Roped In

“I’m sorry ma’am, but that information is not open to the public.”

Clarke groans and hangs up the phone. It’s been two months since she last saw Raven, and she hasn’t made much progress on her research. She learned from the addicts she works with that there’s a large crime organization that is responsible for almost all of the drug distribution in the city. They call themselves the Grounders, and their leaders are a family with the last name of Woods. The problem is that they’re very elusive. She hasn’t found anything useful online, and the police station just says that everything is private.

She checks her watch and realizes that her break is almost over. Before she has time to gather her things, the door to the broom closet she is in bursts open, revealing Octavia, another doctor.

“Clarke! I didn’t realize it was your break.” Octavia says, looking flustered.

“It’s just ending.” Clarke narrows her eyes suspiciously. She looks behind Octavia to see Lincoln, a new nurse. She looks back to Octavia in understanding.

“Have fun.” Clarke winks at Octavia as she passes through the narrow doorway, trying not to think about her friend doing stuff to the new guy in the closet she was just in.

Clarke signs off her break, grabbing her clipboard. She flips the page to look at who her next patient is. She freezes when she sees the name. She can feel her heart beginning to race and tries to keep her breathing steady.

The name on the sheet says Raven Reyes.

Thinking she’s misread it, Clarke checks again. It still says the name of her best friend. It can’t be this easy. She’s been trying to find her friend for two months. She thought that Raven had gone off the grid. But now she’s sitting in a room waiting for Clarke. Something seems off, but she’s too excited to see her friend to be worried.

When she gets to the room she takes a deep breath before opening the door. Inside she sees a woman sitting on the bed who is definitely not Raven.

“Oh, sorry. I must have the wrong room.” Clarke says quickly, moving to shut the door.

“Doctor Griffin?” The woman asks, and Clarke nods.

“Close the door.” The woman says authoritatively. “You have the right room.”

Clarke closes the door, confused but not wanting to leave this woman alone if she needs help.

“I don’t understand–“ Clarke begins, but the woman cuts her off.

“You were expecting Raven Reyes.” She says with a wave of her hand. “I am not her. My name is Anya Woods.” Clarke is getting nervous. She knows the name Woods. Anya is a member of the Grounders, which means Raven is connected to them. It also means that Raven is in deep trouble. She decides to play it cool.

“What can I help you with, Ms. Woods?” Clarke asks smoothly, trying not to look scared. Anya smiles, and Clarke feels her heart leap nervously.

“Thank you for asking, Clarke. You can help by coming with me.” Anya stands as if expecting cooperation.

How does this woman know my full name? Clarke wonders. She then realizes what Anya has said.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Woods, but I’m currently on duty and I cannot leave the hospital. Though I assure you that whatever the problem is, the hospital can help.” Clarke is just treating Anya like another one of her patients, ignoring the threatening tone used with her.

Anya doesn’t stop smiling. “I expected as much.” She sighs, pulling a gun out from behind her back. “But I can’t take no for an answer.”

Clarke raises her hands slowly after placing the clipboard on the counter. “Ms. Woods, firearms are not allowed in this building.” She feels her voice waiver.

“Cut the crap.” Anya says sharply, causing Clarke to flinch. “I have orders not to kill you, but that doesn’t mean I can’t cause injury.” Clarke hears a click, telling her that the safety of the gun is turned off.

“Orders from who? What is going on?” Clarke doesn’t expect answers, but doesn’t know what else to say. Anya stands up, and Clarke takes a small step backwards.

“Here’s what’s going to happen. You are going to walk out of here confidently. If anyone asks where you’re going, you will tell them that you are feeling under the weather, and are going home. If you do anything that draws attention to you or myself, I will not hesitate to shoot.” Anya orders, stepping towards Clarke.

“But you said you can’t kill me.” Clarke backs up until she feels the doorknob digging into her back.

“I can’t kill you, but I can kill anyone else in this building.” Anya gestures with her gun.

Clarke nods, showing that she understands. She turns and opens the door slowly. She walks towards the elevator with Anya right behind her. No one stops them, and soon they are in the elevator, heading for the first floor. When they make it outside, Clarke realizes that she has forgotten her coat as the wind bites her nose. Suddenly she feels the gun against her lower back.

“There’s a black car behind the hospital. That’s where we’re going.” Anya whispers into her ear, gently shoving Clarke in that direction. She can feel her heart sinking with every step they take. When they turn the corner and see the car, Clarke stops, turning to face Anya.

“Please.” Clarke begins. “I don’t know who you are or what you want. I’m just a doctor who has a dog at home, waiting to be fed.” Anya rolls her eyes.

“If you want to save your friend Raven, you will get in the car.” Before Clarke can respond Anya grabs her arm, pulling her towards the car. Someone opens the door from the inside, and she is shoved inside. Anya slides in next to her so that Clarke is squished in the middle of the backseat, preventing her from escaping.

“Is this her?” The man next to Clarke asks Anya, who nods. “Pretty.”

“Shut up, Gustus.” Anya snaps. The man, Gustus, laughs, making Clarke feel uncomfortable.

She can’t see who’s driving, but after seeing how scary Gustus is, Clarke doesn’t know if she wants to. After driving for what felt like hours, the car stopped abruptly. Gustus hands Anya a piece of rope, which she uses to tie Clarke’s wrists together. She tries to resist, but Gustus holds her arms together. She glare at him, but he just rolls his eyes. When her wrists are tied she’s pulled out of the car. She whips her head around, trying to figure out where she is. Before she gest a chance, Gustus opens the door to a large warehouse and Anya pushes her forward. She stumbles, hearing Anya snicker behind her. Clarke spins around.

“Why am I here?” She snaps. “Where are we?”

Anya only steps forward, causing Clarke to step back. “Like I’d tell you.” She says dangerously.

Before Clarke can respond, Anya grabs her by the hair and begins dragging her towards a small office in one corner of the warehouse.

“Tell the Commander that we have her ready.” Anya orders Gustus, who nods and disappears.

“Who’s the Commander?” Clarke asks nervously as she’s pushed into a chair in the office.

“Shut up before I make you.” Anya growls. Clarke nods and looks down. Anya sits down on the desk and holds her hand close to her face, observing her nails.

A few minutes later Clarke hears sharp footsteps echoing in the warehouse, coming closer. She closes her eyes, thinking about what’s coming. The door flies open and her eyes open quickly. Standing in the doorway is a tall, tan woman with bright green eyes. She stares at Clarke intently, who shifts uncomfortably under her gaze.

“Commander, this is Clarke.” Anya says, standing up. The Commander walks over to where Clarke is sitting. Clarke is scared to look at her, but the Commander grabs her chin with her long fingers, forcing their eyes to meet. Clarke looks at the woman as defiantly as she can. The Commander opens her mouth to speak.

“Raven.” Clarke’s heart sinks at the name. “Come in, I have a surprise for you.” Clarke watches as Raven comes into the office slowly. When she sees Clarke her eyes widen in shock and concern.

“Clarke?” Raven rushes over to her, but is stopped by Anya. Clarke tries to show that she is okay.

“I told you what would happen if you didn’t get me the money, Raven.” The green-eyed woman says, positioning herself behind Clarke. “I’m just keeping a promise.” She pulls out a knife, holding it steadily to Clarke’s throat.

“Please.” Raven begs as Anya begins to drag her out the door. “Leave Clarke out of this!” She screams before the door shuts, leaving Clarke alone with the Commander. She spins the chair around so that the two women are facing each other.

“Sorry, Clarke.” She says, bending down so that they are eye to eye. “This is nothing personal. We just need something from your friend, and you are the only way to get it.”

Clarke glares at the woman. Before she can stop herself, she spits in her face, aiming for those green eyes. She has no time to react before the woman grabs her by the hair, pulling her up. Clarkes yelp in pain and surprise.

“Okay.” The Commander says quietly into Clarke’s ear. “You just made it personal.”