When we get back its mid-day and it's too bright outside, the sunlight blinding me. Tobias takes me back to his apartment. It's pretty bare, and it doesn't look quite lived in. There is a quote on the wall, but I can't bring myself to read it. I'm too tired for deep thoughts and questions about my brother. I just want to sleep. But, apparently, that is not in Tobias' plan. 'Where are your clothes?' I just want to go to sleep. 'Don't fall asleep, Lena. You could be concussed, and I need to find your clothes' I am grateful for Tobias calling me Lena, and I realise I should probably call him Four, Tobias connects him to Marcus, the same way Eleanor connects me to Marcus.
'He didn't...didn't hurt me – in that way.' It feels awkward and embarrassing saying it. I wish I could just forget it.
'It was him wasn't it?' I knew this was coming, but I wish I didn't and it wasn't.
'I don't know what you're talking about. Can't I just go to sleep?' I have a feeling playing dumb won't work, but I do it anyway.
'Don't try that on me Lena. I know it was Eric.' I forgot how observant Tobias is, 'I just want to know...did...did he...go all the way?' He stumbles over his words and I know I'm not the only one who's embarrassed. All I can bring myself to do is nod.
Tobias' body stiffens, his voice contorting with a rage I haven't seen before. I've seen the kind Tobias. I've seen the mean Tobias. I've seen the helpless Tobias. I've seen the restraining, angry Tobias. But I've never seen the rabid, livid Tobias, fuming and burning like a fire; red and dangerous – unstoppable.
This Tobias is scary, 'How dare he! How dare he do that!' It isn't the collected anger I've come to know of Tobias. He hurls a glass across the room, and as it hits the wall it shatters into a million shards of glass, sparkling in the sunlight. 'I'll kill him! I will! That bastard!'
'Sure.' My voice is sarcastic, and cold, I pray to bring my brother to his senses, 'Tobias there's plenty of reasons why you shouldn't, and won't, do that. Firstly, Eric is a Dauntless leader and you'll get kicked out. Second, If Eric finds out I've told you he'll probably kill me, if not both of us. Third, it's happened now and you can't change that, and finally, things like this happened to me with Marcus and you didn't stay to save me then - I cannot be any more damaged than I was before. And that's partially because of you, so killing Eric will not make it any easier for me to forgive you. It will not help your case; I'll probably just hate you more.'
Tobias' shoulders slump, and I know it's over now. He looks defeated, like when Marcus would beat him, and he would just crawl up for hours afterwards, sobbing, and rocking back and forth, his back streaming with blood. Except, this time, it isn't Marcus who's done this to Tobias-
It's me.
'I'm going to my dorm now. I'll find some clothes there.' I know it isn't convenient, but I can't stand watching Tobias any longer, seeing what I've done to him. It hurts too much.
I walk out the door, hoping that no-one will notice me. The walk from Tobias' apartment to the dorm is about five minutes long, walking fast, and in that time I get twelve weird looks, two sympathetic looks and one glare. I don't really care. When I make it back to the dorm I find that, even after walking fast, I am not anywhere near how out of breath I thought I would be. Any satisfaction is lost as I find everyone there. It's about twelve thirty, and everyone is getting ready to go to lunch. 'And here comes the slut,' Peter's voice is teasing, but not in a nice way, it's cold and cruel. I know he's trying to pull my strings, 'So... who was it who had you then? Bet it was your Dauntless friend – the beanstalk – didn't see him around helping. Did you like it? Can I have a go next?'
I can't help it, my cheeks draw blood, making them go a pink colour. Drew doubles over, his laughing silent, and he looks like he might cry, Molly – forever contrasting – is snorting like a pig. Peter just stands there, smiling at me, and I don't think it can get any worse.
'In your dreams, smartass, no-one would take you – I'm afraid your nose might get in the way – it's just so big, really it's all I can think about. Oh – and Uriah is not a beanstalk – that would imply him being weak, and quite frankly, I think that's you. You'll never really be Dauntless, you're too much of a coward.' Lynn's voice is mocking, and now it's Peter's turn for his cheeks to go red. 'Come on Lena. Let's go, there's no need to hang out with idiots like these guys.'
I turn around and Lynn and I stalk out together. 'Thanks, Lynn, you saved me in there. And I'm really grateful, but I can't go anywhere else in this t-shirt, I've already got some suspicious looks.' Lynn just rolls her eyes, 'Come on, my sisters place isn't far from here – she'll have something that'll fit you.'
Reluctantly, I follow her. It takes about two minutes to reach the apartment. Lynn knocks on the door, the sound echoing in the hallway, and a girl appears. Her hair is blonde, and reaches halfway down her back. 'Hi. Right, do you have a shower and some spare clothes, it's an emergency.' The girl nods and steps back, her face a little wary. 'Oh- right. Uh...Lena this is Shauna, my sister, and Shauna this is Lena. She's my friend, and right now she really needs to shower.' Shauna's eyebrows shot up. 'You mean... Lena, like... Capture the Flag girl?' Lynn rolls her eyes, obviously impatient, 'Yes, sis, Capture the Flag girl. Lena Eaton. And she still hasn't had a chance to shower, so can you stop being so hostile and let her in?'
Shauna nods, and we follow her into the apartment. It's dark, and there's a small sofa in the centre of the room. Shauna walks off, into the bedroom. She comes back with a pile of clothes, and indicates the bathroom. Lynn walks me to the bathroom and hands me the clothes. 'You'll be ok, right?' I nod, 'Yeah. But, Lynn? What was that about the Capture the Flag girl?'
Lynn looks suddenly serious, 'Gossip spreads fast in Dauntless.'
A/N: I've realised there's rather a lot of speech in this chapter – sorry! It just seemed appropriate. Don't worry, I know there isn't much action in this, but it was about developing relationships in this chapter, and there will be more action soon. Hope you guys liked it!
