CHAPTER FIVE.

THE SONG OF MURDER

( 1.04 )

CURRENTLY, Athena stood off to the side with Bellamy and Murphy watching the 100 work around camp. Wells had been killed just outside the wall the night before and they were now reinforcing it. Athena was extremely pissed. She told the 100 to build a wall the moment they found out about the grounders but they hadn't listened, now their people were getting picked off like flies, considering they had not found the kids that had disappeared.

"This section should be finished by tomorrow," Murphy stated.

"It should have been finished ages ago if you had listened to me when I told you to build it when we landed. But no, no need to listen to Athena. An actual adult," she ranted sarcastically.

Bellamy rolled his eyes. Though Athena's orders were smart and calculated and everything she had done was good for the camp, he was disappointed that he hadn't thought of it himself. It was just another thing that made him think he was losing in the game of thrones they were playing.

In front of them, a boy was walking holding branches to take to the wall. However, like everyone else, he was exhausted and collapsed.

"Hey!" Murphy called. He walked towards him, "You think the grounders are just gonna sit around and wait for us to finish the wall?"

"John, leave him alone. He's working hard, he's tired," Athena reprimanded.

"Maybe we should let the little girl do the lifting for you, huh?" Murphy said as he ignored Athena and pointed at Charlotte.

"I just need some water, okay? Then I'll be fine," the boy panted.

"Murphy, get this guy some water," Bellamy ordered as the two leaders walked up to them, "Hey," he directed at Charlotte, "You got this?"

As she went to pick it up Athena stopped her and glared at Bellamy, "He's joking."

Bellamy bent down and smiled at the two before lifting the log and walking in the direction it was supposed to go in. Athena stared after the man, who seemed to be calm in the dire situation they were in. Her eyes narrowed at his retreating form before she walked to where Charlotte was working and looked at it. "Good job," Charlotte beamed at her words, "Need any help?" The girl handed her the coil and they continued wrapping it around the thick branch.

Athena was caught up in what she was doing and didn't see what was going on until shouts rang out, "What the hell is wrong with you, Murphy," the boy exclaimed as he stood quickly. He shoved him and a few of Murphy's followers grabbed him. The power struggle had been increasing in the camp and Murphy even had his own faction. Though he played them off as Athena's loyal followers, the woman knew better than to trust the idiots he had.

"You wanted a water break," Murphy shrugged.

"Let him go," Athena ordered. The two boys let him go and Athena grabbed Murphy's arm and pulled him off to the side, "Your cocky attitude is going to get you in trouble, John."

"Please, Athena," he scoffed.

"I'm warning you, John. Behave. If we have to have this conversation again, you're little power play will be over. You know very well I know things about you that will ruin you. So be a good boy," Athena patted his cheek and walked off. Murphy glared at her as she walked away. Athena was manipulative. He knew that. Everyone knew that. It's how she held so much power. The secrets she kept could be exploited at any point. And despite the villainy she seemingly possessed, most seemed to love her unconditionally.

Why?

Because she provided for them. Especially down here. She gave them tents, helped during hunting and recently, got water flowing through the camp for them to drink and stay clean. Murphy knew that with Athena's knowledge and her followers backing her, he could be finished in minutes if she so wished. And he hated it. He hated that he'd been booted out of her circle and that's why he was trying to acquire his own people. He huffed and walked back in the direction to give more orders to people who would never respect him the way they did Athena.

Athena caught sight of Octavia and Jasper slipping out of the gates and rolled her eyes before jogging after them. She made a mental note to double up on security because if they could exit without anyone noticing and there were almost fifty people around, anyone could get in unsuspected.

"One foot in front of the other," she heard Octavia say.

"I'm pretty sure you can put one foot in front of the other, inside the camp. Where it's safe," Athena said causing the two to jump.

"Jesus Athena. Don't do that," Octavia said.

"How are you?" Athena asked Jasper in concern.

"I'm good," he swallowed thickly as he touched the part of his chest where he got speared.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Octavia asked as she turned.

"Nothing. Nothing, I'm good. Really," he faked a smile.

"Jasper it's been a week, ok? You've been given a second chance. You gotta use it," Octavia exclaimed as she skipped off.

"Octavia," Athena called. The younger girl screamed and Athena drew a knife from her pocket.

"Octavia?" Jasper called worriedly. The girls muffled screams were the only reply.

The two advanced carefully before Jasper ran to where they last saw her, "Octavia are you ok?"

A laugh broke their worries as a boy emerged from behind a tree stump with Octavia in his arms, "Hey Jerk!" Octavia shoved him.

Athena sighed in relief.Iit seemed as though she was always making sure these kids didn't do something stupid. "Get the hell out of here," Octavia yelled. She approached Jasper who was walking slowly back to the gate, "Jasper, come on. There's nothing to be afraid of."

Jasper tripped on a root and the two girls knelt to help him. As he looked up he saw it.

The knife. And the two fingers lying beside it.

"Oh, my God," Octavia gagged.

"Shit." Athena quickly wrapped it in a scrap of her shirt and turned to the two, "Find the others. No one else can know, except them, meet in my tent. And get me, Miller."

The two nodded and ran off. Athena reentered the camp and looked around. Miller approached her, "My lady."

"I need you to take care of security. Put people you trust on the wall. Attentive people. No one gets in or out without my permission. Got it?"

"Yeah. Do we have a problem?" Miller questioned in concern, his voice low.

Athena nodded, "A big one," she looked around for the mop of curly hair she had gotten used to. Once she spotted him she briskly walked up to him and dragged him towards her tent. Whistles came from around the camp and she yelled, "Shut the fuck up and work."

"Wow, Sunshine I didn't know you liked me that much," Bellamy joked, a smirk plastered on his lips. His gaze wandered over her person. Now that there was water, she looked a lot cleaner than before. Her face was no longer smudged with dirt and her hair was cleaner, flowing nicely over her shoulder.

"I don't even like you a little bit," Athena mumbled.

As they entered they saw, Clarke, Octavia and Jasper.

Clarke whirled to face her, "Jesus, Athena this place is a mess. How do you live like this?" She motioned to her bed. A multitude of things had been strewn on her makeshift bed. Her duffel bag was open and her bow and a bunch of arrows dug into the mattress.

"It's fine," Athena waved off.

"You're such a control, freak and your room's a mess," Octavia shook her head, used to Athena's messy ways, "I will never understand that."

Athena sighed, taking the cloth from her pocket and placing it on the makeshift table, "If we're done critiquing me, you might want to take a look." They stood around and stared at the cloth.

"What is that?" Clarke asked.

"Open it," Jasper shuddered.

As Clarke revealed the contents she gasped. They stared at the fingers and the knife. They obviously belonged to Wells considering they had been removed from the body when they found him. Clarke tentatively picked up the knife and examined it, "This knife was made of metal from the dropship." Athena nodded.

"What do you mean?" Jasper asked in fear.

"Who else knows about this?" Bellamy asked.

"No one. We brought it straight here," Octavia replied.

"Clarke?" Jasper pressed.

"It means the grounders didn't kill Wells," Clarke spoke.

"It was one of us," Athena finished regretfully.

"So there's a murderer in the camp?" Jasper asked.

"More than a few," Athena snorted. She had observed the minuscule amount of murderers during their time on Earth. They hadn't caused much trouble and most were actually quite hard working.

"There's more than one murderer in this camp," Bellamy said at the same time. The two glanced at each other before Bellamy continued, "This isn't news. We need to keep it quiet."

Clarke glanced down at the metal in her hand before going to storm out of the tent. Bellamy stopped her, "Get out of my way, Bellamy."

"Clarke, be smart about this. Look at what we've achieved. The wall, the patrols. Like it or not, thinking the grounders killed Wells is good for us."

Clarke scoffed, "Oh, good for you, you mean. What, keep people afraid and they'll work for you? Is that it?"

"Yeah, that's it. But it's good for all of us. Fear of the grounders is building that wall. And besides, what are you gonna do- just walk out there and ask the killer to step forward? You don't even know whose knife that is."

"Oh, really?" she looked down at it, "J.M. John Murphy. The people have a right to know," she shoved past him and he glanced at Athena with a questioning look. Athena's jaw ticked as the woman shrugged, following behind the blonde. She told Murphy that something would bite him in the ass, she just didn't expect it to be this. Upon exiting they saw Clarke shove the accused boy, "You son of a bitch!"

Murphy chuckled, "What's your problem."

"Recognise this?" Clarke held it up.

"That's my knife. Where'd you find it?" Murphy tried to grab it.

"Where you dropped it after you killed Wells." A crowd started to form around the confrontation. Athena itched to handle the situation under wraps but it had already gotten out.

"Where I what?" Murphy asked confused, "The grounders killed Wells, not me."

"I know what, you did," Clarke accused, "And you're gonna pay for it."

"Really?" The boy looked up at the two leaders who were standing off to the side, "Bellamy, Athena, you really believe this crap?"

Bellamy shifted beside her. He was clearly as uncertain as Athena was. "You threatened to kill him. We all heard you. You hated Wells," Clarke added.

"Plenty of people hated Wells," Murphy reasoned, "His father was the Chancellor, who locked us up."

"Yeah, but you're the only one who got in a knife fight with him," Clarke shot.

"Yeah, I didn't kill him then either," he said.

"Tried to kill Jasper, too," Octavia added, putting more fuel on the fire.

"What?" Jasper muttered. He hadn't known of this information and now hearing about it scared him.

Murphy looked around, "Come on. This is ridiculous. I don't have to answer, to you. I don't have to answer to anyone."

"Come again?" Bellamy queried, brow raised. Athena glanced up at him. He had a no bullshit look set on his face as he crossed his arms and glared.

"Bellamy, look, I'm telling you, man. I didn't do this."

"We found his fingers on the ground with your knife, John," Athena looked at him calmly.

"I swear to God, Athena I'd never. You know me, you know I'd never kill someone," Murphy begged quietly.

"What do you want me to do? Putting it lightly, you've been an ass since we got down here. You're the only one who's gotten in more than one physical altercation with Wells, your knife was sitting by his fingers. John, you've basically incriminated yourself with your attitude," Athena hissed.

"Is this the kind of society that we want?" Clarke asked the hundred, "You say there should be no rules. Does that mean that we can kill each other without punishment?"

"I already told you. I didn't kill anyone."

"I say we float him," a boy spoke up.

Several voices agreed and Athena's suddenly felt extremely aware of how many people actually hated Murphy. Clarke's speech was going to get someone killed and Athena could see it from a mile away.

"That's not what I'm saying," Clarke backtracked.

"Why not? He deserves to float. It's justice," the boy said.

"Revenge isn't justice," Clarke reminded.

"It's justice. Float him!" The boy yelled.

Miller slipped in beside Athena and whispered, "Thena, this is getting out of hand."

"I know, I'm trying to think," Athena swallowed thickly. The crowd was chanting for them to float Murphy and it was slowly descending into chaos. He tried to run but a few boys tripped him and others started kicking him. "Get off him!" Athena shouted. Octavia and Athena moved forward to help and Bellamy pulled them back. They had tied him up and thrown him down a small hill. A rope was thrown over a high branch and he was hoisted into the air by his neck.

"Stop!" Clarke yelled. A box was resting under his feet but it wasn't doing much.

"You can stop this!" Clarke pleaded with the two leaders standing off to the side. Athena was still trying to think of a logical way to deal with this, but her mind was coming up with a blank under the pressure of the situation, "They'll listen to you."

"Bellamy! You should do it," the boy from before offered. The crowd cheered, "Bel-la-my! Bel-la-my!"

"Don't you fucking dare! I saw you out in the woods with Atom. I know you're not a killer. Bellamy, don't do this," Athena stated firmly. The man walked toward the crate and kicked the crate. The crowd cheered in victory.

Clarke cried out as Bellamy came back, "This is on you, princess. You should've kept your mouth shut!" Bellamy yelled at her.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Finn yelled as he came out of the woods, "Get him down! Charlotte get out of here now!"

A boy went to lead the girl away.

"Cut him down!"

"Stop! Ok?" A voice screamed, "Murphy didn't kill Wells." The group turned to look at the girl, "I did!"

"Oh, my God." Athena quickly threw a knife at the rope and rushed over to the boy who had fallen, gasping for air. She undid the rope and cradled his head in her lap, "Breathe, John." She looked up at the little girl in the centre of the crowd and exhaled a deep breath.

After making sure Murphy was all right, Athena dragged the small girl into the tent. She started to pace around worriedly. Murphy was clearly angry as he was yelling outside of the tent for them to bring Charlotte out for her punishment.

"Bring out the girl, Bellamy!" Murphy shouted.

"Clearly he's recovered," Athena muttered bitterly, "He's not going to take this lightly. This is why I wanted things contained. This is why I brought us all into a room together to talk about it. So we could find a solution quietly."

"Why Charlotte?" Bellamy asked.

"I was just trying to slay my demons, like, you told me."

"Oh, God. Why did I agree to this shit? I could have been on the Ark living till my last days of air," Athena's pacing continued.

"What the hell is she talking about?" Clarke growled.

"She misunderstood me. Charlotte, that is not what I meant," Bellamy spoke.

"Bring the girl out now!"

"Please don't let them hurt me," Charlotte cried.

"If you guys have any bright ideas, speak up," Athena urged. The room fell silent and Clarke looked somewhat guilty.

"Now you stay quiet," Bellamy chuckled scornfully.

"Hey those are your boys out there," Finn snapped. He then turned to Athena, "How the hell could you let this happen?" Athena scoffed, flopping onto her bed and staring up at the tent ceiling. She was at a complete loss.

"This is not mine or Athena's fault," Bellamy defended. He pointed at Clarke, "If she had listened to me, those idiots would still be building the wall."

"You want to build a society, Princess? Let's build a society. Bring her out!"

"No! Please Athena, Bellamy please."

Bellamy sighed, "Charlotte, hey, it's gonna be ok. Just stay with them. Athena let's go."

He waited for the woman to get up but instead, she only sat up, "I need Miller. Where is he?" Finn told her that he stayed outside to contain the crowd. Standing, Athena poked her head out of the tent. One of her guys was posted outside, she whispered for him to get Miller and a few moments later, he appeared. Athena yanked him inside. The group jumped at the sudden intrusion, "Remember what I told you earlier?"

"Yeah."

"Completely ignore it for now. I need you to let Clarke Finn and Charlotte out, now. The sun's setting, stick to the shadows, make sure no one sees you. Especially not John, you know how he gets when something doesn't go his way."

"Knives?"

Athena shook her head, "No time for that. Besides none of them would know how to use it." She turned to the other four that sat there with confusion lining their features, "Miller'll take you out. Go into the woods. Stay there and lay low." They nodded and Miller led them out the back of Athena's tent.

As the two leaders exited the tent, Murphy walked up to them. "Well, well, well. Look who decided to join us."

"Dial it down and back off," Bellamy ordered.

"Or what? What are you gonna do? Hang me?"

"I was just giving the people what they wanted," Bellamy said.

Murphy looked thoughtful, "Yeah. Yeah. That's a good idea. Why don't we do that right now? So who here wants to see the real murderer hung up? All in favour?" Only a few raised their hands, "I see. So it's ok to string me up for nothing, but when this little bitch confesses you all let her walk?!

"No one wants to see a kid, die, John," Athena spoke quietly.

"Cowards! All of you are cowards!" Murphy shouted. He jabbed a finger at Athena, "I thought you'd have my back."

"Hey! Murphy! Murphy. It's over," Bellamy said, pushing him away from the brunette who looked guilty at the accusation.

Murphy seemingly gave up, "Whatever you say, boss." As Bellamy turned Athena saw Murphy pick up a piece of wood and hit him over the head with it.

Athena kneeled and tapped his face as Octavia lashed out, "Bellamy? Bellamy? Come on wake up."

Murphy punched Jasper who was holding Octavia back and motioned for his boys, "Come on let's get the girl." He lifted the tent and screamed out, "Charlotte! Charlotte I know you can hear me! And when I find you, you're gonna pay!"

The boys left and Athena looked up at Octavia, "Get me some cloth and cold water."

Octavia ran off and Athena shifted Bellamy's head into her lap. As Octavia came back she put the cold cloth on his forehead. A few moments later he shot awake with a gasp, "Where is he?"

Athena fussed, standing up, "Be careful, you could have a concussion," he waved her off and she sighed, "He's in the woods looking for Charlotte. Let me get my stuff and then we'll go," he nodded and she ran into her tent before coming back out, shoving her gun into her waistband. They ran quickly as they could in the rain in the direction of Murphy's shouts. Athena tapped Bellamy's arm and pointed to a small figure in the distance.

Bellamy quietly sneaked up to her and grabbed her. She screamed before Bellamy shushed her.

"Charlotte! You can't hide forever! Don't worry we won't hurt you!"

"Let me go!" Charlotte screamed.

"Shut up. Are you trying to get us killed," Athena hissed.

"I'm trying - hey, hey. I'm trying to help you," Bellamy spoke.

"I'm not your sister! Just stop helping me!" Charlotte responded. She broke away from him and screamed, "I'm over here!"

"Are you trying to get us all killed?" Bellamy asked.

"Just go, ok? I'm the one they want."

"Ok, Charlotte, listen to me. We won't leave you." Athena said.

"Please," Charlotte pleaded. She tried to run but Bellamy hauled her over his shoulder.

"Aah! Murphy! I'm over here!" Charlotte screamed.

"We have to run," Bellamy said. Athena nodded and they took off.

"Come on out, Charlotte! Come on out."

The two ran until they approached a cliff.

"Damn it," Bellamy swore.

Athena turned just as Murphy broke the treeline. "Bellamy! You two can not fight all of us. Give her up."

Athena pulled out the gun and pointed it between his eyes, clicking the safety off, "Maybe not, but I guarantee we'll take a few of you with us."

"Bellamy! Athena! Stop!" Clarke shouted as she entered the scene, "This has gone too far," she said, "Just calm down. We'll talk about this."

He looked to Charlotte then to Athena and then back to Clarke. He grabbed the blonde and held a knife against her throat. Athena tightened her hold on the gun. Abby wouldn't be happy if she came to Earth and her daughter was dead.

"I'm sick of listening to you talk," Murphy gritted.

"Let her go," Finn ordered.

"I will slit her throat," Murphy warned. He watched wearily as Athena's finger sat on the trigger of her gun. He was counting on the fact that she wouldn't shoot him.

"No, please. Please don't hurt her," Charlotte begged.

"Don't hurt her? Ok, I'll make you a deal. You come with me right now. I will let her go."

"Don't do it," Athena said keeping her eyes on the two. She was ready to pull the trigger despite not wanting to.

"Don't do it Charlotte."

The girl went to walk forward and Bellamy stopped her.

"Don't do it Charlotte!" Clarke yelled. Bellamy held onto her as she struggled in his arms.

"Athena shoot him!" Bellamy shouted.

"Come on Athena, you can't shoot me," Murphy taunted.

"I have to!" Charlotte cried.

"Murphy, this is not happening," Bellamy said.

"I can't let any of you get hurt anymore. Not because of me. Not after what I did."

Athena dropped the gun as the girl turned and jumped.

"Charlotte!"

"No!"

Tears slipped down her face mixing with the rainwater. She gasped, as what just happened registered in her mind. Bellamy turned and glared at Murphy.

"Bellamy," Murphy said carefully, hands up in surrender. Bellamy launched at him, tackling him to the ground and started throwing punches. Murphy's face quickly coated with blood from the force of Bellamy's hits. The group were screaming for him to stop.

"Bellamy, stop! You'll kill him!" Athena yelled. Finn grabbed him yanking him away from the beaten boy.

"Get off me!" Bellamy shouted angrily, fighting against Finn's hold on him, "He deserves to die!"

"No! We don't decide who lives and dies," Clarke said, "Not down here."

"So help me God, if you say the people have a right to decide—" Bellamy started.

She interrupted him, "No, I was wrong before, okay? You were right. Sometimes it's dangerous to tell people the truth. But if we're gonna survive down here, we can't just live by whatever the hell we want. We need rules."

"And who makes those rules, huh? You?" Bellamy asked.

"We do," Clarke replied looking at the two adults.

"So what, then? We just take him back and just pretend like it never happened?" Bellamy questioned angrily.

"No!" Clarke exclaimed. She looked toward Athena for her input.

Athena looked down at Murphy who was breathing heavily on the ground, "We banish him," she said quietly. It was an acceptable punishment considering there was no way they could keep him imprisoned until the Guard returned to earth. Each leader took in the news and glanced around at each other in silent contemplation. Bellamy's face clearly showed his agreement and Clarke looked slightly sceptical but all came to a silent agreement.

Bellamy reached down and grabbed him, "Get up." Murphy stumbled to his feet, not being able to catch his footing as Bellamy dragged him to the cliff's edge threateningly.

"Bellamy!" Clarke called.

"If I ever catch you near the camp, we'll be back here. Understand?" The boy nodded and Bellamy threw him to the ground. The man spun and glared at the rest of Murphy's party that had been standing there watching the commotion for the past few minutes, "As for the four of you, you can come back and follow us, or go off with him to die. Your choice." Athena thought that it was too simple of a punishment considering they aided in the death of a child, but she would think up something later for them to pay their dues.

Bellamy stalked off into the woods and the group retreated. Athena picked up her gun and looked at Murphy, "Take care of yourself, John," she walked away and stayed at the back of the line. She sincerely hoped that he would find a way to stay alive and not die at the hands of the grounders.

Bellamy slowed down and walked with her. He glanced over as she hugged herself and rubbed her arms. He removed his jacket and placed it on her shoulders.

"Thanks," she muttered. It was silent for a moment. The only noise was the sound of radioactive crickets and the crunch of leaves under their feet, "I could have done something," Athena whispered, "I could have shot him. It's my fault she's dead."

Bellamy stopped and gripped her arm, "It was all of our fault. We're adults we should have seen it coming. I shouldn't have kicked that crate." Athena breathed out shakily as he hesitantly wrapped his arms around her. She cried into his shoulder for a moment. Bellamy was actually surprised by her sudden show of emotions. She was usually incredibly stoic around him aside from her snappy remarks and objections to his ruling. She sighed before stepping back and wiping her tears.

They walked back to camp and had everyone gather around the fire. Bellamy explained the situation to the people and that he and Athena were no co-leaders with Clarke. "And that's why we've decided to banish Murphy from camp," Athena finished.

"Anybody has a problem with that?" Bellamy asked. The group dispersed and Athena offered him a tight-lipped smile before walking into her tent.