Chapter 10
"So, are you going to tell us his name or not? – said Jeanine impatiently.
"It's Edward Rogers."
What is he talking about? Did he make it up or did Tris really cheat on me?
"Tell me everything what you know!" – Jeanine was continuing his inquiry.
"Edward was a transfer from Erudite. He was the first in the ranking. Because of that, he was stabbed in his eye and became factionless. Unfortunately, before he left Dauntless, he had attacked Tris and he had raped her."
Very nice story Four, but why did you do it?
"Assuming, you are telling the truth. Why didn't you report it?" – asked Jeanine.
"I didn't know it. I have already found out. Max asked me to push her friend. She is from Candor, so she can't lie."
"All right, this makes sense to me. A girl from Abnegation, who doesn't want to tell anybody about this kind of violence, because it proved her weakness and revealed that she really doesn't fit in here."
"Eric I want to see you here tomorrow at 9.00. Today, I am too tired to continue this thing. What's more, I need to think about the future of Tris and her fetus and make some particular decisions. Four, I want you to know, what happened with this Edward. Try to talk with factionless and find him. Now you both are free to go."
I was going with Four down the hallway in completely silence. I was still thinking about his appealing story.
"What was that and why did you say it?" – I interrupted that awkward silence.
"If you want to know, be in the bar at 10.00 p.m."
At 10.10 p.m. I came to the bar. Four was sipping his drink and was talking with bartender.
"Double malt whisky please and the same for Four." – I ordered.
"Why are you so generous Eric?" – Four asked me.
"We both know what you did and I think that I owe you something" – I answered.
"You really think that I did it for you. You are so funny, Eric. I did it for her."
"For her? What do you mean?"
"Listen, I know what you did to this poor girl. However, I think that Tris is not a fool. Maybe she was under the spell and love blinded her somehow, but she chose you. Apparently, she saw something interesting in you, what I can't see. She wouldn't have been so stupid to be with a guy, who has no heart and no feelings. So I thought, that I could give you a chance, because you can help her."
"Another great speech Four. Are you really sure, you don't want to be a leader?"
"Ok. I understand that you won't take any responsibility for her and the baby? I see that brave and fearless Eric is afraid of newborn."
"You know nothing about me. I had a shitty childhood. I won't be good father or boyfriend."
"Do you really want to talk about shitty childhood? You know what Eric. You are just a coward, who don't want to stand behind his actions!"
"She was there too. You know that you need two to tango, right?"
"Of course, Eric, but she is the only one who was left alone with consequences. She even didn't tell Christina about it."
"You said, that Candor had told you. How did you know about all these things?"
"Amanda told me about Tris and her pregnancy, so I pushed Christina and she told me about the kiss. Then I reminded myself, the night I was in the control room and saw you and Tris on the roof. So I figured it out. Tris probably was too ashamed of all this, so she decided not to tell anyone about you two. I wanted to respect her decision. Your secret is safe with me for a while, but I am not sure for how long."
"What do you want to do?" – I asked him.
"I don't know Eric. The only thing I know, is that neither Tris nor her baby deserves to be a lab rat. I am not going to let Jeanine to do this to them. Think about what I told you, but remember that my offer of cooperation is limited in time" – after saying that, Four left.
I stayed in the bar longer than Four, thinking about his offer and drinking. In that moment it was unacceptable. I couldn't be a father to anyone, besides I was a leader and I had a mission to complete. After some hours of drinking, I went to my apartment and fall asleep immediately. I woke up at 8.55. I had a terrible hangover, but when I looked at my clock I realized that in five minutes I have to be in infirmary. At 9.10 I was in place. I knocked to the examination room and came in.
"You're late Eric. I bet you spent too much time in the bar" – Jeanine said to me.
"I am sorry for being late but…" – I answered but my sentence was interrupted by strange noise.
"What is that noise?" – I asked Jeanine.
"Oh, that is probably a heartbeat of the fetus. Tris is behind hanging" – saying this she opened the curtain.
I was standing right behind the Jeanine. Tris was lying in a bed, while the gynecologist was doing an ultrasound. Beating was vibrant and very strong. On the screen I saw a blip. Tris eyes were filled up with tears. I wasn't sure what I felt in that moment, but I really wanted to hold Tris in my arms and assure her that everything will be fine.
"All right, you see that blip is your baby" – the doctor told to Tris.
"According to your cycle and its size you are five weeks pregnant. Here you can see developing eye and there is arm bud and leg bud. I don't see any damages, which might have been caused by fighting. But taking into account that you are very weak, dehydrated and today you had a bleeding, I advise you to stay in the infirmary until the end of third month of your pregnancy."
"What did you say? Was she bleeding? Is it serious and can cause a danger to the baby?" – I don't know why, but I asked the doctor.
Jeanine looked at me with disbelief, so did Tris. Due to this fact, I added.
"I want to know, because that can interfere our project"
Jeanine was reassured but Tris rolled her eyes and sighed. I knew what she was thinking.
"Bleeding can be dangerous in the very beginning of the pregnancy. At the moment it is not serious, but I want to control it on regular basis"- she answered smiling.
"When is her due date?".
"It should be around 15 March. At the moment Tris, I recommend you a lot of sleep, eat properly and avoiding stress. The next ultrasound will be in two months time. Then we will see if you can go home."
"Thank you doctor for your time" – said Jeanine.
"I am going to talk to Max. I will be back soon, so Eric stay here for a while"
I nodded, looking at Tris.
Tris POV
Since yesterday, my whole world turned upside down. I was pregnant and I will be a single mother at age 18. I wanted to change my life, but I didn't imagine in what direction it would go. I loved this guy and I trusted him and that's what happened to me. I was so stupid. I've always believed in my gut feeling and this is the result of it. I am not sure what kind of life this kid would have, since Jeanine has put her hand on it. In addition this jerk is staring at me.
"What do you want?" – I said loudly.
"How are you feeling?" – Eric asked me.
"How do I look like?"
"I don't know…I wanted to know how do you feel, but not physically but emotionally?"
"Oh, how sweet of you Eric" – I said it in sarcastic way and added.
"I am not going to tell you how I feel, because it is none of your business. I am the victim of a rape. Now, I need peace and quiet. More stress might cause more bleeding and then my baby and your project will be at risk" – I said that gazing at him and smirking.
"Do you want something to drink?" – Eric wasn't giving in.
"No, I am not thirsty. I'm perfectly fine."
"All right Eric, me and Max established some things and we know what to do" – Jeanine was back.
"Tris I need you to listen carefully. Since now, you are under the supervision of geneticists and gynecologists. You will stay in the infirmary until the end of third month. We will run some tests here, but the most important tests will be run after your labor. We don't want to risk that something bad will happen to fetus or you. You both are really precious for our research. You are not cut, so you don't have to be worry about being factionless. Your training was suspended. Since today, Eric is personally responsible for your protection. Today, we will install some microphones and additional cameras here. Do you have any questions."
"I assume that I and my baby will be lab rats. What do you want to do with us?"
"After the labor, we will transport you to Erudite headquarter. At the moment it is impossible, because we work there on special project. I don't want to inform everybody that I have finally found Divergent and I can proceed some research. It would be too soon. Besides, I still need to work on some serums for you and the fetus."
"What about my future here in Dauntless?" – I asked her.
"If my serum succeeded, you would be no longer Divergent."
"But what if not?"
"It is difficult to say. You are stronger than your fetus. There is a high chance that you will survive anyway. I am not sure about the fetus. This serum will be extremely strong. So it would be better, if your fetus wasn't Divergent. But to be honest, taking into account you genes, that is almost impossible."
"What about the genes of the father?" –I asked her again.
"I thought about it. This kid from Erudite was sick. I assume that, because of his act of violence. On the other hand he was from Erudite, so he was smart. I want to check the combination of his genes and your genes. But your genes probably would be dominant. By the way, the good news is that, you won't see this Edward anymore. Four reported me about his death in factionless territory two weeks ago."
"To sum up, you don't know what will happen to me or the baby?"
"I am sorry Tris, I don't know your fate. Anything is possible" – she smiled and turned to Eric.
"Eric, I want you to control this room at least twice a day. I will be here on Wednesday." – she said that and left.
I started sobbing. I was lonely, pregnant and left in the lurch. I was expecting the baby, whose father turned out to be traitor, not to mention he has never loved me. When I had realized that, I felt so misfortune that sobbing was the only thing, which could ease my pain. Then I saw Eric, who was trying to say something, but instead of that he put his thumb on my cheek and swept away some tears. After that he kneeled down next to my bed and looking into my eyes he said:
"You heard the doctor Tris. You need to avoid stress and eat properly. Otherwise something bad might happen to this little one. Keep that in your head and remember to eat the plate full of food. Remember Tris to eat the plate full of food" – he stood up, smiled gently and left the room.