chapter twelve | trips & bunkers
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Several days had passed since they established contact with the Ark, and now they had set up a proper communication point complete with video calls.

Finn was steadily healing; his condition had improved significantly, but he was still convalescing in his and Raven's tent.

Hunter found herself on duty with Jasper and Monty, packing rations. Since Bellamy had shared his concerns with her, she had been stepping back, grappling with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt about her leadership abilities.

Jasper glanced over at Hunter, concerned. "What's the plan with the Grounder?"

Hunter looked up from her task. "Honestly, I have no idea," she replied while filling a tub with bagged rations.

"I'd rather not dwell on it," Monty chimed in.

Jasper sighed, his worry evident. "It's been days since Bellamy captured him. How long until his friends come looking for him?"

"I don't know, Jasper. It's not something we need to stress about right now," Hunter replied, taking a deep breath.

Monty attempted to lighten the mood. "Come on, cheer up, you two. At this rate, we'll all freeze to death before they show up," he remarked with a hint of humor. Then, he gestured for Jasper to toss a fruit nut into his mouth. Jasper obliged, successfully landing it in Monty's mouth. Monty repeated the gesture with Hunter, and she managed to catch it as well.

"Hey!" Hunter smiled, and the three of them performed their unique high-five, a tradition they had introduced to her while they were locked up.

[which is honestly the cutest thing in the world]

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Hunter was tasked with changing Finn's bandage, and Clarke had invited her to join her and Bellamy on a day trip to a supply depot. As Hunter entered the tent, she spotted Finn lying down with Raven by his side.

"Hey, Clarke asked me to change your bandage. Not sure why she couldn't do it herself," she quipped with a slight huff. "But here I am," she added, offering a smile.

"Thank you," Raven acknowledged.

Hunter then turned her attention to Finn. "How are you feeling?" she inquired.

"Weak, bored," Finn sighed, glancing at both girls. "Grateful to be alive."

"Well, if you want to stay that way, you should rest," Hunter advised as she began inspecting Finn's bandage.

"I'll tie him down if I have to," Raven joked, although it made both Hunter and Finn feel a bit uncomfortable.

"Clarke, Bellamy, and I are going to be out of camp today. So, can you change his bandages in a few hours?" Hunter asked Raven.

"Wait, where are you going?" Finn inquired.

"According to Clarke, it's an assignment from the Ark. Nothing to worry about," Hunter responded while tending to Finn's wound.

"It's not safe out there," Finn expressed his concern.

"Finn, Hunter's a big girl. She can take care of herself," Raven assured him.

"Hunter," Bellamy popped his head into the tent. "Let's move." He then left.

After replacing Finn's bandage, Hunter stood up and addressed Raven. "Make sure he stays in bed," she said before grabbing her bag and a handmade machete in a holster on her belt.

Raven confirmed their plan. "Sounds like a plan."

Hunter exited the tent and headed over to Bellamy, who was busy packing an excessive amount of rations.

"You alright? Got a little hungry for a day trip?" Hunter teased.

"A lot can happen in a day," Bellamy replied, giving her a serious look.

"Whatever you say," Hunter responded with a smile.

Clarke joined them. "You ready?"

Both Hunter and Bellamy nodded in agreement, and they all made their way out of the camp. Hunter's motivation for joining the trip was primarily to find Murphy, so she hoped she could make a detour on their way to the depot.

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As they walked, Hunter followed behind Clarke and Bellamy, casually tossing nuts into her mouth while observing the two of them engaged in a heated discussion about how Bellamy should communicate with Chancellor Jaha.

"You know, the first dropship is going to come down soon," Clarke interjected as she snacked on some rations. "Pretty sure you can't avoid Jaha forever."

"I can try," Bellamy replied, causing them both to stop and focus on something ahead.

"The depot was supposed to be around here somewhere," Clarke noted, consulting her map.

"There's got to be a door," Bellamy suggested, scanning the area.

Hunter caught up with them and observed as the pair continued discussing Jaha.

"Maybe he'll be lenient," Clarke ventured.

"Look, I shot the man, Clarke," Bellamy snapped. "He's not just going to forgive and forget."

"Okay, enough. Let's just find the depot," Hunter interjected, wanting to change the subject. "Let's split up to cover more ground. Stay within shouting distance." She gripped her spear and used it to navigate down a small hill.

"Hey, Hunter," Clarke called out.

Hunter turned around. "Yeah?"

"Be careful," Clarke said with a gentle smile.

Hunter smirked. "Always am." She then turned away and resumed her descent down the hill.

As they continued their search, Hunter scoured the area high and low, growing increasingly frustrated as the day wore on. She even kicked a log in frustration, which resulted in her injuring her leg. "Shit!" she exclaimed, clutching her leg in pain.

"Bellamy! Hunter!" Clarke's voice echoed through the air, prompting Hunter to look over at her.

"Over here, I found a door," Clarke announced.

Hunter got back on her feet and limped her way over to where Clarke and Bellamy were trying to pry open a hatch door leading to a supply bunker. They successfully opened it, revealing a filthy and foul-smelling interior.

Clarke handed them both small torches. "Here."

"You really think this place hasn't been touched since the war?" Hunter wondered aloud.

"A girl can dream," Clarke replied before leading them further into the bunker, which was becoming increasingly unlivable with each step. The sight of corpses, rust, and decay filled their senses.

"Hell of a place to die," Bellamy remarked.

"So much for living down here; this place is disgusting," Clarke added.

"Anything left down here is ruined," Bellamy concluded.

"They must've distributed most of the supplies before the last bombs went off," Hunter surmised as she searched the bunker.

Amidst the grim surroundings, they managed to find some glow sticks and blankets, but nothing more promising.

"How about a canteen? Or a med kit? Or a decent goddamn tent!" Bellamy exclaimed, his frustration mounting as he kicked over barrels of grease, only to reveal multiple assault rifles hidden inside them.

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