Tobias's POV (continued from Chapter 51, page 489)
When we walk into the compound, I know for a fact that something's gone wrong. The hallways aren't empty like they're supposed to be. Guards rush around, some talking in low, urgent voices, guiding people to elsewhere; other residents are screaming and crying in panic.
"What happened?" Amar says.
We push through the crowd to the other side of the security checkpoint. I see Cara standing with Matthew. Both of them are injured; the left half of Cara's face is badly bruised, and there's a deep gash on Matthew's cheek.
"What's going on?" I ask. Both of them are wearing troubled expressions.
"There's an emergency lockdown going on," Matthew answers, looking shaken.
"Well, where's Tris?" Christina glances around.
"The thing is..." Cara bites her lip. "The thing is, Tris went into the Weapons Lab instead of Caleb."
"What?" I freeze.
"I'm sorry, Tobias," Cara looks at me sadly. "I don't know if she'll be able to survive the death serum."
"I have to go find her," That's the only thing on my mind.
"No!" Matthew catches the edge of my sleeve. "All the entrances on that floor are already blocked off by dozens of guards. They'll shoot you if you try to pass."
"I'll take the risk," I disappear into the sea of people before they can try to stop me.
The floor is actually quite empty. Everyone seems to have retreated to their assigned lockdown area. There are a few security guards I have to avoid, but other than that there's no trouble.
I jog down the hallways, wanting to get to Tris as soon as possible. Bullet holes are in the walls, and I can tell that there was some sort of struggle here before. Please don't let her be hurt.
I stop in front of the vestibule. The doors have been blasted open, leaving pieces of metal and glass scattered all over the floor. I find a gun lying beside the wall. It must be Tris's. I take it and then step through the doors.
I feel the effects of the death serum immediately. It clings to my skin, making it hard to move. I know I can't resist this; I'm not Divergent, not genetically pure like Tris.
But somehow I push forward. I reach the end and lean against the door, pushing it open with all my weight.
I collapse onto my knees.
"Tobias?"
I lift my head at the sound of her voice.
I can't process the scene in front of me. David is here, and his gun is aimed directly at Tris.
"Don't shoot!" I yell, raising my own weapon.
But my movements are too slow, and he pulls the trigger before I can react. It hits Tris in a place that I can tell isn't good.
I feel like this is all happening in slow motion.
She collapses to the ground. "No!" I shout. "Tris!"
All I can think is, this isn't real. It can't be.