Tobias POV
Pain sears through my back as I open my window. I stiffen as it squeaks, and strain my ears for any sound that would suggest Marcus was awake. The house was silent, besides the sound of water rushing through the popes and the air moving through the vents.
I slide my body through the window hole, and placed my foot in the familiar crevice. Then I heard a door open and footsteps. I froze.
Shit.
Shit, shit, shit. This was not happening. I quickly pull myself inside, just as my door opens.
"Where might you be going at this time of night? Marcus asks, his face portraying no emotion.
"Out-outside sir." I say, shaking in fear. I hate how he does this to me. How much power he has over me. Marcus walked towards me, and I jumped when he slammed the window shut. I hope Tris hears it from the road and takes the hint and doesn't wait for me.
"And why," Marcus said, his teeth clenched in anger. "Would you go outside in the middle of the night?"
"I wanted some fresh air." I said, hoping he would believe my lie. "I wanted to walk around Abnegation, and can't during the day so-"
"You disobey not only my rules, but the rules of Abnegation by going out after curfew." I hang me head, feeling pathetic.
"Yes sir. I am sorry sir, it-"
"And you expect me to believe that this in no way relates to Andrew's daughter also sneaking out at the same time as you, and standing in the roads between her house and ours?" Shit. If he finds out about us….. I can't let him hurt Bea. I keep my face clean of all emotions, other than fear.
"What?"
"Drop the act Tobias." He spits my name like it is poison. "You and I both know you weren't going on a walk tonight. You are just digging yourself a deeper hole. How stupid do you think I am? Did you really think you could keep your relationship with Beatrice a secret?
"What are you talking about?" Maybe if I keep up the playing dumb act, he will eventually fall for it.
"You goddamn know what I am talking about, stop lying to me." I fall to the ground and gently touch my jaw where he punched me.
"Okay." Of course he won't fall for it. I will just have to blame it all on myself so it will look like she did nothing wrong. Marcus pushes his foot into my chest.
"Now explain."
"Well, I-I-" The foot pushes harder into my chest and I suppress a grown.
"Stop. Mumbling." He says, anger filling his voice. I nod.
"It started one day after school. I met up with her walking home, since we were released at the same time. We talked, and started meeting up after school more often. Then I suggested meeting up at night to avoid suspicion. She protested until I forced her to. I, I threatened her by telling her I would tell on her to you, and she would get hurt if she didn't follow me." Before I could react, Marcus grabbed my t-shirt and banged me against the floor. Spots blurred my vision.
"YOU." Bang. "TOLD." Bang. "HER." Bang. "ABOUT." Bang "THIS?" Bang. My head felt like it had been split open, and I could feel blood oozing from the back.
"No sir." I said, best I could. "I said since you were leader, I would blame her for something bad if she didn't come. And her punishment would be harsh, coming from the leader of the factions." Marcus eyed me, as if trying to detect my lie.
"Good." His words seemed fuzzy. I was positive he had given me a concussion, and that I would fall unconscious any minute. As much as I wanted to give in to the relief of unconsciousness, I couldn't. If I did, it would just make him madder. "Because if you had, I would have to set her straight, make sure we are on the same side. And I would hate to ruin that perfect face of hers." Marcus got off me, and I managed to sit up. One thing I had learned was to never lie down in front of Marcus. It lead to more pain.
"Let's see." He said, and I shivered. "Obviously the belt isn't teaching you anything. You broke more rules then I can count. We need to find you a new punishment." He glared at me, then as he left to go find a new torture device he added, "Don't move." Like I could after he banged my head six times.
When Marcus returned, he held something in both hands. I couldn't tell what either of them were through the haze of my concussion. But I could safely assume neither would be pleasant.
"Next time, think of the consequences before you go disobeying me." I took of my shirt without him asking. "This is for your own good Tobias." And the belt came down, belt buckle and all. It came again and again, until I couldn't handle it anymore. I gave into unconsciousness like a coward, my last thought hoping Bea wouldn't come 'visit' me any time soon.
Tris POV
I was worried for Toby. He missed training Tuesday and Thursday, and is late again tonight. Why was he abandoning me? The it clicks. Marcus. How was I so stupid? Without thinking I rush to Tobias' window, and climb up. When I reach the top I open the window as quietly as possible and pull myself in. I scan the room, but see no Toby. The possibility that this could be a trap flashes through my mind, but disappears as soon as it came. Where would Marcus put him? Downstairs? No, too obvious. And he wasn't in his room.
He locks me in his closet for days.
The closet. Of course. It's the reason Toby is claustrophobic. I try the handle, but find it locked. No surprise there. I grab a bobby pin from my hair, and stick it in the hole. I twist and push it until I hear a satisfying click. I open the door, and my heart melts at the sight inside.
Tobias was curled up in the corner shirtless, blood and bruises covering his body.
"Toby?" I whisper.
"Tris?" He whispers back. His voice cracked from lack of use and sounded dry. "Tris? You shouldn't be here. God, if he found out-"
"He won't." I say soothingly, though the noticeable tension in Tobias' shoulders don't go away. "How long have you been in here?"
"I-I'm not sure. What day is it?" He scoots into a sitting position, his eyes full of pain.
"Friday."
"Only three days then. Though Marcus probably is planning on keeping me in here for another seven." He said, a grim look on his face.
"What got him so mad?" I ask. "He hasn't locked you in here in months." Tobias sighed.
"He found out about us." I stiffen. No, no no no. This is bad. Shit. "Don't worry, I took the blame. I made up this crazy story about threatening you into meeting me every night. So you should be off the hook."
"You did what?!" He didn't do that for me. No wonder Marcus is so mad.
"Don't worry-it's just what Marcus expects from me. He would have been suspicious if I hadn't told him that."
"But, but-"
"Nothing. I'll be fine. We just have to be more careful from now on. "
"But look what he did to you!" I look at his arm, "Are those knife marks? Did he cut you?" Tobias shrugged, and tried to brush it off.
"Yeah, but by now it's numbed. I'll be fine. I couldn't let him think you did anything bad. Because I will be gone in a year, but I will be leaving you with Marcus for a year. And he will come straight after you if he has even the tiniest thing to hold against you. And-" Tobias falters. "If anything were to happen to you because of me, I wouldn't be able to handle it."
"Hey," I say, kneeling in front of him. I put my hand to his cheek. "Nothing is gonna happen to me. I will be fine. You just focus on yourself for now, okay?" He nodded. "Is there anything I can do to help? I could probably sneak you some food tomorrow or sometime next week."
"No. Just don't come back, okay? I don't think I can come up with another lie if he found you here." I nod, though I'm not too happy about it.
"Then I should be going." I look into his eyes, filled with pain and terror and suffocation. Before I know it, my lips are connected to his. The same fireworks that filled me last week fill me now, heat swells up in my body. "Come to training when you can, okay? Stay strong for me, okay? Be brave Tobias." And with that I get up, and close the door behind me. I re lock it with my bobby pin, and head out the window. How can Marcus do that, after hitting and cutting Tobias, without guilt eating him alive? I reach my window, then climb up the wall and into my bed. I fall asleep with the image of Tobias in the closet stuck in my head. Please, Tobias. I think Stay strong.
