up with a determined look. "I'm not little." Oh, kid. You are definitely little. "She's smaller than me!" She said pointing at me. I looked at myself in mild offense. Well, as far as build she's not really wrong. I mean I'm taller but not by much. I crossed my arms and huffed as Bellamy arched his eyebrow in amusement. I tilted my nose up in defiance and turned away from him to follow after the other idiots. "Here. You can't hunt without a weapon. Ever killed anything before?" I glanced over my shoulder to see Bellamy handing her a knife. "Er..no." Bell shook his head and started to follow after me. "Who knows? Maybe you're good at it."

The hunt was nearly over when we heard it. A horn going off. Soon a thick cloud of fog started to engulf everything. When it touched the skin it immediately started eat away at it. Soon we were all running. The soreness in my side left me at an awkward gallop. Beside me a body hit the ground. Adam yelled out as the fog started covering him. I started to help him but a hand grabbed me and began to pull me into a cave.
When I realized who was holding me I spun to face his chest. Bellamy wrapped his thick arms around me as we listened to Adam screaming for his help. After giving me a firm squeeze, Bell pulled away and I could see the only person with us is Charlotte. We must have gotten separated from the rest.  We trekked further into the cave, avoiding the acid fog until the air was easier to breathe. With a little help from my photographic memory and earth skills classes I managed to start a fire so we could see.
"Are you okay?" It had been silent since Adams screams died off so I jumped a bit when Bells voice broke it. Glancing over I noted that Charlotte was asleep. "She's so young. Yet even she is an adult compared to Al. What if I didn't do the right thing?" I asked and looked over at Bellamy. He looked at me softly. Again using that side of him no one but me and Octavia get to see. I wonder why I'm seeing it but, no complaints. "When? When we left Adam or when you saved Al?" He asked and I sighed. "He was so little. A newborn baby. So tiny with his little fingers. His eyes were so blue and he had that little tuft of hair. So innocent. I knew I couldn't just leave him. Yet, maybe I should have. He was gonna be killed. Never did he have an outcome where he could live a full life. And surely he wouldn't even remember me when he did get older. Now, here, I like to think he has a chance but, this planet may be more dangerous than the ark. There's freaking acid fog and giant river snakes or whatever! Why would I save him for him to die so soon! Maybe it would've been less cruel to just let her kill him!" I cried and pounded my fist into the rocky floor beside me. Charlotte jumped a bit in her sleep so I stuck my knuckle in my mouth to try and halt the scream of frustration that's building in my throat. "The same reason I didn't let them take Octavia when she was born. That innocent look on her face. She did nothing wrong. I never imagined we would be here. I never imagined she would get to live but she has. This world is hard and dangerous but so was the ark. Aleksy has a chance and you couldn't give up on him no matter how slim it was." He answered and I felt frustration tighten in my chest. I went to hit the ground again but Bellamy stopped me. He grabbed my arm and pulled me into his lap. "They gave up on me! They gave up on you!" I snarled and he nodded. "Yes. But we aren't them. We couldn't do it. We still can't. That's why we are leaders." He soothed. "And that's why you saved an innocent child. That's why you are a good mother." He continued and I sighed, giving up on my squirming and settling again his chest.
"Bellamy." I asked after a while of just listening to his heart beat and letting him play with my hair. "Yes?" "Why are you so nice to me?" He didn't stop his fingers weaving my hair. Instead he let one of them roll against my neck making my breath catch in my throat for a second. "I'm not sure why. I thought it was because of Aleksy at first. Then I thought it had something to do with your stubborn determination, or maybe even your pretty face. But it's not just that. It's just you. Everything about you makes me feel different. I can't push you. I can't lead you. But as frustrating as that is, I admire you for it. You're so hard and tough then suddenly your singing to a baby beside my bed in the middle of the night. I can't help but be this way to you." He answered and I looked up at him.
"You think I'm pretty?" I teased and he laughed. "That's what you got out of it?" He asked and I shrugged. "Yes. You're beautiful." He answered. Serious again. I smiled and reached to straighten his messy hair. He made a face and swatted at me. "You're pretty too." "Thanks." He said sarcastically and I grinned again.