Three Years Without Him

It's been three years since John walked out of camp.

Three years since he disappeared into the trees, and we lost him.

Three years of nothing.

Not a trail. Not a shadow. Not a rumor. I searched the whole forest myself. I memorized every tree line, every ridge, every creek and drop point. I never stopped.

"Here?" I pointed at the camp's hand-drawn map — the one that had gotten so big we'd actually mounted it on the wall.

"We've already searched there, Kate," Bellamy said quietly. "We've searched everywhere."

I stared at him. "Yeah. Everywhere except where he actually is."

A knock hit the door.

"Yeah," we both answered at the same time.

Raven stuck her head in. "Councilor wants to see you."

I nodded. I grabbed my spear. I didn't go anywhere without it. His knife was still lashed to it. His necklace was still around my neck. They kept me moving.

The others from the Ark never came down. We only ever got Abby, Jackson, Kane, Sinclair, and Raven. That was it.

I've always suspected they left the rest behind. I never said it out loud. But I trusted these five more than anyone else left up there, so... fine.

Bellamy and I walked in together. We wear guard jackets now. Real leather, reinforced. We're security.

Kane stood when we entered. He was Chancellor now.

"Chancellor," we both said.

He nodded back. "We found a Grounder camp."

Okay. That hit.

"Not just a camp," he added. "Holding cells. Three of them."

My body whipped toward Bellamy. I saw it in his face too — hope for the first time in a long time.

"When do we leave?" I asked.

Kane looked at me. "You're not going."

I stared at him. "Yes, I am. If there's a chance I find John Murphy, I'm going."

He sighed. "Kate... it's been three years. Don't you think maybe—"

"Watch your mouth, Chancellor," I snapped.

We locked eyes like we were two seconds from a fistfight.

"Easy, you two," Bellamy said fast. "With all due respect, Chancellor... Kate is one of our best guards. That's why you promoted her."

Kane exhaled. Then he nodded. "Fine. Pack the rover. We leave soon."

I smiled — small, hard — and we bolted.

Octavia met me before I even hit the gate. She'd taken over leading hunting patrols. She'd grown into it scary fast.

"I heard," she said, breathless. "A Grounder camp with holding cells?"

I nodded once.

"Do you think he's there?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. But if he's anywhere, we're closer now than we've been in three years."

She pulled me into a hug and held on. "Bring him home."

"I'll do what I can," I said into her shoulder.

Bellamy had already loaded the rover — med supplies, restraints, spare ammo, water, rations.

"We're set," he called, slamming the rear door shut.

"Thanks, Bell," I muttered quietly.

"Always," he said.

Kane came with us, along with Finn, Monty, and Jasper. All of them guards now. It's funny: the delinquents grew up and became the wall.

Clarke came jogging up right when I closed the rover door. I cracked it open again.

"You're heading for a Grounder camp?" she asked.

I nodded. "Yeah."

"I hope you find him," she said.

I gave her a little crooked smile. "Thanks, Clarke."

I meant it.

We drove east — a direction we usually avoided. Too many patrols. Too many stories about raids.

"What's the plan?" I asked.

Kane's mouth twisted. "Shoot first. Ask questions later."

I actually grinned. "That's my kind of plan."

Everyone else laughed. We needed it