Fire Away // The 100 // Book 1

Won

September 13th, 2149

***The Ark***

Delyn's vacant gaze fixated on the expanse beyond the window, her thoughts an empty canvas against the backdrop of the vast unknown. The Ark, a colossal metallic sarcophagus, loomed as a constant reminder of the confinement that had defined her entire life. She had always been aware of the limitations imposed by the spaceship's unyielding walls, and she felt a deep yearning for the freedom that lay beyond the stars.

The artificial lighting of the Ark's interior cast an eerie glow on the life she had known, and for the first time, it felt oppressive. Delyn couldn't help but wonder about the planet they were descending to, a place she had only heard about in stories and rumors. The anticipation of stepping onto Earth's soil, breathing its untainted air, and embracing the unknown stirred a restless energy within her.

Her fingers drummed lightly against the cool surface of the window, and she knew that this moment marked the beginning of a new chapter, one filled with uncharted adventures and boundless possibilities. The gravity of their mission weighed heavily on her, but it was a burden she was willing to carry for the chance to break free from the suffocating confines of the Ark.

In stark contrast, the planet that had been forsaken for nearly a century endured a nightmarish existence. Its atmosphere, now deadly and unforgiving, could only be likened to the excruciating sensation of being burnt at the stake while submerged in a hundred feet of snow and drowning at sea all at once. It was an unspeakable torment, a fate too dreadful for anyone to contemplate, casting a shadow of dread over the Ark's inhabitants.

Delyn yearned for the simple touch of a single blade of grass, an experience that felt like a distant dream. Beside her, an aging geography book served as her only portal to the Earth's surface. The book's pages were adorned with vivid images of landscapes she struggled to comprehend fully. There was the awe-inspiring chasm called the Grand Canyon, reportedly situated in the western United States. And then, there was the monumental wall that stretched along the borders of China and Mongolia. These captivating wonders of the world fascinated Delyn, though she was painfully aware that she would likely never have the chance to witness them firsthand.

Delyn spun around and slowly descended to the floor, her mind consumed by a heavy cloud of exhaustion. She paid no heed to her surroundings, not even registering the door before her as it creaked open, the grinding of metal upon metal creating a strangely rustic sound, in stark contrast to the Ark's otherwise pristine condition. All she desired in that moment was to remain seated on the cold, unyielding floor, as weariness enveloped her, leaving her with no energy for anything else.

Marcus Kane looked down at his daughter, his heart heavy with the knowledge of her suffering. He understood that her longing extended beyond a mere desire to witness Earth; what she truly craved was freedom, above all else. Yet, she concealed her inner turmoil behind a veneer of a false smile, a facade that only her father could discern, her silent plea for liberation.

Kane held a position of great respect as a councilman, and due to his influential authority, some people believed he cared more about his public image than his own flesh and blood, his daughter, Delyn. This misconception led to Delyn being the subject of pity among some, yet the truth was quite the opposite—Kane's love for his daughter eclipsed any concern for his reputation. He was fiercely protective of her, and from a young age, he instilled strong moral and ethical values in her.

Delyn had her share of run-ins with the law, but Kane always managed to find a way to shield his daughter from the consequences of her missteps. Often, Delyn found herself caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, and Kane never wavered in his determination to prove her innocence. It was a testament to the unwavering bond between father and daughter, a connection that transcended the judgments of the outside world.