Unity Day. It was never a day that felt particularly meaningful to you. I mean—why celebrate the day they attacked and destroyed the 13th station?

But at least this year was different. Now you were on Earth. Maybe that alone was enough reason to celebrate.

Still, things weren’t exactly hopeful. Just as the Ark had finally made contact and sent down the first crew aboard the Exodus ship, the Grounders were lurking—preparing for a war that would be anything but easy to end.

That’s why you couldn’t afford distractions. You sat alone, keeping watch while the others enjoyed themselves. They deserved it. They were still young, kids who had never been given the chance to actually live.

But your brief moment of peace vanished the second someone grabbed your arm and pulled you away from the crowd—into the shadowy trees of the forest.

Before you could protest or even ask what was going on, Finn cut you off.

“I got us a meeting with the Grounders.”

The expression on your face shifted immediately, and he continued.

“And you seem to be the only one who actually understands what’s at stake…”