Chapter 1

Tobias

The building will always be devastating; after years of destruction and overuse, the tall building finally begins to recover. A small construction crew works in the area once known as the Pit, our home. The ajar windows and crumbling walls are noticeable factors about the building; war broke in and lasted quite a while. For some, it consists of beauty, for some, nightmares.

I quickly glance at Christina, who is filling out paperwork to go along with the repairs. Working with the government, she can usually fill out papers quickly and move on. These tend to make her struggle, though.

I offer my assistance. "Christina, you look distraught," I quickly remind her as a drop of sweat rides down her forehead.

Christina looks at me painfully. "I don't get it, Tobias," she reminds me. "I can usually do this with ease, but this seems to hurt me. Make it worse."

I give her a sympathetic look. "I understand," I tell her. "This building; it fills me with agony. I can't think straight just looking at it." I take a swing of apple cider on my side, and slowly nibble on some of my chocolate cake.

She glimpses at me. "I guess you're right. I can never seem to focus here. Want to go take a break?"

"You don't have to finish your paper work?"

"It can wait. I need to relax a bit, even if it's just for forty-five minutes. I can't seem to get off my nerve, Tobias."

"That's fine with me. Where do you want to go?"

We pull into a small, previously-Amity cafeteria about 15 minutes walk away from the Pit. We get a small table near the middle of the room, and soon enough, a young waiter comes to serve us.

I notice it's Robert, one of the Abnegation transfers. He was lucky enough to survive.

We both order chocolate milkshakes and a plate of french fries. Christina look at me and begins to start conversation, and a smirk lays across her face.

"So, Tobias", Christina says, "What's been going on?"

"Nothing much," I reply. "I've been working on fixing up the previously-Abnegation headquarters. We've decided to make it a residential property. How have you been?"

Christina takes a long sip on her milkshake before speaking. "I've been trapped in my shitty office all day. The Pit is a fucking mess; it seems like it's never going to get fixed. We've been working on it since Tris's funeral, 12 hours a day, 6 days a week."

"Not exactly best life ever?"

"Not at all. I'm still 17."

We stay silent for a while, absorbing the facts. We're young. We're the hardest working people here.

Suddenly, I get up to leave. I slap a 20$ bill on the table, and continue to cheer up Christina. She still looks miserable.

"C'mere. Let's go to the Chasm. Sometimes, while I'm there, I can concentrate on the sound of the waves and nothing else. It's like my whole world drifts away."

I hug her, and we slowly walk away from the world.