CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

 "Good riddance ya bitch!" 

***

"Bellamy!" 

 I don't think my voice has ever been that loud before, loud and terrified. In one swift movement, I cut the rope off of my other wrist, ignoring the way the knife lightly dug into my skin, and ran forward, not even noticing Murphy until he slammed the gun into my gut, making pain blossom in my stomach as I flew back, hitting the ground and knocking all of the air from my lungs. 

 I gasped, my chest burning and my throat closing for a moment, I turned on my side, trying to force air back into my painful lungs. I looked up just in time to see Murphy pin Bellamy's arms to his sides, his usually tanned skin turning a frightening shade of purple. 

 I struggled to my feet, brandishing my knife and swinging it at Murphy, barely nicking his right arm. Bellamy gurgled, but when I tried to get to him, Murphy body-slammed me back to the ground. 

 I thought I was dreaming when the familiar creek of the big doors opening, and light cutting into my line of vision. Murphy swore under his breath, cowarding and immediately fleeing the scene. I gasped, climbing back up to my feet, stumbling over to Bellamy and wrapping my arms around his legs, lifting him up so he could suck in a strangled breath, discarding my weapon on the floor. Octavia ran over, jumping for the latch, but missing the first time, due to her short height, but managing to snag it the second time, and making my knees buckle as I struggled to lower him to the ground, catching his head before it could hit the hard ground. 

 The rope loosened around his neck, so I pulled at it until the knot gave way, releasing his head from it's restraints. I gasped in relief when he opened his eyes, raising a hand to his throat. "Come on, Blake, just breath," I urged, placing my hand next o his head and staring down at him like I was trying to use the force to make him better. "It's okay, it's okay." 

 I just kept repeating that as Bellamy sucked air back to his lungs, but eventually, something else caught my attention. I stood up, stalking over to the ladder and pushing at the hatch that wouldn't budge. "Come out of there, Murphy!" I yelled, pounding on the door, "there is only one way out of this for you, and it should've happened a long time ago!" 

 I continued pounding on the door, until an earsplitting explosion came from above, rocking the Drop Ship, and almost making me fall had I not been holding onto the top rung. I pushed at the door again, and this time it gave way. I climbed through the top, dreading what would meet my eyes. 

 A gaping, smoke filled hole had been blasted out of the Drop Ship, gunpowder floating around, intermingling with the smoke. I, careful of the various objects littering the floor, walked over to the edge, and peered out the whole. It was Murphy, running through the woods. He turned back, giving me a smug smirk, before turning and running back into the safety of the trees. 

 "Let him go." 

 I turned, surprised to see Bellamy standing behind me, his voice was deeper and hoarse, but other then that, he seemed fine. I almost collapsed from relief at that, the image of him swinging on that noose permanently drilled into my mind. "The Grounder's'll take care of him." 

 "You're right," I turned to the forest, raising my voice and hoping the runaway could hear me, "good riddance ya bitch!" 

 Bellamy snickered, clearing his throat, I turned around, and was caught of guard and Bellamy stepped forward, wrapping his arms around my shoulders. I paused, but hugged back, inhaling deeply and thanking the Lord that Bellamy was still alive. "I'm glad you're okay," I whispered, and I couldn't see him, but I could imagine his smile. 

 "Right back at you... nice knife trick by the way, saved my life." 

 "Some people say I am pretty good at being quiet." 

 He laughed, the sound vibrating in his chest as I pulled back, looking between the hole in the Drop Ship, the hatch leading to the lower level, and Bellamy in front of me. 

 "Let's go break the news." 

 I stood there for a moment, gathering all of my courage in me, and then stood up straighter, reaching over to press my lips to Bellamy's cheek, before turning and retreating down the steps, my face burned, but goddamn it, I wasn't going to die before getting the chance to kiss Bellamy Blake... even if it was just on the cheek. 

 "Murphy blew a hole in the second level using the gunpowder." I announced, stepping on the ground, Bellamy came on a few moments later. "He ran off." 

 "So what do we do now?" Monroe asked, shifting on her feet and playing with her fingers. 

 "We go look for Clarke, Finn, and Monty." Bellamy spoke up, making me whip my had around, only to find him looking at me, a small smile on his face. "We don't abandon our own." 

 I grinned, feeling as if I could kiss him right then and there. I looked at the ground, still grinning like an idiot, "yeah, that-that's a good idea." 

 "All gunners, we got movement outside the south wall!" I jumped as Millers voice blared through the walkie-talkies, Jasper is the first one to move, running out of the Drop Ship so fast I could barely comprehend it. I shared a look with Bellamy, before following, the cold air hitting me like a slap to the face, running as fast as I could with my sore muscles and stinging wrists. 

 "It's Clarke and Finn! Open the gate!" 

 I smiled again at this announcement, the door flying open, and the two familiar delinquents walking through. I ran over, not even letting them fully close the gates, hugging Clarke with as much enthusiasm as I could. She paused, obviously confused at first, but wrapped her arms around me, sighing deeply and clenching her hands around the fabric of my shirt. 

 "Is Monty with you?" I asked, my eyes wide and worried, Clarke's traveled to my wrists, "what happened? We heard an explosion... and why  are you bleeding-" 

 "Murphy," I muttered offhandedly, like it didn't really matter, "Monty, is he with you?" 

 "Monty? No, I haven't seen him." 

My heart fell back into the pit of my stomach, and I shook my head slightly, so Monty really was missing... officially. He is out alone in the Grounder-infested woods. He could be hurt, or dying... he's Monty, he's smart, but he's so pure, and I don't know if he could survive on his own. I bit my tongue so hard that the sharp, metallic taste of blood splayed through my mouth. 

 "Clarke, we need to leave now," Finn spoke up, his face littered with bruises. Only then did I realize the purple bump on the side of Clarke's head, partnered with small scratches over her pale face. 

"Leave?" I asked as a confirmation, crossing my arms, "what do you mean leave?" 

"There is an army of Grounders unlike anything we have ever seen before coming for us right now." He announced, the remaining campers crowding around us in a wide circle, "we need to pack what we have and run-" 

 "I'm gonna cut you off right there," I began, my eyes narrowing at the Space-Walker, "Monty is out there somewhere, and I am not going anywhere until we find him." 

 "I agree with Nate," Bellamy stepped forward, placing a hand on my shoulder. I crossed my arms as we glared at Finn, probably looking like the creepiest duo of all time, with our bloody faces and withering looks. "We knew this was coming." 

 "We're not prepared," Octavia argued, the light rain slicking her hair to her forehead. 

 "Yeah, but they aren't here yet." I shot back, I had a feeling I was speaking for both of us, since Bellamy's throat probably hurt from his hanging incident, "we still have time to get ready. And it's not like we would be any safer out there, at least we have walls to protect us!" 

 "There's an ocean to the East," Finn explained, pointing in a very vague direction, "we can find help there." 

 "You saw Lincoln." Octavia realized, poking Finn's arm, probably harsher than necessary. 

 "You expect us to trust a Grounder?" Bellamy asked, and as much as I would hate to admit it, I, very slightly, agreed with him. Lincoln had saved us, sure, but he had also lead us into what would have been a trap, and I am pretty sure my whole Grounder experience was ruined from that Phia girl. Octavia crossed her arm, as if daring her brother to continue, which he did. "We built this place from nothing with our bare hands! The Grounders think they can take that away, they think that since we came from the sky, we don't belong here!" 

 "But they have yet to realize one very important fact," I cut in, smirking and raising an eyebrow, "we are on the ground now too, and that means we are Grounders!" 

 A flurry of cheers sprouted at that, making Bellamy and I grin at each other, I held up my hand, a very important addition to make, "Grounders with guns!" 

 "Damn right!" Bellamy agreed, his grip on my shoulder tightening slightly, "I say, let 'em come!" 

 More campers cheered, and I found my grin widen, we were gonna stay here, and we were gonna find Monty. 

 "They're right," Clarke piped up, "and God knows, on this planet, we could be faced with something even worse tomorrow. But that doesn't change the simple fact that if we stay here we will die tonight. So pack what you can, just take what you can carry... now." 

 Campers quickly rushed out to fulfill the order, but I stayed rooted to my spot, taking a step forward and immediately feeling the chill from where Bellamy's hand was. "No." 

 I guess that answer surprised her, because she recoiled and lifted her eyes to meet mine, "huh?" 

 "Clarke, you know I can't leave." I lowered my voice when we received looks from passerby's. "You know I can't leave Monty out there." 

 "Nate, we'll find Monty-" 

 "No, Clarke!" I sighed, rubbing my face with my hands. My wrists were beginning to throb, but I ignored them, and continued, "if he's okay, he's finding his way back to camp, and I need to be here when it happens." 

 "The Grounders will kill you." 

 "Not if they don't find me." I shook my head, momentarily flashing back to all of the times I had to hide from angry guards, "which they won't." 

 "There are thousands of them-"

 "Clarke, I'm fast, I can be quiet when there is no danger of tripping... I need to help Monty." 

 "What if he doesn't come back?" Clarke asked, her eyes shining like that was the hardest question she has ever had to ask. I clamped my lips shut, "he's okay."

 "But-" 

 "He's okay!" I snapped, my voice rising and my face growing hot. Monty was okay, I know he is... he better be. 

 "Help!" 

 Our quarrel was interrupted by a small voice crying out from the gate of the camp. Raven was standing there, her face screwed up in pain, her hand clutching a crimson spot on her stomach. Clarke and I ran over, although I knew that wouldn't be the end of our conversation. Clarke bent down to inspect Raven's wound, while I bent down so she could wrap her arm around my shoulders. 

 "We need to get her to the Drop Ship," Clarke said, her face wet from the rain, worry resonating through her features. I nodded, muttering a small apology, before bending down and scooping her up. She was small, thank God, but my stomach sill hurt from Murphy smacking me multiple times, so I grunted as we walked. 

 "Hey, hey I got her," Finn cut in, so I shifted the girl into his arms, and despite them having their differences, Raven nuzzled her head into his chest, tears of pain running down her face. 

 I sighed deeply, watching as she disappeared into the Drop Ship, breathing deeply to sort out my hands before following. 

 Why was everyone getting hurt?

 A/N: NATHAMY IS SO CUTE I THINK I'M GONNA DIE!

 Like remember Nate thinking Bellamy's speeches were stupid? Now he's joining in on them, like awwwww.

And that kiss on the cheek, awwwww. 

 And Nate and Monty are so pure, like, I stan.  

 I love you all! And, as they say in like, one book I have read, don't be a silent reader! Seeing people vote makes my day one hundred percent better, so please do it! 

 Lots of love!