The walk back to camp was quiet.
Octavia's steps dragged, her eyes glassy from the horror of what they'd just witnessed. The acid fog and the way Atom's skin melted into something unrecognizable, and the way Jason ended his life swiftly.
She hadn't expected that kind of thing from him.
Even if it had been a mercy killing, even if she understood why he'd done it, the image wouldn't leave her mind. Jason who was usually strong, calm, always in control ending someone's life with such brutal finality.
Beside her, little Charlotte walked silently, clutching her arms close to her chest. The girl's face was pale and haunted.
"Hey," Octavia said softly, forcing a small smile. "You ever notice how there are butterflies everywhere now? Guess even they survived the apocalypse."
Charlotte didn't answer. She didn't even look up.
Octavia chuckled awkwardly. "Maybe when we get back, I'll catch one for you. Name it... Flutters or something."
Nothing.
The little girl's blank stare didn't change, and Octavia's forced smile faded. With a defeated sigh, she gave up trying.
Jason walked a few steps ahead, but even from behind, Octavia could sense the distance he was creating, wall after invisible wall rising between them. She found herself studying him the way his shoulders seemed tighter now, the quiet stiffness in his movements, the way he didn't speak a word.
He was different.
Her mind drifted back to that cave, the way he'd comforted her when she thought she wouldn't make it, the way his words had given her hope even when she didn't believe in any.
'He's full of crap', she thought, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. 'But he made me believe. Even for a second'.
Still, the memory of his expression as he killed Atom lingered, the hollow look in his eyes.
'It's his first kill', she thought. 'No one walks away from that the same'.
———————
Jason exhaled quietly, keeping his eyes fixed on the trail ahead. He'd been hoping they could slip back into camp unnoticed and to have avoided Bellamy, avoid questions, avoid the looks of suspicion. But luck never stayed with him for long and he had found himself in a more difficult situation.
Now, here they were. Standing face-to-face with the last person he wanted to confront after they made it back to the perimeter of the drop ship.
The look on Bellamy's face was pure suspicion and a hint of betrayal all rolled into one. He didn't need to say anything; the judgment was already written in his glare.
"What the hell we're you doing with my sister?" Bellamy demanded, voice sharp enough to cut through the air.
Jason closed his eyes briefly and thought, 'Oh boy, here we go'.
Bellamy had seen them together when they found Atom. He'd seen the way Octavia kept looking at Jason, how he'd been hovering protectively over her. He'd seen the jacket. His jacket, draped over her shoulders.
Jason sighed internally. 'And there goes my little peace of mind'.
He didn't even want to imagine how this must look with her in his clothes, both of them returning together after being gone all night. He could already feel the accusations forming in Bellamy's head.
Before he could speak however, Octavia stepped forward, her voice cutting through the tension.
"He saved my life, Bell. Stop being such a protective ass! I'd be dead, either eaten by a panther or dissolved by that fog if it weren't for him!" she shouted, eyes blazing with conviction.
Her tone caught both men off guard.
Jason blinked, then thought, 'Well, well. Didn't expect that'.
Bellamy's glare didn't waver. "How?" he demanded slowly, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "What happened?"
Octavia looked down and Jason noticed that.
"Not now," Jason said.
"Yes, now!" Bellamy snapped, stepping closer. "You tell me where you've been and what you've been doing with her right now or I will—"
"What, Bellamy?" Jason hissed, voice low and venomous. "You'll do what?"
The words hit like a blade, silencing Bellamy mid-step.
Jason's patience snapped. "I saved her from being eaten alive and from a damn acid fog. And you think I'd… what? Hurt her? Pull your goddamn head outta your ass, you simpleton."
The insult landed hard. Bellamy froze, the rage in his eyes briefly faltering at the truth behind the words.
Clarke quickly stepped forward, placing a hand on Jason's forearm as a silent warning. Her touch grounded him for a moment, but his jaw still clenched.
The look in Jason's eyes made Bellamy pause. It was a challenge, pure and raw.
Bellamy had two options: throw a punch and pray it landed or back down.
He chose the latter.
"Stay away from her, Jason," Bellamy growled.
Jason smirked coldly. "Sure thing. Next time she's in danger in front of a panther or choking in acid fog I'll just let her die, yeah? I'll try to remember you told me not to bother."
With that, he walked off, leaving Bellamy standing there seething, Clarke tense, and Octavia torn between fury and admiration.
—————-
As they neared camp, Octavia finally spoke.
"Sorry about him," she said, glaring at her brother's retreating form.
Jason shook his head. "Don't be. He's just trying to protect you." His voice was quiet, almost calm. "He's your brother. He has every right to feel the way he does."
"Doesn't give him the right to be a jerk."
Jason gave her a faint smile, eyes tired. "It's fair. Like I said back in the cave most of the people here are criminals with different offenses. It's only natural he's cautious."
Octavia frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Jason didn't answer right away.
"Most are murderers," he said finally, voice low. "Some worse. But even after all that, he still extends his protection to you. That's… something."
She hesitated, then nodded. "Thank you," she said quietly. "Not just for this but for everything. For saving me. For making me feel safe. And… for Atom."
Before he could react, she stepped forward and hugged him.
Jason froze, completely thrown off.
He managed a small, genuine smile. "You're welcome," he murmured, before turning and walking away, leaving her standing there with an unreadable look.
———————-
The next morning dawned gray and cold.
Five graves stood side by side Atom, and the two other teenagers who'd been caught in the fog.
Jason stood in front of them, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
'Being horny killed them', he thought bitterly. 'Not the fog'.
He sighed quietly. "Hope you got your pound of flesh before you died, dude," he muttered under his breath.
The camp had gathered, somber and silent. Jason stepped forward, cleared his throat, and began to speak.
"From now on," he said, voice steady, "it's dangerous to leave camp alone. If you have to, tell someone first. No more wandering off. We can't afford to lose more people."
He looked around at the group Clarke, Wells, Murphy, Monty, Jasper, Bellamy, all watching him.
"You've all done well surviving this long," Jason continued. "While most of the fighters were away, you kept things going. That matters. But now we need something else and that's an early warning system for the fog. Something that gives us time to react next time it hits."
He exhaled and nodded once. "Say your goodbyes, then get back to work. We've still got a home to build."
He turned slightly, looking back at the graves. The weight in his chest didn't ease.
Then—
A hand touched his shoulder.
He looked up and saw that it was Wells.
"You saved who you could," Wells said quietly. "You saved Octavia, helped Atom, and Clarke from taking a life she didn't have to. You've done more for us than you realize."
Jason nodded slightly, the words hitting deeper than he let on.
"He's right, you know," Clarke said softly, stepping closer. "This was good for them. A final goodbye."
As the 100 drifted back toward camp, Wells chuckled faintly. "Murphy's keeping the workers moving. Miller's handling the guards. Monty and Jasper are on their projects. Even Bellamy's trying not to be an ass while organizing another hunt."
Jason gave a faint smile.
"So," Wells said after a moment, "what now?"
Jason sighed. "Now? We be more careful. That's all we can do."
A sudden pain shot through his head as he tried to remember what happened next in the show, a sharp and blinding pain adult we him. He staggered, clutching his temple.
'Ah ah ah… no cheating, boy'.
The voice slithered through his skull,in a more mocking manner.
'It's always more fun when you don't know what's next'.
Jason winced, shaking his head.
"Jason?" Clarke's voice cut through the haze. "You okay?"
He nodded quickly. "I'll be fine. Just… tired."
He straightened, forcing composure. "I'll be inside. Don't stay out here too long." Then he turned and walked away toward camp.
———-
Wells watched him go, frowning slightly, before Clarke's voice brought him back.
"Wells… we need to talk."
He blinked and was shocked she was talking to him . "What's on your mind?"
"I need to know the truth," Clarke said quietly. "Who told my dad I was planning to warn the people? Who told Jaha?"
Wells' lips pressed together.
"It was my mom, wasn't it?"
His silence said everything.
"I knew how you'd feel," Wells said finally, guilt in his eyes.
Tears welled in Clarke's.
"You already lost one parent," Wells said softly. "I couldn't let you lose the other."
They stood in silence, the air heavy between them.
Finally, Wells sighed. "It's my shift. I gotta go."
Clarke nodded, voice breaking slightly. "Wells… I'm sorry."
"You said that already and there's nothing to be sorry for Clarke I forgive you," he said with a faint, sad smile.
"You know what I mean."
"Yeah… I know."
He turned and walked toward the perimeter, lost in his thoughts. Clarke watched him go and happy that she got her childhood friend back.
———-
The sun was rising when Wells heard the soft crunch of footsteps behind him.
He turned and relaxed slightly when he saw her.
"Couldn't sleep?" he asked, offering a small smile.
Charlotte shook her head. "I never can."
"You on watch?" she asked quietly.
"Yeah," he said, motioning for her to sit beside him. She did, silently, folding her knees to her chest.
"I had a nightmare," she whispered after a long pause. "I have them every night… but I think I found a way to make them stop."
Wells frowned. "What do you mean?"
Before she could answer, the flap of a bird's wings startled them both. Wells turned instinctively just in time to see a flash of movement.
"I'm sorry," Charlotte whispered and then she swung at him .
Pain exploded in his hand as he caught her arm, but too late as the shiv tore through his palm, the blade biting deep. He screamed, the shock of it freezing him for a second.
Charlotte's eyes widened in panic but then something inside her broke. She yanked the blade free and drove it sideways into his throat.
Wells' breath hitched. His eyes went wide in shock as blood spilled down his chest.
Charlotte stumbled back, trembling, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I was told to slay my demons," she sobbed. "Your father… he killed my parents. Every time I close my eyes, I see them die because of him. And when I wake up, all I see is you."
Her voice cracked. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry."
She turned and ran leaving Wells clutching his throat, blood seeping through his fingers as the sunrise blurred before his eyes.
His last thought was of Clarke.
Of forgiveness.
Of a future he wouldn't see.
Then the light faded.
Patreon.com/Fredozy