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The Sacrifice (WillowVX & littlerooster)

Robbie took a breath.

"Well at it's core it is old school religion isn't it? I mean a sacrifice, getting everyone fearful that if it doesn't happen there will be havoc. They say that the year it didn't happen, the sacrifice I mean, they killed those people on purpose just to prove how much the festival had to happen, it is fucked up in every way. And yeah the whole thing about how far the influence of the people in town stretches, it's not a joke, the whole town, the religion it is a cult like a Frat party on speed, just pure crazy. And how do you stop that? You need support, you need to dismantle it a bit at at time" he explained.

"Then from the personal standpoint, they get to control, they get to have their girls living in fear and being sexualized same as the guys, it's a huge live sex show isn't it?" he continued.

"Clarke would have explained all of that though I am sure" he said to her.
 
Annie bit her lip. She didn't think so. She didn't think Clarke would have explain it all. A part of her couldn't blame him. He was probably afraid she would take off into the woods again, she realized, she had a habit of doing that. That stopped now. She had to be strong, like Julie. She had to hold her ground. It sucks, it's scary, but it's happening. And now all that was left to do was figure out a way to stop it.

There was something in Robbie's eyes when he told her that last part, about how he was sure that Clarke would have explained it. He looked right at Clarke when he said it. He was taunting him. What WAS it between these two? Annie realized, suddenly, why Robbie would have a reason to distrust Clarke. He was sweet and true and full of bright sunshine, the world felt so much safer with Clarke around. But... he was the sheriffs son. If he were to turn them all in, it would be over. Robbie seemed like the type not to trust anyone. But Annie had a feeling that Clarke was on the top of that list.

"It's so wrong." Annie said to everyone. "You were right, Julie. It's so much bigger than us." She gave the older girl a nod. "We have to be careful and we have to stick together." She turned her attention over to Robbie. "I liked your idea. Tonight we'll go off into pairs. We'll make fliers and posters and banner, anonymously, spread them all over town, telling everyone to stand up against the festival and the sacrifice."
 
"You've been really quiet you three" Robbie turned to Sam, Dean and Billy.

"What do you all think of the flyers and posters being put up" he asked them.

Sam and Dean voted in favour of the idea, Billy wasn't too sure but said he would go along with the majority.

Ruth and Julie decided they should do it as well.

"Ok so we split up into groups of two, we do it quietly, put up posters around town and in mailboxes. We will print them off tonight and do it tomorrow night, what do you think Annie?" he asked.
 
Clarke was silent through all of the voting.

"Clarke?" Annie asked. "What do you think? She studied his face and it looked a bit sullen. He seemed to have snapped out of what ever deep thought he had been in and nodded. Annie grabbed his hand and held it tight.

Robbie coordinated the plans and gave everyone their jobs. It surprised Annie when he looked to her for approval. Her face held a bit of shock and then she quickly shook it away.
"Sounds like a plan." She said. "Who will the groups be? And what will be their jobs?" She asked him.
 
"Does anyone have a preference to who they work with?" Robbie asked the gang?

Sam & Dean teamed up together.
Julie and Billy matched up.
Ruth looked at Clarke but wasn't sure what to do.
Robbie looked at Annie.
 
Annie didn't think this would be so awkward. When Robbie asked about the teams, she suddenly felt awkward. She wanted to be with Clarke. She always wanted to be with Clarke. But right at that moment, something inside made her confused when she looked at Robbie. They all stood there a bit awkwardly, nobody really knowing what to do. Annie saw Ruth look at Clarke. When Annie didn't say anything right away, Ruth smiled sweetly and walked towards them.

"Wanna print the fliers out with me?" Ruth asked Clarke. He smiled politely at her and nodded his head. He gave Annie a small look that told her he didn't want to be separated from her.

"Okay then," Annie said awkwardly to Robbie. "I guess we'll go out tomorrow and put them up." Robbie nodded at her. What was wrong with her? She wondered. She should have automatically paired herself with Clarke. She wanted to. So why hadn't she? She looked at his face as he talked with Ruth, his eyes trailed over to Annie's and smiled at her. It didn't matter, Annie told herself. It's just a little mission. It didn't matter who was partners with who. They were all working towards the same cause. Even though this is what she told herself, she still couldn't push down the confusion in her chest.
 
"So Annie, lets print the fliers and we'll meet tomorrow night, I'll pick you up at Clarke's place" Robbie said to her.

Clarke looked awkward, he liked Annie, but she sure was high maintainence, he was happy to stay with Ruth who was a little more docile and easier to get along with.

They finished their food and watched the mist settle in around them, it would have been dramatic and even romantic if it weren't for what it meant in this town.

"So we'll divide up the town and tomorrow night we do it" Robbie said with commitment.
 
Annie nodded at Robbie and then a thought occurred to her.

"Clarke, when do I have to go home?" She asked. Completely forgetting about her aunt and uncle.

They sat around and ate, making idle conversation. Annie watched the mist. She saw how it swirled around them, like a dark veil, condemning them. She sat and finished her cheeseburger. Robbie sat on one side of her and Clarke sat on the other. She pushed the earlier confusion out of her brain. She looked at Clarke and the way the mist ran through his golden hair made her heart do back flips.

When they all finished, Robbie confirmed their plans. He sounded so dominant. Like a cold leader. Annie had to be honest with herself, Robbie scared her. There was danger in the air around him and it made her hair stand on edge. She was very nervous about having to work with him tomorrow night. They all parted ways. Annie and Clarke went back to his house.
 
"You can stay for a few more days, your Aunt and Uncle know it's fine" Clarke answered Annie.

He looked at her, she was pretty, prettier than Ruth who had a serious crush on him. He didn't like her going out with Robbie, they were both way to impulsive, too aggressive, there wouldn't be any balance on their team, but he was tired and didn't want to fight it so leave most of it unsaid.

"You need to be careful with Robbie, he gets a little crazy, you have to make sure he stays calm" Clarke informed her.
 
Annie was happy that she could stay with Clarke for a few more days. She didn't want to go back to her aunts house.

When they were in his truck on the way back to the house, Clarke broke the long silence. He warned her to be careful with Robbie. She didn't know why, but she felt herself stiffen. So he WAS dangerous, she thought to herself. Clarke was warning her to be careful, which meant something bad could happen. He had so much concern for her, his blue eyes scanned over hear protectively.

"I will." Annie sighed and rested her head against his arm as he drove. "Thank you, Clarke. I don't know what I would do without you." And she meant it. Clarke was her angel. She knew that he would protect her. She just hoped he could protect her against his father, if it ever came down to that.

Robbie and Clarke were like night and day, heaven and hell. Everything about Robbie just reeked of darkness. His movements, his glare, the smirk that always said he was one step ahead of everyone else. Clarke on the other hand, he was everything that was light in the world. And it shone so bright. Clarke had found her that night in the woods and he had saved her. That memory brought up a strange question. Annie wrinkled her nose.

"Hey, Clark?" Annie asked. "I was just wondering... that night in the woods, you know, when I was trying to escape. How did you find me?"
 
Clarke was feeling tense, he didn't like this flier business, it was bad news, he liked the idea of a slow burn, to just change minds slowly not try and rush things and ruin it all but he was outnumbered, but being a minority doesn't mean you are wrong either.

Then Annie asked how he found her that night, the night she tried to escape.

"Well it was luck really, I was out just enjoying the night getting some peace under the stars really and I saw you, you looked upset and lost, I mean I told you, a lot of girls are feeling like you this time of the year, then I saw it was you, I knew who you were, what your history was and I wanted to help, I think I did help a little at least" he answered her.

The arrived back at his parents house and they went upstairs to the study and started printing the fliers that Julie designed.
 
Clarke didn't look very good. He was gripping the steering wheel and his knuckles were turning white. His shoulders were rigid but his face was still serene. Like an angel, Annie thought with a laugh.

Annie wanted to ask how he knew what she looked like, and how he could tell it was her, from behind and in the darkness. But she didn't. She just let it go. She was in no position to question anyway.

"You helped me so much." Annie said fiercely to Clarke. "Like I said before, I don't know what I would have done without you." She put her hand on his tight fist and felt it slowly relax. "We are going to get through this." It was funny to Annie, that somehow she became the one comforting him.

Once upstairs, they starting printing off the fliers. Clarke looked even more uneasy.

"Hey," Annie walked up to him from across the room, where she was organizing piles. "Are you okay?" She looked at him, tired and innocent, with genuine concern in her big eyes.
 
Clarke felt that Annie wasn't ok about things, but he was kind of tiring of her so didn't ask.

"It's ok, I've helped a few girls out, it's just something I seem to do you know. I don't like this shit Annie, the festival, I know Robbie sees me as weak but I just think we all have to be careful." he said.

They went upstairs and started printing fliers out.

"Yeah I'm good, just nervous about tomorrow night, can't blame me, it's a big thing" he said to her.
 
Annie flinched a little. She didn't think Clarke was weak. Not at all. If he would have been weak, he wouldn't have started a resistance at all.

"Clarke, Robbie doesn't know what he's talking about." She smiled at him. "I think you're brave." She looked at him a bit sad, his face seemed resigned from her. She didn't know why. It made her heart race a little.

Annie shook her head. "No, I'm nervous too. I can't blame you." Suddenly she felt very self conscious, realizing that Clarke wouldn't be with her tomorrow night. She would be alone. With Robbie. The cold as ice, wild card Robbie. Clarke had warned her to be careful. She regretted not automatically picking Clarke as her partner. She could feel him pulling himself away from her.

"Clarke, are you sure that's all that's the matter? You've been really distance from everyone since we got there." She was concerned but gave him space.
 
Clarke listened to her compliments, he was flattered and yet stoic, he wasn't easily swayed by ego massages.

"I just sometimes wonder if there is something better elsewhere, you know?" he said staring at nothing.
 
Annie watched him daze off, thinking about a better place. She fight her insides tighten.

"I know how you feel." Her voice was barely a whisper, she felt as far away as he looked. "You'll get out, Clarke. If anybody deserves it, it's you." She genuinely felt that way. He was so full of goodness. "You deserve a better life." She said to him and gave him a small hug. His body bent and he rested his head on her shoulder. Annie felt selfish. He's spent so much time taking care of her and really he's the one who needs taken care of. She had a sad feeling that nobody ever has. She did something that surprised herself. She kissed him on the cheek.

He slowly pulled his head up and looked at her in the eyes for what seemed like hours. Annie's palms were sweating and she felt her knees grow weak, like they would give out. His face was so close to hers, her eyes memorized every line, dimple, and freckle of his face.
 
He didn't say anything, he was sick of talking, sick of hearing his own voice, sick of hearing other people talk. Sick of it all.

He pulled her towards him, and kissed her, one of those romantic movie kisses, no hesitation, no thought or fear, just taking her and kissing her deeply and passionately. He held her as the slowed the kiss down.
 
The silence seemed to drag on forever as Annie and Clarke stared at each other. Then, without any warning, Clarke pulled her to break the small gap between them. He crushed his lips to hers with so much urgency. This was Annie's first kiss. And she was on cloud nine. She wrapped her arms around his neck and tangled her fingers in the back of his hair. She kissed him back hard, projecting all the comfort that she could muster. It wasn't a quick kiss. It kept going.

Clarke slowed down and pulled away for a moment and brushed the hair out of Annie's eyes. He smiled at her. He hasn't truly smiled in two years. Annie, looking starstruck, smiled back. He just grabbed her against and kissed her with more intensity. She held onto him and it felt like it would always be this way. Annie didn't notice when the kiss stopped. She realized they were laying together on the floor, just holding each other.
 
He held Annie tight, caressing her hair and face.

"In a perfect world or even a normal one, we wouldn't have to worry about anything else but this right now" he said to her.

He started to cry, trying to hold it back, but as the case with these emotions they must come out and he broke down sobbing, everything too much for him, his Selena coming back to his thoughts, the Sacrifice ceremony, the thought he would have to fuck some poor girl whose only crime was her virginity and being chosen from a lottery, this new girl Annie who is confused enough to have lost her parents now how to deal with this.

He couldn't bear it any longer, it all came rushing out, he howled with tears and rage and sadness the toxins rushing from his body as he slumped in her arms.
 
Annie closed her eyes and concentrated on the feel of his fingers trailing her cheek. She inhaled him and couldn't get enough.
"Clarke, we DON'T have to worry about anything else but this right now." She murmured into his chest. "This is our perfect world." She wrapped her arms completely around his torso and he held onto her protectively.

She didn't notice that Clarke was crying. He buried his face into her hair and just let it all go. He was sobbing, his chest heaving. Annie's heart broke. He was shaking.

"It's okay..." She whispered to Clarke. She unlocked her arms from around him and sat up. She pulled him into her lap so that his head was resting on her right leg, his arms still wrapped around out. "Shh..." She ran her finger through his hair soothingly. "Everything will be okay." Annie whispered into his ear and kissed his cheek again. "I promise. Everything will be okay." Annie held there, rocking back forth, rubbing Clarke's back. Neither of them said anything else. She laid her head on top of his and kept comforting him until they, eventually, both fell asleep.
 
Clarke fell asleep in Annie's arms, in the morning they woke up still embraced, his face was buried in her hair still, he hadn't held a girl since Selena. He opened his eyes and from his position in her arms, looked out the window, the curtains were partially open, just enough to show some sky.

"I wonder if they have announced yet" he said really just to himself, thinking Annie was still asleep and not wanting to move yet, wanting to just enjoy the moment.

The phone rang though, he tried to move and managed to get up and answer it.

It was Julie, she was telling him that Robbie had been arrested last night, he started putting up fliers without anyone else and before they agreed.

"Fuck" said Clarke putting the phone down.

"We could all be screwed now" he said.
 
Annie actually had dreams that night. She couldn't remember when she woke up, but she knew they had been good ones. She woke up feeling refreshed and happy, even though they fell asleep on the floor. She woke up to the sound of Clarke's phone ring. She looked up at his face and her insides melted. She remembered what happened last night. She wanted to kiss Clarke again.

The phone call wasn't a good one, Annie could tell. Clarke's face went dark and his forehead wrinkled in worry. Her heart started pounding. Something bad happened, she thought to herself. When he hung up he said they could all be screwed.

"Clarke?" Annie asked, sitting up to face him. "Who was that? What happened?" She had a sick feeling in her middle and she wrapped her arms around herself.
 
Clarke looked at her, "We have to hide these fliers, maybe in the cave, they have caught Robbie, he was putting up fliers alone the dumb fucker!" Clarke yelled incensed with anger.

"This is why we take our time" he hit the wall and looked down shaking his head.
 
Alicia's breath came fast.

"No." She whispered and shook her head. Why didn't he just wait for her? She was angry but she refused the tears that threatened to spill over. Clarke was angry, he started hitting the wall. She jumped up and tried to calm him down. She rubbed the sides of his arms to sooth him. He needed a clear head.

"Clarke, you're right." Annie started, warily. "I know this is bad. The fliers were a good idea. Robbie was stupid, he overestimated himself." She bit her lip. "But, Clarke, we have to get him out of there. Who knows what they are going to do to him." Annie was afraid. She pictured Robbie's face in her mind and her stomach was in knots. He was reckless, stubborn, and cold - but he didn't deserve what was going to come to him for this. Annie had been the one who said it was a good idea. She entertained the whole mission. Clarke was the sheriffs son. If anybody could get him out, he could.
 
"Annie, my dad is the Sheriff he enforces the law, but your Uncle Ben is on the counsel he calls the shots, he will be the one telling my dad what to do, he will be the one wanting revenge for this, your uncle..." he stopped not knowing how to say it.

"Your Uncle Ben, is a true believer in the festival, he brought you here hoping you would be drawn so he could sacrifice one his own" Clarke told her, looking grim.

"I'm sorry Annie, I wanted to tell you everything sooner, but you kept running away and you now know how dangerous everything in this town is" he said.
 
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