( THREE : RAGE )

ELISSA STOOD STILL and watched as the overly eager teens stormed out of the dropship. She was still hesitant; wasn't sure whether she should stay in the safety of the ship or walk out and accept the consequences. Sucking in a breath through her nose, she closed her eyes and leapt out onto the bright green grass.

She became vaguely aware of voices behind her and turned to see a few of the more reluctant others emerge from the dropship. "It's beautiful," a dark-skinned girl whispered as she reached down to run her trembling hand along the shiny green blades of grass.

A short, stocky boy took a few shaky steps forward. The gravitational pull on the Ark was meant to mimic Earth's, but faced with the real thing it was clear they hadn't gotten it quite right. "Everything's fine," the boy said, his voice a mixture of relief and confusion. "We could've come back ages ago."

"You don't know that," the girl replied. "Just because we can breathe now, doesn't mean the air isn't toxic." She twisted around to face him and held her wrist up, gesturing with her bracelet. "The Council didn't give us these as jewelry. They want to see what happens to us."

Elissa quickly discovered that she loved the way the sun felt on her skin; warming her core. After inspecting the area around the dropship, and marveling at the sights, sounds and textures that she'd never even dreamed she would experience in her lifetime, Elissa began to feel overwhelmed. Her mind overloaded by her senses. Everywhere she looked there was something new to be seen, something new to be explored. When her head gave the first twinge of a headache, she decided she would go find Clarke, while giving her mind a break.

The sound of whimpering caused Elissa's steps to falter.

She peered around the side the dropship and saw Charlotte, hovering next to the ship as she pulled her jacket up over her mouth.

"You can breathe normally, Charlotte," Elissa told her, looking around to see if Clarke had emerged yet. She wished she had something more reassuring to say, but there was no way to tell how much radiation was still in the atmosphere. All they could do was wait and hope. "Hmm, can I tell you a secret?" Charlotte perked up a bit, and she leaned forward motioning for the girl to do the same. "I was scared too...in fact, I still am."

"You are?" Charlotte asked hesitantly, leaning forward.

Elissa nodded her head, serious. "Of course."

"What are you afraid of?"

Elissa offered her a small smile "A lot of things. There are lots of things that we don't know about...we don't know what's going to happen. We don't know what's going to happen to the people left on the Ark. But one of the things I'm most afraid of are tiny, small spaces." She revealed to them with a small grimace.

"But...you didn't look afraid when you were strapped down on the ship."

Elissa gave her a patient smile. "To tell you the truth, I was. I have a fear, but I try to not let it control me." She explained, looking up at the dropship, remembering the way the walls seemed to want to shrink in on her. "I'm scared. But I don't let that fear rule my life. You see...fear is good, its healthy. It exists for a reason, usually it keeps us from getting hurt, it makes us cautious. But some fears can be unreasonable, they can try to control your life, and when those fears appear you acknowledge them, but you push them away."

Charlotte stared up at her. "How do you know which fears are good and which are bad?"

"Sometimes it's hard," Elissa admitted with a shrug. "You just have to be smart and take a moment to think it through. Are you in danger? Are you going to get hurt? If the answer is no and you're still scared, than that is probably a bad fear."

Charlotte looked thoughtful for a moment; but appeared to be more relaxed than she had been earlier. When Elissa pushed herself to her feet, the younger girl looked up at her. Holding a hand out to Charlotte, she gave her a smile. "So, do you want to go confront your fears with me?" Charlotte smiled and reached up and grabbed one of Elissa's hands. Leaning back, she hoisted Charlotte up.

"Close your eyes," She told her.

"But!" Charlotte began to protest, looking a bit worried.

"Hey, hey," Elissa said, shaking her hands a little, and leaning down to her level. "Think of this as confronting your fears of the unknown. Do you trust me?"

Charlotte nodded hesitantly.

Elissa squeezed her hands comfortingly. "Trust me on this, I think you'll like it. Plus, I'm not going to let anything happen to you, all right?" When the girl closed her eyes, she told them, "No peeking!" then proceeded to guide Charlotte out of her hiding place. "Eyes still closed! Okay, there is a little bump there, that's it! There you go. You can open your eyes now."

"Whoa!"

The sounds and exclamations of amazement brought a smile to Elissa's face, and she knew at that moment that being sent to Earth had been worth it.

The battered dropship was at the short end of the clearing, and for the first fifteen minutes, the passengers had clustered around the smoldering wreckage, too scared and stunned to move more than a few shaky steps. But now they'd started milling around. Elissa still hadn't spotted Clarke, or Wells, either, although she wasn't sure whether that made her more anxious or relieved. Maybe they were off together. Elissa hadn't seen them on the dropship, but they had to be here somewhere. She hadn't seen Jasper either.

After making sure Charlotte was okay with being by herself, Elissa moved toward the dropship. Walking around the perimeter as she searched her surroundings. Elissa reached the back of the ship, which was just a few meters from the tree line. She shivered. The trees grew so closely together on this side of the clearing, their leaves blocked most of the light, casting intricate shadows on the ground that scattered when the wind blew.

Elissa continued to circle around the ship when a flash of yellow caught her eye. She turned and saw that a blonde girl was leaning over some sort of map. Finn, the Spacewalker, stood beside her, looking over her shoulder as she pointed to something particular on the map.

"—we're here and that's Mount Weather," the blonde said, and it clicked. It was Clarke.

"Clarke!" Elissa shouted, not caring that the teens around her were staring. Clarke whirled around, startled until her eyes land on Elissa. Her startled expression instantly morphed into one of disbelief.

"Oh, my God! Elissa?"

The two girls ran toward one another. The faded map fell out of Clarke's hands as she prepared to wrap her arms around her. Elissa slammed into her so hard that the force would have hurled her to the ground if Clarke's arms hadn't caught her and held her up. It knocked the breath out of both girls—their arms locked tightly around one another. Clarke inhaled deeply, breathing in Elissa; studying it to make sure she was real.

"I don't care why or how you were arrested, I'm just so happy to see you!" Elissa exclaimed after they pulled apart.

"It's good to see you, too! Did you get to see your brother before you got on the dropship? My mom was there and she said something about your dad—"

"Yeah, I saw Titus and Jupiter." Elissa laughed at Clarke's rambling and despite the smile on Clarke's face, Elissa noted that she seemed agitated, not nearly as happy as the rest of the group. Nodding over the blonde's shoulder, toward the map. "What's up?"

Clarke ran her hands over her face. "They dropped us on the wrong damn mountain."

Elissa blinked. "What?"

The blonde sighed, turned away from Elissa to retrieve the map she had carelessly thrown to the ground. "See here?" Clarke said, motioning her over and pointing down at the map, which was now resting on the edge of the ramp. Elissa leaned forward to see and nodded. "That—That is Mount Weather."

"And I'm going to take it that's not where we are?" Elissa asked dryly, studying the map.

"We're nearly twenty miles from where we should have landed." Clarke explained, pointing to a totally different part of the map. "That's what I can gather, anyways. I-I won't be sure until we find some better landmarks...a creek or something that we can use to pinpoint exactly where we are."

Realization hit Elissa forcefully, her eyes examined the cloud covered mountain. Calculating, she immediately put together that it would take them at least a day to get to Mount Weather—maybe even longer because they'd have to navigate through the thick forest that separated them from the peak.

Elissa glanced at Clarke, hoisting herself up until she was sitting on the ramp, one leg folded beneath her, the other dangling over the edge. "Think we should put together an expedition team or something?" She inquired, wondering if Clarke had anything planned yet. "If everyone keeps running around like this, we're going to be running on fumes sooner rather than later." She nodded her head to some of the boys that ran by. "We're gonna need those supplies."

Clarke sent her a look of relief. "Thank God! Finally someone who gets it."

The two girls try to decide what would be the best way to get to Mount Weather. Clarke used a metal ruler from her pocket and a piece of charcoal to map out sites they knew were closest to them by their view from the drop-site. Clarke's strokes were careful and precise; qualities that only an artist could possibly obtain. Elissa let her mind wander for a moment, imagining what the drawings on Clarke's cell walls looked like.

Wells suddenly emerged from the dropship, making a b-line right to them. "We got problems."

Elissa noted the way Clarke tensed as he approached and wondered what had happened between them. Last she'd seen, they'd been really close friends, nearly inseparable on the Ark—given the fact that Wells had an enormous crush on Clarke. His dark skin was slick with sweat, his closely-cropped hair was moist. Elissa sighed, returning to studying the map, tracing a couple of the marked creeks which could be closest to them.

"I honestly think we have more than one at the moment," Elissa murmured.

Wells shot her an unimpressed look before continuing, "The communication system is dead. I went to the roof; a dozen of the panels are missing. Heat fried the wires."

"Well, that's just great." Elissa said. "Although, I don't think communicating with the Ark is going to be our most pressing issue at hand." Wells furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. She rolled her eyes and nodded her head to Clarke.

"All that matters right now is getting to Mount Weather. See? Look—" she turned the map around and pointed to a red circle on the paper "—this is us." She used the ruler to trace over the line that connected to another circle around the mountain. "And this is where we need to go if we want to survive."

"Where'd you learn to do that?" Wells asked, obviously impressed by Clarke's hidden skill. The blonde's eyes flutter shut and doesn't answer. He nods, knowing her answer. "Your father."

Clarke's mood seemed to darken considerably, but Elissa wasn't sure why. She was curious; wanting to know what caused this tension between Clarke and Wells. It obviously has something to do with her father, she thought.

"Ah! Cool, a map!" Came a voice from behind them. Elissa turned around to see a familiar boy with goggles pushed over his messy raven-hair. Just like on the dropship before, his large brown eyes were filled with excitement as they flickered between Clarke and Elissa. "They got a bar in this town? I'll buy you two a beer."

"Hey, Captain Jasper." Elissa greeted with a bright smile.

Wells didn't seem to appreciate Jasper's good-natured humor, scowling as he grabbed the skinnier boy by the arm, shoving him away. "You mind?"

Elissa raised an eyebrow, surprised by Wells' violent reaction.

"Woah—" Jasper gasped, but another male's voice broke out nearby.

"Hey, hey, hey! Hands off him." She turned to find a group of nine or so young guys coming towards them with a short, mousy-haired boy with a prominent nose. It took a moment, but Elissa's mind clicks with recognition. John Murphy. She remembered her father talking about him and his family. "He's with us."

Seeming to realize that he was outnumbered, Wells relented a bit, placing his hands up in a surrendering gesture, knowing that he wasn't going to be very well-liked because of his father. "Relax," he said soothingly. "We're just trying to figure out where we are."

"We're on the ground," another voice called over. Elissa frowned when she turned and found Bellamy Blake standing not very far away, his sister at his side. "That not good enough for you?" He demanded.

Why is this starting to feel like it's getting out of hand? She thought as Wells turned to Bellamy, walking toward him. When her and Clarke shared a worried glance they moved to follow, Elissa hopping down from her perch. "We need to try and get to Mount Weather," Wells tried to reason. "You heard my father's message. That has to be our first priority."

"Screw your father." Octavia spat from where she stood next to her brother. At Wells shocked expression, she continued. "What? You think you're in charge here? You and the two air-headed bitches behind you?" She sneered, nodding her head at both Clarke and Elissa.

Elissa's jaw dropped at the insult, wondering why she'd been dragged into the entire argument. Scoffing a laugh, she shot Octavia an unimpressed glare. "Excuse me?" She laughed. "Although, wait, never mind, coming from a girl who didn't even exist until a year ago, it doesn't really mean much."

Bellamy glared down at her. "Hey, watch your mouth. That's my sister."

Before Elissa could say anything, she felt a hand on her shoulder, pulling her away. "Elissa," Clarke said soothingly, before turning back to the rest of the group that had gathered around. "Do you think we care who's in charge? We need to get to Mount Weather not because the Chancellor said to, but because the longer we wait the hungrier we'll get and the harder this'll be," as she spoke, Octavia had the decency to look mildly ashamed. "How long do you think we'll last without those supplies? We're looking at a twenty-mile trek, okay? So if we want to get there before dark, we need to leave...now."

"I've got a better idea," Bellamy announced. "You guys go...find it for us. Let the privileged do the hard work for a change." At his suggestion, a few of those gathered around shouted their agreements.

Elissa gritted her teeth, this guy's arrogant 'I'm-better-than-you' attitude was really starting to grate on her nerves; chafing against the raw. Why didn't he understand the fact that, if they didn't get food, they were all going to die?

Elissa took in a deep breath. "Are you serious? Everyone—that includes you—here is going to need food sooner or later. And you must've taken some serious damage to your brain in reentry if you think a couple people are going to be able to bring back enough food for one-hundred people. If we all want to survive down here, we need to do as Clarke says and all go get supplies."

"I don't remember anyone asking for your opinion," Bellamy spat down at her, stepping forward and getting in her face, their chests brushing against one another. "Who the hell are you anyways?"

A guy from the crowd stepped up, whispering something in Bellamy's ear.

He looked momentarily taken aback at whatever he'd heard, staring down at her like he'd never seen her before—like she was a new threat. "You...you're Elissa Bardot?" He said in disbelief before scoffing. His gaze roamed over her body, sizing her up and made a noise at the back of his throat, meeting her glare. "You're the girl that spent two years in solitary for arson. Can't imagine you murdering one person, let alone twelve. Along with that, you wasted nine weeks of oxygen with your fire."

As Bellamy studied her, Elissa met his gaze squarely, trying to ignore the whispers that spread through the crowd around them. Jaw clenched, she refused to flinch as people around her began murmuring about her being a murderer, or squirm under the distrusting stares settling on her back. Swallowing her nervousness, she tried to ignore it all, momentarily wishing she was still locked backed up in her cell in the Skybox.

Licking her suddenly dry lips, she spoke. "Yeah, and you're the guy that's gonna get punched if you ever say that again."

Wells stepped up behind her, placing a hand on her shoulder, giving it a small squeeze. She looked up at him in surprise. "You're not listening. We all need to go."

He was abruptly shoved to the side by Murphy. "Look at this, everyone...The Chancellor of Earth," he mocked. "Already giving orders and forgiving murderers."

Elissa glared at him darkly.

Wells recovered quickly, whirling around to meet Murphy. "You think this is funny?"

Murphy moved quickly, kicking out a leg and striking Wells in the ankle, causing him to fall backward with a yelp. "No, but that was." The boy snickered.

"Wells!" Clarke cried out, trying to leap forward in his defense, but she was held back by another guy.

"Go, Murphy!" One of Murphy's groupies cheered.

Elissa frowned, about to step forward to help Wells when he pushed himself to his feet, although it was clear that his ankle had been injured by Murphy's blow. Wells was in no position to fight, Elissa could tell that just by looking at him. His leg was obviously hurting him from the way he's clenching his fists and grunting in pain as he struggled to stand.

Murphy looked mockingly impressed as Wells put his fists up to fight, nodding his head in acknowledgment. "All right." He feigned left and right a few times, laughing every time Wells winced when he put his foot down. Elissa gritted her teeth. She was hating this jerk more and more by the second. Murphy looked like he was about to launch another attack, when a shadow flew over Elissa's head. Someone had jumped over her from the ledge above, and landed right in the middle of the fight.

It was Finn. He was coolly staring down Murphy, who looked startled at his abrupt entrance.

"Kid's got one leg," Finn said to Murphy casually, head tilted to the side. "How about you wait until it's a fair fight?"

"Hey, Spacewalker!" Octavia called out, walking by. Elissa had to roll her eyes at the stupidly flirtatious look the girl had on her face as she approached Finn. "Rescue me next," she said suggestively. Finn turned to her with a smile of his own.

Elissa wanted to gag. "Is she for real? Gross." She was clearly not the only one unimpressed by the open display of flirting, as Clarke marched by her, disgusted look on her face. "Hey, you need help?" Jogging to catch up with the blonde, passing by Bellamy and Octavia as they left, Bellamy shooting her a dark glare as he walked the other way to join his sister. Clarke gave her a single nod in reply.

"What? He's cute." She heard Octavia say before she was out of hearing range.

She followed behind Clarke, heading back in the direction of the map. The blonde crouched on the ground in front of where Wells leaned against a log, rotating his ankle back and forth in an effort to determine what was wrong with it and how badly it was hurt.

"Is it broken?" Wells asked, wincing as she rotated it a few times more.

Clarke shook her head. "No, I don't think so. Maybe sprained. You'll have to keep it easy for a few days, just in case." She told him simply, and turned away, heading over to Finn who was walking in their direction. Wells stared after her sadly, and Elissa once again wondered what had happened between them.

"Hey," Elissa said, crouching down next to him, resting her elbows on her knees, feeling unable to meet his eyes. Wells sent her an inquiring look, and she gave him an unsure smile, before looking away again. "I just—I just wanted to say thanks...for sticking up for me earlier. You didn't have to."

"It was no problem," he replied, grimacing in discomfort as he adjusted his foot.

"Still...thanks. I feel like this—" she pointed at his ankle "—wouldn't have happened if you hadn't stood up for me."

"Hey, Elissa. I'm serious," Wells assured her, reaching out and grabbing her shoulder, turning her to face him. "I would do it again. If this—" he gave her a sincere smile and motioned to the forest around them "—if this isn't a second chance, then I don't know what is."

Elissa sent him a grateful smile and stood up, holding a hand out to help Wells to his feet. She helped him over to where Clarke and Finn were talking about the supplies. "So, uh, Mount Weather. When do we leave?" Finn asked Clarke as they approached them, giving them a small nod of acknowledgement.

"Right now," Clarke said, turning to Wells. "We'll be back tomorrow with food."

"How are the three of you gonna carry enough food for a hundred?" Wells asked with a frown.

Finn looked thoughtful for a moment before he turned around and grabbed Jasper and Monty by the necks, both boys cringing as they were dragged back to the rest of them. "There! Now there's five of us. Can we go now?"

"Sounds like a party!" Octavia called out as she walked up to them. "Make it six!" Clarke and Elissa shared a mutual scowl of distaste for the dark-haired girl, rolling their eyes as Octavia batted her eyelashes at Finn.

Elissa caught Jasper turning to Monty with an excited look on his face. Uh oh, someone has a crush, she thought.

"Hey, what the hell are you doing?" Bellamy said, catching up with Octavia and grabbed her shoulder.

"I'm going for a walk," Octavia told him simply.

Elissa rolled her eyes in disgust. "Oh God, please...no more family drama. There's only so much I can take." She moaned to the sky.

"Shut it, Bardot," Bellamy spat at her, barely sparing her a glance.

"Make me, Blake," she spat back.

"Hey," Clarke called, abruptly grabbing Finn's wrist, startling everyone. "Were you trying to take this off?" She asked him as she examined the wristband. Elissa leaned forward, seeing the scuff marks along the side and wondered why he'd been trying to take it off.

He shrugged casually, clearly not seeing what she was so worked up about. "Yeah. So?"

"So, this wristband transmits your vital signs to the Ark. Take it off, and they'll think you're dead."

"Should I care?"

Elissa grabbed his bicep, catching his attention. "So, you don't have anyone you care about or cares about you for that matter, on the Ark?"

"Yeah, of course I do," Finn replied, sounding mildly offended.

"Well, this wristband," Clarke said, holding up his wrist, "is the only thing telling them that you are still alive. Don't you want them to come down in a couple of months? Because they won't if they think we're dying."

"Okay! I get it!" Finn exclaimed, pulling his wrist away from her. "Can we go now?"

As Elissa followed the group into the woods on the way to Mount Weather, she couldn't help but think that something horrible was going to happen.

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elissa is my spirt animal and you cannot make me change my mind. she's just so sassy and doesn't care because she's gonna get her way. also, the first elissa and bellamy interaction! they need a ship name already bc im impatient even though they were at each other's throats the whole time.

you guys also got a little insight on what elissa did to get herself arrested. was it worse than what you were expecting? let me know!