008.

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     Waking up to an urgent knocking at her door wasn't the ideal way for Magnolia to begin her morning, but she couldn't say she was surprised.

     The night before was incredibly lonely, sleeping alone in a bed that was so accustomed to having two, and it didn't help that there was a shitload of things keeping her brain active. The fear of the next day's election, and not to mention the fact that she finally had her appointment with Abby in the morning. Bellamy insisted he'd be there, but with his current status as being in lockup, she wondered if that'd be possible. It was highly likely that he could be let out for the sake of being Magnolia's support, but she wasn't positive.

     So really, it was probably a good thing that she was being woken up by the insistent tapping at her door.

     "What's wrong, Tavia?" she questioned as she let the girl into her room, "Besides the fact that I need to get to medical for my appointment with Abby."

     "You picked up an overnight shift. It's not a surprise you're tired and groggy," the younger Blake chuckled, although not actually sounding entirely amused.

     "We gotta go get Bellamy out of lockup. He promised me he'd come—even though I don't know if I can look at him seriously," her head shook, grabbing a brush to untangle the knots within her charcoal-colored hair.

     "Don't even bother. He's not here," her voice sounded solemn, yet also irate.

     Turning around quickly, the girl squinted her eyes. "What do you mean? Where is he?"

     "He went with Pike to attack the Grounders," she gulped; it was evident she didn't want to say it, but she had to come to terms with it. It wasn't worth beating around the bush.

     Eyebrows raising a significant amount and her body almost freezing, Gray attempted to figure out what she wanted to even say. "What are we waiting for, then? We have to stop them!"

     "We can't," the girl's head lowered.

     "Why the hell not?"

     Swallowing hard yet again, she nonchalantly gave the answer, "Pike won the election."

      That's when Maggie really felt her heart drop. She wanted to spring into action, but she didn't have a single clue on how to do so, "Well, we need to come up with a plan. What are we—"

     "Nothing right now," Octavia cut the girl off before she could finish her statement, "As important as it is you know that, that's not why I'm here. Also— I don't even think there's any possible way we can do anything; Pike's men are keeping tabs on Kane— and probably you too."

     Magnolia tilted her head out of curiosity, "Then why are you here?"

     "Because of your appointment with Abby," the teenager replied, as if it were obvious, "Whatever happens, I'm not letting you do this alone. Especially when it's my brother who's being the asshole. So just get ready, and then we'll go."

     "I'm not the issue at hand right now," she insisted almost sternly, but only because she believed there were more important matters to worry about.

     "You're not an issue, but you are my focus right now, yes," Octavia persisted, "We can't do anything at the moment, but we will when the opportunity rises. We're no good if we're dead, Maggie."

     Nodding along, the girl admitted defeat and grabbed her beaten-down black boots, slipping into them with ease. As customary and routine as it was, her hands instinctively picked up the guard jacket, and she almost debated putting it on. She didn't want to even represent Pike, but keeping up her 'responsibility' of being a guard seemed important, so she put it on, a groan passing by her lips. She could settle it later. Sectioning her hair into three sections, she wrapped it into a tight side braid.

     Opening the door and going into the corridors, they were almost totally desolate with people, which only heightened the nerves coursing through Maggie's body. The concept of Bellamy doing such a thing was barely something she could register in her mind, and she just needed to see people that would understand her feelings.

     Med bay only had a few cases of people, fortunately. Abby obviously had been expecting her, being as Jackson took over what she was doing as soon as Maggie and Octavia came into sight.

     Just taking a one-second glance at the Gray girl was enough to see just how upset she was. An oddly neutral expression was cast on her face, but the emotions she was trying to conceal were still prominent. Truthfully, it was a lot.

     "Maggie, come with me so we can talk. Why don't you wait out here, Octavia?" Abby spoke softly and full of sympathy. Maggie looked towards her best friend with concern, but in return Octavia only gave a reassuring nod, implying that she was alright.

     Abby lead the girl to a private room, away from all of the other patients so they could sit and chat. "Firstly—" the woman began, "Since I haven't actually had the chance, I'd like to formally apologize for not listening to you. Moving into Mount Weather was a rushed idea and I should've taken your expertise into account. I know me saying a few words to you doesn't bring those lost back, or make everything between us, but—"

     "It's okay," Magnolia cut Ms. Griffin off, despite the fact that she was still generally frustrated by it, "As much as I hate to say it, we have other issues to worry about right now that take precedence."

     Abby only shook her head at that remark— it was the truth, after all, "I'm just trying to keep myself busy," she disclosed. It wasn't difficult to see that Pike winning the election was severely messing with her, too, "Let's move past it for a minute, though. We're here to talk about you. I apologize that it's taken me so long to examine all your scans and X-rays."

     "I understand better than anyone else. What have you got for me?" Maggie clasped her hands together, leaning forward in her chair.

     "Do you want the medical consensus, or the simple phrasing?" Abby's features were oddly monotone, making it challenging to get a read on her. Maggie only shrugged, hinting that it didn't make much of a difference either way. "Okay. Well I'll start by saying that you're not pregnant."

     It wasn't a terrible deal to Magnolia after hearing that— especially with the issues in that given moment, waiting on having a child seemed like the much more sane option, anyway.

     "I was taking a look at one of the x-rays I did, and I came across a finding. You have blocked fallopian tubes, Maggie."

     "And what does that mean?" she asked, solely because she didn't have a single clue when it came to medical terminology. 

    Biting her lip before speaking,  Abby met eyes with her. "It means you aren't able to have kids. This could possibly be corrected with surgery, but I don't have a lot of equipment and supplies as it is, and the procedure isn't crucial for your personal health. Most women don't even become aware until they try to have children but find difficulty. But even if I did operate, Maggie, it isn't guaranteed."

     Feeling a slight prickling sensation clawing at her eyes, she sniffed it away for the time being. "Your surgical equipment could be used for much more important things; other people need it more. I absolutely do get it."

      She really did get it. 

     But that didn't cause it to sting any less. 

     "I'm so sorry, Maggie," Abby stood out of her seat, walking over to envelope the girl in a motherly hug. "I didn't want to tell you, but I couldn't keep seeing you knowing that I knew and you didn't."

     "But why am I late, then?" Magnolia suddenly pulled out of her grasp.

     Inhaling deeply, Ms.Griffin rested her hands on each of Gray's shoulders, "You're not in great health. Stress is undoubtedly taking a hell of a toll on your body, and you're far too active for your size, especially since you aren't eating nearly enough."

     "Abby—"

     "I just don't understand. Crops are doing better than ever, and you're in a wonderful position to be receiving generous rations, so why—?"

     "Other people need it more than me," Magnolia explained with full honesty. 

      That wasn't the answer the doctor had wanted to hear. "Bellamy gets enough, too. You don't need to be giving your rations to him."

      "I guess I'm just not used to eating as it is, okay? Look— the shit I did get my grimy paws on was for my parents, and if I had a good day— then sure, yeah— I got something. And solitary doesn't treat you the best, either," her tone sounded more bitter, simply because it was becoming more bitter. Maggie was upset about, quite realistically, a plethora of things right now. She wasn't really in the mood to be going over her eating patterns like she was at an annual check-up, "I'm not used to living off of as much as they're giving me."

     "This isn't the Ark anymore," the guilt smothered Abby, unsure of what else she could say that would alleviate how dark the situation had become, "I'm not only advising you as your doctor. I'm advising you as someone who cares. Stop being so selfless."

     Rocking on the balls of her feet, she attempted to find the words she wanted to say. "Okay, fine," she settled, legitimately not feeling up to striking up another argument, "Is that all you need me for?"

     "Yes. Do you have any questions?" 

     "Nope," she shut down without hesitation. Abby seemed as though she had more she wanted to say, but she didn't get the opportunity. Walking out of the room, Maggie let out a low thanks.

     "So?" Octavia stopped from her endless pacing as her best friend emerged from the private room she had been taken to about ten minutes prior. 

     Not even stopping for a moment, Maggie just kept walking out of the room, and the other girl followed alongside. "A fuckin' waste of my time, that's what," she muttered while lacking emotion, weaving through the strangely immense crowd, all rushing towards the same way, "What the hell is going on?" 

     A random stranger passing by answered in an elate tone, "They're back!"

     Eyeing one another with overly-concerned expressions, each of the girls suddenly quickened their pace, interested in what all of the commotion was about. They followed the large assembly of people until they reached outside of the actual Ark. Scanning around, their eyes eventually laid upon Pike, standing on an elevated surface above everyone as he made an announcement. Maggie squinted to make sure she was seeing shit right— and yes, she was, for there were blood stains splattered across all of his clothing. 

     "— This morning, on a muddy field, our people paid tribute to those who have been taken from us by sending a message to the Grounders."

     Gray raised up to her tiptoes to try and scour for the individual she had been looking for, peering through the bodies that were all gathered to hear their new chancellor's update. Bellamy stood somewhere in the middle of the group, his arms crossed and posture strong. He had the same padding as Pike. She couldn't get a good look at his face. 

      Pike shouted victoriously, so everyone could hear it loud and clear, "This land— is ours now!" many cheered and raised their fists triumphantly, "Resist and you will be met by force. Fight, and you will be greeted by death. Mark it down and remember it, just like the Grounders will remember it!"

    Seemingly reaching the end of his speech, Pike then took a step down, leading the way for his militia to make their way through. Right behind him, sweat lining his temples and blood thickly coating his skin was Bellamy, a look of indifference meeting his face. 

     He was hiding any emotions he did actually have, and was doing a decent job of that. 

     Trying to capture his attention by running up to him, Maggie attempted to stand, blocking his way so he could not proceed further. "Now are you gonna tell me what the hell you just did out there?" no answer, "You're just going to be silent? Really, Bell?"

     "You're going to get yourself locked up, Mags. We'll talk later, okay?" his face lightened the tiniest amount, so little to the point that nobody would take notice of it other than her. His eyes weren't completely cold, but by no means did it suggest that he showed an ounce of remorse, "I promise." 

     And just like that, he took no hesitation in following his accomplices, practically leaving his girlfriend in the dust. 

      He had other priorities, now. 

———

     As much as Maggie couldn't stand Bellamy at the given moment, she would've been lying if she said he wasn't right about one thing:

     If she continued to dig and prod, she'd be in some deep shit. 

     The guards weren't doing a good job of hiding their current role. Evidently, they had been given explicit instructions to make sure she didn't do anything suspicious, because eyes were on her everywhere she went. 

     Not only that, but when she attempted to go to her post, they denied her of working for the day and claimed that someone else had fulfilled the spot for now. 

     Pike had lookout on the girl. Now, it might've been self-absorbed of Maggie to jump to one particular conclusion, but she couldn't help but wonder if Pike felt like she was a threat. After learning about her outspoken personality on the Ground, which was a stark contrast to her on the Ark, perhaps he worried she could do damage to his faction in one way or another. 

     Either way, she was going to have to figure out a plan with the help of her friends, that were on the same side as her through such a divide. 

     Maggie met with Octavia and Raven to eat; there was a lot for them to discuss. 

     "I don't understand," Raven spoke up from the relative silence, "How are we supposed to know who to trust, here?" 

     With a shrug of the shoulders, Octavia leaned her elbows on the table, "We don't. Monty and Jasper are m.i.a., and Monroe is standing at the gate, so I guess Pike's trusting her."

     "Miller and Harper aren't out there; they aren't letting me guard right now because I spoke up and clearly in alliance with Kane. Maybe the same goes for Harper and Miller," Magnolia countered, throwing shots in the dark, "All I know is that we need to get more people together that can help us do something about this."

     "What options do we even have? Kill Pike?" the younger Blake let out, lacking sincerity, but her eyes widened upon how serious Gray appeared to be, "Maggie— you can't actually be thinking about it."

     Licking her lips and then making sure nobody was listening in on their conversation, she lowered her voice, "He just orchestrated the killing of 300 people that were sent to protect us— who the hell knows what he's up to next. Someone has to stop him before he does something like that again."

     "Things would be so much easier if Bellamy would wake up," Octavia complained under her breath, the remark causing Maggie to lower her eyes to stare at the floor, "We could use an inside man."

     An inside man.

     It was a dreadful reminder of their days snooping around Mount Weather. 

     They were good. 

     Maggie and Bellamy as a team was just about as good as a team could get; all of their assets combined got them exactly where they needed to go and the tasks done that needed to be completed. Even on small missions after the genocide, they worked perfectly together. 

      It was such a shame they couldn't see eye-to-eye on this one. 

     "Nols— you good?" the mechanic caught the girl out of her daydreaming, to which she snapped her head upwards, letting out a small yeah.

     "You know, you never got the chance to explain what went down with Abby, earlier," Octavia chimed in, pausing to examine her friend's features. 

     "Nothing 'went down' with Abby," her eyebrows raised, "I just can't have kids— it's not a big deal."

     To the other girls, however, it certainly was. The information was enough to cause both of them to freeze, trying to find the best words that wouldn't upset her, but also be comforting. "I'm so sorry— Maggie, you need to take a step back from all of this."

     "We can't, Raven! Bellamy is gonna hate me when he finds out anyway, so whatever plan we come up with, I'll do it!" she rubbed the end of her hair in between her fingers, speaking a tad bit quicker than usual, "We just need Pike out of control."

     "Why's Bellamy going to hate you?" Octavia inquired, placing a hand on top of Gray's. 

     "Do you realize how badly he wants kids of his own? A family? He won't be able to handle that." 

     Shaking her head in disbelief, Raven almost laughed at the absurdity of the situation, "You're worried about him? He couldn't even be bothered to show up today— he thought killing an army that was sent to protect us seemed like a better idea."

     Agreeing, Octavia added on, "He already has a family, Maggie. But if he doesn't open up his eyes soon, he won't. And that's on him."

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my baby. the angst; i love it and hate it. if you guys may/may not remember, i foreshadowed maggie joining pike's faction towards the very beginning of resilient, but ever since then, i have been unable to decide what side i wanted her to be on (i see pros and cons to both and low-key wish i could've written both). i think i am happier with this, but honestly it was probably the hardest choice of writing this series... ever