Chapter 12

KILLER QUEEN CHAPTER 12

I was born in space, I've never felt the sun on my face or breathed real air or floated in the water. None of us have. For three generations the ark has kept what's rest of the human race alive but now our home is dying and we are the last hope of mankind. One hundred prisoners sent on desperate mission to the ground, each of us is here because we broke the law but on the ground there is no law. All we have to do is survive, we will be tested by the earth, by the secrets it hides and most of all each other.

Talon turned towards me, "You're mad with me?" His English sounding very ruff.

I could feel anger start to bubble up within me. He's right, I was mad.

"Why you mad?"

I continue to stare straight ahead, "Why are you speaking English?" I counter.

"Lincoln's teaching me."

I glance over at him, "Can Lincoln also teach you how to be a good friend." My voice laced with anger.

I watch his confused expression before looking away, "We're friend?" His voice uncertain most likely for my reaction.

"No."

Talon grunted, "Why?" He sounded frustrated now.

Why.

Why.

He's really going to ask that. Okay here's why!

I spin around so I'm facing him," Because Talon! Friends don't set loose a biological warfare disease in where they're friend is living! Yeah! Don't think I forgot about that! Also, the fact that you knew I was away from camp the whole day before you even told me! God Talon! I may not like all those idiots but there are some that I don't want to die!! Also! Now two more of them have been kidnaped!" I hiss out viciously before turning away from him.

I was still waiting near a large fire pit which was the meeting when I heard it, I turn around seeing a large black horse with a distorted face running up through the trees. Once it reached us Finn was pushed from the horse, falling to the ground with a thud, he groans before looking up at Talon then me.

"Embry?"

I crouch down," Hey Space boy. How you feeling?"

He coughs, " Just great."

"Good to hear." I say before looking at Lincoln, "How long before your back with Clarke?"

Lincoln looks up to the sky the back to me, " Just after dark." I nod, Lincoln looks to Talon who just nods so he pulls the rains and guilds the horse back into the forest.

Finn, who is just catching his breath sits up looking at me, "I didn't think you'd be involved with the rescue plan when Lincoln saved me."

I shook my head, "I wasn't, though I was there. I was tracking Clarke, I knew it wouldn't be long before she was specifically targeted. I had just caught up as you both were knocked out, I was following you both after that when I ran into Talon who filled me in."

Finn looks over to Talon the back to me, "Right.... Is it weird I feel better with you in on the plan?"

I smirk, " I didn't know you were such a big fan."

He raises his hands, " Hey, you've kept a lot of people alive down here. Your a natural hunter, your good with medicine, you somehow always know way more then you should. You've got real survival instincts."

I look over at him, "What about the survival instinct to kill or be killed." Finn looks down, "You do realise we're in a war Finn and eventually you'll have to pick up a knife to keep  people alive too."

He shakes his head, "We don't need to fight." He pleas.

"So we die instead."

"No." Finn looks at me, "We've organised a truce before. We can do it again. We can negotiate peace."

I shake my head at his words, "When are you going to realise Finn... Not everyone wants peace... Some want war."

"Is that what you want?" Finn asks, I feel Talon looking over as well, intrigued by what my answer may be.

" It doesn't matter if I want it or not. It's here and I will be ready for it."

*************

Talon had set the fire over half and hour ago, the three of us now waiting in silence.

Thump thump.  Thump thump.

I sigh, "Finally."

I watch as the same black horse gallops into the field before stopping, Lincoln trying to get what looked like a slightly ruffed up Clarke off before cutting her hand ties. Clarke looks up at him in confusion before he pushes her in the direction of Finn.

"Finn?" Clarke whisper before running up to him, "Oh my good" she hugs him tightly before pulling back, " I don't understand... how?" Finn looks over to Lincoln who is removing his mask, "Lincoln saved my life. He killed one of his own people to do it."

Clarke walks over to Lincoln pointing at the fire, "Signal Fire? That was you?"

"We needed a distraction." Lincoln tells her making her confused, "We?"

I step around from the fire, " Now technically, I wasn't apart of the plan at first but I did over see it."

"Embry!" Clarke runs to me throwing her arms around me.

Dear god.

I try not to grimace and lightly pat her back before she pulls away, " I don't understand?"

I try to forget that fact she just hugged me but I caught a glimpse of Finn smirking and rolled my eyes at him, "Long story short, I was already following you when I ran into Talon,"  I nod his direction at he's standing off to the side, "Who explained the plan."

Clarke nodded, "Thank you."

"Lincoln!" We all look over to Talon, more specifically to where he's looking. The signal fire across from us is extinguished.

Finn steps forward, "What does that mean?"

"It means Anya knows Clarke's not dead. We need to hurry." He rushes to the horse ushering it back into the woods, "Let's hope they follow the horse." Lincoln starts in the opposite direction which myself and Talon start to follow.

"Hey! What do we do now?" Finn calls.

I turn to face him and Clarke, "We run!" They instantly start to follow us.

***************

We've been running for hours now, throw the trees, over fallen branches and I can tell it's getting hard for Clarke and Finn to keep up because of their constant panting but they keep pushing through it.

"Come on! It's right up here!" Lincoln calls.

"Where exactly are we going?" I call out.

"Some place they won't follow."

That sentence makes me tense, "That  could be a good or a bad thing, Lincoln!"

We continue running until Lincoln pulls off to the side near what I could see through the dark as a cave.

"Wait?" Clarke says panting, "Where does this lead?"

"Everywhere." Talon grunts, "There's a tunnel near your camp. If we make it through, we should get there before Tristan."

Okay slightly annoyed.

"Okay! Firstly, what do you mean if? Secondly, who the fuck is Tristan!"

Thump thump.  Thump thump.

"No time, go! Go now!"

The four of us quickly run blindly into the cave as fast as we could, shouting behind us.

"Lincoln!!" I hear Anya yell at the cave opening.

*****************

"I can't see anything." I hear Clarke's voice in the darkness.

"Stop here." Lincoln's says as I start to hear rustling before an all to familiar sound starts and slowly a fire starts to light the cave. I look around us at the very old large cave.

"You were right. They didn't follow us." I turn looking at Finn.

Lincoln looks up from the fire sharing a look with Talon that makes me glare at the two, " Reapers use these tunnels. Tristan wouldn't risk running into them."

"What the hell is a reaper?" Finn beats me too it.

"Pray you never find out."

I step forward, "I'm going to need a little more detail then that, Lincoln."

Lincoln grunts as he raises that flame, "We have to keep moving."

I'm more than a little annoyed now with my questions left unanswered.

"Lincoln! Your hit!" Finn says quickly making Talon turn to inspect his brother, " Where!"

"Hey, let me look at that." Clarke reaches for him quickly searching for the wound.

Lincoln sighs, "I've fought battles with worse wounds than this."

"We're not in a battle right now." She counters.

"That's debatable." I stare down the tunnel with my bow ready, "Keep your eyes open Finn." I tell him as he watches our rear.

I walk forward slightly before I'm pulled back by my arm, " Not the time for wandering." Talon's scruff voice tells me but I shrug him off.

"It's a good thing I don't wander then!" I say making him huff.

Lincoln's gasp makes us both turn around quickly, seeing Clarke push the arrow the rest of the was through Lincoln's torso. I swing my bow onto my should before pulling my bag off the other, searching for a small jar with a light pink liquid. Grasping onto is I give it a shake before walking over to Lincoln holing it out for him to take. He stares at it in suspicion, "What is it?"

"It'll numb the pain"

He continues to stare at it so I shrug retreating my hand.

"Brother!" Talon hisses, "Trust."

I quickly look to Talon who's staring at Lincoln then back to Lincoln who's now staring at me, slowly he reaches out his hand grasping the vile.

"The whole thing?" I nod at him

Lincoln pops the cap off, quickly swallows the vile of liquid, waiting a moment before he looks up at me, "I don't feel anything?"

I look to Clarke who's been holding the hot knife on Lincoln's torso second after he drank it, "That's a good thing." Lincoln follows my gaze looking down at his sizzling skin then to the vile then back to me, " What's in this?" Shock lacing his voice.

"Medicinal plants I've come across." I shrugged not noticing the proud look Talon was giving me.

*************

We're still running through these bloody tunnels, we've had to stop every couple of minutes to check Lincoln's map to make sure we're traveling the right way.

"Wait," Finns looks at Lincoln, "If you've never been down here, how'd you map it?"

"Spoils of war."

"What is that?"

I look to where Clarke is, my eyes widen, " Put out the fire!" I hiss.

Talon quickly extinguished the fire before grabbing my arm pulling me to the side behind some wooden planks, the others following right after.

"This can't be the only way." Finn whispers, "Check the map."

Lincoln shares a look with Talon, "If you want to get home before Tristan slaughters your people, this is the only way." They both slowly start to creep out.

"Hey," I hiss a them both making Talon turn to me, "Take this," he hands me Lincoln's book containing the map, "Get out as quickly as you can."

"Clarke." Finn whisper making us glance to him, "The carts."

I follow his gaze, first seeing very deformed versions of people either eating or smashing and hitting something on the floor but then the carts.....

"What the hell is this?"

Body parts were hanging out from the carts.

The Reapers were eating them.

Lincoln looks back to us, "Tunnel on the right will lead you to the woods near your camp." I nod at the directions.

"What are you gonna do?" Finn questions.

"We're going to lead them away." Talon responds making me look to him, " Wait until they follow us. Then run." Talon looks me over taking in all my weapons, "Embry will protect you both." I didn't know what to say... He knows I can protect myself as well as Clarke and Finn...., "Don't die.." Talon nods at my words.

"Protect yourself." He tells me then looks to Clarke and Finn, " Most of Tristan's rangers will be at your gates by nightfall. But he'll send riders ahead, scouts. All of you have to be gone before they arrive."

Finn nods then looks behind us, "One of them is coming." He rushes out.

Clarke quickly grabs Lincoln, "Where are we supposed to go?"

Lincoln looks to me, "In my book, there's a map. Try the corse to the eastern sea. There's a clan there. Led by a women called Luna, a friend. Tell her I sent you." I nod taking in all the information.

"Thank you." Finn says to both Talon and Lincoln the ladder replying with, "Just get Octavia out of there."

Lincoln and Talon both walk out of the hiding spot and instantly kill the reaper, gaining the attention of all the other reapers. I quickly move back pulling Clarke and Finn with me making sure we're shielded by the wall of wood. The reapers all shouted out and presumably ran after the two grounders. I look over the top of the wood making sure it's all clear, "Quick!" I sprint forward making my way to the tunnel on the right.

"Oh my god!" I spin around to look at Clarke, did you see that?"

"Clarke, we need to keep moving." Finn tells her frantically but Clarke inches forward lifting the sheet off the cart, jumping back quickly as a hand reaches out to her, "They're alive."

"Clarke," I hiss at the dumb girl, "We don't have time for this! Let's move now!"

"Clarke look out!" Finn calls trying to push her out the way but the lone reaper had already struck her, I quickly rush forward as the reaper pins Finn down but Finn manages to grab a rock and slam it into the reapers head knocking him off, I move swiftly lodging a dagger in the reapers head.

"Time to go!" I quickly help both Clarke and Finn up before pulling them into the right tunnel.

*****************

I signed in relief at I finally saw daylight through what seemed like endless tunnels, "Quickly! This way!" I continue to push the two as they both pan with exhaustion. Once we were free from the tunnels I quickly scan the area before starting in the direction of camp, we were far but I knew the way.

"What the hell was that back there!" Clarke pants, "Why do they keep them alive!"

"I don't know! I'm sure as hell not sticking around to find out! Let's go!"

"Hey, Hey." I hear Clarke so I turn around, Finns kneeling down near a puddle trying to wash the blood off his hands, "He would have killed us, you did what you had to do."

I walk over to them, "He didn't do anything," They both look up at me but I stare at Finn, "You didn't do anything Finn. I did. You got that. I killed him. Not you. Now get fucking moving unless you want me to drag you both!" Finn nods standing up then helps Clarke up.

Bang....

I spin around, "What the fuck!"

"It came from the camp." "We're too late."

"Let's go! Move! Move!" I tell them before sprinting to the direction of the camp.

This day is turning more and more into a colossal shit show!

*************

"Wait! Hold your fire!! It's Clarke, Embry and Finn."

The gates were quickly open for us so we run through, though guns were still pointed at us, " You better not be aiming them fucking guns at me!! I've had a piece of shit day!!" I spat out venomously making all the guns lower.

"We heard an explosion. What happened?" Clarke asks Bellamy quickly making his face morph in anger, " Murphy happened!"

I'm going to skin that boy.

"Embry!" I'm not so gently tackled form the side by Octavia, "Oh my god, are you okay?" She rushes out pulling away from me.

I nod to her, "I'm fine."

"Hunting on your own huh?" I turn to look at Bellamy who approached us, "I never said what I was hunting."

Bellamy nods his head before taking me by surprise, pulling me in for a brief hug, "Good to have you back Mystery."

"Where's Monty?"

"Monty's gone?"

I turn at Clarke and Jasper  conversation.

"Clarke!" Finn cuts in, "We need to leave, now! All of us do! There's an army of grounders, unlike anything we've ever seen, coming for us right now. We need to pack what we can and run."

"Like hell we do!" Bellamy intervenes, "We knew this was coming."

"Bell," Octavia calls out, "We're not prepared."

"And they're not here yet. We still have time to get ready. Besides, where would we go? Where would we be safer than behind these walls?"

Finn steps in, " There's an ocean to the east. People there will help us."

"You saw Lincoln." Octavia questions Finn, "Yeah."

Bellamy scoff, "You expect us to trust a grounder? Thins is our home now! We built this from nothing with our bare hands! Our dead are buried behind that wall, in this ground! Our ground! The grounders think they can take that away. They think that because we came from the sky, we don't belong here. But they're yet to realise one very important fact. We're on the ground now. And that means we are grounders!!"

I look around as people start to cheer.

"Grounders with guns!"

"Damn right! I say let them come."

Bellamy sure knows how to rally the troops,

Clarke steps forward, " Bellamy's right. If we leave, we may never find a place as safe as this. And god knows, in this world..... we could be faced with something even worse tomorrow. But that doesn't change the simple fact that if we stay her, we will die tonight. So pack your things. Just take what you can carry. Now!"

Only to be overruled by Clarke.

"Help me!!" A voices calls out.

"Raven!" We all rush over to her as she limps out from behind the drop ship.

"Murphy shot her." Jasper whispers out.

"Get her in the drop ship." Clarke orders, Finn quickly picks her up rushing into the drop ship.

"Clarke! Leaving here is a mistake." Bellamy calls out to her.

"The decisions been made."

"Crowds make bade decisions! Just ask Murphy. Leaders do what they think is right." Bellamy try's to reason.

Clarke nods, "I am." With that she walks into the drop ship.

Bellamy looks to me, " Embry... you've gotta know that we're better off if we stay here!"

I ignore his question, tilting my head back I sigh as the blaring sun warms my skin.

I'm sorry Bellamy, but I can't answer that, we're not better off staying here.... but we have no choice.... the scouts would have arrived by now. There's no turning back. The war is here.I am ready.

********************

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