"You don't need to be so rough– agh!"
I grunted as I hit the ground with a thud. After being threatened in the experimentation room, my eyes were covered with a blindfold and I was, once again, man-handled and dragged somewhere unknown, only for them to toss me into a room.
"Y/N?"
I recognised that faint voice as Jasper's and tried to shake the blindfold from my head, but they tied it very tight, so my efforts were no use. I heard the sound of metal scratching against metal and soon felt two pairs of hands sit me up. My blindfold was pulled off and I was facing Monty and Jasper. I looked around and saw I was in the Mess Hall, except everything was rearranged and everybody was busy moving around frantically.
"Despite the circumstances, it's freakin' awesome to see you guys again," I got out, a look of relief on my face. I could've been thrown anywhere.
The boys helped me up and Harper and Miller both approached me before they all pulled me into a giant hug. I couldn't help but smile as I sank into their embrace. I really missed them and I guess I never realised how much until now. Though, the urgency of our situation soon sank in and I pulled away, a frown replacing my smile.
"I take it you getting tossed in here wasn't out of good faith," Harper commented, glancing between the entrance and me.
I shook my head. "I was on my way to Arkadia, which by the way, your friends and family are safe. They are looking of for you all."
All of them lit up at the sound of their friends and family - I had never seen them this lively before.
"My dad...," Miller gasped, shock written across his face. "He's okay?"
I nodded, a small smile on my lips. "Yes, I met him actually. He's a courageous guy, Miller. And he is determined to find you."
An adorable smile appeared on his lips and the dullness in his eyes immediately lit up with happiness. I could understand how impatient he was to finally see his family again.
"I met Clarke, too," I said, and by now, the other delinquents were silent, having stopped what they were doing, and hanging onto my every word. "And Bellamy, Raven, Octavia - everybody. They are all amazingly strong people. I can see how you all survived for so long." I paused before adding, "They aren't giving up. They managed to team up with the Grounders. They're all making a plan to get you out of here. Along with the grounders trapped here, too."
"Why would we want to get them out?" someone shouted out. "It's their fault we're in this mess!"
A few others shouted in agreement and I could see the delinquents were getting visibly uncomfortable. I didn't even get to ask why they were all locked in this room and what they were doing. There was so much to catch up on, but right now, I had to defend the Grounders. They weren't to blame.
"We need them if we are to get out of here," I answered, and my tone was slightly defensive. "They aren't in the wrong. Lexa- erm, their Commander, she is a good person. She and Clarke are formulating a plan to get us out of here. To save us all. The Mountain Men are the bad guys, okay? They are the evil ones. Together, we can defeat them. But that means co-operation."
Majority of the group nodded in agreement, but some were still reluctant to accept the idea of us working as one. It was completely understandable, I mean. Their friends and family were murdered by Grounders, but that was before anyone knew anything about each other. We had to forget about the past and focus on the present if we were to get anywhere.
"I take it you figured out who you are," Monty said, causing me to turn around and see them all staring at me as if I were a different person. But in a good way, if that made sense.
I cracked a hopeful smile. "I think so. Though, I'm still getting there. But never mind that. We need to get out of here. There's only so much the others can do..."
Harper nodded. "Exactly. We managed to take this level, but we'll be screwed if we can't keep it. They are trying to come in here. They've been taking people and not bringing them back. Nobody knows whats happening. So we're preparing to fight back."
I glanced around and realised everyone was rushing around because they were making weapons, planting traps. They were defending themselves.
I chewed on the inside of my cheek. "How many have been taken?"
They all exchanged weary glances.
"Three," they said in unison.
I cursed inwardly and nodded. "Right, we need to get to work then."
"This level has been irradiated, so they'll be wearing hazmat suits," Jasper reminded everyone. "We can get beat them, especially because they won't be carrying guns. They need us alive if they are to take our bone marrow, so they won't kill us."
My eyes widened. "What?!"
After a brief and quick explanation about how the Mountain Men needed theirs (and now my) bone marrow, I helped them all build weapons and set traps so that we would be somewhat prepared for when the Mountain Men tried to attack and take some of them again.
It was almost twenty minutes later when Monty called us over to see the cameras he'd rigged up out in the hallway. It allowed us to see when they were coming so we would be prepared.
"Some of them aren't wearing hazmat suits," Monty thought aloud, his voice quiet and worried.
"Which means...?" Miller pressed, his grip on the pipe in his hand tightening.
Monty looked between us, his eyes darkening. "It means they're cured and the marrow treatments are working."
The thought of Doctor Tsing killing our friends angered me even further. She wouldn't quit, would she? She was honestly willing to go this far to survive. It was disgusting.
"GET THIS DOWN!"
We all jumped in fright at the unexpected sound of a guard on the other side of the door. According to the cameras, they were just opposite us, a metal door separating us from one another.
"Get ready!" Jasper yelled to everyone, and all of us ran to our places and laid on the floor, feigning death. It was all part of the plan.
"Give it up!" another guard yelled, before the loud noise of our barricade being torn down was heard.
The heavy footsteps of the guards entering the Mess Hall was heard, and I held my breath with anticipation and impatience. The wooden spike I made from a chair leg was in my hand, surprisingly still intact despite my tight grip.
I heard more footsteps moving about before Jasper's war cry sounded around us all, our signal to attack.
"NOW!" the brunette yelled, his axe stuck deep in a guard's arm.
We all began to attack, wooden legs flailing about, Harper's machine gun going off (which she acquired earlier on from a guard that tried to take her), punches being thrown. There was no holding back, and for once, I thought we were actually going to make it.
"Retreat! Retreat!" the leader of them all yelled, and I recognised him, but I didn't know where from.
They all did as they were told – well those who weren't dead or injured – and grins plastered across all of our faces as we claimed a victory.
"We did it! Seal the barricade!" Jasper yelled, pointing to the door. He was covered with the blood of his enemies.
Before anyone could make a move however, the helpless screams of a girl caught our attention. Everybody's eyes were on the cameras and we saw a young girl – her name was Fox, I recalled. She was being dragged away by some guards.
"Jasper! You promised!" she cried, and we all watched with despair, unable to do anything.
"Fox! No!" Jasper tried to run out the door, but Miller dragged him back as Harper and a few others barricaded the door.
"She'll be okay," Miller whispered as he pulled a trembling Jasper in for a hug.
"I promised her..." Jasper mumbled between his sobs, and I could only watch as everybody broke apart just a little bit more.
***
We couldn't do more than wait and prepare once again. Not knowing what was happening to Fox, whether she was still alive... it was driving everyone insane.
All I could think about was whether Lexa and Clarke were on their way to help us. Had they finally made a plan worth executing? Bellamy soon came to mind, too. Was he in danger? Had he been found? Is that why we hadn't heard from him? I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I knew Bellamy had been found out. I urged him to sneak in here in the first place. Octavia could lose her brother because of me. I was the problem here.
"They're gonna come in a lot harder next time, you know that, right?" Miller stated the obvious, looking between us all.
Jasper rubbed his neck anxiously. "We'll hold the flood until we find a way out."
"We're gonna need more than a bucket of water and four guns to do that," Miller retorted, glancing around at the state of the Mess Hall. I could see the uncertainty in his eyes.
"This is President Wallace talking to the kids who just killed ten of my men," a voice crackled through the radio Monty had on him. It was Cage Wallace.
"Uh, guys..." Monty began nervously, pulling the radio from his pocket and holding it out for us all to hear clearly.
"I thought we'd try something a little different this time. There's only thirty minutes of oxygen left in Maya's suit." Everyone's eyes widened and we looked to the cameras instantly. Maya was being escorted into the hallway, wearing a hazmat suit. "I know she's a friend of yours. In thirty minutes, your friend will either suffocate or burn. But you can save her. All you have to do is surrender."
***
Maya was brought into the Mess Hall immediately. She was sat on a table with Jasper, Harper, Monty and I by her side.
"You're okay," Jasper breathed out with relief, still not yet letting go of her hand. I could see the concern in his eyes as he looked over her. His feelings for the girl had obviously intensified since I'd be gone.
"Listen to me," Maya began, looking between us all urgently. "Fox is okay. Bellamy saved her." The pounding in my chest calmed down as I heard both Sky People were okay. "He's gonna get some guns in here through the trash chute."
Jasper was still a little sidetracked as he said, "If we can get guns in here, we can get you out."
Maya almost seemed hopeful, along with everyone else, however, Monty appeared distraught.
"No, we can't. I dismantled the chute," he informed regretfully, earning groans all around. "I'm sorry, I didn't think we'd be trying to open it ourselves! I can fix it, though."
Jasper grinned. "Yes! Thank you!" He glanced around before settling his gaze on Harper and I. "Go help him!"
Harper and I nodded and followed Monty to the trash chute.
"We've got this," I reassured the two nervous-looking teens.
Monty sighed shakily. "Right."
It felt like forever when we still hadn't got the damn thing open and Harper said, "It's been nineteen minutes."
Maya frowned. "You're not helping, Harper."
I glanced at the impatient girl and she raised her hands defensively. I nudged her lightly in the shoulder before looking to Jasper as he spoke.
"Don't worry, we'll get it open. Right, Monty?"
Monty was fiddling with some remote in his hand, barely paying attention to all of us. "Hold on. I've almost got it."
"Almost isn't good enough," Miller complained, seeming as impatient as Harper.
Monty cursed quietly before smacking his remote and pressing some buttons. "Screw this!"
A loud beeping noise sounded and some lights flashed above the trash chute. All of us looked around with wide eyes, confused to what just happened.
"What the hell did you do?!" Miller yelled as the beeping stopped and the lights dimmed.
"Cut the power to the modem, now come on! Help me!" Monty responded, before dropping his remote to the side and grabbing ahold of the trash chute door.
Miller and I helped him force it open before leading Maya to the front.
I looked to her with concern. "You sure you can do this? We'll be right behind you when you give us word."
Maya seemed hesitant as she glanced at the open chute, but a shout from the other side interrupted her before she could speak.
"Jasper! Monty! Is that you?!"
I couldn't help but smile in relief as I heard Bellamy's voice from the other side. Maya had said he would be, but hearing him confirmed that this was real and happening. We were going to be okay.
"Hell yeah! Bellamy to the rescue!" someone shouted from behind, making me laugh. I was too happy to let anything bring me down now.
"I've got this, I'll call for you after," Maya finally answered, gaining my attention. She was smiling now, obviously getting the same burst of hope we all had.
"We're on our way!" I yelled down the cute, before helping Maya sit on the edge. She glanced at Jasper with a smile, the boy grinning from ear to ear.
"Y/N?" Bellamy's voice echoed into the chute, but by now, Maya was being pushed down.
A few seconds later, we heard a thud and some voices at the bottom muttering. It was faint, but we all presumed Maya had made it down without tearing her suit.
"Come on!" her voice yelled back up.
I released a heavy breath before turning to Jasper and Monty. "Go on, guys."
The two boys exchanged relieved glances before taking turns to slide down the chute. Miller was up next, and then Harper. However, she didn't step forward.
"You go first," she explained, motioning to the chute. "I'll make sure these lot come after. I swear."
Not wanting to waste anymore time, I nodded and shot her a smile before allowing her to help me down the chute. I breathed out slowly before pushing myself from the edge and falling down the chute. I held in the urge to scream at the fall, but a grunt escaped my lips as I reached the bottom with a thud.
Strong hands lifted me out as I realised I'd made it, and when I looked up, Bellamy was smiling down at me. He was dressed in a guard suit, obviously a disguise.
"It's good to see you again, Y/L/N," he said, patting me on the back gently.
"Bellamy, come here," I said in between my joyful laughter. I pulled him in for a hug, glad to see him alive and okay.
A thud from behind us caught our attention, and I saw it was another delinquent who'd come through the chute. I was about to lean forward and help with Bellamy, but he held me back.
"I think there's someone here to see you actually," he informed me, before pointing a thumb behind him.
I furrowed my eyebrows as I left him to do his thing. I turned around and scanned the room. We were at the bottom of the Mountain, the doors blocking us from the tunnels. The room was stark white, with baskets of rubbish around us. Maya was stood with Jasper and Monty, the two were rejoicing with four other figures. Three of them seemed to be... grounders? But it was upon closer inspection that I realised who one of them was.
"Lexa."
The brunette turned around at the sound of my voice and I felt my heart drop to my stomach when I met her green eyes. Her eyes widened when she saw me, but I didn't give her chance to say anything because I soon found myself running forward and pulling her in for a hug.
She came for me. I shouldn't have expected any less.
Her arms wrapped around my waist and I felt her smile in my shoulder, causing me to smile. She was warm and comfortable and I didn't want to let go. I shouldn't have left her in Polis. We didn't need space. Time, maybe, but I needed time with her. Not away from her.
"I'm so glad you're okay," she breathed out, and when I pulled away, I saw her eyes glassy with tears. She was looking me up and down to see if I was hurt anywhere, but I stopped her, causing her to look at me.
"I'm sorry for leaving," I said instantly, knowing I had to. If I'd learnt anything by now, it was that life was a precious thing. And we had to say everything that we meant. "It was wrong. I made things worse and I hurt you. I know that."
Her lips curved into the tiniest smiles, but it was enough to make my stomach do somersaults. She was looking at me, her eyes full of love. I was beginning to enjoy that feeling.
"Y/N," another voice called, and I turned to see it was Clarke. She was smiling apologetically. "It's great to see you're okay. Lexa came to visit you at Arkadia but when we told her you weren't there, we knew we had to move fast. For our people."
I let go of the green-eyed girl and gave my full attention to Clarke. "Thank you for coming."
She nodded. "And I want to say sorry for the way I acted the other day. With the sniper. I was still angry about the missile and what you said to me... you were right and I was pissed. I hope everything can be good between us."
I cracked a smile. "Of course, Clarke. You saved my life just now."
"That's what she does," Jasper commented, stepping forward and putting an arm around her shoulder. He looked to her with a proud grin on his lips. "She saves people's lives. Like she's saving ours. Maya's. The grounders. She's a life-saver."
At the mention of Maya, I widened my eyes. "Shit, we need to get her to Level 5, don't we?"
"Octavia will do that," Bellamy said, suddenly appearing beside me. I looked around and saw the other delinquents all down now. Safe and sound. "Right, O?"
I furrowed my eyebrows, only to grin when I saw the other Blake sibling turn around from a conversation she was having with...
"Deka!"
My brown-eyed best friend ran towards me and embraced me in a quick hug, before shoving me in the shoulder.
"You're stupid for leaving! What did I tell you?!" she yelled in my face, making me blush with embarrassment as everyone watched us like a tennis match.
"Sorry, D, but can we do this another time? I think we have some things to do..." I tried to change the subject to avoid further embarrassment.
She rolled her eyes before wrapping an arm around my shoulders, similar to what Jasper was doing with Clarke earlier.
"Right, Octavia will escort Maya to Level 5 safely," Clarke ordered politely. Octavia nodded, but before Clarke could continue, I cut her off.
"How did you all get in here anyway?"
Clarke motioned to the door. "Bellamy let us in. We came through the mines. Raven is planting bombs in the dam and we're gonna blow it and get out of here."
I was grateful that they had finally come up with a plan, however, my concern for the mechanic mentioned made me ask, "How is she? She been doing okay?"
At the mention of her friend, Clarke smiled, any sample of tiredness or exhaustion momentarily leaving her expression. "She's doing good. We're... we're good."
A sudden loud yet distant explosion sounded around us, leaving me no room to question Clarke any further. The room we were in shook slightly, making us all lose our balance. I furrowed my eyebrows and looked around, only to see Lexa looking between Clarke, Bellamy and I.
"Our army is waiting outside," she said, a determined expression on her face. "Raven must have detonated the bombs, meaning the door is ready to be opened. We need to get my people from those cages and get out of here."
Bellamy nodded and pursed his lips. "Commander, I will lead you to your people. They were in the harvest chamber last time I checked."
Lexa nodded gratefully and waited for Bellamy to finish giving out his instructions. As this was happening, I noticed a growing chatter amongst some of the delinquents.
"O, take Maya-"
"Already on it," Octavia cut her brother off and led Maya out of here. I saw the longing look from the Mountain Girl she shared with Jasper before Octavia escorted her away. She was going to be okay, Octavia was strong.
Bellamy met Clarke's gaze. "Clarke, you, Y/N and Deka will lead these guys out of the Mountain and-"
"No, I'm coming with you and Lexa," I cut Bellamy off instantly. "Clarke and Deka will be fine leading these guys out."
"Y/N, we just got you back," Deka said, resting a hand on my forearm. "Please, just come with us whilst you can."
"She's right," Lexa chimed in, giving me a knowing look with her startling green eyes. "You need to get out of here. Bellamy and I can get the others out and we'll be out of here straight away. There's no time to negotiate this."
"They are my people, too," I argued, meeting Lexa's stern expression and shaking off Deka's hold. "I'll be okay. I'll be with you and Bellamy. We get in, we get out, okay?"
"Y/N, you should listen to her," Bellamy stated, but I glared at him, causing him to stay out of it. He raised his hands in defeat and stepped back.
"You're going to leave with Deka and Clarke," Lexa ordered calmly, but I could see her green eyes glowing with seriousness.
"No, I'm staying with you," I retorted stubbornly. "I can help."
"Y/N, you are going to listen to me-"
"Nope."
"Y/N-"
"I'm coming."
"Goodness sake, Y/N!" she raised her voice and stood her ground. "You will leave with Clarke and Deka!"
I clenched my jaw. "We are wasting time because-"
"Because of you-"
"I'm not leaving you!" I interrupted her, frowning as I tried to stop the lump in my throat from growing. Realising everyone was staring at me by now, I looked down and awkwardly mumbled, "Not again..."
I didn't like the idea of everyone knowing how I felt, seeing how vulnerable I was, so I rubbed my face with my hands and breathed out deeply. I recalled hearing Bellamy shout some orders out and people moving about, but I was too embarrassed to remove my hands and see. All I knew was that Lexa had stepped forward and pulled me into her arms. One hand was wrapped around my waist as the other was rubbing my back soothingly.
"You're right," she said into my ear, and it was all I could focus on despite the ruckus around us. Her breath tickled my skin as she continued. "We stick together."
She provided me with a comfort and warmth that I had forgotten existed and I appreciated it so much. I appreciated her. She didn't have to be so kind and loving towards me, not after the way I had treated her when all she'd down was help me. But here she was. Making me feel like I was safe and sound in a world of chaos.
//
holy shizzle, it's been what, a month since i last updated?
dayum sorry guys! College has been taking over my life, and then when i finally have time free, i have to go to work lol. But I've been working on this chapter when i could and it's finally here! Hopefully the next updated will be up quicker! I'll try my best to make sure :)
Anywho, if y'all are still reading, hope you like this!!