The train bumps along the rails, and I sit in a car with my legs dangling out. We are back in the city. Chicago is what the Bureau had called it, I think.
Christina sits next to me, her short dark hair covered by the hood of her dark red sweatshirt. It is strange to see her wear a color other than black after knowing her as Dauntless all of this time. She is staring at the passing buildings, all of them so familiar.
I keep looking out and not behind me. Never behind me. Caleb is on the other side of the train car, and I cannot bring myself to look at him.
"Tris?" says a familiar voice. I turn. Cara sits on the other side of the car. I smile faintly at her. She glances at Caleb, who is reading a pamphlet. He looks annoyed.
"I'm helping him with his memories," she says, and all I can do is nod. Even if he is told that I am his sister, things will never be the same. Because he is not like the Divergent. Caleb is gone.
I stiffen as his voice sounds. "So...Cara. The people here are different, but we are all equal. How does that work?" He still sounds the same. I want to look over and scream how he knows that, scream at him to remember me and our parents and everything. But I cannot punish him for something that is not his fault.
"Time to jump," says Christina. No one really rides the trains anymore, except for ex-Dauntless members. Like us.
We jump at the same time, just as we did on Choosing Day so long ago. I hit the ground hard, pain shooting up my shins, and stumble a few steps to catch my balance. Christina steadies herself by grabbing my arm.
Tobias is waiting for us at a broken bench under one of the few standing streetlights. Next to him is a girl about my age I do not know, with fiery red hair and green eyes.
"This is Eva. She's from the fringe." he tells us, eyes scanning the crowd who came before they rest on me. I walk forward and slide my hand into his. He smiles. Tobias got here before me to round up some members of the fringe, ones who would help us find places for the people to live.
We start walking. We are in the abandoned sector of the city. There is broken glass under my feet, and the buildings above are dark and ominous. I tilt my head back as far as it will go and see a tiny thread stretching across the sky. The zipline. I elbow Christina before remembering that I have no friends left alive who remember going on it. I hang my head.
Tobias stops at the middle of an intersection and clears his throat. "This is where we split into groups. Tris, Christina. You're with me and Eva. The rest of you divide up." Me and Christina walk over to Tobias and this girl. Eva.
Eva looks at me. She is one of those people who looks nice without trying. I feel immediately defensive for no particular reason. "So...you're Beatrice. Tobias' girlfriend." I stiffen. Not too long ago, I was the only one who would call him that. I am not sure I like Eva.
"Yes." I snap, and pull ahead of her to where Tobias walks. I slip my hand into his and walk along side him, stewing. My anger is out of place; Eva hasn't done anything wrong. I still dislike her.
We come up to a large abandoned building and Tobias sticks his head inside through the shattered glass door. "Should we go in this one?" His voice echoes into the empty lobby.
I open my mouth to speak when Eva does. "Yes. That's a great idea." She steps inside without any other thoughts and smiles back at us. I feel another pang of anger in my chest. Who is this girl, anyway?
We walk in after her. Christina swears as she cuts her hand on a little bit of glass sticking out of the door. It is the only sound besides crunching glass beneath our feet.
We reach the elevator bank and stairs. Tobias points to the stairs and I nod. We slowly climb, glancing around each corner. I doubt people will be able to live in here. The place is absolutely wrecked.
"It's in pretty bad shape," says Christina, voicing my thoughts. She shines her flashlight down a hallway, revealing broken furniture, doors ripped from their hinges, and other random debris.
"Not for us from the fringe. You have no idea what we had to endure." says Eva, tossing a handful of red hair over her shoulder. She glances around at us, her stare challenging. As if she's done far more than we have.
"Okay, listen up. We've had to -" I start, clenching my fists. Tobias stops me with a hand grabbing my arm and a glare.
"We can't fight now. The war is over. All we are doing right now is searching a building, not comparing experience." He looks at me. I cross my arms and look at Christina. She shrugs.
Eva smiles at me. "That's a good idea, Tobias. I am sorry if I did anything you find offensive in any way!" She pulls out a flashlight. "Okay team, let's go!"
I scowl and stomp up the stairs after her.