Ride or Die

3,332 words

I stared up at the ceiling of my tent like I had been for the last few hours, wishing I was in Bellamy's instead. Like I said, I don't get much sleep nowadays. Though I wasn't sure it was the right moment to go to him since we hadn't talked since the radio situation after he isolated himself from the rest of us.

Although, Raven had gathered campers to help build flares to shoot up in the sky in an attempt to let the ark know we were still alive and prevent them from sacrificing others to save oxygen, we had no way of knowing they received our message.

I sighed, sitting up and unzipping my tent, exiting only to be greeted by the large crowd of people circled around with none other than Bellamy in the middle.

I knitted my eyebrows together, looking for a familiar face and jogging over to Clarke. 

"What's going on?" I asked as soon as I had approached her.

She stood with her arms crossed before glancing at me and explaining, "Octavia's been missing for 12 hours." She whispered and my eyes widened.

"What?" I said in disbelief, tucking my hair behind my ear and looking over to Bellamy who scanned the crowd.

"Everyone, gather around and grab a weapon." He ordered, unwrapping a cloth that revealed a variety of daggers, knives, etc. "Arm up. We're not coming back without her." He said sternly, looking around until his eyes landed on me.

We stood for what felt like forever until I broke eye contact when Jasper reached for a weapon. I placed my hand on his chest, stopping him, "Hey, Jasper, you don't have to do this." I reassured him, "You haven't left camp since we brought you back, we understand if you stay."

"Claudia," He began in a low voice, "I need to do this."

"We need all the people we can get." Bellamy appeared suddenly behind me with his arms crossed, staring down Jasper, glancing at me only for a moment.  "We need a tracker."

I nodded, "I'll get Finn." I told him before exiting, finding Finn's tent and entering. He was sat down while Raven smiled down at him, cutting his hair with a dagger.

She looked up, her smile fading when she saw me. I merely glanced at her before turning to Finn who spoke before I could, standing up quickly. "Hey, Claudia." He cleared his throat while Raven glanced between the two of us, "What's up?"

"We need you out there, Finn." I informed him, feeling Raven's stare on me but I ignored it, leaving the tent without another word.

Once I was with the others, Bellamy handed me a torch to which I gave a small nod before turning to the rest, "Alright, everyone. Remember our training. Be smart. Be careful. And always be aware of your surroundings." I spoke aloud while they listened carefully before a few of them nodded.

We were about to begin the search when chatter erupted, fingers pointing to the sky. 

I glanced up, seeing sparkling dust fall from the sky, knowing exactly what it meant. I swallowed before looking down at the ground with a sigh. Normally I wouldn't care if the Ark came into harm's way because of how they treated me- treated all of us. But knowing that hundreds of them were innocent people, was a feeling I couldn't shake off.

"It didn't work." Raven mumbled loud enough for everyone to hear, staring up at the sky, "They didn't get our message."

"A meteor shower tells you that?" Bellamy questioned, raising a brow.

"It's not a meteor shower, it's a funeral." Clarke informed with a slight glare while her eyes began to water. "Hundreds of bodies being returned to the Earth from the Ark. This is what it looks like from the other side."

"This is all because of you!" Raven charged at Bellamy before Clarke and Finn held her back.

"Back off, Raven." I stepped forward, "How the hell were we supposed to know what the Ark had planned before he took the radio?" I squinted my eyes at her while she clenched her jaw.

"I guess it doesn't matter now since your boyfriend jacked it and trashed it!" She exclaimed while Clarke placed a hand on her shoulder.

"He knows." She told her before turning to Bellamy, "Now he has to live with it."

Bellamy glanced at the sky one last time before saying, "All I know is that my sister is out there and I'm gonna find her. You coming or what?" He asked Finn, getting a nod as a response, "Then what are we waiting for? Move out!"

...

Jasper jogged up to me while I walked with Bellamy who followed behind Finn, "Hey," he whispered and I turned to him with a small smile before he continued, "push comes to shove, you can totally take these guys, right?"

I let a chuckle escape my lips before replying, "Yeah, Jasper. I can totally take these guys." I teased, nudging his arm, earning a smile from his behalf. He nodded, staring straight ahead. I could tell that his mind was somewhere else so I tossed my arm around his shoulder, leaning in, "I'm also gonna make sure nothing happens to you, okay?" 

He looked over to me, smiling with a nod, "Thanks, Claudia."

I patted his back while he walked forward, catching up to Finn.

"You shouldn't promise things like that." The deep voice from beside me spoke. I didn't even have to turn my head to know who it was, I would be able to recognize it anywhere.

"Why not?" I challenged while still keeping an eye out for any sign of Octavia.

I could feel his stare on me now, "You can't save everyone, Claudia." I then turned my head, meeting his gaze before he spoke again, "Who's gonna save you?"

"Look! Over here!" A shout caused me to break our trance as I jogged over, along with everybody else, to the edge of a hill where Miller pointed down to a bush, "Right there. You see it?" He pointed out something caught in it, I couldn't quite make it out but Bellamy seemed to recognize it instantly, "Is that Octavia's?" Miller questioned.

"Rope." Bellamy ordered, holding out his hand until someone handed it to him. He unwinded it, tossing it down the hill before he began to make his way down.

Once he reached the bush, he grabbed the item, examining it before turning back to the rest of us, holding it up, "It's hers!" 

The crowd began to murmur while Bellamy turned so his back was facing us, grabbing onto the rope again, "I'm going all the way down!" He announced before doing just that.

In the corner of my eye, I saw Jasper hand Finn is torch before taking a deep breath and following in Bellamy's footsteps. Finn nodded in approval while some muttered in disbelief.

I did the same without missing a beat, grabbing onto the rope and letting myself down the hill carefully until I was a few feet away from Jasper and Bellamy, jumping the rest of the distance.

I crouched down next to the two who were looking at a rock. I looked closer, seeing that there was blood, taking a deep breath, and trying not to jump to conclusions. 

I glanced up, seeing footprints, but only one set, leading into a dark path with skeletons propped up on spears, a clear sign that we weren't welcome.

I heard the sound of two feet landing on the ground after jumping from the rope. It wasn't long before Finn was crouched down beside me, "The prints are going deeper that way." He nodded forward, turning to Bellamy, "He was carrying her."

"If they took her, she's still alive." Jasper commented, looking between the three of us, "Like when they took me."

Just then, a loud wail pierced the air, capturing all of our attention.

"I don't speak Grounder," Finn began, "but I'm pretty sure that means keep out."

I heard the retreat of footsteps, turning and seeing that most of the crowd we began with had left in fear. "Cowards." I scoffed, shaking my head.

"I'm out of here." I heard some say before others agreed, fading one by one.

"Stay here if you want." Bellamy kept his eyes forward, "My sister, my responsibility." He finished before he walked into the path.

Jasper swallowed, glancing at me and Finn. "I'd go into hell to find her." He told us before following Bellamy's lead.

I turned to Finn who was watching Jasper depart in shock, muttering, "I think we just did."

...

"We lost the trail." Finn sighed, turning to the few of us who had stayed, less than 10. "I've got nothing."

"Keep looking." Bellamy ordered.

It was hard to keep my head during this. We had been out all night long, in fact, it was now daylight. But I was hellbent on finding Octavia, and so were the rest of us. She was my friend, and one of the only people here who didn't see me as a threat.

I glanced up at the group in front of me, furrowing my eyebrows when I realized something. "Hey, guys!" I called out and they all turned back to me, "Where did John go?" My eyes searched the greenery, realizing he was missing.

We all stopped in our track, turning our heads before we all began to think the same thing.

"I just saw him a second ago." Jasper whispered in fear.

"Spread out, he couldn't have gotten that far." Bellamy stated flatly before continuing to walk.

"Bell-" I began to walk after him until John's body dropped before me, just in front of my feet. His throat was sliced and his shirt was soaked with blood.

My mouth fell open in shock but I knew I didn't have time to process it. I looked up at the group who was frightened, not knowing what to do. I took a deep breath, grabbing my dagger from my boot, glancing up, "They use the trees." I mumbled, "Everyone, remember your training! Keep your eyes out and be safe!"

"We shouldn't have crossed the boundary." One of the girls spoke.

"Guys." Jasper tapped my arm rapidly, pointing into the distance where a Grounder stood defensively.

"There's another one." A boy spoke with a shaky breath, pointing out a Grounder that was running through the field.

"We should run." Finn whispered.

"That'd be a good idea." I nodded before we all broke out into a sprint in the direction we came from, moving as fast as our feet could carry us.

We glided through the grass but the Grounders were running after us just as fast. I jumped over loose roots and anything else that could've tripped me, making it my priority to get the hell out of there.

"Let's go! Let's go!" Somebody yelled, I didn't even know who.

"What are we gonna do? They keep heading us off!" Finn shouted while we ran.

I looked around at my blurred surroundings, searching for somewhere- anywhere- we could take cover. "Just keep running!" I yelled.

"I can't run much longer!" Jasper announced and I stopped in my tracks immediately, turning back to see if he was okay.

"I'm sick of running anyway." Bellamy stopped as well, facing towards the Grounders with confidence.

"What are you doing?" Finn questioned him as if he were crazy while I checked on Jasper who was hunched over with his hands on his knees.

"They know where she is." Bellamy told him.

Two of the others continued to run nevertheless, leaving us behind. The Grounders began to catch up on our trail before I heard an ear-piercing shriek.

"Come on, Jas." I mumbled, throwing his arm around my shoulder, half-carrying him before we began to run after Roma and Diggs, checking to see if they were okay.

Diggs had triggered a tripwire, sending a tree branch with spears on it to pierce through his chest.

"Oh my god." I let out once I saw his lifeless body, but not seeing Roma until I caught her running just ahead of us.

"Wait, Roma!" Bellamy called.

"There could be more! Stop!" Finn yelled out, slowing down his pace when he saw Diggs.

"They were leading us here." Jasper said, looking around frightfully, disconnecting himself from me after catching his breath, "It's the only direction we could run in."

"Where'd they go?" Finn questioned, noticing the Grounders were no longer chasing us and nowhere to be found.

"After Roma." Bellamy answered before running in her direction after we had lost her.

I ran after him, noticing he came to a stop, staring at a tree where Roma was hiding behind.

"There she is." I mumbled, turning to him before walking forward but he grabbed my wrist, pulling me back.

I glanced at him only to see him shaking his head, mentally telling me not to approach. Finn, Jasper, and another girl had caught up to us, Finn approaching anyway.

Bellamy didn't stop him, which confused me, but I pulled away from Bellamy nevertheless, trailing after Finn. "Oh, god." I gaped, looking away from the speared girl. 

"They're playing with us." Finn said angrily. "They can kill us whenever they want."

It was quiet until Jasper yelled at the top of his lungs, "Then they should get it over with!" 

I ran over to him, shushing him rapidly, "Jasper, shut the hell up!" I scolded him.

He ignored me screaming, "We know you're out there! Come on!"

"Bellamy!" The other girl let out, eyes wandering rapidly at our surroundings.

I glanced around as well, seeing Grounders running towards us quickly with shields and spears.

The five of us stood defensively, holding onto our weapons and prepared to fight when a sudden horn was blown, capturing the attention of not only us, but the Grounders as well as they began to retreat. 

"They're leaving." Bellamy let out, watching the attackers run away as the horn continued to blow.

"The horn." I whispered, glancing around, "What does it mean?"

"Acid fog." Finn answered, pulling out something from his backpack.

"We have to run." The girl said.

I shook my head, "There's no time." I grabbed the material in Finn's hands, helping him unfold it before we all took cover underneath it, concealing it around us tightly.

Bellamy laid next to me, constantly looking over as if to ask if I was okay.

"How long are we supposed to stay here?" Jasper whispered as If he were afraid to speak.

"Will this even work?" The girl doubted.

"We'll find out." Finn murmured, dismissing their questions.

Bellamy glanced over at him, not satisfied with the answer, "No we won't." He shifted, getting up from his position.

"Bellamy!" I protested but he had already removed the shield from over him. I looked up at him, seeing he hadn't reacted so I sat up as well. 

"There's no fog." He commented. "Maybe it was a false alarm."

"They're coming back." I informed after seeing the familiar presence of an attacker, running through the field.

"I think he's alone." Jasper noticed and I looked around, seeing it to be true. No one was following him.

"He doesn't see us. I'm going after him." Bellamy stated, watching the Grounder's swift movement.

I looked over to him as if he had two heads, "And what? Kill him?"

"No," He shook his head, "Catch him. Make him tell me where Octavia is." He proceeded forward, "And then kill him."

I grabbed my dagger, "I'm not letting you go alone." I told him. He turned back, ready to give me a lecture before I stopped him, "Save your breath, Blake. I'm coming."

...

"Where the hell did he lead us?" I mumbled as we wandered into a dark cave while I dragged the Grounder's unconscious heavy body, "And, God! What do they eat!" I groaned, dropping his arms before hunching over with my hands on my knees.

"Claudia? Bellamy?"

My head shot up at the familiar voice. I laughed in relief once I saw Octavia sitting before she sprung up, embracing Bellamy into a tight hug. 

"How did you find me?" She quizzed, turning to me and doing the same, her arms holding me tight. I hugged her back instantly, giving her a slight squeeze before pulling away.

"I followed him." I smiled, pointing to her brother.

Just then Jasper and Finn trailed in behind us, the same relief washing over their faces when they saw Octavia.

"We should go. Now. Before he wakes up." Octavia warned, staring down at the body on the floor.

"He's not gonna wake up." Bellamy sneered, grabbing a spear propped against the wall and approaching the body before Octavia grabbed his arm, stopping him.

"Bellamy, stop! He didn't hurt me. Let's just go!" She begged him, tugging at his jacket.

"They started this." He lifted the spear but Finn was in the way, crouched over the body, examining his items. "Finn. Move." Bellamy warned.

"Foghorn." Finn mumbled before the Grounder woke up suddenly, turning over to stab Finn.

I kicked the Grounder roughly in the chest, causing him to fall back until he swung his leg on the ground swiftly, tripping me, causing me to land on my back with a groan.

Bellamy charged at him with the spear but the Grounder grabbed it, pulling it towards him but Bellamy wouldn't let go.

The Grounder kicked him leading Bellamy to fall back while the Grounder held the spear over him but Bellamy grabbed onto the end, pushing it away from his face but struggling to do so.

Jasper hit the Grounder over the head suddenly, knocking him unconscious once again. I scattered quickly when his body collapsed next to mine while I still lay on my back. 

I got up quickly, checking on Finn who was held in the arms of Octavia, barely conscious. Jasper came over, reaching to remove the knife from his chest before I stopped him quickly, "Don't! It'll kill him." I told him and he retreated quickly. "We need to take him back to camp, now, where Clarke can help him. We don't have much time."

...

I balanced my dagger on my finger, watching it tilt back and forth until it eventually fell on one side. I sighed, looking around the top level of the dropship, waiting for news on Finn.

I heard footsteps climbing the ladder until the top was opened, revealing Bellamy. I looked over at him, watching as he approached me, sitting down next to me.

"Hey." I let out quietly while he pulled his knees into his chest, "Any news?" I questioned.

He shook his head, staring forward. He had this look on his face, like a thousand thoughts were running through his head at a hundred miles per hour. "Hey." I said again, reaching my hand over to make him face me. "Talk to me."

He sighed, looking away briefly, "Just had a fight with O, that's all." He said but I could tell there was so much more to it. I decided not to push, however. He looked over at me before continuing, "You followed me blindly into a cave, Claudia. You put yourself in danger today, for me. You could've died- we all could've." He shook his head.

"Is there a question in there somewhere?" I flashed a teasing smile but he kept the same serious expression.

"Why?" He whispered, staring down at me.

I glanced from his eyes, to his lips, leaning forward and pressing my lips against his. I lingered there for a moment before pulling away and staring at him, cracking a small smile, "I'm ride or die."

He laughed dryly, shaking his head once again before pausing. "I'd do the same for you, you know."

I smiled before biting my lip, "I know."

-

A/N:

Are Bellamy and Claudia moving too fast? Please let me know (: