"They were inconclusive," Beatrice told me when I asked her about her faction test results.
Ever since I found out, daily pangs of guilt remind me that I passed it on to her, like a disease. She'll never truly be safe.
And, so it turns out, neither am I or Andrew. We're out in the fields when the sound of marching feet gets our attention.
I turn to Andrew. "Do you think they're looking for someone?"
"No," he says, his tone more than a little uncertain. "They can't have found out about you."
"I'm not sure this has anything to do with me," I say. "Nobody else knows what I am, except for you and my mother."
The marching grows louder and louder, until we see a mass of people in black. The Dauntless. If that wasn't strange enough for them to be entering the Abnegation compound, they're all moving perfectly in tune with one another. Like robots. Then they break off into groups and head to different Abnegation buildings. They've all got rifles.
We're under attack.
"Andrew," I say calmly, "I'm getting the gun." I haven't used a gun in decades, but I've always had one stashed. Just in case.
He nods grimly. I run into our house for the gun and sprint back out, not even stopping to catch my breath.
"Are you going to shoot?" Andrew asks.
"Not if I can help it," I say. "Sure makes me feel better to have a gun, though."
I search for Beatrice among the Dauntless, but she isn't there. I get this bad feeling in my gut, the one mothers always have about their children. Something terrible is happening to Beatrice.
Andrew and I walk slowly through the crowd, hoping to avoid being caught. We've reached the gate when Marcus Eaton steps in front of us.
"Can't let you leave, Natalie," he says. "We want you here to help fend off these monsters."
"Please, Marcus," I say. "My daughter's life is in jeopardy."
"Yeah? So is everybody else's."
My face goes from panicked to furious. "Don't make me shoot you."
"You wouldn't dare," he says.
I point the gun at his leg. "Try me."
"It's against Abnegation rules-"
My gun goes off, and he falls onto the grass, wincing. I've shot him in his right ankle. It won't kill him, but he can't chase us now.
"Sorry, Marcus," I say. Then I sprint out of Abnegation, Andrew following close behind me. We don't stop until we're deep in the city. I'd forgotten how incredibly beautiful this place was. Even in chaos, the buildings still shine, still stand tall.
I lead Andrew to the side of a building, and my stomach kicks into fluttering nerves. I'm about to give him news that he won't take well. I don't want to do it. But it's necessary.
"We have to split up," I tell Andrew. "I'll go find Beatrice. She's probably being held inside the Dauntless headquarters. You… get somewhere safe. Don't tell me where you're going, okay?"
My husband's face is stricken with fear. "Natalie-"
"No time to talk," I say. I pull him against me for a kiss. I don't care how cold the wall is. This could be the last time I see him alive.
Memories come pouring into my brain: during initiation, when we first felt a spark of attraction; that first, forbidden kiss we shared; the night where we committed our bodies to each other; giving Caleb and Beatrice their names. I tended to put him aside after we had kids, and our marriage itself hasn't been an Amity picnic (Then again, no marriage is perfect). The bad times don't matter now. All I need is this reminder that I love him dearly.
It seems like an eternity before we break apart.
"I love you," he manages to say.
"I love you too. Now go!"
Andrew runs toward wherever he thinks is considered safe, and I return to my old home. I wish it were under better circumstances.
I'm ready to show Beatrice my true colors. Even if it kills me.
