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[PREVIOUSLY: Octavia, Bellamy, Raven and the others examine a hydrazine bomb that they are planning to use to blow the bridge. In the meanwhile, an unfortunate turn of events occur and Octavia is forced to step up and take on the task of delivering the shot that will blow away the last shred of peace remaining between the clans].
"I'll do it. I'll take the shot."
The moment those words tumbled from my mouth, I glimpsed a sudden movement out of the corner of my eye.
"No," Bellamy wheezed as he struggled to his feet and placed a steadying hand on the table nearby. "I appreciate the concern but I'm good to go. Make sure the bomb is packed and ready to go in five."
"Wait!" Clarke called out as she lurched forward and seized his arm.
Bellamy snapped his head around and stared at her fingers as they closed around his skin.
"C-Clarke, you could get sick ..." Jasper stammered, eyes wide in horror.
Clarke shook her head as she retorted, "I don't care. Bellamy, you are not going to that bridge. If you get hurt along the way or possibly even miss your target ... we're all dead. You're not seriously willing to risk that by letting a bit of pride get in the way, are you?"
Bellamy hesitated before responding, "Octavia is not taking that shot."
"Bellamy!" I exclaimed in frustration as I flailed my arms around. "I'm not a little kid anymore. I don't need you to protect me, okay? I can look after myself. I've proven that to you over and over again. You're not coming. You're not taking that shot. I am!"
Bellamy tried to protest, but his words died in his mouth. Struggling for breath, he swayed to and fro as he tried to regain his balance. Then, with a spluttering moan, he collapsed to the ground with a loud thud.
"Bellamy!" I cried out as I started forward.
"No!" Bellamy held up his hand. "Stay back." He burst into a fit of coughing, spewing blood across the floor.
Everyone backed away, their faces contorted in concern and disgust.
"Okay, change of plans," Clarke spoke up hurriedly. "I'll stay here to look after Bellamy. If he's sick, there's a possibility others are too. Octavia, Finn, Jasper ... you go the bridge. You plant the bomb. You get back as soon as you can. You hear me?"
Finn nodded as he shouldered his rifle. "Let's go."
"Hold up, where's the bomb?" Jasper demanded.
I whirled around, inhaling sharply in the process. The bomb was gone ... and so was Raven.
"God dammit. RAVEN!" Finn shouted out as he dashed out of the drop-ship. Jasper muttered something incoherent under his breath as he grabbed his gun and followed him.
I sent Clarke a brief look of thanks as I spun about on my heel and jogged out into the camp. I caught up with Finn and Jasper at the front gate.
"She's gone," Finn groaned, running his fingers nervously through his hair. "Raven's gone and she's taken the bomb. She's gonna get herself killed!"
"Finn, calm down!" I ordered sharply, grabbing his shoulders and forcing him to look at me. "Just breathe, okay? She couldn't have gotten that far. We can still catch her before she gets to the bridge."
Finn nodded and swallowed. "Okay. Okay."
I glanced over at Jasper before looking back towards Finn. "Alright. Let's move."
With adrenaline pounding through our veins and urgency pulling at our minds, Finn, Jasper and I sprinted madly through the thick evergreen trees surrounding our camp.
The rolling beat of drums and the chilling war cries resounding from the approaching grounders grew louder and louder the closer we got to the bridge.
A shiver ran down my spine. In order to plant the bomb, one would have to place it in the middle of the bridge and, in so doing, forgo the safety of the woods and walk straight out into the open. What if Raven was killed before we even got to her? I didn't want to think about it.
"There! I see her!" Jasper let out a triumphant yell as the three of us stumbled into a large clearing.
Finn held out his arms, stopping Jasper and I mid-stride. The large, sturdy bridge loomed ahead of us as it arched gracefully over the rushing waters of the stream below. Numerous pines and wattles lined the water's banks, disclosing the oncoming grounders from our sight.
My eyes took all this in with one sweeping glance before fixating on Raven's form huddled in the middle of the bridge. I froze.
Raven, her movements slow and clumsy, was pouring the gunpowder around the hydrazine. She was on her knees, her back to us. Her sleeves were rolled up and there was bloodied rips along the length of her jeans.
"W-what's wrong with her?" Jasper quivered.
"I dunno," Finn muttered. Cupping his hands around his mouth, he yelled, "Raven!"
Upon hearing Finn's voice, Raven turned her head to glance over her shoulder at us. Blood was dripping from her nose and streaming down her chin, soaking straight through the material of her shirt.
"Crap, she's got it too!" I yelped out in horror. "She's got the virus."
"Stuff this!" Finn let out a loud, resilient cry as he plummeted forward and rushed straight towards Raven.
"Oh geez," Jasper gasped as he quickly raised his rifle and scanned the surrounding trees through the lens of his weapon's scope. "Uh ... Octavia? You might wanna have a look at this ..."
Frowning, I plucked the gun from Jasper's grasp and lifted it to my shoulder. I peered through the magnified glass and my breath caught in my throat.
I could see horses coming through the trees, horses carrying masked warriors armed with spears and swords, warriors displaying colourful flags, aggressive warriors, warriors encompassing someone that looked too much like ...
"Heda," I breathed.
In the forefront of the marching army was Indra, Lexa and Anya, each seated atop a handsome steed. War paint covered their skin and weapons lined their clothes. The steady boom-boom of the war drums rumbled through the air, intent on sending fear and intimidation into our hearts.
I lowered the weapon from my shoulder and screamed, "Finn! Quick! Get outta the way! They're nearly at the bridge!"
"I - I'm trying!" Finn grunted and huffed in response as he wrapped his arms around Raven's limp body and began dragging her away from the bomb.
"T-they're not gonna make it," Jasper panted. "They're not gonna make it!"
He'd barely even finished his sentence when, suddenly, the three horses upon which Indra, Anya and Lexa sat, broke through the trees across the other side of the bridge.
Jasper and I drew back, startled, watching as the fierce warriors started to advance towards the bridge's edge.
PING. PING.
Two arrows were strung towards the struggling figures of Finn and Raven. Raven stumbled forward in shock, bringing Finn down with her.
"Oh my god," my hand flew to my mouth.
"Finn! Go!" Raven choked out. "Go! Leave me!"
"No, I'm not leaving you behind!" Finn raised his voice above the noise of the drums. "Jasper! Help me!"
For a moment, Jasper didn't move. His face was filled with inexpressible fear and anguish as he considered his options. Suddenly, he boldly rushed forward. Seizing one of Raven's arms, he strung it over his neck, Finn following his example. The two boys managed, with some difficulty, to drag Raven off of the bridge before tumbling clumsily into the shelter of the trees nearby.
"Shoot, Octavia, shoot!" Jasper shouted out.
But I couldn't. It was as if my entire body were weighted down by some invisible force. I couldn't move a muscle. The gun was in my hands. The cartridge was loaded. The bomb was right in front of me.
My eyes flittered from the cowering forms of Jasper, Finn and Raven to the grounders' majestic steeds upon which Lexa, Anya and Indra sat.
Choose: your people or the grounders, my mind urged me.
Lexa. Anya. Indra. Artigas. Gustus. Lincoln. Aidan.
The faces of the Trikru warriors flashed through my mind.
Then, I recalled the faces of my people who were sure to die if I didn't act now.
Bellamy, Clarke, Raven, Monty, Jasper, Finn, Bryce, Dustin.
"Shoot! For god's sake, Octavia! Shoot!"
I pulled the gun up. I faced the open end of the barrel towards the target. My fingers tightened around the trigger.
I clenched my jaw, trying to stop my arms from shaking so badly, but it didn't work.
Please forgive me, I inwardly begged. Please, please forgive me. I'm so sorry.
"OCTAVIA! SHOOT!"
I forced myself to look through the scope. I forced myself to focus my line of sight on the bomb. I hesitated one more time, took a deep breath and pulled the trigger.
Gif: Octavia as she faces off against the grounders at the bridge.
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