Homecoming

“Clarke, oh God. What’s going on? Where are you?”

She wiped her nose with the back of her hand and tried to take a breath. “I’m fine. I just can’t believe I’m talking to you. They told me they floated you. I—I thought you were dead!” She thought of all the one-sided conversations she’d had with her parents over the past year and a half, imagining what they’d say when she told them about her trial, about Wells, and, most of all, about the wonders of Earth. For eighteen months, everything she’d thought, everything she’d told them, every prayer and every plea had been met with nothing but suffocating silence. And now the silence had lifted, releasing a weight she hadn’t realized had been chained to her heart.

“It’s okay, Clarke. We’re here. We’re alive. Where are you now?” Her father’s voice was so solid, so reassuring.

“I’m in Mount Weather,” she said, grinning as she wiped her nose on her sleeve. “Where are you?”

“Oh, Cl—” her mom began, but her words were cut off sharply as the high whine returned.

“No!” Clarke shouted. “No, no, no!” She swiped frantically at the dials, but she couldn’t find the right frequency again. Her tears of joy turned to frustration as anxiety welled up in her chest. It felt like losing them all over again. “Damn it,” she cried, smacking her hand against the console. She had to get the signal back.

Before she had a chance to try anything else, the door burst open, and a few of Max’s men ran into the room.

“Clarke,” one of them said. “They’re here. Let’s go.”

“But it’s too early,” she said, startled. “How did they get here so fast?”

“We don’t know, but we need to move into position.”

Her head swam as she tried to process what this meant. Rhodes and his guards were preparing to attack Mount Weather. “But we’re not ready—”

“We have to be ready,” the man said. “Time to move.”

Clarke jumped from her seat and wiped tears from her face, grateful that everyone else would be too preoccupied to ask why she was crying. Without a backward glance at the flashing lights and endless hiss and crackle of the radio, she ran from the room, ready to arm herself for battle.

CHAPTER 23: Bellamy

Bellamy’s shoulder didn’t hurt anymore. The adrenaline coursing through his body was better than any painkiller. He hopped from one foot to the other and shook out his hands, which were itching for a weapon. He couldn’t decide what would be more satisfying—sending one of his perfectly aimed arrows right through Rhodes’s throat or thrusting a spear into his chest.

The Earthborns were gathering in the cavernous hall that had become their command center. Many of the adults were arming themselves with knives, spears, and the odd bow, while others were preparing to lead the children and the elderly deeper into the fortress. Bellamy reached for a bow, his brow furrowing in concentration as he tested the string.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Clarke asked quietly. “You were shot, Bel. You have a long way to go before you’re fully recovered.”

“Save your breath, Griffin,” he said as he began rooting around for arrows. “You know there’s no way in hell I’m letting these people risk their lives for me while I sit around twiddling my thumbs.”

“Just be careful.” Her face was pale, and her eyes were red. In the few minutes they’d had together, preparing for the fight, she’d told him about speaking to her parents. But there was no time to celebrate that small miracle; they both had to focus their attention on the task at hand—making Vice Chancellor Rhodes regret he’d ever set foot on Earth.

“Careful is my middle name,” he said, placing a few arrows that had passed his inspection to the side.

She smiled. “I believe you’ve also said the same thing about Danger and Victory.”

“That’s me. Bellamy Careful Danger Victory Blake.”

“I’m jealous. I don’t even have one middle name.”

“Oh, I can think of a few that would suit you,” Bellamy said, wrapping his arm around her waist. “Let’s see, how about Clarke Know-It-All… Bossy…” She rolled her eyes and smacked him playfully on the chest. He smirked and pulled her closer, leaning down to whisper in her ear. “… Brilliant… Sexy Griffin.”

“I’m not sure all that will fit on an office door, but I like it.”

“Everybody ready?” Wells asked, striding toward them. His whole demeanor had changed. Although he was only wearing a faded, stained T-shirt, and ripped, slightly too-short pants, he moved like he was still wearing his officer’s uniform. A few weeks ago, Wells’s bearing might’ve irritated Bellamy, but right now, he felt grateful that his brother was so capable.

“I’m more than ready,” Bellamy said, trying to psych everyone up. He reached over to bump fists with Felix, who was pale and shifting from side to side nervously. “I can’t wait to kick some Colony-Guard ass.” Bellamy shot Wells a devilish grin.

“I wish I had your confidence,” Felix said.

“It’s not confidence,” Bellamy quipped. “It’s arrogance. There’s a big difference.”