𝐃𝐔𝐁𝐈𝐄𝐓𝐘 ── bellamy blake ¹ ✓

[ 19 ] vincent's couch

"Maya, you know how dangerous this is," the man softens his voice and my chest constricts when I think of my dad. Is he alright? What is happening on the other side of this mountain? "What are you doing?"

Maya's eyebrows pinch together, voice barely above a whisper, "What mom would've done."

There's a significant change of emotion flooding through Maya's father's eyes, before he faces us with a shake of his head, "I need you to leave."

"Sorry," Bellamy denies, "We can't do that."

"That's okay, he's gonna help us," Maya promises, shifting her gaze between her dad and us, almost as if convincing herself.

I give a defeated sigh, placing a supportive hand on top of Fox's shoulder, while Bellamy voices his doubts, "Really? Cause I'm not getting that."

"My parents were part of a movement that was against using outsider blood," Maya almost stares Bellamy down in defense, until her demeanor changes to a silent plea as she gazes at her dad again, "My mom refused the treatments and it killed her. She was willing to die for what she believed in."

"Maya, you were five," her father explains gently, "I couldn't leave you alone." One of my eyebrows quirks up; so he's gone through a treatment himself.

"I'm not a little girl anymore," Maya says, voice barely above a whisper.

The man in front of her does not give in, "They were willing to kill you before. If you get caught--"

"We won't if you help us," interrupts Maya desperately.

"Please," suddenly cuts in Fox, arms wrapping around herself protectively, "They're killing us. We don't have anywhere else to go."

"Sir, we know how dangerous this is and I'm sorry for what you've already been through in this mountain, but we really need your help. We have to stop them, for everyone's sake," I add, pointedly glancing at the child next to me and then Maya, offering her a small smile.

There's a pause too long for my preference, but the result brings me a newfound burst of optimism when the man finally cracks, "Just this once, just for one night."

Maya looks up at him with a tearful smile, immediately rushing to lead Fox to her room, leaving the three of us in the living room. I thread my fingers together, suddenly feeling apologetic while Bellamy shuffles around to follow Maya. I realize the danger we're putting this family under is extremely high, but we have no other choice. Bellamy walks past me, "Thank you."

The man shoots an arm out to stop him, "You know they'll never stop, right? If the rumors are true and your bone marrow can get us back to the ground, they'll never stop."

Bellamy and I are barely capable of emptily staring at him, before my boyfriend recovers and grabs my hand, leading me away and into Maya's room.

"Feel free to wear whatever you want, okay? And if you get bored, I have a bunch of books up in that shelf and some paints, too," the girl is explaining to Fox right as we walk through the door, merely showing her around. Upon noticing we've finally entered the room, she forces a smile when her eyes land on me and dashes across the room. "And, I searched around for some more clothes that would fit you, cause your sweater is kind of ruined from the vents."

I nod in gratitude, accepting the pile of clothes she offers me, "Thank you. Could I use your bathroom?"

"Of course, it's right through that door," Maya throws her hand out, thumb pointing at the room opposite of hers.

"Cool, thanks," I chirp, getting ready to leave Maya's room, until my eyes land on Fox, who's making herself comfortable on a few soft cushions, and then on Bellamy, who is already gazing at me as I approach him, "We are getting back to work after we sleep, right?"