Chapter 10

ZEKE

"George, Aram, we need to talk," I said and they nodded and followed me into my office.

"What's going on Zeke?" George asked.

"Have you got an update on this thing in the Fringe?" asked Aram.

"First, tell me your feelings on it from the time you arrived until the time you left," I asked Aram and they both narrowed their eyes at me waiting for the info but Aram acquiesced all the same.

"Well when we got there, there seemed to be a lot of tension among the folk in the Fringe. We spent half our time breaking up fights and trying to deescalate ridiculous arguments. They seemed to mostly be in the far west side of the Fringe. Then in the morning, it was like someone flicked a switch. There was no tension, no fights, nothing. We stayed half the day then headed back in after complete serenity," Aram answered. I didn't like the sound of that. It was as if they had kept us in the Fringe for a week to keep us busy, then someone has given the nod and it's all gone underground.

"And what impression did you get when you left? Were there still as many people milling around? Did anyone in the Fringe seem particularly nervous or grouping? Did you get the feeling that something was coming?" I asked.

"It all seemed fine when we left. That was why we left," Amar said defensively and I felt the need to justify my concerns and the reasons I was asking.

"Amar, I am not meaning that you missed something or you came back prematurely. We are just trying to get a handle on the origins of this group called the Revolutionists and prevent another civil war after the Faction War and the attack on the Bureau for the Purists war. This just seems to be going the same way," I explained. He seemed to settle. The whole while, George watched us both curiously.

"Well I did notice a bunch of people in groups but they always are," Amar replied. "Now that you mention it, crowd numbers did seem to be smaller by the time we left but I didn't get the feeling that something was coming. It did seem calm."

"I'm just wondering if they have gone underground," I explained again. "The reason is not only because of what happened in the Fringe, but one of the guys who planned the attack on the Bureau, his guard appears to be in the city and is seeking out information. He also appears to have put Johanna on edge. We don't know how he knows Johanna but are contemplating having him tailed," I said, giving them the information I was withholding. It was all starting to add up.

"Does this have anything to do with the sketch I drew?" George finally spoke.

"Yes, that's the guard. We don't have a name for him, but he is the one who was seen seeking information on the serums and with Johanna."

"I've seen him around as well. He came in to inspect the training in the compound a few days ago, while you guys were in the Fringe Zeke, posing as a reporter for a paper wanting to research training and recovery methods," George said and I looked at him aghast. So far everyone had been unassuming of this guy and he had been able to get in and glean information from almost everyone and in any area he wanted. "Don't worry, he got nowhere. We didn't let him in the compound," George said and laughed at the expression on my face.

"I think we need to be careful of this one," I answered.

"As do I. I like the idea of having him tailed," George said and I looked at Amar to get his opinion. He still seemed a bit miffed at the questions I asked him and I wondered if he was still feeling defensive.

"What are your thoughts?" I asked him, trying to get him back on side. He wasn't normally such a volatile personality.

"Yes sounds good to me. Let's tail him," Amar answered.

"Who wants to do it?" I asked. I didn't really have time. I was already running late for my date with Ness. I didn't think she was going to be happy.

"I can, I have a good image of what he looks like after sketching him," George said. "Do you want to join me?" he asked Amar and Amar nodded. I knew he and Amar were close. Hopefully George could help sort out whatever issue there was arising in the background.

"Excellent. Keep me posted?" I asked George and he nodded.

"Anything else I should know?" George asked.

"Well so far he has targeted the research facility for the serums and here for our 'training and recovery tactics'. Sounds like they are fishing to say we are training a new army under the serum? Similar to the army that Jeanine Matthews created for herself of the Dauntless? Maybe that's the tactic they are trying to use? Not sure where they would look next for evidence?" I said, thinking aloud.

"Perhaps the old Erudite building? Or the Bureau?" Amar replied thoughtfully and I was glad he no longer seemed to be defensive.

"That's definitely a possibility. If anyone needs to be in the know, can you call me and I will inform them?" I said and they nodded. We shook hands and they left. I raced home to shower and change to go out with Ness. I had just locked my door and was about to dash down the hallway to meet Ness for dinner, when Shauna stuck her head out.

"Hey Zeke," she said.

"Hey Shauna," I replied and tried not to look anxious about the time. I forced myself not to look at my watch.

"You going out?" she asked and I nodded. "You look great," she said and then blushed and looked away.

"Thanks. Heading out for dinner," I explained and she nodded. "Are we still on for tomorrow?" I asked her and she grinned at me.

"Definitely. I wouldn't let you out of it that easily!"

"Perfect. See you then?" I said, essentially asking her to allow me to go.

"Sure, but can you do me a favour before you go?" she asked.

"Anything, what's up?"

"Look this is really silly and I don't want to ask, but the curtains have come off in my bedroom. Can you rehang them? I can't climb chairs or ladders properly with these braces," she said, gesturing her legs. I knew it would have been hard for her to ask. She never liked showing any kind of weakness and I was still amazed at how positive she had remained after the accident.

"Not a problem at all Shauna, I'd love to," I said and followed her into her apartment. She lead me into her bedroom and I realised I had never been in here before. I tried not to be nosey and peering at everything while I was there. But I noticed that her bed was neatly made and her room had a strangely homely but minimalistic look. It was what I had pictured for her (yes I admit, I have pictured her in her bedroom before). The main "clutter" that she had was about a metre squared board covered in photos of all of us. I noticed a few of us together but refused to read into it after yesterday. I mean there were photos of everyone.

I climbed up onto the chair and rehung her curtains for her as she passed up the curtains and the clips. Slowly, we rehung each loop and I adjusted them so they sat properly.

"Thanks Zeke," she said and hugged me after I climbed down. She smelt amazing.

"No problems," I said and feigned a non-committal shrug. "I better get going," I said reluctantly and she nodded.

"See you early tomorrow?" she asked and I nodded. We said goodbye and I left, racing down to the restaurant where I was meeting Ness. She was seated when I arrived and she looked unimpressed at having to wait but she stood up as I approached the table.

"Sorry I'm late," I said, going around to her. I leant in to kiss her. She kissed my lips then pulled back and narrowed her eyes as we both sat.

"Where were you?" she asked.

"I got held up leaving the compound. George and Amar and I had to debrief about the Fringe," I said, answering honestly. That was the main reason I was running late. It had just been added to by Shauna. I was never suited to Candor.

"Then who's perfume are you wearing?" she asked, sitting back and crossing her arms.

"No one's," I replied. I wasn't wearing anyone's perfume.

"Don't lie Zeke, the look doesn't become you," she replied and I could see the fire in her eyes.

"I helped Shauna hang some curtains and she hugged me goodbye. I'm not wearing anyone's perfume," I replied again. She knew Shauna and I were friends and that we lived in the same building.

"Fine," she said and changed the subject. "How was your day?" she asked.

"You look great by the way," I said. She had obviously put in a lot of effort. She had a lovely dark purple dress on which complemented her dark features. Purple was a fairly new fashion colour for us in the city, we were used to the colours of the factions. So purples and greens in particular still stood out a lot.

"Thank you," she murmured. "So your day?" she asked again.

"It was quite busy. Following up on some leads about a few cases," I answered vaguely. "How was your day?" I asked her.

"Well something is going on in the government. There have been a few political leaders who have backed down from their upcoming policies and changed focus. Not really sure why," Ness answered. I wondered if it had something to do with the Revolutionists putting pressure on them.

"What have they changed on?" I asked, genuinely interested. I wondered how much further than Johanna this had already reached.

"Well they were initially focused more on Chicago, on upgrading services and implementing new policies. But now they seem to be more focused on communal ideas and projects to enhance the Fringe and networks with Milwaukee," she said and shrugged. She didn't seem opposed to the ideas or she would be up in arms about it. She loved a good debate. "It all seems to be of benefit in the long run."

"Fair enough," I replied and didn't push it. I didn't want to appear too interested in it or she would suspect I knew something about it. So she continued telling me about what had happened in the time I was in the Fringe including how she had met this girl who was ex-Dauntless and was going to meet up with her to go ziplining in a couple of weeks. I laughed at that. I couldn't picture Ness ziplining. I am not sure she actually knew what it is.

"What's so funny?" she asked me.

"Just can't picture you ziplining. Do you know what it is?" I asked.

"It'll be fine," she replied and didn't answer my question. I let it go. And she continued talking as the meals were brought out. As dessert came out, she asked me, "Do you want to come over and stay at mine tonight?"

"I would love to Ness, but I can't. I am meeting Tobias to work on something," I replied.

"Something to do with Cara?" she asked me. It was common knowledge that Cara was missing. This would serve a good excuse.

"Yeah we want to try and work out some leads to follow. Trying to think outside the square," I replied and she nodded, accepting my reasons. Though she looked pretty disappointed. It had been a while since we had even kissed. I felt like the passion was lacking. Wasn't really feeling it lately and I wasn't sure why. It wasn't because of Shauna, it wasn't.

"Ok. I'm worried about her. I like her. I hope you find her," Ness replied and I nodded.

I looked up and saw a few couples dancing. "Dance with me?" I asked, spontaneously. She looked at me for a while then finally agreed. I took her hand and lead her onto the dance floor and cradled her to my chest. See, I could be romantic. It wasn't all about sex. But it was too.

"Zeke… I… " Ness started saying and pulled away from me.

"What's wrong babe?" I asked her.

"I can't do this anymore. I tried to pretend that it is still the same but neither of us are. We aren't right for each other," she said and some strange part of me felt relieved.

"Is that how you really feel?" I asked her and she paused for a moment and looked at me. Then nodded decidedly.

"We both know it was never going to work. Not while you love Shauna," she said and we walked back over to the table. Love Shauna? But I didn't.

"I don't," I started saying and she cut me off.

"Zeke, don't. You may not admit it to her, or even yourself. But you love Shauna. You light up when she's around and even at just the mention of her name. You look around for her when we are at parties. Your voice changes when you talk about her. You chose to be late on our date to do something for her, even just spend time with her. Let's not pretend this is something it's not. The sooner you admit to yourself how you feel about her, the sooner you two can live happily ever after," Ness said and I thought about her words. Did I love Shauna?

"I think the reason you haven't admitted to yourself how you feel, is that you are worried if you start something with her you will mess it up and lose her. Man up Zeke, and admit it," Ness added then she kissed me on the cheek and left. I sat there for a few minutes, thinking. I didn't think she was right. But it did make me feel slightly better about spending the day with Shauna when I wasn't in a relationship.