#the 100 characters | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

justinewt · 2 years

Text

Deceptive Tranquility - THE 100 REWRITE Chapter Ten

[THE 100 MASTERLIST]

Previous Chapter / Next Chapter

Summary: The virus the Grounders brought in the camp of the 100 failed to put them down for the attack and the group managed to buy some time, blowing up the bridge separating them and the Grounders. The few days of peace they had to get back on their feet saw an unexpected love unfolded to the eyes of their peers... But when Finn and Clarke went missing after going hunting, Michelle didn’t listen Bellamy’s instructions and went to look for her best friend, somewhere in the forest. She knew the risks, but she couldn’t stay there and wait.

Words: 4.8k

Warnings: The 100 season 1 spoilers (specifically episode 11 “The Calm” and beginning of episode 12 “We Are Grounders Part 1″), little tension, sarcasm, fire, fight, frustration, fluff, playful fight, intercourse (no full scene, cut quickly), secret love affair coming out lol, lives at risk, pain from a fall, restrained

Two days had passed since they se tup a bomb on the bridge and made it explode. The virus was gone, and everyone was back on their feet, working to make the camp safe as no one knew if the Grounders would come. The fact that had yet to attack the group should have been reassuring but to Clarke, it didn’t feel right, and Michelle could only agree. The Grounders weren’t stupid. They knew the lands. They had their way through the forest. They would attack but none of them knew when. Michelle walked across the camp towards the smokehouse to help there. She was still thinking what happened with Murphy, a couple nights ago and happened again just yesterday. She bit her lips to suppress a smile and looked at the open gate and Clarke popped in her mind. She was just outside the walls with Bellamy and some others that watched the perimeter. She should have been with them, patrolling but Clarke was against it. Michelle would fight too, when the Grounders came but until then, the blonde wanted her friend to do safe stuff in camp. She had recovered from what the virus put her through but her back, whether it still hurt or not, had to heal and Clarke didn’t want her taking risks and maybe breaking her spine this time, paralyzing her. She would never survive in this place if she couldn’t walk at all. Everyone had to be carefull of course but she had to be extra cautious until Clarke determined she could resume her guard’s duties, which would be when she deemed that her bruises were healed enough.

Michelle hadn’t told her childhood best friend about what happened between her and Murphy not just once, but twice, in the past days. She didn’t even really know why she hadn’t said anything to her because the blonde wouldn’t have lectured her. She just didn’t feel the need to talk about it, for some reason, and that’s what she did., which was saying nothing about it. Upon approaching the smokehouse, Murphy glanced at her from afar. There was a meaningful glance along a knowing smile as she walked past him and turned to the smokehouse to join Octavia there.

“Hey.”

“Hey, Octavia.” She gave the girl a smile and went on to hang the pieces of meat on the ropes stretched from one wall to the other. After a minute, a guy came in with a bunch of wooden logs to put in the fire inside the smokehouse and threw one in.

“You don’t want the fire too big so maybe just try to knock it down with some wet leaves.” Octavia advised him as she hanged a piece of meat.

“You get that from your boyfriend, Grounder Pounder?” He spat, making Octavia and Michelle turn around.

“She’s right.” Murphy declared as he joined them inside. “A hot fire isn’t gonna preserve meat as well.”

“Well if you can’t take the heat, get out of the smokehouse.” He retorted as if he did something here. “You should be kissing our asses for being allowed back in this camp.”

“When the smokehouse burns down because of you, I’ll make sure you burn with it.” Michelle gave the boy a death stare and he clenched his jaw, stepping out.

“Just keep working.”

“Right, okay.” Michelle scoffed, shaking her head. She tucked locks of dark hair behind her ears and sighed, wiping her forehead. After not long in the smokehouse, she was already sweating. Murphy walked around Michelle putting his hands on her waist, beneath her jacket, his body brushing against hers and he let go a second later when he reached for something nearby. She turned her head and looked at him from the corner of her eyes and noticed a smirk on his face. Him outrageously teasing her in public didn’t surprise her that much. She wasn’t an expert at Murphy’s psychology, but it just felt like it was to happen anyway, and she didn’t mind. Octavia was her back to them during this so she didn’t witness it and at least, Michelle avoided an instigating look from her, and she wouldn't complain about it.

“Your brother couldn’t get you a better job?” Murphy asked Octavia as he stepped away from Michelle while she stretched out pieces of meat. “Anything would be better than working in the meat furnace.”

“Oh, probably.” Octavia agreed, giving a glance at Murphy and walked past him. “That just means someone else would have to do it.”

Murphy had his arm wrapped around Michelle’s torso as they got away of the smokehouse that was on fire. Michelle held Octavia’s hands, all three of them were bent over, coughing from the smoke the fire induced and they stumbled to the side. They let themselves fall to their knees and Michelle let go off Octavia’s hands, coughing some more and sat on the dirt. Murphy wouldn’t let go of her and she wasn’t bothered by the shield he gave her.

“Are you okay?” Bellamy crouched in front of his little sister, and she just nodded.

“This is all your fault.” Murphy grumbled as he stood up, looking at the boy that teased the fire when he went into the smokehouse. “We told it was too much wood.”

“Get away from me.” When Murphy threw a punch, Michelle got up hastily and rushed to Muprhy, grabbing his arms.

“Murphy.” He struggled under her grasp but Bellamy intervened and separated him and the other boy that indeed, caused the fire of the smokehouse.

“Hey, stop!” He stretched out his arms, keeping away the two guys from each other and he turned his head to Murphy. “Save it from the Grounders.”

“Bell, now what are we gonna do?” Octavia cried out from the ground while Murphy pivoted on his feet, a bitter smile dawning on his wounded face. Michelle glanced around and followed him out of the crowd. Her eyes wandered as she left and crossed the gaze of a confused Clarke, looking at her going after Murphy. She was going to have to tell her what was up between her and him at some point but right now, she just went after the hot-headed young man.

“John.” She called out to him, crossing her arms on her chest and he stopped in his tracks before turning to her, quite annoyed by the mistreatement he received from everyone in camp, except Michelle.

“What?” He shrugged, sighing.

“It’s not worth it. Don’t get worked up by that.” She let her arms fall by her sides and stepped toward him. He shot up his eyebrows, glancing away. It was just words. Even her wouldn’t be able to really follow this advice if they were given to her so it was ironic that she was the one saying it to him. In truth, she was just trying to get him to calm down. If he was naturally annoying and sarcastic, it was worse when mad and she didn’t want to deal with that. Would she say it ouloud, he would just tell her to go away, she knew it, so she stayed quiet, running her fingers through her hair, exhaling. “He’s not worth it, John.”

“No, he’s not. He’s fucking dumb.” She lifted her face and looked into his eyes, resting her hands on his arms, gently stroking over his jacket with her thumbs. He locked eyes with hers, a soft smile stretching the corners of his lips and there was a moment of quiet silence before footsteps approached them and were followed by Bellamy. The instant Michelle heard him behind her, she let go of Murphy and stepped away, crossing her arms.

“What happened?” He inquired, standing in front of the two, frowning, his eyes shifting from one to the other with a hint of curiosity, probably wondering what was up with the sudden proximity of Michelle and Murphy, seeming a bit out of nowhere, understandibly as to none of them said anything about the love affair going on.

“I did nothing, all right?”

“I didn’t accuse you of anything, Murphy.” The latter sighed, already annoyed.

“Del kept feeding the fire.”

“Octavia told him he shouldn’t, but he didn’t care.” Michelle added. Bellamy sized them up and nodded silently before heading back to the scene of the fire, now extinguished and thick black smoke billowing into the sky.

“Each group take someone with a gun.” Michelle jogged into the dropship where she found Clarke, Finn and Bellamy. All lined up, other teenagers were entering as the later gave them instructions. “But they’re for killing Grounders, not food. We don’t have the ammo. Use the spears for hunting. Get what you can and be back by nightfall. No one stays out after dark.”

“Got it.” Everyone replied, armed with a gun and walking out of the dropship.

“Michelle, you’re here.” Clarke noticed her friend, slipping between the others crowded in the room, to reach Clarke and Bellamy.

“Yeah. You’re sending everyone hunting? Is that why you called me?”

“How’s your back?”

“Fine. Clarke, it really doesn’t hurt at all anymore.” Michelle insisted, to convince her best friend to stop worrying about it. “I can hunt too.”

“No.” She retorted. “I just wanted to talk to you. Wait here a second, please.”

“Hey, Clarke…” Michelle nodded and stepped away until her back hit the wall and crossed her arms over her chest, tapping her fingers on her arms, watching her friend and the boy talking. “You maybe want to go together?”

“Sure, I’ll get some gear.” She spoke. His approach was kind of awkward. As she walked away from the boy, Michelle straightened up, about to go to her so they could talk but she stopped before taking even one step when Finn addressed her, and she figured she would have to wait some more. After a short moment, the boy chimed in and followed them as they walked to the entrance. He was loud.

“Do you even know how I got arrested on the Ark?”

“I’m dying to hear about it.” Finn retorted. Clarke turned to Michelle before she walked out of the droship with the two boys and faced her friend, leaning against the wall.

“I thought I’d have more time to talk with you now.”

“You can talk to me if you let me come with you.”

“No.” Clarke pressed the word. “I’m not risking anything that could cause you to get injured while the previous are still healing.”

“Why are you acting like this? I’m not glass.” Michelle sighed, staring at the blonde.

“I’d rather keep you safe as much as I can. You’ll help when the Grounders’ army come. Until then, stay put. We’ll talk when we get back.”

Michelle sighed and stepped away from the wall, watching Clarke join Finn and the other boy outside. She swung her arms, taking a few steps thoughtfully, wondering what the blonde wanted to talk to her about. Maybe about that weird tension and chemistry between her and Murphy. She probably noticed the way they started to behave around each other. After the fire, she was the one to stop Murphy from punching Del. She was the one to go after him and talk to him to calm him down after he left the premises. Bellamy himself gave them a long inquisitive look after he saw Michelle hands on Murphy as she spoke with him. Michelle wasn’t even sure what there was between them, if it was solely sexual or if it was turning a bit romantic. She hadn’t discussed that with the interested party to find out. She never lived anything like that, so she didn’t even know how to proceed, and how to bring it up with him. It felt odd. She shook her head, and left the dropship herself

She eventually left the dropship herself and went to the scene of the fire and helped clean up the ashes and burnt carcasses lying on the ground. She would have preferred to get a gun and go out to hunt with the others, to help more efficiently but Clarke said no, and Michelle wasn’t happy about it, but she wasn’t reckless to the point where she would rather go out on her own in the woods than stay safe at camp. She took off her jacket and hung it on a stick planted in the ground and grabbed a shovel and gathered all the ashes she picked up in a heap to the side to clear the area. It took her a while to clean everything up but she eventually got to it and stretched her back and arms after the effort. When she turned around to grab her jacket and put it back on, she couldn't find it anywhere and frowning, she looked around kind of feverishly, getting anxious at the thought that someone stole it. She wiped her hands on her pants and she sighed upon seeing Murphy holding her jacket up with his hand, staring at her. She shook her head and jogged to him, but he playfully threw it at her before she got to him. She caught the piece of clothing and stopped in her tracks in surprise and rose her eyebrows in annoyance.

“Ha. Ha. Ha. Very funny.” She faked laugh, sketching a smirk on her face. “This jacket is over a century old. You should respect your elders.”

“My bad, soldier.”

“Yeah, sure. You look sorry.” She retorted as he smiled, amused about teasing Michelle like that and she shook her head, chuckling as she put her jacket on.

“Why aren’t you out hunting?” He wondered.

“I wanted to go, but Clarke didn’t. She said I needed to rest, that I would fight when the Grounders come but until then I need to, and I quote, “stay put”.”

“If the princess said so, what can you do about it.” He shot up his eyebrows and shrugged and Michelle imitated him. The questions and thoughts about the nature of whatever was going on between her and Murphy that raced through her head before Clarke went out to hunt with Finn and the other boy came back and she nonchalantly combed her hair with her fingers, looking around them, weighing the pros and cons before saying anything but the confused look on Murphy's face as to why she was suddenly being so silent made her speak up.

“Uh…” She waved her hands, going from Murphy to her. “What is this?”

“What is what?”

“Nothing. Nevermind.” Michelle let her hands fall to her sides and shook her head, letting out a brief scoff. She shrugged it off as she turned around, about to walk away because she felt embarrassed, for some reason but Murphy's hand grabbed her wrist and she turned back to him and next thing she knew, his lips were on hers, kissing her. There was this strange sweeteness as their lips merged into each other. This burning fire reignited her body and she only remembered there was people watching when they started laughing and cheering lightly at the scene. Michelle softly broke the embrace and looked around, biting her lips and she let out a laugh in embarrassment. Letting go of her wrist, Murphy approached his mouth from her ear, glancing around as he whispered to her.

“This, is anything you want it to be.”

“Come on, everyone. Get back to work.” Bellamy’s voice rose a few feet away from them and everyone got quiet in a few seconds. He was frowning, glaring at Michelle and Murphy and waved at them in displeasure. “And get a fucking room.”

“Go romp somewhere else, Bellamy. I got her first.” Murphy bragged before Michelle dragged him away to prevent him from starting a fight with Bellamy. The latter only clenched his jaw, shaking his head as he looked at them leave. They walked around the tent and went to sit and chill in the one Michelle had shared with Clarke, Finn and Raven so far. As she was just sitting down, Murphy stripped her of her jacket and t-shirt and she gently fell on her back onto one of the mattresses on the floor and Murphy was already on top of her, sensualy and ardently kissing her neck, his fingers intertwined with hers as his lips trailed down her lower stomach, slowly and arousingly, feeling her back lift slightly at his gesture. This was whatever she wanted it to be, as he told her. There was a tension interlaced with love floating around them. Her first-ever love.

Night had fallen for a few hours as Bellamy, Michelle, Raven, Octavia and Monty thoroughly scanned the woods, holding up their guns, aiming ahead of them, watching their surroundings cautiously. While the other hunting parties had already come back to camp before dark fell as requested by Bellamy, Clarke, Finn and that other boy were still not back, which had freaked out Michelle when she realized how much time had passed after she got her head out of the clouds of her romance with Murphy. She was then paired with Bellamy while Raven and Octavia were sent together, and they went towards the west to look for their peers who had gone missing.

“You said you were heading west. Where are you?” Monty asked over the intercoms. Bellamy brought the walkie-talkie to his mouth as he remained hyper-vigilant, aware of his surroundings, looking for any movement in the bushes or up in the trees.

“Just keep the moon on your left, and you’ll find us.”

“Is anyone else hearing the signal?” Monty inquired after a whirring sound was heard in the forest.

“Just keep your eyes open.” Raven replied.

“It’s the same thing we heard on the black box.”

“Monty, pay attention. Do you see anything?” Bellamy called him to order. He and Michelle stopped in their tracks and when his question was met by an utter silence, Michelle turned to her partner, frowning and he gave her a glance. “Report.”

“There’s someone in the bushes.” Raven told them in a low voice. Bellamy and Michelle immediately rushed to their position, and they found them crouched next to the boy that went out hunting with Finn and Clarke earlier that same day. He was curled up on the dirt, his hands pressed against his stomach, wincing.

“Myles, what happened?” Raven called out his name, which Michelle didn’t even know but she kept it to herself. “Where are they? Finn and Clarke? Where are they?”

“Grounders took them.” He articulated, clearly in pain. Both Raven and Michelle just froze at his answer, the mechanic fearing for her boyfriend and her, fearing for her best friend and sister. She should have insisted on tagging along when they left. She should have followed them despite the blonde telling her to stay put. She had a fun time with her lover, whom Clarke would probably not really approve of, and now her closest friend was missing along with one of them. She didn’t care about Finn much but still; he was of their people, and he didn’t deserve to just get taken by the Grounders. After seeing what they did to Murphy, they feared something had happened to them. Michelle swallowed harshly, nervously wiping her face with her hand and randomly looking away in shock. Bellamy glanced at her and Raven.

“Take it easy. We have to get him back to camp.”

“I have to go find Clarke.” Michelle breathed out.

“You’re not going alone.”

“Bell, what about Clarke and Finn?” Octavia turned her head to her brother, not having heard Michelle mumble a second ago. Raven stood up and took a few steps, still processing what Myles told them. Michelle stepped back, her fingers pressing on her temples, slightly bent over.

“Raven… Michelle… I’m sorry.” Raven gave him a disapproving and angry look, slowly shaking her head in disappointment.

“We need to make him a stretcher.” She then declared as she went back to the boy still on the ground. Bellamy followed him with his eyes before looking behind him, expecting to see Michelle standing there as she was a second ago, but she was gone. He sighed in frustration and sweeped the woods to spot her figure somewhere nearby despite the darkness, but she was nowhere to be seen.

“Michelle’s gone.”

“What?” Octavia sounded surprised, obviously. Even Raven glanced up at Bellamy and took a look around to see that there was no one else there with them and she sighed in turn. Bellamy’s sister stood up, facing her brother. “I’ll go after her. I’ll find her.”

“No. You stay here.” He ordered, pointing at the ground with his index finger.

“Monty, we’re heading back home? Do you copy?” Bellamy tried to reach their friend through the walkie talkie but no one replied. “Monty? Where the hell are you?”

“Ugh. Fuck me!” She groaned through her teeth, pivoting on her feet, looking around feverishly. She left the side of her peers when she knew Clarke’s life was threatened but now, she put herself into even more danger. She was in the woods, at night. She couldn't see more than 20 feet away from her, but she still had her gun in her hand. It was the only security that made her contain her panic. She couldn’t even call out Clarke’s name for fear of giving out her position to the Grounders in the forest and putting herself in mortal danger this time around. She kept walking, slightly benting over to be discreet and she progressed in the forest, almost blindly, not really knowing where she was heading to. She was scared to get spotted by Grounders hiding somewhere around, or up in the trees, but she kept moving. There was no point in staying still and just waiting. She was more at risk if she stopped moving. Searching for something that would lead her to Clarke was what really kept her going through this dark woods. After a dozen of minutes, she saw the light of a small fire in the distance, so she stopped and crouched behind a thick bush, leaning on her hands and knees to look past it to observe what it was. A fire wasn’t just lighting itself up in the middle of the trees, unless there was someone, or even maybe multiple people, which only made her more cautious and silent.

Michelle narrowed her eyes and noticed a few horses, their rumps towards her. She counted three mounts, tried to the trees to keep them in place. She had only ever seen those animals on video footage, drawings in books or in pictures. She could see dark figures lying on the ground and a Grounder woman was crouching beside the fire, warming up her hands. Another person was sitting on their knees but she couldn’t see their face from where she was so she glanced around carefully and the moment she thought of going to hide behind a bush that would get her closer to the fire to see the person crouching better but suddenly, a hand reached for her shoulder and before she could do anything, a Grounder man pulled a knife to her throat and she just gulped, feeling the blade held dangerously close to her skin. He slowly brought his index finger up to his mouth to silently order her to keep it quiet or he would undoubtly slit her throat and bye bye the chance to save her friends and help through the war against the very people whose one was threatening her life. He glanced down at her gun, and she held up her hands as he pressed the knife to her trachea, a single, small drop of blood perling down her skin. She slowly, without taking his eyes off his and took the cove of the weapon over her head and quietly laid it on the ground. He then grabbed her by the arm and dragged her around the small camp. After they passed the horses, these latter started moving around and neighed nervously. He walked her up an embankment that overlooked the campfire and the Grounders below and he stood at his full height towards the edge, holding her against him.

“Your left flank is vulnerable.” He announced. The Grounders lying down stood up suddenly, their swords already in hand and the Grounder woman got on her feet, looking at the man with wide eyes. It was the woman Clarke met up with on the bridge to try to discuss peace, but she blew it off, and there she was, the blonde was the person sitting on her knees, all tied up, blood on her face. As they were backlit from the campfire, their faces and figures were darkened, and with her long black hair falling over her face, Clarke didn't seem to recognize her.

“My archers are in the trees with orders to kill anyone hostile.” She retorted. “Are you hostile, Tristan?”

Before walking down to the camp by the side of the enbakment, he pushed her from the edge of the embankment and fell heavily to the ground, coughing and gasping for air from the shock against her chest caused in the fall. She felt like her lungs had been suddenly emptied of any ounce of air and she almost choked, leaning on her hands to elevate her from the ground and breathe. She heard Clarke fidgeting next to her but as the Grounder named Tristan got closer to her, she didn’t dare say anything and crawled away, dragging the chain.

“Tie her up too. Now.” He ordered and the Grounder that appeared to be their leader approved it by a motion of her head towards Michelle. She was unceremoniously picked up and her wrist got chained along Clarke who was being stared down by this Tristan. “So this is who’s beating you?”

“Who are you?” Clarke articulated.

“I’m sent to slaughter your people.”

“The commander sent you?” The Grounder woman seemed surprised. Tristan turned to her.

“Your unit is mine now.” He then casually walked past her. “My rangers are hungry. They’re at the river. Go feed them.” The Grounders obliged and walked away altogether. “We march on the invaders’ camp at first light. I’ll make quick work of what you’ve failed to do. Starting with this one and her friend.”

“Over there.” A Grounder guard exclaimed. Horses whinnied again and Tristan and the woman walked away from Clarke and Michelle.

“Signal fire.” She ordered.

“What are you doing here?” Clarke whispered to Michelle.

“I went to look for you. Don’t say anything, I know it was a bad idea, all right?”

“Hey.” A Grounder cut her off, pointing the blade of his sword at her. The two girls straightened up and got quiet, looking at Tristan and the other woman.

“Reapers.” Tristan declared.

“Let them know we see it.” The woman added and another Grounder brought a flaming torch and lit a brazier. “I’ll send my fastest rider to warn the commander.”

“No, there’s time. Kill the prisoners, get to the river.” He argued. As he walked away, the woman gave Michelle and Clarke a sidelong glance and another Grounder in a weird mask came up to her.

“Is the boy dead?” He nodded as a response.

“Good.”

“Finn.” Clarke breathed out.

“Kill the girls, then catch up.” She ordered him before leaving. They crawled back, trying to get away from the man coming to them but he pulled the chains and had them fall violently back to the ground. After her first fall earlier, Michelle grunted along Clarke and let out a cry of pain, wincing, bringing her hand to her ribs a second. Michelle sat up but Clarke had been knocked out. As the Grounder pulled out a knife, Michelle tried to send a kick toward him, but he grabbed her feet and held her down. The last Grounders present around left finally and she flinched when he brought the knife down suddenly, only to realize he just broke the chains. Michelle didn’t dare say a word, not even knowing what to say really and she stood up while he carried Clarke in his arms. He walked to a horse left for him, the beast’s face had been deformed by the radioactivity.

“Wait. I can’t leave my gun here.” Michelle finally voiced and the Grounders turned to her. He watched her go around the bushes and come back with the weapon, hanging from her shoulders and he then motioned to the horse, placing Clarke in front of him and letting Michelle climb up behind. She didn’t know why he wasn’t killing them. She didn’t know why he helped them instead but she just had a sense that they would make it out.

[To be continued…]

Previous Chapter / Next Chapter

Published (06/03/2022) by Andrea

Taglist: @cathrin2405 @kika64

2 notes · View notes