Ashes of the Future
Chapter 2 – Strange Lands and Stranger People
Kira awoke before dawn, though she hadn't truly slept. Old instincts wouldn't let her. Her body remained still, but her mind had been running simulations the whole night—strategies for survival, contingency plans, even the timing of Clarke's eventual confrontation with Bellamy. That was due soon.
She stepped out into the chilled forest air, mist curling around her boots like curious ghosts. Her hand brushed the handle of the tactical knife on her hip. Habit. Comfort. A part of her.
The others hadn't yet stirred, save for a few insomniacs. Murphy paced like a caged wolf near the main fire, probably thinking of new ways to stir the pot. Jasper snored loudly, half-draped over Monty.
Kira quietly grabbed a protein bar from her inventory. As she nibbled on it, her gaze scanned the dark tree line. Still quiet. Still safe. But she knew that wouldn't last.
A branch cracked to her right. She didn't flinch.
"You're up early," Clarke said, stepping out of the shadows, hair tied back, eyes sharp.
"You too," Kira replied, motioning her over. She tossed Clarke another bar.
"What's this?"
"Something that doesn't taste like dirt. You're welcome."
Clarke chuckled. "Thanks."
They sat in silence for a minute, eating.
"You're different," Clarke said eventually.
"Different how?"
"Prepared. Like you expected all of this."
Kira gave her a look. "Would you believe me if I said I had good instincts?"
Clarke raised an eyebrow. "I might. But something tells me there's more."
Kira stood, brushing dirt off her pants. "You want to keep people alive? So do I. Just don't get in my way."
Clarke blinked at her but nodded slowly. "Fair."
As the sun rose, the camp began to stir. Bellamy was already rallying people for a foraging trip. His charisma was effortless, especially on those eager to be led.
Kira caught him mid-command. "You're taking kids who can barely walk a straight line into a forest full of things that can kill them."
Bellamy turned. "You volunteering to babysit?"
"No. I'm volunteering to keep them alive. That means I go, and I pick who goes with me."
He narrowed his eyes. "And why should I let you?"
Kira took a slow step forward, into his space. The camp quieted around them.
"Because I can break your arm in four seconds and carry your team back if things go south. Can you say the same?"
Tension hung in the air. Bellamy held her gaze, jaw tight.
Then he smirked. "Fine. She's in charge."
They set off in a group of six: Kira, Monty, Jasper, Clarke, a girl named Harper, and Murphy, who insisted on coming. Kira took point.
The forest was alive with sounds—birds, rustling leaves, distant howls. Kira's senses stayed sharp. She marked paths, checked elevation changes, watched for disturbed earth or unnatural silence.
After two hours, they found a stream. Jasper practically dove in.
"Fresh water!"
"Wait!" Kira barked.
But too late. Jasper was already gulping water.
"You idiot," Clarke hissed. "It could be contaminated!"
Kira tested the water with her purifier. It showed minor radiation, nothing lethal.
"You'll live," she muttered.
Murphy rolled his eyes. "So what now, scout queen?"
"We follow the stream down. Maybe we find edible plants. Maybe not. But we don't split up. Not now."
Monty was already scanning foliage with his homemade biosensor. "These leaves have some hallucinogenic properties. Could be good for medicine."
"Mark it. We'll grab samples on the way back."
Jasper looked around nervously. "This is where it happens, right? The spear?"
Kira gave him a sharp look. "Not if we move fast and stay alert. No one gets skewered today."
But the forest had other plans.
It started with a whistling sound. Then the thunk of metal against wood.
A spear embedded itself into a tree trunk inches from Murphy's head.
"Grounders!" Clarke shouted.
"RUN!" Kira ordered.
They scattered, but Kira stayed focused. She grabbed Clarke's arm, pulling her into a gulley. Another spear whistled past.
Monty and Jasper dove behind a boulder. Harper followed them.
Kira unsheathed her knife. Her body settled into a familiar rhythm. Her stance widened, breath slowed. She was ready.
A Grounder burst from the trees, masked and wielding a curved blade.
Kira met him head-on.
She ducked the first swing, drove her elbow into his ribs, spun behind him and slammed the butt of her knife into his neck. He crumpled.
Another emerged. Kira parried his strike, swept his legs out from under him, and jabbed his pressure point.
"Two down," she muttered.
Murphy screamed from behind a log. "A little help?!"
Jasper was trying to lift Monty, who'd been grazed by a spear.
Clarke dragged Harper into cover.
Kira dropped the last Grounder with a flying knee. Then she was at Monty's side.
"Can you walk?"
"Barely."
"Murphy! Get over here. Carry him."
"Why should I—"
Kira grabbed him by the collar. "Because if you don't, I'll make you regret it."
Murphy shut up and obeyed.
They fled back through the woods, Grounders in pursuit.
By the time they stumbled back into camp, bloodied and bruised, the sun was high.
Bellamy looked stunned. "What the hell happened?"
"Grounders," Clarke snapped.
Kira knelt beside Monty, already applying antiseptic. "They're watching us. Testing us. This won't be the last time."
Bellamy ran a hand through his hair. "We need weapons."
"We need leadership," Clarke added.
Kira stood, facing them both. "Then let's stop pretending this is some wilderness vacation. We're at war. And I don't plan on dying in some forest full of angry locals."
Clarke looked at her, eyes burning. "Then we do this together."
Bellamy frowned but nodded. "Fine."
Kira allowed herself the smallest of smirks.
Step one: survive. Step two: change the game.
End of Chapter 2
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