7
We finally reach the Dauntless compound and I feel my eyelids getting heavier with every step I take. A lot of the Dauntless that were present during Jeanine's and mine interrogation already reached Dauntless, but I feel like I have no energy left to even keep my eyes open. Tobias slowed down his pace in order for me to keep up. He offered to carry me, but I refused. He is as tired as I am.
We enter the Pit and everyone there starts cheering and stomping their feet. The noise wakes me up and I look around to find a clue as to why they are cheering. And then they chant our names. Four. Tris. Four. Tris. Four. Tris.
Those who rushed back to Dauntless told the others who chose to stay at the compound during the interrogations what happened, including the revelation of my divergence and the fact that those present at Candor chose me and Tobias to be the new Dauntless leaders. By the looks of it those who stayed home are not only ok with this new development, they actually embrace it. I realize that we need to say something. Both of us. I grab Tobias's hand and we walk to the same spot he gave his speeches the other two times, only this time I stand right next to him on the rock. He grabs the microphone and starts addressing the whole of Dauntless.
"My fellow Dauntless, it is an honor for both Tris and me to be your new leaders. We thank you for your faith and trust in us and we promise to do the best we can for our faction. It might be rough sometimes, mistakes will be made. But we will learn. Together. I realize you have many questions, but give us a few days to settle in and then we will have a meeting with all of you, back here" he says. He looks down at me and silently asks me if I want to say something. I shake my head no, but then grab the microphone from his hand.
"I'm sure you all know by now that I'm divergent" many of them nod. "Are you afraid of me? Or do you harbor any kind of negative feeling?" The majority shake their heads. "If you still have questions about divergence and those who are divergent ask us now. Let's get this over with. There is no hard feeling, I swear. I rather have all out in the open than have anyone feel uncomfortable."
"I have a question" a young blond girl not older than maybe eighteen or nineteen says.
"Yes, please" I say.
"I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that we all grew up believing certain things about divergents. Most of those things are lies and rumors. It would be nice if we would have some actual information on the subject. Is there anything written down on divergents?"
"I honestly don't know. Erudite might have something, but I wouldn't trust it though, considering recent events." And then a thought crosses my mind. "I think I have an idea. I'm going to present it to the council as soon as possible, but I'm going to tell you now anyways. I think it would be better if we gather this information first hand. Meaning I want those of you who are not divergent to write down questions or concerns regarding divergents and I want the divergent to help me answer them as best as we can. You can choose to ask me directly or leave a written note in a special designed box, signed or not, and we can answer them and at some point we can gather here and answer them out loud. I'm going to ask the other factions to do something similar, so that we all have a better picture on the matter. What I really want is that we all work together, divergent or not, we are all Dauntless because we all chose Dauntless. I think I can speak for Four as well when I say that we want a better Dauntless. I've learned over the past weeks since I came here that things used to be different here. That people worked together and helped each other. But because of the malicious influence of some people our former leaders chose to advertise rivalry and cowardice. The first night here Max said that we believe in small acts of bravery. The faction manifesto says that. And he is right. Only he and the other leaders never encouraged it. Instead vicious and reckless behavior was encouraged. I don't know how many of you know this but one of my fellow initiates was stabbed in the eye and was forced to leave the compound, being unable to finish his training. He was good, really good. Also, Four told me that when a Dauntless reaches a certain age he or she is asked to leave. I find this outrageous. These are a few topics I would like that we all discuss freely at our next meeting. Think about more topics and let me and Four know. Also, think of solutions. Things need to change here and we can only do that if we work together, as a team. What do you say?" The loud stomping and clapping answers my question. Good.
Tobias grabs my hand and leads me out of the Pit. We stop at the dorm to get my things and then go to his apartment. He frees a drawer for me and I put the few outfits I own away. When I get back to the kitchenette Tobias hands me a muffin and a warm glass of milk.
"Sorry, I don't have anything tastier" he says.
"It's ok. This is actually wonderful. I'm starving." We eat our muffins and drink our milk.
Tobias lets me use the bathroom first and I decide to take a quick shower, since I don't think I can keep my eyes open any longer. I let the warm spray of water wash the exhausting day away from my body and relax my muscles. I quickly get out covering myself with the towel Tobias gave me and walk into the bedroom. I am so tired that I forgot to get my clothes. Tobias is sitting on the bed reading a book when I enter and our eyes meet momentarily. I blush crimson and he smiles a little, but doesn't say anything other than "is it my turn?" I only nod and he passes me on his way to the bathroom, but not before kissing my left cheek lightly. This simple gesture sends a swarm of butterflies through my tummy and I can feel a heat wave wash over me. I quickly dry myself with the towel and change into some sweatpants and a t-shirt and jump under the covers. I wait for Tobias to come out but fatigue takes over and I fall asleep before he finishes his shower.
I wake up the next morning still a little tired, but at least I got some sleep. I try to look at the clock but Tobias holds me tightly to his chest and I can't move an inch.
"There is no escape" he says jokingly.
"I would never escape" I say and turn around in his arms, so that I face him now.
"Good morning, sweetheart" he says and my heart melts at the term of endearment. Maybe I should try one out for him.
"Morning, handsome." He leans forward and kisses me lightly at first, but soon the kiss becomes passionate and his tongue touches my lips and I open my mouth, letting our tongues mate with each other. Our kiss becomes more and more aggressive and hungry for more and soon we both let out moans of pure pleasure. My mind races a million miles per hour and my head is dizzy. The only thing still keeping me sane and grounded is Tobias. His strong arms around me, his warm, soft lips on mine, his velvet tongue in my mouth, exploring every part of it, his scent that always seems to drive me crazy. When I feel his desire pressed against my leg however I wake up from my intoxicating daydream and slow our kiss down. We pull away from each other, both panting heavily after our heated make out session. When our breaths return somewhat to normal Tobias looks into my eyes and smiles. I smile back. I was never happier in my whole life.
"You have to promise me to always tell me when to stop, Tris. I love you very much and I don't want you to feel pressured by me." I nod. "But sometimes it's really difficult to keep my hands off of you."
"You mean like now?" I ask half laughing.
"Yeah, like now."
"I want you, Tobias, but I'm not ready yet. Please be patient" I say, hoping he will understand.
"Don't worry, Tris. I would never do anything you don't want to" he says caressing my cheek. "Come on, we should get up. We need to be at Candor at ten."
I look at the clock and see it reads 8 AM. I get out of bed, grab a new outfit and head into the bathroom to change. I come back five minutes later, allowing Tobias to do the same. I walk to the fridge to see what we could eat, but there's nothing there. I open a few cupboards but still nothing.
"Looking for something?" he asks startling me.
"You startled me" I say, putting my left hand to my chest.
"I'm sorry, honey, I didn't mean to" he says apologetically.
"It's ok. I was looking for some food, but apparently you have a very light diet. As in no food whatsoever." He laughs at my joke and hugs me tightly.
"I love you" he says.
"I love you too, teddy bear."
He pulls away from me and looks me in the eyes a little bit confused.
"What? I am not allowed to use terms of endearment?" I ask pouting. He kisses my pout away and then shakes his head.
"It's not that. It's just, why teddy bear?"
"Because you are like one. You look all scary when you act like Four, but when we are alone you are the sweetest, fluffiest, cuddliest teddy bear I've ever seen" I say in a baby voice and he laughs even harder.
"Okay, if you say so."
"I say so. But don't worry I won't call you teddy bear in front of your friends."
"Or Dauntless" he adds.
"Or Dauntless" I assure him. "How about honey? Can I call you honey in public?" I ask.
"I think that's alright. Come on. Let's go down to the cafeteria and grab some breakfast" he says leading me out of the apartment.
We walk hand in hand toward the cafeteria and every time we pass someone they greet us with smiles on their faces. It seems like the Dauntless are really ok with Tobias and me as their new leaders. I hope I won't disappoint them. I will try and do my best to be a good leader and I'm sure with Tobias by my side I will succeed.
We sit down at Tobias's regular table and fill our plates with pancakes, bacon and some cheese. Tobias asks me if I want some coffee and I say yes. I never had coffee before, but there's a first for everything, right? I taste it but then realize it's too bitter for me, so I add two tea spoons of sugar. Ah, much better. When I'm about to take another sip from my coffee I see Christina and Will walk into the cafeteria and wave at them to come and join us.
"Is it ok that I called them here?" I ask Tobias, suddenly aware of the fact that he might not like them to sit with us.
"Of course it's ok. Any friends of yours are my friends too. Well, so to speak" he says laughing.
"Hey Tris, Four" Christina says.
"Good morning" Will says from behind her.
"Good morning" Tobias and I say at the same time.
"Please, take a seat" I tell them and they sit in front of us. They both fill their plates and I can see that Christina wants to ask or say something, but probably doesn't know how to do it.
"Just spill it" I say.
"What?" she asks confused.
"You want to say something. Go ahead, say it."
"Ok. It's just so many things have changed" she starts but I interrupt her.
"Tell me about it."
"Are we still friends?" she asks insecure. I look at her in shock. Why would she even think we ever stopped being friends?
"Of course we are. Unless you don't want to."
"I want to, Tris. You are my best friend. But things have changed" she says.
"But I'm still the same. I was divergent when I chose Dauntless and the whole time during initiation. The only thing that really changed is that I'm now one of the Dauntless leaders" I say smiling at her, trying to reassure her.
Tobias clears his throat next to me and I look at him questioningly. He raises one eyebrow. I get it.
"And I have a boyfriend now" I say proudly turning to face Christina. "I didn't forget" I say turning back to Tobias who looks amused.
"Congratulations by the way, Four, Tris" Will says.
"Thank you" we both say at the same time.
"If there is anything we can do to help please tell us" Will says.
"Thank you, Will. I appreciate it" Tobias says.
While we continue eating and having small talks about little things Zeke, Uriah, Shauna, Marlene and Lynn join our table. Tobias introduces everyone and tells me we have to get going.
"Wait, I have a question" Uriah stops us.
"Yes?" I ask.
"I know you have other stuff on your minds now, but when do we get to choose our jobs" he asks.
"And when do we get apartments to finally leave the dorms?" Lynn asks.
Shit. We never got the chance to even think about this stuff, let alone talk about it. I don't know what to tell them. Fortunately Tobias takes over.
"We will look into it. Right now we have to get to Candor. Please be patient" he says and we leave. We decide on taking the train since one is about to pass the compound shortly.
Within minutes a train appears and we jump on it, Tobias first and then me. We sit down on the other side opposite the door and just enjoy the ride. I look at Tobias and he is just staring at the scenery we pass, his mind a million miles away. I take his left hand in mind and kiss the back of it pulling him out of his thoughts.
"How are you?" I ask him.
"I'm fine" he answers, but I can tell he's not.
"Tobias, you can talk to me. I know that seeing him can't be easy" I say, meaning his dad. He looks at me very serious for a second before his expression changes to a more relaxed one.
"Thank you for caring for me" he says placing a soft kiss on my cheek. "But I'm fine."
"I'm not just caring for you. I love you. When you're ready you can talk to me, alright?"
"Alright. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
I can't force him to talk to me if he doesn't want to. Also, it might not be the best time. After all, we are on a train and are barely able to hear our own thoughts let alone have a conversation as important as this one. But I want him to know that he can count on me no matter what. I hope he talks to me though.
We soon reach our destination and get off the train. Tobias takes my hand and we walk hand in hand toward Candor. A lot of people have gathered already, although not as many as yesterday. We see Jack Kang approach us and walk the short distance to greet him.
"Good morning" he says.
"Good morning, Mr. Kang" Tobias says.
"Please Four, call me Jack" he says smiling.
"Alright, Jack" Tobias says.
"You too, Tris" he says to me.
"Hello Jack. So, what will happen today" I ask.
"Today the former Dauntless leaders are interrogated. We will start with Max and then continue until all five of them have been questioned" he explains.
"What about Eric?" Tobias asks. We haven't heard much about him. Will told us yesterday that he was stable when he left, but the doctors told him the next twenty four hours will be critical.
"I called the hospital this morning to get an update. He's fine. The doctors say he can be released soon. I took the liberty to add two Candor guards to the already two Dauntless guards to make sure he doesn't escape again" Jack tells us.
"Thank you for your help" I say.
"Don't mention it. We should get going. The interrogations will start soon." He turns around and we follow him. I see my parents sitting in the same place they were yesterday and I walk toward them.
"Good morning, mom, dad" I say hugging them at the same time.
"Good morning, sweetheart" my mom says.
"Good morning, honey" my dad says.
"Good morning Natalie, Mr. Prior" Tobias says from behind me.
"Good morning Four" my mom says smiling.
"Yes, good morning" my dad says a little too abrasive for my taste. "Can I have a word with you, young man?" he asks. I want to protest, but my mom grabs my hand and gives me a knowing look.
"It's ok Tris" Tobias says to me. "Please, sir, after you" he says toward my father and they leave us to talk privately, away from the gathered crowd.
"What's going on, mom?"
"Your father is still a little upset."
"Why?"
"Well, you are his little girl and as far as he sees it you will never grow up."
"But that's absurd. I'm sixteen."
"I know, but he feels you are too young for a boyfriend."
"Oh come on. What about you?"
"Me? Well, I would love to stop time too but I can't. You are a young woman capable to make your own decisions. I'm proud of you, by the way. Your father too. When the Dauntless chose you to become their leader I was so happy and proud I'm sure I broke a few Abnegation rules" she tells me and we both laugh.
"What about dad? Is he proud too?"
"Yes, very much."
"Doesn't he think I'm too young to be a Dauntless leader?"
"In his mind your too young. Period. He wants you to be forever he's little girl. But he will come around. He loves you very much and wants you to be both safe and happy. Give him some time."
"I love him too. And you of course. But I also love Four. He might not seem like it, but he is very kind, generous, loving, caring, honest, sweet and I could go on. He puts on this mask to not get hurt" I say.
"Beatrice, you have to understand that your father is friends with his father and he saw the heartbreak and disappointment Marcus went through when his only son left him."
"Mom, there are things you don't know. Or actually, you do, but you and everyone else chose not to believe it. I cannot tell you more. It's not my business, but trust me when I tell you that To…Four had every right to leave his father. He had to do it. I know that Abnegation sees him as a traitor, but they shouldn't. And if dad sees him like that as well that means he sees both me and Caleb as traitors. We chose what was best for us. So did Tobias. And if dad cannot understand this then I'm sorry for him. But I won't break up with my boyfriend just because my dad has some preconceived ideas about him" I say sternly.
"This is why I asked to talk to him without you" my dad says from behind me startling me.
"Dad?" I'm so busted right now.
"Beatrice, I had a long talk with your mother last night. You are both right. You are not my little girl anymore and I have to accept that you grow up. You are grown up. But you're still my daughter and I love you and I want what's best for you."
"Thank you, dad. I love you too. And I will always be your daughter and I will always need you and mom no matter how old I am. But trust me, he" I say and take Tobias's hand in mine "is what's best for me. I'm 100% sure of it." Tobias leans down and presses a gentle kiss to my left temple. Both my parents smile.
"This is why I invited them to join us for lunch as soon as possible" Tobias says.
"That would be lovely" my mom says.
"We will have to wait a little though" Tobias says "for all this to calm down."
We all agree and take our places, since Jack announced that the first criminal will be brought out shortly.
The door to our right opens and two Candor guards escort Max outside and toward the chair in the middle of the podium. He sits down and Jack administers the truth serum.
Just like with Jeanine and me Jack starts with simple questions working towards the reason he worked with Jeanine betraying Dauntless and almost becoming a mass-murderer. Max wasn't involved because he believed in what Jeanine said, but for the money. When Jack finally asks him what his biggest regret is he answers "Betraying my faction." Unfortunately, it's too late for that.
The interrogations of the other former Dauntless leaders are rather short compared to Jeanine's and Max's, but we learn that all the other Dauntless leaders including Eric who is yet to be interrogated as soon as the doctors give the all clear were Erudite spies.
By lunch time the last former Dauntless leader is interrogated and escorted back to his cell. Since the next interrogations start at 1:30 PM Tobias and I decide to have lunch in the Candor cafeteria together with my parents.
We sit at a small four seats table and have a light meal. My parents have the fresh garden salad with olive oil, while Tobias and I eat some fish and backed potatoes. We talk about little things. My mom asks me if I'm still sleeping in the dorm and I answer no.
"Where are you sleeping then?" my dad asks.
"Tris decided to move in with me" Tobias answers.
"What?" my dad asks a little loudly. A few people turn their heads toward the noise and my mom rubs her hand up and down my dad's arm in an attempt to calm him.
"Relax, dad."
"How can I relax?"
"Mr. Prior, I promise you nothing happened. I love and respect your daughter. I would never do anything against her will" Tobias says.
"Before you explode, dad, let me tell you one thing. I've been thinking about this for a while. I love Four and he loves me. We decided together that we wanted to live together. We both realize it's rather soon in the relationship but there's no reason to wait for it. I want to ask you to respect my wishes and decisions. They are mine and mine alone. I appreciate your concern and I know you react like this because you love me. But when you do, it only shows me that you don't trust me. I'm aware that this is new for you, but so is this for me. And Four by the way. We are happy together and we want you to be happy for us and support us. But if you think you cannot do that then we have to limit our encounters" I say sternly.
"Tris, you don't have to do this. It's only normal that your dad is worried about you. I'm a stranger and as far as he knows I'm a faction traitor" Tobias tries to calm me.
"I don't really believe that" my dad tries to defend himself. "I saw what it did to your father, but I don't think you're a traitor. I would be a hypocrite if I would believe and say that. You chose what was right for you and so did my children. It hurt of course and I miss them, but they chose this new life. And Beatrice I don't want to lose you."
"Me neither. But if you have real concerns about Four then talk to us or to him. Get to know him. Don't judge him before you even know him. Because I swear to god if you do that I won't ever forgive you. And it's not just about him. It's you not trusting me and my judgment. Let me ask you something. When you heard the Dauntless nominating me to be their leader were you proud?"
"Yes."
"Do you think I can do this? That I'm mature enough to do it?"
"Yes."
"So you trust that I can do that?"
"Yes."
"Then why can't you trust that I know how to pick my boyfriend. It didn't happen overnight. And we are not together because we look cute together. We fell in love with each other. If this, us, is a mistake let it be my mistake not yours. But just that you know I don't believe that loving Four is a mistake. In fact, I think it's both the best and wisest thing I ever did in my life and I thank god for crossing our paths. I'm sure I will never meet anyone as caring and supportive and honest and brave and loving as he is. And if you can't see that, then I'm sorry for you. But I will never ever let you dictate my life. It's mine and mine alone. Have I made myself clear?" I ask a little loud.
"Yes, Beatrice" my dad says smiling. What in the world is he smiling about.
"I think you passed some sort of test" Tobias whispers pulling me out of my own thoughts.
"Huh? What?"
"It wasn't a test" my dad says obviously having heard what Tobias told me. "Not really. I wanted to talk to Four to learn about his intentions about you and he told me a lot. Including that you two are living together. I wanted to see if you would tell me or not. You have to understand, both of you, that it is hard for me to picture my little girl as the strong, independent woman she has become. I'm really proud of you and the fact that you defend your love and relationship so ferociously I might add is proof that you truly love him. And he was just as convincing about his feelings when I talked to him privately. I just want to make sure that you are happy and safe and well taken care of and I do believe that Four is the right one for you. But if you ever hurt my little girl, Four, I will kill you" he says pointing a finger toward Tobias, but his voice is even and doesn't betray any kind of ill will. He wouldn't be my dad if he wouldn't try to look out for me.
"Good. I want my family near me and Four is now a part of it" I say and glance toward him. He smiles a warm smile that melts my heart.
"You two are so cute" my mom says and we both blush.
We finish our meal and head back to the yard where the interrogations will continue. We just arrive in the yard when Marcus comes toward us, a fake smile on his face. I feel Tobias stiffen beside me and grab his hand.
"Hello Tobias" Marcus says.
