Becoming Air (The 100)

Chapter Four

"Everybody! Please listen!" Clark stood at the top of the ramp of the drop ship trying to get everyone to quiet down.

Arlean rolled her eyes and leaned back against the tree she was standing in front of.  She was very aware of Bellamy standing beside her, his arms crossed, quietly scanning the crowd. Since their conversation earlier this morning, they hadn't really left each other's sides. Arlean was fairly certain Bellamy hadn't meant for her to hear what he'd said.

But she had and she felt like they had a connection about it. She felt like she could trust Bellamy because he understood her and knew what she was going through.

So they'd formed an unspoken alliance of sorts. She knew Bellamy wasn't a fan among the others either. Arlean wondered if word had been spread that she was part of the 100.

She hoped not. She just wanted to be left alone.

"If you're looking for Octavia," Arlean scanned the crowd, addressing Bellamy. "She's over there." She pointed to the edge of the group, where Octavia's dark locks stood out against the boys' she was surrounded by.

"Thanks." Bellamy nodded. "How'd you spot her that fast?"

Arlean shrugged. "Practice."

They both turned their attention back to Clark who was, in futile, trying to explain that they needed to get to Mount Weather to find food and shelter.

"This isn't working." Arlean scowled as no one was quiet and nothing could be heard.

"No kidding." Bellamy agreed.

She shook her head. "I can't believe I'm doing this," she muttered more to herself than Bellamy.

"Doing what? Wait, Arlean!"

Arlean paid Bellamy no mind as she shoved past the people, heading towards Clark at the ramp. She climbed up standing in front of nearly all the 100 now.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Clark hissed at her as Arlean straightened her black jacket.

"Case you haven't noticed Miss I'm-going-to-lead-all-you-to-safety, your speech isn't really going to work unless they all shut up and listen. That," she paused to pick a twig off her jacket, "Is where I come in. You know I can be very intimidating when I want to be." Arlean smiled sweetly and leaned closer to Clark. "Besides," she whispered, "I'm not letting you convince them to kill me." She straightened up and faced the crowd, most of which had already identified her now.

"If you don't know yet, my name is Arlean Rhyne. You all need to shut up and listen to what Clark is trying to tell you. We are all criminals here, with the excuse of a select few," Arlean shot a glance at Clark and Wells in the crowd.  "So I can assure, I'm not the threat here. We need to get to Mount Weather where there is food and shelter." Arlean crossed her arms and stepped back as Clark stepped forward.

Clark began to speak about packing up and collecting food for the journey.

"Why should we listen to you?" Somebody yelled from the crowd.

"W-what?" Clark asked a little off guard.

"Yeah, who put you in charge!" Someone else voiced. Pretty soon they all took up the cry, questioning Clark's authority.

"You aren't even one of us!"

"You never even committed a crime!"

"You were just a pampered, spoiled brat!"

Arlean rolled her eyes, but inwardly she agreed with some of their reasoning.
That was until someone yelled, "Put Arlean in charge!"