chapter two | reunions & fist fights
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Hunter took her first steps on the ground, a radiant smile gracing her face. As she ventured forward, she couldn't help but inhale the crisp, fresh air. It had been so long since she felt this kind of happiness, and she sensed that things would only get better from here.

"You are definitely a sight for sore eyes," a familiar voice sounded behind her. Hunter spun around, her relief washing over her as she laid eyes on Murphy, his hands casually tucked in his pockets and a half-smile on his face. Without hesitation, Hunter walked up to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Murphy couldn't have been happier to see the person he cared about the most standing beside him. He pulled her in close, exhaling a sigh of relief.

They eventually separated, and Hunter's hand found its way to Murphy's cheek. "How long has it been?" her voice broke the silence.

"Too long," he replied with a smile, his gaze sweeping over their surroundings. "Can you believe it? We're actually on the ground."

Hunter took a step back, her eyes fixed on her best friend. "I'm just happy you're here," she sighed, a genuine smile gracing her lips. Murphy's group of guys approached, drawing him away with laughter. Hunter watched him as he left, realizing that he was likely forming his own circle of leaders.

A pair of hands rested on her shoulders, and she turned around to see Finn standing there, his shoulder-length hair framing his face, and his signature killer smile. Hunter immediately embraced him before playfully punching his shoulder.

"You're such an idiot!" she exclaimed. Finn chuckled in response.

"It's good to see you too, Lee," Finn said cheekily, using her nickname from days gone by.

She smiled, appreciating the familiar nickname. "Those two guys who followed you out, are they okay?" Hunter asked with concern.

"No, they didn't make it. The landing took them out," Finn replied, his gaze downcast. Hunter sighed, acknowledging the harsh reality that not everyone had survived the descent.

"Let's not dwell on the fact that they didn't make it because we did," Finn continued optimistically. "And look around you, Hunter. It's beautiful." He pulled her into another warm hug, and Hunter couldn't help but smile as they parted.

"Hunter!" Murphy called out. "Come here!" She looked over to see Murphy and his friends waiting for her.

"I'll see you in a bit, Finn," Hunter said, shaking his hand. They went their separate ways, and Hunter joined Murphy's group. Murphy draped an arm around her shoulder, asking if she knew anyone who would be valuable to have around. She mentioned Jasper, a chemist among other talents, and so they made their way to where Clarke, Wells, and Jasper were gathered.

"Hey, cool, a map? They got a bar in this town - I'll buy you a beer," Jasper quipped.

"Mind—" Wells began, reaching for Jasper's shoulder, but he evaded him.

"Hey, hey, hey, hands off of him," Murphy intervened, still with his arm around Hunter. "He's with us." Hunter smiled at Jasper.

"Relax," Wells said, raising his hands in defense. "We're just trying to figure out where we are."

"We're on the ground, isn't that enough?" Bellamy joined the conversation.

"We need to find Mount Weather," Wells stated. The blonde, along with Hunter and Murphy's group, walked over to Bellamy.

"You heard my father's message; that has to be our first priority."

"Screw your father," Octavia scoffed. "What? You think you're in charge here? You and your little princess."

"Do you think we care who is in charge? We need to get to Mount Weather, not because the Chancellor said so, but because the longer we wait, the hungrier we'll get, and the harder this'll be," the blonde asserted, drawing the attention of the other delinquents. "How long do you think we'll last without those supplies? We're looking at a 20-mile trek, okay? So if we want to get there before dark, we have to leave, now." Hunter couldn't help but agree with her, despite finding the blonde's demeanor irritating.

"I got a better idea, you two go, find it for us, let the privileged do the hard work for a change," Bellamy suggested, and the delinquents cheered in agreement. Murphy removed his arm from around Hunter.

"You're not listening, we all need to go," Wells emphasized. Murphy walked up behind Wells and shoved him.

"Look at this everybody - Chancellor of the Earth," Murphy teased, earning laughter from most of them. Hunter moved closer to Murphy.

"Think that's funny?" Wells scoffed. Murphy pushed and tripped Wells, causing him to fall.

"Wells!" the blonde attempted to reach him, but a member of Murphy's gang intercepted her. Hunter approached alongside Murphy.

"No, but that was," she said with a smile. Wells got back up, nursing a slight limp, and assumed a fighting stance. Murphy grinned and playfully engaged with him.

"Alright," Murphy chuckled, throwing a few fake punches to rile Wells up. Hunter and the others cheered them on until Finn jumped down from the pipes on the wall of the dropship, stopping the fight. Hunter smiled and folded her arms.

"Kid's got one leg, why don't you wait till it's a fair fight," Finn suggested.

"Hey, spacewalker," Octavia walked over to Finn with a smirk. "Rescue me next." The group chuckled, and eventually, they all dispersed.

Murphy glanced back at Hunter, placing his hand on the side of her neck and giving her a smirk before walking off with his group. She followed Finn over to where the blonde and Wells were.

"Hey, names Hunter," she introduced herself to the blonde.

"Clarke," the blonde replied with a small smile.

"So, when do we leave?" Finn inquired.

"Right now," Clarke answered, rising from checking Wells' ankle. "We'll be back tomorrow with food."

"How are the three of you going to carry enough food for 100?" Wells asked. Hunter looked back at Monty and Jasper, then grabbed the back of their jackets and brought them over.

"Make that five of us. Can we go now?" Hunter asked, her arms around Monty and Jasper's shoulders.

"Sounds like a party; count me in," Octavia joined.

"Hey, what the hell are you doing?" Bellamy protested.

"Going for a walk," Octavia responded.

"Hey, were you trying to take your wristband off?" Clarke approached Finn.

"Yeah, so?" Finn shrugged.

"So? This wristband transmits your vitals to the Ark. Take it off, and the Ark will think you're dead," Clarke explained.

"Should I care?" Finn questioned.

"Well, I don't know, do you want the people you love to think you're dead? Do you want them to follow you down here in two months? Because they won't if they think we're dying," Clarke reasoned. The group exchanged glances, processing the importance of their wristbands.

"Okay, now let's go," Clarke declared, and Jasper and Monty turned around to embark on their journey to Mount Weather. Finn draped his arm around Hunter's neck and she held his wrist as they followed the duo. Clarke and Octavia brought up the rear.

"Before you get any ideas, Finn is mine," Octavia declared firmly.

"Before you get any ideas, I don't care," Clarke retorted, brushing off Octavia's possessiveness.

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