- Caleb pov -

I read the note that she left once again and try to understand. I feel little jealousy, it's always someone else gets all good stuff to handle. But there is a warning in note also, Alexa or should I say Erica has warned me, I have too much to loose. By that she is right, I have Cara and kids and I cannot place them in danger. So I pick my phone and try to call to Johanna but she doesn't answer. Then my co-worker Tia rushes in asking "Have you heard the latest news? There has been some sort of hustle on River Avenue last night and our woman in Government, Johanna Reyes, is in critical condition in hospital right now, she was injured severely. She has some sort of critical head trauma or something and if she survives she will be arrested. The accusation is that she has been organizing kidnapping and some of River Avenues Welfare Centers girls are missing. They are searching them everywhere!" she looks to me "Haven't you heard anything about this?"

I must shake my head, I haven't heard and I'm thunderstruck. I search news, try to get any information what has happened but there isn't much. Three girls are still missing and the Welfare Centers stuff is desperately searching after them. Johanna and some other woman has been injured badly, two men is killed and Welfare Centers building is destroyed. Matthew is talking on news, pleading for kidnappers to return "those innocent girls , who had got in trouble and that they were helping out", like they were some benefactors at Bureau. He explains that girls need immediate hospital care because of their physical and mental condition and they can harm themselves or others if left untreated. Hole purpose of these Welfare Centers has been to take care of young girls that were mentally handicapped in one way or more plus all physical handicaps that they had. They where helping girls that were too young, too pregnant, to deep in troubles. Some of girls had no other place to stay, they had been kicked out from home and school after they had been "promiscuous" or so Matthew explains with poker face. I laugh. But I must say that he is really convincing in his act.

Girls pictures are shown; 15 years old Tina, 16 years old Ann and 18 years old Sofie are ones that are missing and description about Tina is "very heavily pregnant, will give birth any day now", two other missing girls are pregnant too but their due date is later. Tina's parents are being interviewed also, not the smartest person I see and they remind me about the factionless people from my childhood. Something similar in them. They tell that their girl had been raped and got in deep depression after that and therefore had been treated by Welfare Center without a charge, the Bureau is paying all fees. They blame Johanna and in their mind this hole thing has turned as an fight between "good Bureau" and the "evil Government". They blame that members of the Government doesn't understand nor appreciate the value of Bureaus hard work. Johanna is the best scapegoat, she cannot defend herself.

Then I realize that it's already 11:45 and I'm going to be late from City Councils meeting if I don't hurry up. I haven't noticed how time has passed and everyone else has left already. I grab my coat and rush of my office. It takes about 10 minutes when I walk in haste and most of council members have entered the City Hall already. I can see Cara and Four, standing there by door. Four looks angry, he scolds Cara about something she has done. Cara snaps something back, looking furious and I hear "it's not your business, Four.". I wonder what they are arguing, I have thought that they are friends and on Friday they seemed that they were enjoying each others company when we were having lunch. I feel urge to defend my wife, even I don't know what Fours accusations are but we don't have time for this, meeting will start in 5 minutes. I greet them, kiss Cara's cheeks and nod to Four. I can see that Cara is furious about something and Four glares her angrily, like wanting to solve this here and now, no matter who will see or hear.

"What ever it is, we don't have time to this, let's go inside, the meeting will begin in any minute" I urge them and Four nods. "I finish this later with you Cara, so don't run away. If you try to run, I will follow." he says in low voice. I step between those two and Cara knocks my shoulder. "I will go over there and sit in audience, see you after darling." She kisses me, straight to my lips, out there in public. Something that she never does, just because it makes me feel so awkward. I'm not used in showing my feelings in public places. She hastens her steps and leaves our company, heads towards the stairs that lead to viewing gallery around the City Hall main floor. I go inside the meeting hall with Four and he is looking around, searching for someone.

"Have you seen Johanna?" he asks and I realize that he doesn't know what has happened. "So you don't know about Johanna?" I ask and he turns to me. "They should have called to you at first hand, aren't you her assistant." I point out and he frowns. "Caleb... start from beginning. Who should have called to me and why, what has happened? You seem to know more than I do, so tell now.". I shrug "there's not much to tell, there had been some sort of hustle at one Welfare Center and Johanna has been involved in it. She is injured severely and if she survives she will be accused on triple kidnapping and some other crimes she has made or has been organizing.". Four looks to his phone "No, no one has called to me." and then he looks back to me. "And I think you gave wrong number last night. I have called multiple times to Alexa and she doesn't answer" I look to him in disbelief "Is that all you are worried now? And I gave you the right number, she left her phone in her office with resign letter." I see that he is going to say something and I point out "and that phone is her personal phone, she didn't have any phone from council or from me. And I saw you ringing this morning but the phones battery went empty so I couldn't answer."

Chairman bangs his table with wooden hammer "Everyone, be seated. Meeting is about to begin!". He says and I sit on my regular chair. Four goes on, to spare chairs that are reserved for him and Johanna. Silence falls eventually to meeting room. I can see from my place that Four is texting something to someone, not paying attention on what is going on the meeting. Chairman clears his throat and announces "Welcome all city council members to this last meeting of this season. We have an election coming up so traditionally there would be our representative in Government, our man, or woman in this case, speaking here in front of you but unfortunately there has been an unfortunate accident and she is unable to attend. On my behalf I wish a speedy recovery to her. So we carry on with our normal routine, there is only two things on agenda that needs our attention before next season. First we are discussing about those things and then there will be voting. After second voting is done there will be short speeches, both candidates have five minutes to tell to all of our council members and to our audience why he should be elected." He points to both of us "if that is okay with you, mr Prior and mr Eaton?" he asks and I nod. Four looks little puzzled, then nods. I bet that he has no idea what the chairman has been saying.

So the meeting begins and first there is a matter of school's health care and funding. Schools need more money for health care and everyone agrees, so there is not much discussion about it. We go for voting soon and it's clear. On next season we are going to reserve more money for school health care in our budget. How they will do it, it will be up to next council. Other matter is about energy needs, there is power shortages reported all over city repeatedly and they are getting worse. This time there is more heated discussion, some say that we should have some planned blackouts and other that we need more solar power plants, but there is no money for those. They point out that if schools can get money for health care then this is more important and this cannot wait for next councils decision making, Someone points out that power shortages should go under Government jurisdiction and the funding should come from Government, not from city. "Too bad that our Government member isn't here to take this matter to them. It's clear that power shortages endanger our city and it's more Government duty to take care our safety." our chairman says "But I trust that mr Eaton will take this matter as his duty, he is now our representative in Government when mrs Reyes is unable to do her job.". From my place I can see Four's head raise and he looks to chairman and nods finally. "I will take this matter to Government" he promises and then looks back to his phone. He has been listening hole time? I thought that he had just been texting with someone.

"Well, then there is no more matters on our agenda and it's time for mr Prior and mr Eaton to give their speeches. Who will begin?" Chairman looks both of us and I raise my hand. "I can" I say and he looks to Four. He nods "let Caleb go first." He says. I raise up. "Mr Chairman, my fellow members of City Council, my loving wife Cara" I look up to viewing gallery and see Cara there, sitting next to Matthew. I didn't know that he was coming here also and feel my mood darken. "and other audience. I'm honored that you have chosen me to go for election as your candidate. I have continued my fathers, Andrew Priors, work here in City Council and I promise that when" I emphasize that word "I get elected to the Government I will do my best for Chicago there. I will run our City's matters as my own, I will take care that Chicago will get everything from the Government that is needed. We will not be pushed aside, we will not be just one little city amongst others, we will be as important as bigger cities and have same privileges than Indianapolis and Milwaukee. We are about same sizes and they get more funding from Government than us." I look up to viewing gallery and see how Matthew whispers something to Cara and she smiles. It annoys me so much that I lost my tough for moment. Then I remember. "And I make sure that all work that the Bureau is doing will be under examination and jurisdiction, all illegal, unmoral, unethical business will be cut short even it means shutting down the Bureau." I look directly to Matthew and he looks back, raises his eyebrows and smiles, then shakes his head. Cara whispers something to his, worried look on her face. I must look back to Chairman or I wouldn't be able to continue. "I was born and raised in Chicago, I have lived here my hole life. This city has given so much for me and now it's time for me to pay back. You can help me in this by voting me to the Government and I promise I will raise Chicago's voice, I will defend our city's needs and rights to the end." Then I look to Four. He has crossed his hands in front of him and looks directly to me, his head tilted little to left. He has little smile on his face, like he is looking a small child learning to walk or something. He is really patronizing some times, like he is superior. "And for my opponent I wish all the best. May the best man win. Thank you!" I sit down and hear applauses.

Finally chairman bangs his hammer again and says "Now mr Eaton." Four rises up and looks to me, scratches his neck. Then he looks around and smiles, I can see politician inside him is standing up. "It's nice to be here, thank you mr chairman and members of Chicago's city council for inviting us. I'm truly sorry for mrs Reyes behalf that she cannot join us today but I wish speedy recovery for her. As mr Prior, I too was born here in Chicago, I'm the son of Evelyn Johnson and Marcus Eaton and politics run deep in my veins, it's in my inheritance. My father was this city's leader before the Purity War and my mother during it. You can remember me as a Dauntless leader during Purity War, I used my Dauntless name then, I was Four." He pauses for a while and looks down, like seeking inspiration. Then he looks up with little smirk on his face.

"You know, my mother doesn't trust in politicians, she never has, who would? Worse than many others... " There is little laughter around before Four continues. "But she wishes that she will see me as a member of Government. She knows what I can do, she knows that I'm former Dauntless – I'm brave. I have lost so much in my life that I have no more to loose – that makes me fearless. In Purity War I fight for peace, I was a soldier – I'm strong. I was born to Abnegation – I'm selfless. I have worked for Government, for mrs Reyes now over 8 years and I have learned a lot, I know how Government works. I know how I can have an influence there, how I can raise my voice so I will be heard, how Chicago's voice will be heard, I know who to meet, who to have lunch with, I know that system, I have lived in it so long already. Johanna has trained me well. You know that I have lived over 5 years in Providence, it's easier that way, but my heart lives in Chicago and I haven't forgotten this city. I know these streets by heart, I know these buildings, I know these people."

He looks up to viewing gallery and so do I. Cara is sitting alone now and smiles to me. I don't smile back, I'm little angry for her. Four continues "I will not give empty promises that I cannot keep but I promise you this. I, Tobias Eaton, will always keep Chicago in my heart and do all that I can to make this city to thrive." I can sense that he is looking to me when he ads up "And for you, Caleb, all the best for the election. May the best man win! Thank you." He sits down and there is a huge standing applause going on City Hall. I realize that it will be hard for me to win Four.

Chairman knocks his hammer again and pleads "please, quiet down!". Finally there is silence in City Hall. He smiles and nods to Four then to me. "All the best for both of you, really, may the best man win. And now I declare this meeting finished. Let's continue after Choosing Day! Have a nice holiday and remember to vote. " We all stand up and applause to chairman who goes first to Four, shakes his hand and they share some words. Then he comes to me and shakes my hand. "All the best for you, Caleb. You are coming to lunch with your wife, right? I saw her sitting there on the gallery, she must be really proud of you as I know your parents would be." Other council members surrounds us, wanting to shake my hand, clapping my shoulders, wishing all the best. I feel warm, loved and respected. Then Cara comes and kisses my cheeks "I'm so proud of you dear" she says, her eyes sparkling. I'm still angry to her but I hide it, just smile and hug her briefly. Cara puts on her "happy politicians wife" face and chats with everyone, turning conversation to me and to how proud she is, how she supports me fully and will do anything for me.

We head out for lunch, chairman, me and Cara leading the group and then I realize that Four is missing.