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"Are you sure these are the coordinates?"
Grace falls into step with Bellamy and Monty as they reach an old, dark tunnel. Kane ordered that they meet with him there, though he left out any details about why. He only made sure that no one informed Abby of the separation of the group, or of the meeting at all. That fact alone had Grace's stomach churning.
After escaping Mount Weather, Grace realized that she had missed a lot. Kane, who was arrogant and an all around rule abider the last time she saw him, was now ruling alongside Abby, who had the title of Chancellor in their camp. He did not have the official title of Vice Chancellor again, but he didn't need it. Everyone trusted him regardless of what his title was. He had changed, just like everyone else.
Bellamy nods stiffly at her question, unsure of the whole situation. "I'm sure."
Grace doesn't offer a response, instead letting her eyes flick across their surroundings. The emerald green leaves smother any colour other than brown in the forest, which may or may not be a bad thing. Pro: they're covered from any offending Grounders. Con: the Grounders could also be hiding out there.
"You were right about Jasper, okay?" Monty blurts. Grace looks at him, noting the frustration etched into his tired skin. The sight tugs on her heartstrings. When was the last time he had a full night of sleep?
He sends a fresh glare in Bellamy's direction. "Is that what you want me to say?"
"Quiet," Bellamy orders. "Keep your eyes peeled." His eyes flit to the side, flickering over the solemn face of his friend before flying back towards the end of the tunnel. He sighs. "I could've said no."
Monty doesn't respond for a long, uncomfortable second. When he does, his voice is tinged with worry and fear for his best friend. "He's getting worse, isn't he?"
A lump forms in Grace's throat at the question. The answer was plain and simple: yes. Jasper had gone from head over heels for Maya to searching for her in the bottom of a bottle of liquor, and every day he seemed to get worse. And to make it all worse, there was nothing that anyone could do about it.
"I mean, getting drunk every night is one thing," Monty continues, ignoring their silence, "But smiling with a knife to your throat, that's next-level damaged."
"Come on, Mont. It's Jasper. He'll get through this." Grace offers a tiny smile, hoping that her own worry doesn't come pouring out of her lips the second she does.
Kane steps out of the tree line before Monty can respond, but a second before Grace can ask for the reason of them being here, a woman with clear, dark brown skin falls into step with the man.
