Author's Note: Hi! This is my first Divergent Fanfic and the setting is after Insurgent after the video is shown. I am dying to know what happens after and I can't wait for the last book, so here's my rendition of what transpires after! I absolutely do not own Tobias/Four, Tris, or anything else related to Divergent. Hope you enjoy! ~ MsSleepyMonster
Worthy - Chapter 1
..."My name will be Edith Prior," she says. "and there is much I am happy to forget."
Prior.
The video stops. The projector glows blue against the wall. I clutch Tobias' hand, and there is a moment of silence like a withheld breath.
Then the shouting begins.
To say there was shouting would be a gross misinterpretation of the deafening noise that errupted in the Erudite HQ lobby. There were cries of rage and disbelief in the crowd from both factioned and Factionless origins that demanded to know what was going on.
My eyes jumped around the room nervously to watch the confused faces of the people around me. Everyone finally knows the truth. And if the truth is for the greater good, why do I feel like everything is about to get much, much worse?
I looked up to Tobias' face; his jaw was tightly clenched, his face unreadable. His eyes, however, darted around the room before resting on mine. The dark blue depths were wide and held fear, uncertainty. What are we going to do? We are out-numbered and out-powered by the Factionless; our leaders were scattered and divided; and were without trust in our own friends. We were in big trouble. Before I could do more than squeeze tightly onto Tobias' grasp, the sounds of gunfire drew all eyes to Evelyn, who still stood by Jeanine's body.
"Enough." She barely raised her voice, yet it carries through the crowded lobby. Her eyes were calculating, her stance unaffected by the unexpected media. "Now then. As I was saying, the time for factions and division is over, and if you disagree, you are more than welcome to join our dear friend, Jeanine Matthews." She waved her gun at Jeanine's limp and lifeless body on the table next to her. I noted that a pool of blood had started to congeal on the table beneath her, and dripped lazily to the floor. Nobody made a move.
And why would they? We wouldn't stand a chance; not without any guns or allies.
"Under my leadership, we will take over the city and create a better future for ourselves. 'Faction before blood' will no longer be acceptable, especially in light of recent events." Evelyn's eyes found mine and latched on hard, freezing me to the spot. Tori's gaze followed, and I could suddenly feel all eyes on me. My faction was Dauntless. I knowingly schemed behind them with Marcus, an Abnegation council member. I killed one of my best friends. I am no better than the cruel people in the video, with the exception that I did it all for one reason: to unleash the truth.
"Tell me, Beatrice," Evelyn continued, purposely calling me by my Abnegation-given name, "How does it feel, to be a traitor to the people you have called to be your 'family'? Was it worth it?" I thought of Marlene and her infectious smile; Lynn, how she appeared to be scowling all the time but the friendships she held with Uriah and Marlene; Uriah's kindness; Tori's expression when she realized I was trying to save Jeanine. I thought of Will, and what might've been running through his mind when I shot him and killed him. But then I think of Christina; she believes me. Tobias believes in me. My parents believed in me, I think, and blink my tears away.
"I could ask you the same question. I never trusted you, not since the moment I first saw you," I retorted. "If you want to ask me about betraying family, look in the mirror. You faked your own death in Abnegation 9 years ago, only to miraculously be alive. Then you manipulate your own son into forming an 'alliance' when you mean to enslave him just like the rest of us." My cheeks felt warm, anger rising at how she could audaciously call me a traitor when she was no better.
"I did what I had to do to make sure everyone knew the truth. I did not betray anyone." I slowly finished. I was not going to apologize; yes, I wish I didn't have to lie to Tobias about staying back, but now he knows the truth. He understands. He squeezed my hand, giving me strength. Evelyn did not look fazed. She walked over to where we stood, her footsteps echoing.
"I have told you before, and I will tell you again. You are temporary in his life. I am his family. And under my rule, I say he is no longer your concern. Separate them." Her last comment was to two nearby Factionless soldiers who tore us apart; I couldn't fight back because of my shoulder. Tobias punched the guard closest to him and lunged for Evelyn, but was then wrestled to the ground by two other soldiers who swiftly punched him in the abdomen and then in the back. He glared at Evelyn from where he knelt on the ground.
"My dear son, don't look at me like that." Evelyn said with mock sincerity. "You have two options. You can co-operate with me and do exactly as I say, let go of this imp, and she will live. Or you can continue to play this childish game and she dies."
I simply stared at her; what a liar. She would have me killed on the spot no matter which option he chose. But I know who he is. I know what he will choose. And I both love and hate him for it.
"No! Don't, she'll kill me either way-" I started, pleading with him.
"You won't harm her if I co-operate with you." Tobias interrupts, staring at Evelyn evenly. She smiled.
"Yes-" She started.
"Give me your word," He cut her off. "that she will be left alone." I couldn't believe it, he was falling for it.
No, no, no! I screamed in my head, tears gathering into my eyes and blurring my vision.
"You have my word that she will be left alone." She repeated. Tobias turned to me, his eyes trying to drink me in, trying to memorize every detail of my face. His eyes are full of regret and words left unsaid.
"I will co-operate with you." I stop breathing and at first I feel nothing. As he says the words the room fades away and I'm staring only at him.
He didn't say that. He did NOT say that.
His words echo in my mind, burn into my memory, and memories of the past flash before my eyes, each one cutting my heart into a billion pieces.
The first twinge of curiosity at the dark blue eyes with a patch of lighter blue near the iris when he helped me out of the net on Choosing Day.
My outrageous impulse to hold his hand.
The sense of safety I felt near him after the Chasm incident and all our stolen moments and kisses together.
He told me he loved me. Everything we had been through, together.
I heard a cry that sounded like an animal being slaughtered. What a terrible sound, I think. But then I come back to the present, and I am the one making the terrible sound. I am slumped on the ground, supported only by the guard that holds me by my injured shoulder, though I don't feel the pain from there. My heart is being ripped out of my chest with barbed wire and lit aflame.
I don't hear anything else as I am dragged away from the Erudite lobby, into dim hallways and left in a dark room. I can't move. I can't think.
To have been killed would have been better, merciful, even. Yes, this was much worse. Even my deadened soul knew that this was more painful than anything I have had to endure. I don't know how long I sat in excrutiating silence, but after what felt like an eternity, I let myself cry.
A/N: Wow. That turned out a lot darker than I originally even intended. Please review and let me know what you think!