Chapter 7
“On the Ark, they told us it was the Chinese, but that wasn’t true.” Clarke is now surrounded by more of the prisoners. “It was an AI named A.L.I.E.”
“We see about five people out here.” A voice over the radio reports.
“You said there wasn’t anyone else.” The woman says, getting to her feet.
“There isn’t. There shouldn’t be.” Clarke says in confusion. She honestly has no idea who that could be- her and Madi are the last living people on Earth.
“Get the collar.”
“How many more are there?” The woman asks.
“I don’t know about anyone else. It’s just the two of us.” The shock throws her to the ground, spasming. “Please I wasn’t lying.”
“Hit her again.” Another shock sends Clarke spasming.
“I don’t know who that was.” Clarke says, struggling to get her words out.
“Hit her again.” A shock is sent through Clarke again, spasming against the hard ground. She lies on the ground in agony.
Lights get closer and larger in front of her. Clarke realizes who it is.
“Madi.” Clarke gasps out.
“On my command.” The woman tells her people. “Slowly, with your hands up.” After a moment, someone is coming out of the drivers side. The hands are too big to be Madi’s, Clarke realizes. Before she can even see him clearly, Clarke figures out who it is.
Seeing his face, Clarke mutters, “Bellamy.”
“I’m unarmed. I just want to talk.” Bellamy tells them.
“Why should we talk to you?” The woman asks.
“I’ll give you 250 reasons.” Slowly, Bellamy raises his right hand to reveal a mug. A mug? Clarke wonders. It must mean something to the prisoners, because they stand down. “Now, is there anyway we can make some sort of a deal?”
“She must be very important to you.”
“She is,” Bellamy answers, looking at Clarke. The passenger side door swings open, and out runs a smaller person.
“Mommy!” Madi yells, running towards her mom. Guns are at attention again, pointing at the child. Bellamy reaches out, and carries Madi back behind him. “I’m sorry. You told me to wait, but I couldn’t wait anymore.”
“Stand down.” The woman commands. “Guns down! Take her collar off and let her go with them.”
“Diyoza?”
“Are you disobeying a direct order?” Diyoza asks.
“No ma’am.” Shaw comes over to Clarke and removes the collar from around her neck. As soon as it’s off, Clarke is running full speed to Madi.
“My baby. My brave baby!” Clarke cries, picking up her little girl. She makes momentary eye contact with Bellamy, but breaks it as soon as she makes it, digging her face deeper into Madi’s shoulder. Clarke takes Madi to the back of the rover, where she lies down. It is way past the time Clarke usually puts Madi to bed, so she is not surprised that Madi’s exhausted. Clarke slips into the passenger seat, while Bellamy sits in the driver's seat.
“We need to talk,” Bellamy says as he starts driving. Clarke stays silent, just nodding.