Disclaimer: I do not own any of characters or plot lines from the Divergent Trilogy. They all belong to the fantastic writer, Veronica Roth.

Authors Note: I've been wanting to try and write something for a while now. This is going to be a sequel to Allegiant. The story begins about one year after the ending. Please leave a review to tell me what you think! I really want to work on my writing, so any constructive criticism is welcome. I'll try to post as frequently as possible. I'm a very slow writer so please give me time. :)

P.S. I'm not from the U.S. and so I'm sorry if the spelling of some words are different. (Like colour instead of color) It's just that I've been taught to spell it that way my entire life so I'm very sorry if it bothers you. And also, I've been using the Internet to learn about Chicago and everything and we all know how reliable the Internet is. If I got anything incorrect please tell me! Thank you!

Chapter 1

I SIT IN the front row next to Evelyn with my heart pounding against my chest. The room we are in brings me an aching nostalgic feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Johanna is on stage sitting next to the other five representatives. Standing at the podium is Erin Webb, the history expert from the fringe. Being the storyteller that he is, he made sure to squeeze in a short lecture on history in his speech by explaining why he prefers to call Chicago, "the fourth city." It's a lecture I've heard way too many times due to the fact the he happens to be my neighbour. However, on an occasion like this, I take in every single word he says, reminiscing about what my life had been like.

I watch him as he runs a hand through his short grey beard. His belly protrudes over his belt considerably, but with his short stature and his blithesome attitude, it actually suits him quite well.

He speaks his words slowly and smoothly, with a moderately high voice, which carries itself throughout the Hub.

"Although the fourth city has faced its darker moments, today we celebrate change. Today, we have all gathered inside this great building, not as single persons. No. Today, we stand together as one. Nothing is separating us. Not violence. Not factions. Not genetics. We are all equal."

The crowd begins to cheer and applaud.

Three years ago, I would have thought that living life without factions would have been difficult. Impossible. But life without factions allowed me to feel something that I never knew I would ever get to truly experience. Freedom.

"Today, we move on from the violence that we endured. Today, not only do we take a step forward for the fourth city - we take one step forward for the United States of America," His face is then filled with a big smile.

"Before I announce the winner of this election, I am pleased to announce that our representatives of Chicago have been invited to meet with the Government in Washington. There they will discuss rebuilding the country into the glorious nation it once was."

The crowd cheers even louder - maybe even louder than the dauntless all those years ago. Even I am filled with delight. We have been negotiating with the government for quite some time by communicating with them through the computers at the Bureau.

After Chicago opened up for everyone, many people began embracing the idea of equality and demanded that the government started to embrace it as well. After all of the violence we've been through, Chicago pledged to negotiate peacefully while those in the fringe started to become enraged and ready to start another war. I knew it was only a matter of time before they finally agreed to what we had to say.

"And now, without any further ado, the new President of Chicago is -" Erin opens up a small envelope and slowly slips out a small piece of paper.

"Johanna Reyes." Erin says with a great big smile.

The other representatives smile and shake hands with Johanna, despite not being elected, and Johanna walks up to the podium and begins her acceptance speech.

I sit back into my seat in an attempt to feel more comfortable for the remainder of the event. But no matter how I sit, the pounding in my heart is too hard to ignore.

It pounds because of tomorrow

A banquet is held after the election to celebrate. Not just for Johanna's victory, but also to celebrate the fact that the representatives have been invited to speak with the government. In fact, they leave tonight and have all packed their bags. Zeke and Amar are packed for the trip as well. They're needed to drive, but are also going as a precaution - to protect the representatives in case anything goes wrong. It still isn't flowers and sunshine outside of Chicago.

A lot of people are here. Each table I look at is full of people. Some tables have almost ten to eleven people seated at once.

A few tables away, I can see Evelyn talking to Hana. They smile and laugh which makes my mouth twitch upward slightly. I'm glad Evelyn has a friend.

At the very front of the room sit our representatives. At the far end of the table sits Johanna. To her right sits John Bore and Diana Lee and to her left is Carter Fallon and Grant Clarke.

I sit at a table with Zeke, Shauna, Cara, Christina, Caleb, George, and Amar. All of my friends who had helped me this past year are here - except Matthew, who couldn't come tonight because he said he had work. Probably finishing up on his memory experiment.

I decide to tune back into their small debate.

"Well, historically speaking, when our ancestors elected someone to be the leader of Chicago, they would call them the mayor! Not the president! Chicago is a city, not a country," Caleb rambles.

"He's right." Cara says.

I've been able to slowly begin talking to Caleb again. It occurred to me that Tris would want me to be kind to the only person left in her family. A similar thought must have come to Caleb as well, since we both have been trying to make conversation with each other recently.

"Oh stop it. President sounds cooler. Who cares anyway? I mean, weren't our ancestors also the people who called their big, fancy government headquarters, 'the White House,'" Zeke remarks humourously.

"I'm with Ezekiel," Amar says, patting Zeke on the back. Zeke gives an exaggerated wide grin.

"I believe back then it was actually a house for the President," Caleb argues.

"Come on Caleb, you have to admit that name sounds stupid. They even named a city Washington."

"Our ancestors were the one who named this city too! And came up with the word, 'president' in the first place!"

Zeke gives Caleb a glare. He can't come up with anything to say back. He has been defeated.

"Oh come on Zeke. Don't glare at him like that. Be a good sport," I say chuckling.

"You're still right you know. President still sounds a lot cooler," Shauna say, patting him on the back.

George nods his head. "I second that."

"All in favour of president over mayor, raise your hand," Christina says.

Everyone except Caleb and Cara have their hands raised and Zeke jumps up from his seat and yells to celebrate his victory. Everyone in the banquet becomes startled and a moment of awkward silence breaks over the room.

We all begin to laugh hysterically.

I still remember what Christina said that day. Right now, this is an example of one of the moments that don't suck. Recently, I have been noticing a lot more moments like this. That's the trick after all.

It is these moments that almost make the weight in my chest go away. Almost.

I see Johanna coming towards me with a big smile and excuse myself.

"Congratulations." I shake hands with her.

Being her assistant, I've had to shake hands with a lot of people and so I'm no longer uncomfortable with it.

"Thank you Tobias." She smiles. "I was just talking with the representatives and we all agree that you've been doing a great job." She pauses and takes a deep breath. "We want to invite you to come with us to Washington."

At first I'm stunned. And for a second, I even consider going. Me. They want me to go with them. But although it's tempting, I know that I just can't. If it just wasn't today, maybe I would say yes.

"It's an honour, Johanna, to be invited to come, but I-" I begin to slightly shake my head.

She begins to nod.

"You don't need to explain Tobias. I understand." She smiles with sympathy.

"Thank-you, Johanna. For everything."

"No need to thank me. I had a feeling you wouldn't want to come because of the timing. But, you know, while I'm gone, I'll need someone I can trust to run the city for me. You up for the job?"

Excitement and disbelief races through me.

"Really?"

"Of course, Tobias." She smiles. "So you better not mess up," she jokes.

I laugh and thank her again and I turn away to go back to our seats.

"Oh and one more thing," she says.

I turn back around.

"She would be very proud of you, Tobias." And she turns around and goes back to her seat.

I know what Johanna meant when she said that. I know that her words were genuine and kind. But I can't stop myself from feeling the slight strain on my heart when I heard it.

Most days aren't like today. Most days are actually normal, since it has been three, almost four years. But there's just something about hearing that comment that hits me right where I felt vulnerable.

It's because of tomorrow. I can't go with them, because tomorrow will be exactly one year from the day Tris' ashes were scattered. I have to be there tomorrow. I have to be there to give her flowers.

I sit back down in my seat.

We all chat and goof around for the next few hours. Eventually, the night draws to an end, and the representatives get ready to leave for Washington. It will be about a twelve hour drive.

Zeke gives everyone a hug, and Shauna a big kiss. Amar isn't as big of a fan of public affection, so he gives George a hug and waves to everyone else.

I look over to the representatives and see John place a gentle kiss on his daughter's head. Diana does the same with her three boys. They surround and trap her inside a big hug. I see Carter kissing his wife, Sophia. Her stomach has grown into the size of a watermelon due to her pregnancy. Grant hugs his brother and I see Johanna waving goodbye towards me and Evelyn and we both return the gesture.

Evelyn and Johanna have become very good friends over the past year. I never expected it to happen, but I'm glad it did. They've become best friends, and that friendship slowly made Evelyn back into the woman I used to know when I was a child in abnegation. Back into the woman I call mom.

Everyone finally gets in the car and the engine turns on. We all cheer as loud as we could until it disappeared in the distance.

When I finally get to the door of my apartment, my watch says it's 1:33AM. Erin and I exchange our farewells, since we live right beside each other, and I unlock the door.

My apartment has acquired a bit more furniture. I've added a few more chairs, a coffee table, a rug, etc. Just yesterday, I got myself a new couch since the old one was getting a bit worn down and some of the cushions began to tear. It still looks a bit empty, but I like it this way. The blue sculpture Evelyn gave me sits on my bedside table.

When my body hits the bed I doze off immediately.

It felt like barely a minute later that I hear someone knocking on my door.

I groan as I get up to see who it is.

Halfway to the door, they knock again.

"I'm coming," I call out.

When I finally swing the door open, I see Matthew.

He immediately pushes me inside and shuts the door. He's breathing hard, as if he'd been running.

Before I can even say anything, he begins.

"They're coming for you," he says as he tries to catch his breath. "I remember now."

I look at him with concern.

"Are you alright Matthew? You're not making any sense."

"Just listen to me." he says through heavy breaths. "You're in danger."

He takes a moment to collect himself.

Quite frankly, I'm more concerned about him than me at the moment. There is definitely something terribly wrong. He hands shake slightly and he looks exhausted. I offer him a glass of water but he just continues.

"A few years ago, when I looked at your genetics, I told you that you weren't Divergent. That you were a GD."

My heart begins to race. I know that whatever he has to say, is not going to be good.

"Well, as it turns out, you aren't a GD."

I run my hands down my face and let out a deep sigh. Did he really wake me up in the middle of the night, just to tell me that it turns out I'm Divergent?

"So does that mean I'm a GP? Look, if you messed up back then, I forgive you. None of the matters anymore anyway. It's late, you look tired, so just go home and -"

"No." He stares at me. "You aren't a GP... But you are also not a GD."

"You aren't making any sense."

"Just let me explain!" he shouts. He's being hysterical. The more I look at him, it's as if he hasn't slept for days. He has dark bags under his red, straining eyes.

"Think about it Tobias. It makes sense. You aren't Divergent. But there is no way you are Amity. Or Candor. Or Erudite. Or Dauntless. Or Abnegation. You are none of them. You don't fit in anywhere."

I'm starting to lose my patience.

"Then what the hell am I, Matthew?" I say angrily.

"You're Deterrent," he says, so quietly I almost didn't hear him. He looks around the room as if checking to see if we're being watched.

"And they are coming for you."