The camp was barely awake when a voice cracked through the thin morning air.
"Jason!!!"
A shadow stood just beyond the flap of his tent and before Jason could react fully, the kid pushed inside and froze at the sight that welcomed him.
Raven was curled against Jason on the bed, the two of them covered only by a thin blanket.
"Oh OH! I'm so sorry!" the kid blurted, eyes wide, already backing up.
Jason shot upright, wearing only his shorts.
"Get. Out."
The boy hesitated, stammering. Jason's tone sharpened like a blade:
"I said OUT!"
The kid nearly tripped on his way out. The shout jolted Raven awake; she pulled the blanket up to her chest, squinting in confusion.
Jason exhaled through his nose. "No privacy in this damn place," he muttered.
Raven rubbed her eyes. "Morning…"
"Hey," Jason said softly, leaning in to kiss her. But she whispered, "Water…"
"Oh yeah, right." He grabbed the canteen and handed it to her quickly.
She took a long drink, gasped, then breathed out, "Wow… that was"
Jason smirked. "Good?"
"Phenomenal," she corrected, giving him a slow, meaningful look.
"Ohhh," he teased, laughing. She laughed too, then nodded toward the tent entrance.
"What was that about?"
"No clue," Jason sighed. "Guess I gotta find out."
She slid closer, cupped his face, and kissed him. Jason kissed her back… then forced himself to pull away.
"Be right back."
Outside the Tent
Stepping into the cold morning air, Jason spotted the same kid waiting a few feet away. He appeared nervous, stiff and pale probably due to the morning cold.
Jason walked over with a smile that absolutely did not match the tension in his jaw.
"Listen," he said quietly, "if you ever barge into my tent like that again… I'll break the bones in your legs. All of them. Slowly."
The kid swallowed so loudly it sounded like a hiccup.
"Jason."
A steady voice approached.
Bellamy.
He looked troubled, infact too troubled for this early in the day. Jason's smile faded as he frowned back.
"What?"
Bellamy nudged the kid forward. "Tell him."
The boy took a breath, forcing the words out.
"We found bodies."
Jason's expression sharpened instantly. "What?"
"Outskirts of the camp," Bellamy added. "Just past the tree line."
"Shit…" Jason muttered.
"And" the kid continued, "one of the bodies was a Grounder."
Jason closed his eyes for a moment, rubbing his forehead. "Of course it was…"
But Bellamy wasn't done.
Jason noticed the shift in his expression with how it tighter and got darker.
"What now?" Jason asked.
That was when Raven stepped out of the tent, pulling on her jacket.
Bellamy looked between them before saying, "Three of ours are dead… and two others were taken. Haven't come back to camp."
Raven stiffened. "Who?"
Bellamy's jaw clenched. "Clarke and Finn."
Jason's eyes widened. "Shit."
He didn't say another word. He simply turned and disappeared back into the tent.
Bellamy, Raven, and the kid exchanged confused looks.
A few minutes later, the flap opened again.
Jason stepped out fully geared, boots strapped, blades sheathed, his expression still calm but with an undertone of anger and ready for violence.
He looked straight at Bellamy.
Jason tightened the last strap on his gear and didn't waste a breath.
"Bellamy, we move now. Gather our people. Quietly. I don't want half the camp panicking before we're out the damn gate."
Bellamy nodded sharply and jogged off to assemble a team.
Jason turned toward Raven. "Gear up. You're coming."
She gave a short nod, already reaching for her jacket. Jason didn't wait—he moved quickly through camp toward the gate.
On the way, he spotted Murphy slipping into the dropship.
Jason followed.
Inside, Murphy walked to the far side where a few kids were still recovering from the sickness. He approached one… slowly… like someone trying not to be seen.
"What are you doing?"
Murphy jumped violently, nearly tripping over a crate.
Jason was leaning casually against the metal wall, eyes on the sick kid, then turning them onto Murphy with an unreadable tilt of his head.
Murphy swallowed. "I—I was just checking on"
"Uh-huh," Jason cut in, unimpressed. "Gear up. We're heading out."
Murphy blinked. "Heading out? Where are we even?"
"Oh, why so nice of you to be curious," Jason said with a light, almost friendly sarcasm. "You're showing signs of being both curious and caring. Incredible. Truly. I'm proud."
Murphy stared at him, confused.
Jason smiled, a smile anyone would categorize as being too polite, the smile of someone who could kill without raising his voice.
"Fine. If you must know… we're going back to where you escaped from."
Murphy's entire body stiffened.
Jason continued, voice calm, almost conversational.
"The Grounders took Clarke and Finn. No clue if they're alive or dead. So go get your stuff."
Murphy hesitated. "…Why are you following me around?"
"Because you're showing the way," Jason said simply.
Then his tone dipped, still polite but edged with something sharp.
"And we wouldn't want any… commotion… in camp with the rest of these kids. Better you're useful like this."
Murphy nodded quickly. "I'm, I'm coming."
"Excellent."
Jason clapped once, turned, and walked out.
Murphy let out a long breath he didn't know he'd been holding.
At the Gate
A short while later, the rescue team gathered at the entrance:
Jason.
Bellamy.
Raven.
Murphy.
Two armed camp members.
John and David arriving last.
Jason was about to give the signal. "Move ou—"
"Wait! WAIT!"
Jasper ran up, out of breath. Jason frowned.
"What now? We're wasting time."
Monty hurried over too. "You can't all leave. The ammo system isn't finished yet and we still need Raven."
Another boy ran up. "And the traps on the west fence aren't set. The guys aren't listening."
Octavia appeared next. "He's right. At least Bellamy should stay. Someone has to control things here."
Jason sighed heavily.
"Raven, you're staying."
"What? Jason, I can—"
"This is the reasonable choice," he cut in gently but firmly. "Support Bellamy. Monty, Jasper and Octavia work with them. Keep this camp standing until we're back."
Raven tried to argue again, but she saw the finality in his eyes.
John and David finished gearing up and joined the team.
Jason nodded once.
"Move out."
They crossed the gate fast, slipping into the thick forest in a diamond formation, weapons ready.
After a few minutes of sprinting, Jason glanced back, slowed his pace, then matched Murphy's stride.
"Take point," he ordered quietly.
Murphy swallowed. "I—I am."
Jason leaned in slightly, voice soft but cold enough to freeze marrow.
"And Murphy…"
"If you lead us wrong… or into a trap…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
He didn't have to.
Murphy nodded once, throat tight, and pressed forward faster.
The rescue mission had truly begun.
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