A/N: If you ever wonder why I separate the chapters in parts, I will let you in on a secret; editing and scrolling are not my friend in fanfiction. I am much more likely to make mistakes that way. So I find it easier to edit if the chapter is broken up a little bit. This chapter will be somewhat of a long one.
Chapter 7 Part 1
Looking outside to the Dauntless courtyard at my room's balcony, I watch children play. I am realizing Dauntless and Abnegation are not that different. 2 Dauntless boys and a little Dauntless girl are outside playfully jumping over cracks. This is something I use to do; remembering how when I was young, the smallest things could be turned into a game. There are a lot more cracks on the Abnegation streets, but that would make it more fun. With these children, they are racing, but in all good spirit. It looks like the older boy will win after the little girl falls. She then gets up, runs and punches the boy, declaring herself the winner. I grimace. Maybe Dauntless are very different from Abnegation.
I exit the balcony and slide the door closed, deciding to wait sitting on the sofa in my home for the next week. I am waiting for Hana Pedrad to take me to a dinner party she is hosting at 7:00 pm. Hana is an old friend of my Mothers, and she insisted we meet while I am here. I was excited at the initial meeting thinking it was going to be the two of us for dinner, but Hana mentioned others would be there when I contacted her earlier. I was going to relax tonight, but this could be a good time to get more information.
The rest of my day went well. Four did finish the tour, but he rushed through it. I am lucky he opened up so quickly this morning during our impromptu meeting, but he became distant again once we exit the cave. I don't think he will turn on me; I inherently trust him. I don't know why I trust him so quickly. It could be because both Marcus and Evelyn recommend him, but that should give me reason to doubt him. It could be because he was someone who challenges me without being disrespectful. I can't explain it; I just know I can trust him.
When he was done with the tour, Christina took over discussing my schedule, and anything I need while I am here. I did get my meeting with Max, on the last day I am here. That will be a good time, hopefully getting the information I need before I talk to him. I tell her I will need to make a press conference on Thursday, and she assured me she can make the arrangements. I have a busy week, something to do every day, but I am happy to be kept busy.
She then led me to my room for the week. It is a simple and eloquent room. It has a balcony, a large queen bed, a sofa at the end of the bed, television on top of a large wood dresser, two side tables with modern looking lamps and a telephone that calls anywhere, and a kitchenette to store and reheat food. It is nice for being a temporary room, but what was over the top was the bathroom. It had a fancy sink that turned on automatically, a shower that pours water from the ceiling and large tub that could hold a group of people. Maybe that's where lastnight party was held. It is a lot fancier then I am use to. I wasn't even sure how everything worked until Christina showed me.
While this room is lovely, it does make me miss home. I am always taken back when I have this feeling while I travel. When I was younger, I couldn't wait to leave Abnegation, always admiring the other factions. I felt so restricted in Abnegation. All I could think about sometimes was going to another faction. During faction history class and faction visiting day, I always imagine what my life would be like in each faction. Particularly with Dauntless, I would imagine running around, shooting guns, acting all heroic. I fantasized rescuing a person from a dangerous factionless person by beating them up with my bare hands. I even imagined wearing a black costume with the Dauntless flames symbol in red on my chest. Embarrassing, I know.
Then reality hit me. I couldn't leave my parents, especially after my brother Caleb left without even looking back. I couldn't put myself in danger, knowing being Divergent made me a target in other factions. I couldn't be something I was not. So I chose Abnegation, thinking I would be the same old Abnegation girl I always was.
After the intense Abnegation training, I starting growing. When I decided to follow my father's footsteps, I grew more confident. When I found out my parents were real heroes, helping and saving people in other factions, I knew I could do so much more in Abnegation. Even with the emotional setback of my father dying, I have grown to be so much more than I ever fantasized. Despite the stress and being emotionally exhausted sometimes, I cannot imagine choosing differently.
A knock on the door makes me come back to reality. I rush to the door to open it to a beautiful, tall, older, black woman, with wild curly hair partially pinned back and several emotions crossing her face when she sees me.
"Oh my gosh." She whispers, as she is staring at me.
"You must be Hana Pedrad?" I nervously ask, unsure why she is so emotional.
"Yes….I'm Hana…you are...Beatrice…I mean President Prior... Oh I'm sorry. I'm staring, " she breathlessly responds.
"Oh please, don't apologize. It is ok. Come in." She walks in, and getting a better look at her, I think she would be considered the definition of Dauntless. She is wearing tight black jeans with combat boots that go to her knees. She has a long sleeve dark red blouse that fits her muscular arms perfectly. And I see a peak of tattoos on her wrists that looks like some type of wild animal, maybe a tiger. She might be older, but she looks to be very tough.
"Hello, my name is Beatrice Prior. You can call me Beatrice." I say reaching my hand out to give a proper Dauntless introduction.
"Of course you are," she says exuberantly. "And no need for the formal introduction." She then looks me up and down again. I am wearing a proper long sleeve grey dress criss cross at the top in a quilted pattern and flows out at my hips going to my ankles. It is something you commonly see in Abnegation at formal gatherings. I try not to be too formal by having my hair partially down. "I am sorry once again….it just…you look so much like your mother when she was younger."
I blush at her comment. "I will take that as a compliment."
"You should. Your Mother was a very beautiful firecracker when she was in Dauntless. I bet she still is. And I feel like I have traveled back in time when I see you." She says. I am taken aback by her comment becoming emotional now. She suddenly shakes herself out of her trance. "I need to stop, before you think I am a crazy."
"Trust me, I don't think that."
"Well I should stop because I don't know what my boys are doing right now with the dinner I prepared. Let's head over there now." She must be talking about her sons. She mentioned her two sons will be there.
"Of course."
We exit my room, and start walking the halls of Dauntless. Hana is an expert of walking through these halls, taking short cuts Four never showed me. We chit chat about Dauntless, as she describes what the faction is like and her memories with my mother. When we pass some female Dauntless, they stop to curtsey, saying "Madame President" as I pass by. Even a few of the male Dauntless curtsey. I can only shake my head. I cannot believe how far Four's 'Abnegation custom' is traveling.
Hana is even noticing. "What is that about?" She asks confused.
"Someone must of told them they have to curtsey and say 'Madame President' when they see me out of respect because I am from Abnegation." I explain.
"Oh my god." Hana responds, shaking her head. "You will quickly notice, Dauntless know very little about Abnegation, any of the factions really."
"How come?"
"The only time Dauntless learn anything about the Factions is when Ambassadors visit to talk about their factions the last year of school. Otherwise, it is nonexistent. The only other Faction we really learn about later in life is Candor, since we have to keep up with the laws and Erudite if you become an Emergency Technician or Medic. I am an Emergency Medic, so I trained under Erudite. It is all job dependent."
"Dauntless goes to school with Artistry. Don't they learn anything from them?"
"Not really, no. I remember only having classes with Dauntless kids. We were completely separated."
"Everyone has to take Faction History Class." I bring up, confused at how Dauntless can be so clueless about the other factions.
"We do take Faction History Class, but is more Dauntless History Class, learning only the Dauntless perspective."
"But Erudite handles all the schooling. Why wouldn't they teach Dauntless about other factions?"
"Interesting question. I don't know." But she gives me a curious look that makes me think she has an idea.
I remember when I was in school, I learned about the other factions from my Erudite teacher. Why would the education be different for each of the factions? I am starting to think Erudite has a lot more control of our system then I initially thought. "We're here." Hana says, distracting me from my thoughts.
She unlocks her door and opens it to a large space that connects the kitchen, living room, dining room and entertainment area in one space. It immediately feels like a family home, with a variety of clothes, books, and games randomly everywhere; a table set for a large group of people, but lacks silverware, and a kitchen filled with food for a feast. I like the atmosphere already.
Two tall, muscular boys are in front of a dish of cake wrestling over who gets to it first. "Uriah and Zeke! Stop it!" Hana yells. When they turn around and both have huge apologetic grins after they got caught. I realize these are grown men.
"Sorry Mom." They say in unison. You can't help but forgive them when they have charming goofy grins.
"Uh, huh. That is not for you. This is for our distinguish guest. I knew I shouldn't had you come over to setup. Get out of my kitchen." Hana say sternly. They step back with their hands up, like they are about to get arrested. Hana turns to close the front door, and turns back to introduce me, "Beatrice, these are my unruly sons, Uriah" she points to the slightly shorter, younger son, "and Zeke." She then points to the taller, older son. Both look like their mother, with brown skin, very tall, very muscular and handsome, wearing their dauntless black uniform jackets that has the Dauntless symbol stitched on their shoulder sleeve. Zeke has his jacket slightly unbutton at the top, but Uriah has his completely unbutton with his black tank top showing. They must of gotten off work.
Uriah approaches me, awkwardly curtsey, and says "Madame President." I groan. I am going to kill Four.
His brother Zeke starts laughing at him hard, "What, are you doing, bro?"
"Showing respect Jackass." Uriah responds. Zeke laughs only harder and Uriah punches him in the stomach. Hana virtually gives up, and retreats to the kitchen, finishing up dinner.
"I don't think...you show respect...acting like a girl." Zeke says, bending over and laughing now. Uriah pushes him, trying to knock him over.
"Shut up. Just because I got class and charm," Uriah says giving me an amazing bright smile and wiggling his eyebrows. He turns back to his brother, "The only thing you and classy have in common is ass." Uriah jokes.
"Psh. Oh I got class baby bro," Zeke says, as he approaches me, gently grabs my hand, and slightly bends down kissing my knuckles, telling me in a deep voice, "Madame President, how can I be of service?" Ugh, I can't help but blush.
"Hopefully not at all." A gorgeous woman in a very tight black long sleeve V-neck top, tight pants, and very high heels, holding steaks, says behind me. I am slightly intimidated by her presence because of her glare, but realize she is looking at Zeke.
I turn back to Zeke to see his stunned face, "Shauna. Baby. I didn't know you would be here early. Just being polite to the President." He tells her, trying to kiss her on the lips. Now it's Uriah's turn to laugh at Zeke.
Shauna shakes her head at what I think is her boyfriend, and turns to me, but softens her face when she introduce herself, "Shauna Lopez, the idiot over there's wife" she says shaking my hand, while putting the grilled steaks on the counter. "It is a honor to meet you."
"It is nice to meet you, and thank you for coming." I respond.
"I should be thanking you for coming. I never met a leader before, let alone the head leader." Shauna says. "I am truly grateful." I am a little surprised by her comment. Does that mean she has never met Max? I try to meet all the Abnegation members out of courtesy, but I thought that was what all the leaders do.
When Hana sees Shauna has arrived, she comes over and introduces her, "Shauna is the Director of Emergency Medicine. She manages all the emergencies throughout the state. I thought you would be interested in talking to her."
"Oh wow, that is amazing. I would like to talk to you." I respond excitedly. I would love to have more EMTs throughout the state, instead of relying on Erudite for everything medicine related. I have heard certain people, specifically Abnegation and Amity, waiting for hours for a doctor. It would be great if Dauntless EMTs could take more responsibility.
"Let's talk then." She says pointing to the living room area, where we can sit. She stops though, and turns back to the Pedrad brothers, who are interested in the food again. She ask them in an unamused tone, "Really?" In her hand are some dirty shorts she found on the couch.
Hana turns, glaring at them and starts slapping each son's arm, "I," slap "told" slap "you" slap "both" slap "to" slap "clean" slap "this" slap "house!" Slap, slap.
"Ow, Momma! I am a grown man. I do not live here no more." Zeke complains, while Uriah rubs his arm, but I doubt it hurts.
"A grown man who leaves his dirty basketball shorts in his mother's living room." Shauna says. "Now clean!" Both Uriah and Zeke start to clean up the area, throwing stuff in another room.
"Calm down baby." Zeke says with a handful of stuff in his arms, trying to kiss Shauna again.
"Telling me to calm down right now will work as well as giving our cat a bubble bath." She responds. Zeke looks petrified, now rushing to clean the house. She turns to me and says, "We have a really mean cat," doing a cat face and scratching motion with her hand to describe her point. I giggle at their banter. It is easy to see they all love each other.
When they are finally done, Shauna apologizes. "No worries." I tell her, as we sit down, and discuss some of the problems we have that she may alleviate. I quickly figure out Shauna is a strong, determined woman. She is shocked she was never told of the medical problems we have in the State, and is already thinking of ideas to resolve them. She is going to have more EMT positions up for the new recruits this year and increase the coverage over the next 4 years, without going through Erudite. I like her style.
More people come to the dinner party; some I have already met and new people. Christina and Will are here. I learn Will works in security as a technician with Four. Marlene is came, who happens to be Uriah's girlfriend. I was surprised not to see Al, but Christina told me they really aren't that close. They only hang out in the cafeteria.
I also learn Zeke is a police officer. Uriah is an Ambassador and trainer of the Dauntless born, which is surprising because I never seen him before. Also Shauna's brother, Hector, who is only 16, and sister, Lynn, are here. Lynn is a professional fighter. I am a little surprised because she only seems to be a little taller than me, but when she takes off her jacket and I see her muscular arms, I recognize she undoubtedly would do well in fighting. Her Mohawk also makes her look strong. She brought her girlfriend, Maggie, who works at the child care center in Dauntless, and she is very sweet but quiet.
Torri Wu, with her boyfriend Bud, also came. I was a little bit startled when I saw her. For some reason, I didn't think I was going to talk to her again, but she swiftly acknowledges me and leaves to talk to Hana. I overhear that her and Bud runs a tattoo parlor, and that has me thinking, she probably knows everyone.
Hana announces dinner is done, and I get up to sit at the table with the rest of the group. I stick out terribly, as everyone is in shades of black or other dark colors and look very bold. I am definitely on the plain side. However, I notice that while the dinner is loud with everyone talking over each other, they are eating family style like Abnegation do, passing the food to each other. The meal is a lot more extravagant than Abnegation food, with huge steaks, creamy mash potatoes, buttery corn on the cob, roasted green beans, condiments I never seen before, and delicious looking chocolate cake. I am offered some alcohol, but decline, only wanting water. Abnegation don't drink, and I never thought to try, even though I am in a different faction. I don't think it would be appropriate.
People are sitting with their partners. Hana sits at the head of table and Hector humorlessly sits at the other end. I sit near Hana, but am surprised to have Four pull up a chair and sits in between us.
"I didn't know you were coming." I tell him.
"I wouldn't miss the cake." He humorlessly said.
I shake my head and whisper, "smart ass" unexpectedly.
"No. I am skilled, trained professional in sarcasm." He said, popping a green bean in his mouth. I giggle at his comment and shake my head. When I look up, I see Zeke, who is sitting across from me, looks very amused. I wipe my mouth with a napkin, wiping my smile with it.
We discuss our events of the day as we eat, talking about nothing too serious. Everyone is drinking alcohol, except for me and Four. Even Hector is drinking, but only lite beer and not that much. This helps the conversation flow as people are opening up more. I am happy it is not awkward, discussing my schedule and offering up ideas when it makes sense to interject.
It suddenly does get weird, when Uriah tests me by saying, "So you are trying to fuck a Dauntless guy." I nearly spit out my water, while Marlene smacks him on the head. "Ow Woman! What you do that for?"
"No she isn't!" Marlene tells him. "Right?" she then asks unsure.
"No, no I am not. I want to hang out with someone from Dauntless, like I am doing right now. Get to know them."
"Dam Four! I thought you were finally going to get some." Uriah says with a smirk, only to be hit by Marlene again. "Ow!" I am shocked, now wondering is this the only reason Four is helping me.
Four responds with a weird gesture and says "Fuck you, Uriah."
"Enough!" Hana yells. "Can we at least attempt to be civilized tonight? It is bad enough others think we are animals. I don't need you acting like it in front of the President."
"Other factions don't think we are animals Momma." Zeke explains. "People only fear us, which they should," he says while flexing his arms.
Shauna roller her eyes, "That is not true. You have no idea how many people think we are strong, but stupid and even whorish. I get no respect when I go to factions like Erudite."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa." Uriah says stopping the conversation, "you are definitely not stupid." Uriah starts laughing, while others couldn't believe he stopped the conversation for that. Shauna is not amused by his joke.
"It is true though." Christina responds. Shauna looks perturbed by her agreeing. "No no no no, not what Uriah said, what you said." She tells Shauna. "Dauntless gets no respect unless you have a gun in hand."
"Or if you punch someone," Lynn said offhandedly.
"That is because other factions only talk to us when they need us the most, in emergencies. They don't know what we are like." Will offers up his opinion.
"Why don't you show them?" I say, but am met with laughter from a few of them, particularly Zeke and Uriah.
"No way do I want to talk to a loud mouth Candor or a wise-ass Erudite." Uriah exclaims, high fiving his brother. Christina and Will seem uncomfortable by this comment.
"How fucking ironic for an Ambassador to say," Tori comments.
"Look, all I have to do is go around and talk about how awesome we are. I don't have to talk to anyone if I don't want to. And if they ask me something, I give them my intimidating face." He then shows us what it looks like. It is less intimidating, more bored looking.
"Oh baby, you look so tough." Marlene says, kissing his cheek. Shauna makes a throw up face.
"Seriously though, you don't talk to any of the faction members as an Ambassador?" Tori asks, not amused by Uriah.
"Come on Tori. Leave the boy alone." Zeke tells Tori. "It is not like they have shit to say. Most of them are fucking unpleasant to be around."
I smile and say, "I am not so bad." I tell him. They seem to agree with that, while Hana looks like she is ready to discipline her older son.
"But you are different," Zeke defends. "You actually give a dam."
"That is because I try, unlike you." He is stunned that I insult him. Abnegation may always be selfless, but doesn't mean we always have to be nice. "Seriously, why don't you talk to other faction members?" I ask again.
Everyone seems to be quiet, contemplating the question. Except Four, who simply says, "Because they are afraid to." He then takes a final bite of his Dauntless cake and gets up to put his and mine dirty plates to the sink to clean.
"I ain't scared of shit!" Uriah yells to his back.
Four nonchalantly turns back to the table and explains, "When Uriah was 17, a you Amity girl tried to give him her bread at a playground as a welcoming gesture, but he pretended to be deaf to avoid her." Four then continues with his work. People around the table starts laughing at poor Uriah.
"Really Bro!? You told him that?!" Uriah chastises Zeke.
"What!? It's a funny story to act out." Zeke says to his brother. Uriah only shakes his head in embarrassment, but Marlene rubs his neck and kiss him to comfort him.
"What is there to be afraid of?" I curiously ask.
"Consequences." Christina says despondently.
"What do you mean? What consequences?"
No one seems to want to explain and Four is awkwardly doing the dishes, but Hana decides to explain, "There are consequences for talking to other factions here. It is look down upon to interact with others. Considered traitorous even."
"Why?" I ask her.
"Because 'Faction before Blood' of course. We protect our own first and foremost."
"But that is different now. It is not against the law anymore. You have nothing to fear." I try to explain.
"Old habits die hard dear. It is difficult for people to change, especially the older Dauntless." Hana tells me.
"And there are still consequences." Christina adds.
"What consequences, specifically?" I ask again.
"Like…get thrown in front of a train." Tori casually says, but is unamused.
"Tori." Hana warns.
"What? You think my brother was really killed by someone in Factionless?" She asks Hana. Hana can only sigh and starts helping Four clean up. Tori continues to tell me, "My brother, George, a patrol officer, would help the factionless stay out of trouble. Instead of harassing or arresting them immediately like other Dauntless, he would talk to them. Try to figure them out. He would even teach some of them how to defend themselves from actual violent people. My brother was fearless." Tori empathically explains, with Bud rubbing her back, trying to calm her down. "Of course the Dauntless council didn't like it; telling him it is pointless and he is putting other Dauntless in danger. George ignore them, kept working with the Factionless because he saw it was helping keep the crime rate down.
Then one day, he was pushed in front of a moving train during patrol and died. I was told by Max himself, it was because of the Factionless, even though they had no video proof. Such bullshit!" Tori concluded, drinking the rest of her drink. I think she is drunk, but doesn't mean what she is saying couldn't be true.
I feel bad for Tori and her brother. It sounds like him helping others got him killed. "I'm sorry for your loss," telling her sincerely. It is the only thing I can think to say to Tori, but she doesn't respond. She just walks right out of the house, slamming the door behind her.
"Sorry about that everyone. She…will never be able to get over his death." Bud, Tori's boyfriend says. "Goodnight everyone. Nice to meet you Beatrice." He says, following Tori home most likely.
There is a silence in the room, but I can't help myself. I want to know more. "Has anyone else experienced consequences?" I ask.
Christina decides to tell her story. "This was when it was illegal to talk to other Factions mind you, but I thought it was ok at the time." She explains. "But, during training, on Visiting Day, I was so excited to see my Mother and Sister. I was from Candor, you know. Dauntless training is...stressful, and seeing them was…calming." Christina remembers fondly. "I hugged my Mother and kissed my sister so much. I wanted to show them I still loved them even though I transferred. Especially knowing I would never see them again." Christina quickly wipes a tear away, while Will gives her a comforting side hug.
"Anyways," Christina continues, "the next day, after a long day of fighting. Eric said he wanted to reward me for my hard work. I was shocked. Not wanting to questions him, I went along with it. I literally thought, 'Finally!' especially since I won my fight that day. He guided me through to the Chasm, with the rest of the class following behind. I thought we were heading to the cafeteria for a treat or something, but then he pushed me off the walking bridge and he was holding me by the wrist." I gasp. I cannot believe someone would do that. "He then told me I better grab the railing. I quickly did, and held on for dear life, which was so hard with the water hitting my back and thinking…thinking…" Christina had to stop as she was getting choked up.
Will continues, "Eric said he was testing her loyalty. Saying 'The strength of Dauntless is not just about winning fights, but whether you are willing to fight for Dauntless'." Will says, imitating Eric's voice. That seems all wrong. Dauntless is supposed to be fighting for people in danger, not themselves.
Christina seems to be able to continue her story, "He whispered to me, 'Let's see how much you really want to be here now, or maybe we can send your dead body to your Mother and Sister'. It was so scary. I hung there for 10 minutes, but it felt longer. Eventually he pulled me up, and Will ran to grab me before I rolled off. Eric final words were 'Faction before Blood'." She says. I am trying to hold back tears, trying to seem unaffected, but that story really upset me.
"Training is the worst." Uriah blurts out. "We got to fight each other till one of us are unconscious. It is to get rid of the weak, but Max always put Dauntless against the transfers knowing that the Dauntless initiates were more experienced. Sometimes…I didn't know who I was after a fight, willing to do anything to prove I was Dauntless. I would actually get furious if someone was more Dauntless then me, ready to pick a fight with them." Uriah says shaking his head and his brother pats him on the back, even giving him a brotherly hug.
"It is not like we had a choice." Lynn defends. "We were treated like shit if we helped or showed sympathy of transfers. We still are." She takes a long swig of her beer. "You do what you got to do." I now see the real Dauntless, a faction that is cruel and forces loyalty among its strongest members. I use to think they were heroic.
"Four is the only one on the council who gives a shit." Shauna says. I look at her confused. She looks around and notices he is not in the room anymore. She continues, "We were in the same class, and when I was terrible with fighting, he helped me train after hours."
"He helped me too," Maggie says, who has been quiet throughout this heavy conversation. I smile to her, thinking she is a lot like my size. I think Four would of helped me too if I chose Dauntless.
Shauna explains further, "He is the one who gives out the extra help during training. He is the one who does his best to protect you from the Dauntless council. He is the one to go to when the leaders are being Dicks. Now he may not be comforting," Shauna clarifies. "But, he will defend you. He has no problem going right up to Eric and even Max, and tell them to stop fucking around."
"Why doesn't he get 'consequences'?" I ask.
"Have you seen the man?" Zeke ask, and I can't help but slightly blush. Of course I seen him. He lightly chuckles, "He is the epitome of Dauntless. What Dauntless should be anyways. He walks in a room and people respect him, not fear him, unlike the other Dauntless Council Members."
"And…they want him to be leader." Shauna says looking around the table.
"Of Dauntless?" I ask.
"Nope." Shauna says, shaking her head, popping that p, and looking straight at me. "Of the State." I was confused by her answer, until I recognize what she is saying. They want him to take my job, be President. "They think he is the only chance we have of Dauntless winning the Presidency, so I heard. Don't quote me."
"But he refuses, every time Max offers. And Max offers a lot." Zeke whispers, like he is telling me a secret. I can't believe what I am hearing. Dauntless is trying to take over the government. I always assume they didn't want it because they never run someone for Presidency and it is not what they do. Max would never run. No one would vote for him. I don't even know how he got Dauntless leadership. But if they found their ideal candidate, like Four, they could win easily. And Dauntless would have control of the government.
People have believed for a long time Abnegation is the best to run the government because we are selfless, and think of others before ourselves no matter what faction you are. That is why our faction has won the Presidency so many years in a row. That is partially why I won, the youngest President ever. People believe our faction would do the best for the people of Illinois, even when we are going through rough times. I always knew Erudite wanted control of the government; they actively show it, but they never get any votes because they lack empathy. To find out Dauntless would like to take control, a faction people think are courageous but really are cruel and brutal, it makes me think about my father's death. I was told a crazy factionless person killed him. Maybe like George Wu's death, that's bull shit.
"Anyone else needs a fucking drink?" Christina asks, as she gets up to get more alcohol. Almost everyone raises their glass up to agree.
"I had enough." Hana protest, putting the leftovers away and cleaning up. Her sons come up and help her, with Zeke kissing her cheek and Uriah giving her a bear hug.
"Hector, it is time for you to go to bed." Shauna commands. He tries to stay up, but Shauna is not having it.
"I can take him back. Maggie and I are done anyways." Lynn says as she smiles towards her girlfriend, who nods and agrees. "It was nice meeting you President Prior. And make sure you see one of my matches while you are here." I give her nod, not trying to make any promises. I will be really busy with these new revelations. They get up, and Lynn pushes her brother out of his chair, "Move Hec, let's go." She commands, and he gives me a smile and wink, before he follows his sister out of the room. That was weird.
"Are you sure you don't want a drink?" Christina ask me.
"I am sure. Thank you though." I tell her. Before she turns and walks back to the kitchen, I let her know, "I am going to do something about all this." She looks like she doesn't believe me, but gives an appreciative smile anyways.
I get up and look around, looking for someone in particular, and Hana comes over and says, "Four is outside in the backyard, down there." She points down the hallway. I don't know how she knew I was looking for him, but I do not ask, thanking her for the help.
Before I walk away, she stops me, to tell me one more thing, "And also, Beartice, be careful with these dates Eric setup for you." I turn to her looking confused, and all she said is, "Consequences." She then turns away finishing cleaning up, until she sees her younger son, "Uriah! Put down that cake! Now! Boy, you think you never been fed before!"