Disclaimer
There's a song at the end of the chapter. You'll understand why. It's also the Glee version because I think it works better for the situation. Just skip the prom part.
I'm sorry.
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"Hey, how do we know this is the right way?" Murphy pipes up from beside grace. The girl sighs at the question, stepping away from him and farther away from the group. Her bright green eyes search the surrounding trees for any sign of movement.
"We don't. Spacewalker thinks he's a tracker," Bellamy rolls his eyes as he follows behind Finn.
"It's called 'cutting sign'. Fourth-year Earth Skills. He's good," Wells informs them all, though no one was really listening.
"You want to keep it down or should I paint a target on your backs?" Grace chides lowly, stepping into the tree line and out of sight when something catches her eye.
"Grace, stay where we can see you," Clarke demands with a sigh. Grace pops her head out from behind a tree and salutes the girl.
"Yes, ma'am."
Despite this, Grace disappears into the trees once more. She ignores the irritated grumbling from Clarke as she does this, instead moving forward and past the group, using the trees to hide. Something had caught her eye and she wanted to know what it was.
She steps forward, a smile making its way onto her face as she caught sight of the colourful bug fluttering near the trees. A butterfly. She remembered seeing pictures of them on The Ark, being mesmerized by the unique swirls and designs etched into their wings.
Something wrapped around her bicep, startling her from her find. In seconds, the person behind her is pinned against the tree, their face pressed against the rough texture and their arm pressed roughly against their back. Grace tightens her grip on them, slamming them once against the tree and faltering when she saw the soft curly brown hair she seemed so familiar with already. "Agh! Dammit, sweetheart, it's just me."
"Shit, Bellamy. You shouldn't have scared me," Grace lets go of him immediately, stepping back with a sheepish expression. "I'm sorry."
Bellamy rubbed his shoulder gently, watching as the girl in front of him turned almost as red as her hair. He couldn't help but smile. "It's fine. At least I know a grounder wouldn't even stand a chance against you."
Grace smiled proudly, feeling her cheeks grow even warmer. "Thanks, I guess. . ." Grace trails off, her gaze drifting behind him for the rest of the group. "Where is everyone else?"
Bellamy seemed to be shaken from his thoughts at the question. "We're moving on. Figured I'd come get you before you got lost."
Grace rolled her eyes, ignoring the feeling of her lip curling up. "Right. Thank you."
Bellamy nods. "No problem," he gestures behind him. "Shall we?"
Grace nods her head, falling into step beside the boy.
"Can I ask what brought you out here in the first place?" Bellamy asks curiously, his eyes drifting across the forest. "You didn't see a grounder and try and take it on by yourself, did you?"
"Thought you realized I could handle myself?" Grace asks, watching as Bellamy sent her his bitch face. She smirked. "No, I didn't. I thought I saw something, wanted to go check it out."
"You shouldn't go off alone."
"Yeah, okay, whatever," Grace laughed, jogging towards Clarke and the others when they emerged from the forest. "Find anything?"
"There was a broken branch and some blood over there. We're thinking—" a loud, throaty groan reverberates around the area. Everyone goes quiet.
"What the hell was that?"
"Now would be a great time to take out that gun."
Grace breaks out into a sprint, heading straight towards the sound. She could tell Clarke was almost directly behind her, both desperate to find their friend before it was too late. The others screamed for them to come back.
A startled gasp passes her lips as she catches sight of Jasper. He is shirtless with his arms tied above his head. A thick, green poultice is placed on the area he was hit with the spear. Medicine? Grace's brows furrow in confusion. Why the hell would they save him?
Grace rushes forward to help Jasper. Again, she can hear the others yelling out to her but it's all muffled as the ground beneath her suddenly breaks away. A startled yelp passes her lips as she falls for only a second, and then a familiar hand is wrapping around her wrist and keeping her up. She drops her gaze below her, eyes widening slightly when she saw caught sight of the spikes beneath her.
Her snaps up to Bellamy, her heart beginning to pound as she looks into his dithering eyes. His eyes move towards the bracelet attached to her wrist which causes a wave of panic to flow through her as she thought back to her words from before. The only way The Ark will think either of us is dead is if we're dead. Got it?
Would he actually let her go?
"Grace! Get her up!" Clarke bellows.
Grace looks up at the man in horror, actually believing he would let her fall to her death. Then, she's pulled forward and is sprawled out on the ground in front of them all, Bellamy's hand still wrapped securely around her wrist. He tugs her up and into a standing position, silently checking her over for injuries. She pulls from his grasp and wipes her sweaty palms on her pants, keeping her eyes on his now stoic face.
"Are you okay?" Clarke eyes, eyes wide as she tugged the girl towards her. "Is your thigh bleeding again?"
Grace glances down to see that her thigh was indeed bleeding once more, but not by much. "Nothing I can't handle."
Clarke nods her head. "I'll deal with it back at camp. For now, we need to get Jasper down."
"I'll climb up there and cut the vines," Finn says, staring up at Jasper's willowy body.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm with you," Wells starts forward, only to be stopped by Finn.
"No, stay with Clarke. And watch him," Finn says, gesturing towards Bellamy. Grace sucks in a breath at this, eyes finding Bellamy's. If he's offended, he doesn't show it. He doesn't even say anything. Finn nods his head to Murphy. "You. Let's go."
Murphy walks towards Finn, being careful as to not fall into the giant hole as well. The two stand to stare at the tree, trying to figure out the best way to get up there and cut Jasper down.
"Clarke, there's a poultice on his wound," Grace states, deciding to just keep her gaze anywhere but Bellamy.
"Medicine? Why would they save his life just to string him up as live bait?"
"Maybe what they're trying to catch likes it's dinner to be breathing," Bellamy suggests.
Finn turns to them "Maybe what they're trying to catch is us."
Grace sends Clarke an uneasy look, sighing when the same look was returned. Both Murphy and Finn begin to climb the tree, beginning to cut Jasper down.
A deep growl is heard from the bushes.
"What the hell was that?"
"Grounders?" Bellamy asks. Grace takes a step closer to the boy, remembering how he was the one with the gun. Gulping, she watches as a large black beast advances on the two of them. Bellamy reaches behind him for the gun that was previously tucked into his waistband, to find only air. Grace's face pales in realization. The gun was gone and there was no way they'd be able to beat this jaguar with only their hands. They were going to die.
Bellamy pushes Grace behind him, sending her crashing into his back. She grips his shirt tightly as the jaguar let out another growl, stalking towards them.
Two shots ring out, one missing.
The beast lunges into the bushes beside them and out of sight. Both Bellamy and Grace search the rustling leaves, or until Grace shoves her head into Bellamy's shoulder blade. She didn't want to watch as the jaguar got closer and closer to them. Silence filled the clearing for a moment. Grace's heart was beating so loud and fast she was afraid everyone around them could hear it, but then the beast is lunging out of the bushes and straight towards the duo.
One more shot rings out and the beast crashes to the ground.
Grace is pulled from behind Bellamy and tugged right into his chest. His strong arms held her close to him as she presses her face further into his chest, ragged breaths leaving her mouth as she shook.
Bellamy turned to Wells as he held the shaking girl. "Now she sees you." He states. Grace grabs fistfuls of his shirt in her hands, gripping it like it was her lifeline. She had never felt so afraid, and she couldn't help but think that this was just the beginning.
"I got you," Bellamy whispered, the hand on the small of her back beginning to rub soothing circles into the skin there, kind of like how he did when he cleaned her wound earlier. His free hand found its way behind her head, clutching it to his chest. "It's okay."
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"They're back!" One of the delinquents yelled out as they caught sight of the group returning.
Grace ambled into the camp behind Wells and Finn, who carried Jasper. She still felt uneasy about what had happened but she'd be damned if she showed anyone how scared she was.
"Is he—?" Monty starts, seemingly unable to finish the question in fear of the answer.
"He's alive," Grace says, sending Monty a small smile. Relief flickers through his face before he tugs the girl at him.
"Thank you for bringing him back," Monty mumbled into her neck, Grace slowly wrapping her arms around him after shoving away the surprise.
"Of course," Grace nodded her head at the boy as he pulled away and turned to Clarke.
"I need boiled water and strips of cloth for a bandage," Clarke states, nodding towards the two. Octavia left to find her brother, who had been carrying the jaguar in with Murphy. Grace nods her head at the blonde, hurrying away to get what she needed. She'd try and help as best she could, maybe she'd be able to help with her small amount of knowledge from those books in solitary.
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The redhead sends a heated glare towards Bellamy and his goons. They were all standing around the fire, exchanging slivers of food for people's wristbands. Grace refused to do it. If her sister was on The Ark and had even the smallest chance of surviving and making it to the ground, then that bracelet would stay on her wrist. Grace would starve if it meant her sister had a chance.
She had traded her life for hers, after all.
Grace looks back towards the entrance of the dropship when she hears the light footsteps of Clarke. She gave the girl a nod before returning her attention to the fire. "He's stable for now, but without medicine. . ." She trails off, noticing the situation in front of them. "They're taking off their wristbands for food? No way. I–I won't do it."
"You don't have to," Finn mumbles, walking forward. Grace watches him in confusion, along with Clarke.
Murphy reaches forward, placing a hand on Finn's chest and pushing him backwards, eyes on the food he held in his hands. "Whoa, whoa. Wait, wait, wait. What, you think you play by different rules?"
Finn raises an eyebrow. "I thought there were no rules."
Grace smirks at this, stepping forward with Clarke. The duo takes some of the meat, Grace sending an annoyed Bellamy a wink, then stalks off proudly.
The redhead took to walking around in search of a place to sit. Octavia hadn't left Jasper's side since he got back and Grace couldn't bear to go in there with him. She was planning on staying out of that dropship for as long as she could. She'd spent her entire life in a small metal room and now that she had the option between that and sitting outside in the cool breeze beside a warm fire, there was no way she wanted back in there anytime soon.
Clarke and Finn had disappeared off somewhere, probably feeling each other up, so Grace was officially left alone. Or, that was until she spotted a small girl sitting by the fire a few feet away. She was blonde with this big, round eyes. Her hair was down around her shoulders in loose waves. Grace also happened to notice the thick metal bracelet attached to her wrist.
Grace makes her way over to the girl with a soft smile. She couldn't have been any older than twelve, around the age Grace's sister would have been now. "Can I sit here?" Grace gestures to the vacant spot beside the girl.
The blonde stares up at her in surprise. Grace grins when the girl shakily nods her head. "Oh, uh, sure."
Grace plops down on to the spot, almost immediately handing the small girl beside her the food. The girl's eyes widen. "I-I can't take that. It's yours!"
"Not anymore," Grace says, placing the stick in her hand. The girl nods her head with a tiny, barely there smile.
"Thank you," she smiles, eagerly ripping a piece of the meat off and shoving it into her mouth. A groan of appreciation passes her lips. Grace smirks at the girl, moving her gaze to the girl's wavy hair.
"Would you like me to braid that?" Grace gestures to her hair. "It would be a lot safer than having it down."
"Yours is down," the small girl retorts with a matching smirk. Grace chuckles at her answer, shaking her head.
"Touché," Grace says, nodding at the girl. "I used to braid my sister's hair all of the time before I was locked up. I'm really good at it, I promise."
The girl nods before sticking out her hand. "I'm Charlotte."
"It's nice to meet you, Charlotte. I'm Grace," Grace shakes her hand. Grace pulls away before pointing to the space in front of her. "Sit here and eat. I can braid your hair now."
Charlotte does as she's told. Before Grace can start, Charlotte turns her head ball towards the girl. "I'm sorry for taking your food."
"You didn't take it," Grace points out. "I gave it to you. So, the only way you can repay me is to enjoy every last bit of it."
Charlotte turns back around with a silent nod before digging back into the juicy meat. A fond smile makes its way onto Grace's face as her fingers move throughout the girl's silky hair, pulling and twisting it. It's another moment before Charlotte is finished with her food and is now staring at the fire in front of them.
"Do you ever get nightmares?" Charlotte asks. Grace quirks a brow at the sudden question. She's slightly taken back at the bluntness on the topic but boils it down to Charlotte having a little bit of trust in her. Slowly, Grace nods her head, momentarily forgetting Charlotte can't see her.
"All the time. Do you?"
"Every night. I can't sleep," Charlotte whispers. Grace purses her lips in thought.
"I get that way sometimes too. I can see my sister getting dragged away by those guards, I can remember the conversation with the Chancellor and how he only made the deal with me when I mentioned his son," Grace lets out a dry chuckle at the memory, trying to focus on keeping her hands steady as they flowed through Charlotte's hair. "Who'd have thought that Jaha was such a family man? Whatever, that's not important now."
"So you really did trade your life for your sisters?" Charlotte asked quietly.
"Yeah," Grace smiles softly. "And I've never regretted it. Not even once."
Charlotte smiles, her fingers beginning to play with her metal bracelet. "Maybe when The Ark comes down I can meet her?"
It was questioned. It had to be a question because no one knew for sure whether or not The Ark was even alive, let alone coming down. Grace swallows thickly. "I think she'd like that. She's only a year younger than you now."
Charlotte nods her head as Grace pulls her hair tie from her wrist, tying it around Charlotte's hair. "There. All done."
Charlotte turns to look at her, her small hands running over the new braid in her hair. "Thank you."
"Of course," Grace smiles before she bites her lip in thought. Slowly, she leans down into the girls face, whispering now. "You want to hear a secret that helps me with my nightmares?"
Charlotte nods eagerly.
"I'd sing a song. My mom used to sing it when we were younger. When we'd get upset mostly," Grace forces a strong facade over her saddening features. Her mom had the most beautiful voice, and so did her sister. God, she missed them. "Follow me. I'll sing it to you and maybe it will help."
Grace stands from her spot and makes her way into the tree line, where Grace would be sleeping tonight as she hadn't been lucky enough to get a tent. She sits in front of a tree, ignoring the rough bark against her back as she leans into her. Charlotte sits beside her, moving to lay on Grace's lap. "Ready?"
Charlotte nods.
"Hey Jude," Grace starts slowly. "Don't be afraid. You were made to go out and get her. The minute you let her under your skin, then you begin to make it better. And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders, for well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool, by making his world a little colder."
Grace smiles as she feels Charlotte relax then continues to hum lowly. "Hey Jude, don't let me down. You have found her, now go get her. Remember to let her into your heart, then you can make it better, so let it out and let it in, hey Jude, begin. You're waiting for someone to perform with, And don't you know that it's just you, hey Jude, you'll do"
"The movement you need is on your shoulder," Grace hums the next part. "Hey Jude, don't make it bad, Take a sad song and make it better, Remember to let her under your skin, Then you'll begin to make it better better better better better better, oh," Grace hums once more, allowing the song to come to an end.
Grace smiles softly at the sleeping girl in her lap, her mind drifting to the times she'd sung the song to her sister.
Oh, how she wished for the simpler times.
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So, Bellamy and Grace are adorable. Charlotte and Grace are amazing.
And I'm excited about this book.
Vote, comment, whatever the hell you want! ;)
Also, add me on Snapchat! I'm going to have a group chat for Saviour, and the sequel Courageous, so add me and I'll add you to the group chats.
Don't worry, they're separate so there won't be spoilers!
Snapchat: mhi4289
Gif | Grace talking about her sister with Charlotte