chapter ten | the radio & flares
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Hunter, Finn, and Raven ventured into the woods in search of Bellamy. It didn't take them long to spot him as he walked deeper into the forest.

"Hey!" Hunter called out, running after him. Bellamy glanced back but continued walking. Hunter caught up to him and halted his progress. "Where is it?" she demanded.

Bellamy smirked and feigned innocence. "Hey, Hunter. You taking a walk in the woods?"

"They're getting ready to kill 300 people up there to save oxygen. And I can guarantee you it won't be council members. It'll be working people. Your people," Hunter said with a hint of frustration, pushing him slightly.

Finn joined in, shoving Bellamy. "Bellamy, where's the radio?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Bellamy retorted, shoving back.

Raven approached them, stating, "Bellamy Blake? They're looking everywhere for you."

"Shut up," Bellamy snapped at her.

Hunter exchanged a puzzled look with Raven. "Looking for him? Why?"

"He shot Chancellor Jaha," Raven revealed.

Hunter scoffed. "That's why you took the wristbands. You needed everyone to think we're dead."

"And all that 'whatever the hell we want.' You just care about saving your own skin," Finn added.

Bellamy turned around and began to walk away, but Raven stopped him.

"Hey! Shooter! Where's my radio?" Raven demanded.

"Get out of my way," Bellamy grumbled.

"Where is it?"

"I should've killed you when I had the chance," Bellamy threatened.

"Really? Well, I'm right here," Raven taunted. Bellamy grabbed her and pinned her against a tree, his hand around her throat. Hunter and Finn rushed over to intervene.

Raven held out her pocket knife. "Where's my radio?"

Hunter finally spoke up. "Okay, that's enough."

Bellamy released Raven and resumed walking. "Jaha deserved to die. You all know that."

"Yeah, he's not my favorite person either. But he isn't dead," Raven retorted.

"What?" Bellamy turned around in surprise.

"You're a lousy shot," Raven teased.

Hunter approached Bellamy. "Bellamy, don't you see what this means? You're not a murderer. You've always done what you had to do to protect your sister. That's who you are. And you can do it again. By protecting 300 of your people. Where's the radio?"

Bellamy looked down and muttered, "It's too late."

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They returned to the camp and gathered a group of people to search the riverbed for the missing radio. Bellamy had thrown it there, and they hoped to salvage it.

Hunter stood alongside the riverbed, watching the water flow. Finn approached her, looking concerned. "Can we talk about this?"

"There's nothing to talk about," Hunter replied, trying to hide her inner turmoil.

"Hunter, I—" Finn began.

"I knew what I was doing, Finn. She's your girlfriend, you're family. I'm not taking that away from either of you," Hunter said, though her smile was forced.

Finn sighed, realizing the complexity of the situation. "Hey! I found it!" a voice called out, interrupting their conversation. They hurried over to the group, where Raven had discovered the radio.

"Can you fix it?" Hunter asked.

Raven responded, "Maybe. But it'll take half a day to dry out the components to see what's broken."

"Like I said, it's too late," Bellamy repeated.

As they contemplated their next steps, Raven suggested building flares to signal the Ark and let them know they were alive. They recruited the camp's handiest individuals to assist in disassembling the dropship for the materials needed.

Hunter and Raven worked side by side, Hunter silently grappling with her feelings of guilt. She had hoped that by helping out, she could somehow alleviate the weight on her conscience.

"Hunter, can I have a hand?" Raven asked, breaking the silence.

Hunter nodded and followed Raven. Raven handed her a wrench. "Work these bolts here. Gently. Rocket fuel likes to go boom."

Hunter began working on the bolts but hesitated before speaking. "Raven, after all this, can we talk?"

Raven looked at her and nodded. "Of course. Is everything okay?"

Hunter managed a soft smile. "Yeah, just been a while since we talked. I missed you."

Raven smiled back and rested a hand on Hunter's arm. "I missed you too."

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Nightfall arrived, and they launched the flares into the sky. Hunter stood alone, watching the flares illuminate the darkness. She wondered if their signal could reach the Ark. Finn watched Hunter's face, gently admiring her before turning his gaze back to the sky.

And we hereby commit these souls to the deep.

Bellamy joined her, and they both gazed at the spectacle above.

"You think they can see it from up there?" Bellamy asked.

Who at their last gave all to the world of the living.May the remembered.

Hunter looked up at the night sky. "I don't know. I hope so. Can you wish on this kind of shooting star?" she mused.

Bellamy studied her for a moment, not comprehending her reference. "Forget it."

Until there is no more pain, no more suffering. And the abyss itself shall go be up her dead and return them to us.

"I wouldn't even know what to wish for," Hunter admitted. She thought about Murphy and their complicated history, silently praying that he was alright.

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