I lay in Tobias' bare arms, my eyes just seem to not want to shut as I lay in silence for another ten minutes. I turn my head to the side and see it's still only 2:36am, it's useless trying to sleep now. I quietly untangle myself from Tobias' arms and walk to the closet to get some clothes.
I grab a pair of leggings and a long sleeved top, I quickly write a note saying "went to the training room because couldn't sleep" just in case Tobias wakes. I tip toe down the stairs and put some trainers on before leaving the apartment.
At first the caverns seem deadly quiet, not one sound probably due to the fact I'm still in the leaders wing but as I near the pit, the volume raises highly. It's a Thursday night so it's a little surprising that so many people are out when they most likely have work today, but it is dauntless so what else can I expect. I walk through the crowds of people, trying to slip pass all the sweat covered bodies and make it to my destination.
The once there, I go straight to the mats and start to warm up. I start with some stretches, then skipping, then some shadow boxing (its basically throwing different punches into the air, if you don't know). Once warm, I go to the supplies cupboard and pull out some gloves to go on the bags. I do simple shots, I am a little rusty. I haven't been in the gym for a couple of weeks so I keep it simple with jabs, back hands and a couple of hooks, nothing too serious. After twenty minutes pass I go back to the mats to do some exercises.
I keep bouncing on my feet then drop to do different exercises, first forty sit ups then twenty push ups, some burpees and a few more. By the time my sweat is dripping, it's 3:30. I stretch off a little so I don't have any sore muscles then make my way back to the apartment. The pit seems to be a little more wild now so I'll probably make a way around it so I get in no trouble.
I keep to the sides of the walls, away from the centre so I can't draw any attention. As I'm checking the hundreds of dancing figures, I bump into someone. They must be no more than 5ft 9" but that's still quite large compared to my petite structure. I look up to see a boy, no more than 18. He has bright blonde hair which is darkened by the lighting around us, his pale green bore into me with confusion.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see you there." I apologise.
"It's okay, don't worry." He says while still staring straight at me intently.
It's starting to irritate me now so I ask, "can I help you?" He shakes his head a little.
"Sorry, I don't mean to stare but you look familiar somehow." He says.
"I'm sorry but I've never saw you before, maybe you've mixed me up with someone else, I am quite plain looking." I suggest.
He nods then says, "yeh, uh maybe. Anyway I've got to go, maybe I'll see you some time." He says then just walks away in a hurry. What the hell was that about? I just shake my head and continue through the corridors.
I'm walking past the chasm, there's been many bad memories but also some good ones. Getting attacked by peter, Christina being hung by the railing, throwing all those reports of my father into the crashing waves but they are all nothing compared to mine and Tobias' first kiss. It is definitely one of the best moments in my life but meeting your babies for the first times are pretty hard to beat.
Just as I'm about to cross the bridge that leads to the other side of the chasm, a large hand wraps around my upper arm and stops me from walking. I start to panic realising it's a man stopping me, I slowly turn around, worried at who'll I'll be faced with. I turn.
Dark blue eyes, the onees I love but certainly not right now. They hold anger and fury, paired with the flaring nostrils, his already intimidating face becomes even scary. I shrink back a little, trying to blend into the shadows so his eyes will no longer burn into me, it doesn't work.
"What are you doing here?" I ask confused.
He just seems to get even angrier, "what am I doing here?" He laughs, "what the hell are you doing out in the middle of the night alone, or were you not alone?"
My eyebrows furrow, "what the hell are you implying?" I ask furious, he doesn't actually think I was sneaking out to meet someone.
"Don't act stupid Tris, when I saw you were gone I checked the control room. I checked the pit and saw you with some teenage guy Tris! I came straight here to find you." He explains, oh my god he's got this completely wrong.
"Tobias I left a note saying I was going to the gym and that's where I went, can't you tell? I'm covered in sweat." He scoffs and mumbles something like "could be caused by something else." I gasp and clench my jaw in anger. "I can't believe you would say that! I would never lie to you, I went to the training room and on the way back some guy bumped into me. We said sorry then left." I state.
He just shakes his head and starts to walk away. I run after him and shout, "where are you going?"
"I don't know." He states.
Oh god, who's with the kids, they are by themselves "Who's with the kids, did you just leave them alone!"
He turns around abruptly and I walk straight into his chest, after taking a step back he says "of course not, I wouldn't just leave them, Zeke and Shauna are there." I sigh. He starts walking again, it's hard to keep up with his large strides so I end up half jogging and half walking.
"Tobias we need to talk about this, you can't just walk away from this. You obviously want to shout at me and you need to understand that I haven't done anything wrong. Yes, I shouldn't of went off in the night but I didn't go out to meet some boy. I would never do that to you, I love you Tobias Eaton. Don't you trust me?" He stops once again.
"Of course I trust you Tris but... but I just need some time to think and figure stuff out. I'll see you tomorrow." Just like that, he's gone. I shout his name a few times before I realise it's useless. With my head pointing to the floor, I make my way back towards the apartment.
As I get into the leaders wing, I can hear familiar screams before I'm even near the door. As soon as I enter the apartment, the cries of Blake are echoed even louder. I go into the front room to see Shauna trying to rock Blake back to sleep, failing miserably, while Zeke is flicking through kids channels with Corey on his lap.
Shauna hears me first and turns to me, relief washes over her face as she stands and quickly walks towards me. Blake is still screaming while mumbling "mummy" that is until she sees me. The cries don't quiet down though, she just starts to try and get into my arms. I quickly place her into my embrace, we give each other a much needed hug while I rock her gently, whispering sweet nothings in her ear. "It's okay baby, I'm here, I'm here."
I take a seat on the couch, Corey comes and cuddles closer while stroking his baby sister's hair softly. I smile, he's such a loving brother, not most parents can have such perfect kids like I do. Shauna sits on the arm of the couch, watching me calm my daughter.
"Thanks so much both of you for coming out so late, it's been quite a hectic night." I thank.
"Is no problem Tris, we need to get used to less sleep anyway." Zeke says laughing, I smile a little. "So um, where's Four?"
"He uh, he wanted to go have a little time to himself." I whisper.
Shauna strokes my shoulder and asks "is everything alright babe?" I chuckle a little at the name, I just nod slightly instead of answering.
"So Zeke, have you come to terms that your gonna be a dad?" I say changing the subject.
"Well just about, I'm actually pretty excited. I love looking after your kids, so it can't be different with my own kid right?" Me and Shauna just laugh.
"All kids are different Zeke and mine are also not babies anymore. Newborns are a nightmare." I laugh but Shauna and zeke aren't even finding my joke a little bit funny, they have both paled a little. "But it's totally worth it." I add, they just give me a not very reassuring smile.
"Well I can't wait to buy all his or hers clothes, baby clothes are just the cutest." Shauna says beaming.
"I can agree with that, if it's a little man he's going to have matching clothes to me. The best clothes in dauntless." Me and Shauna scoff.
"There's no way your dressing our kid in sweats and trainers it's whole life, he or she is going to have style."
Zelda looks offended and holds a hand to his heart dramatically, "I can't believe you would say I have no style." We all laugh including Corey.
"Your silly Uncle Zeke." Corey says but just a second later he is letting out a huge yawn.
Zeke stands and collects Corey in his arms, "come on little man, let's get you back to bed. School in the morning." Corey whines the whole way about not wanting to go to school.
Blake is still whimpering but has calmed a lot since I came home. "So what happened?" Shauna asks as soon as the boys are out of ear shot.
I shake my head then say "basically, I couldn't sleep so I went to the training room to work out a little. On the way back some guy about 18 bumped into me, we said sorry then left. It was a little strange though, he wouldn't stop staring at me and said that I looked familiar. Anyway so I was heading back to the apartment when Tobias grabbed my arm. He came out to find me and went to the control room to try and see where I was, so he must of saw me and that guy talking and got really angry thinking I was cheating. I straightened everything out but he just wanted some time so walked off without another word. I had to be here for the kids so I came home."
"Oh Tris I'm sorry, he'll figure out your telling the truth soon and everything will be alright. I promise." She says, I hope so Shauna, I really hope so.
"Well, I better get this one back to bed and I'm sure you are really tired. Thank you again for helping me, it means a lot." I say as Zeke comes back down stairs.
"He's all tucked in and nodding off now." I go over and give him a hug before doing the same to Shauna.
We say our goodbyes before I let them out of the apartment, I walk back to the couch where Blake is curled into a little ball watching me carefully, making sure I don't leave. "Come on baby girl, time for bed." I say picking her up.
We get up the stairs without any complications but as I'm about to enter her room she begins to whimper once again. "Shh, Blake. You have to be quiet, Corey's asleep."
"Youw woom." She whines, without hesitating I bring her straight to my room and put her into the large bed. I go to walk to the closet to change but Blake speaks up. "Whewe you gowing mommy?"
"I'm just putting some pyjamas on baby." I say while grabbing some pjs and throwing them on, I quickly walk back to the bed and cuddle in with my daughter. I pull her small body to my chest and wrap my arms around her.
The next morning, we all wake up late. Only forty minutes to get ready and head down for breakfast, I dress Blake while Corey gets himself ready. Tobias still hasn't come back, I have no idea where he is but he did say he'd see us today.
As I get down the stairs, I see Corey has picked out his favourite black Nike track suit which I never allow him to wear outside the compound because it just doesn't seem dressy enough. We don't have time now though to change so I just tell him to put on his black hurraches.
We all make it outside the cafeteria with ten minutes to spare but as we get into the unusually loud room, I know we are going to be late to school for definite.
All of the cafeteria is crowded around the centre all screaming and shouting for whoever it is to fight, I don't pay much notice until Amar and Tori begin shout for everyone to get out of the way, they normally aren't too interested in fights.
We just get seated as Christina comes running over, "hey chri-"
She cuts me off and shouts over the loud noise, "Tris, quick its Four!" I jump to my feet and race after her, with Blake on my hip and Corey close behind. Once we get to the edge of the crowd, I hand Blake to Christina and tell her to stay here and don't let the kids see any of the fighting.
I push my way through the thickening crowd, everyone's large bodies are crowded together as I try to weave my way to the front. Once I finally reach there I don't know if I should be surprised or angry. Tobi- no Four has that guy from last night by his throat against one of the tables.
I immediately go to garb him to pull him off but someone beats me to it, a middle aged man with the same colour hair runs into the bout and pulls Tobias by his collar. He stumbles back and while unguarded the unknown man throws a punch to a leaders nose. Everyone gasps and begins to whisper as Amar and Tori stop Tobias from causing anymore damage.
This time I make my way towards him, "what the fuck are you doing?" I whisper shout at him.
"Teaching that guy a lesson to not mess with me or you." He states while wiping the blood from his nose.
"Four! I already told he didn't do anything but bump into me, you just beat up some innocent boy. What are the rest of dauntless going to think about you now?" He just looks to the ground a little ashamed and trying to dodge my gaze, I just shake my head and make my way over to the boy and older man.
The man is checking the younger one for any injuries as I walk over, "hello?" I ask, they both turn to look at me. "Um I'm Tris Prior, I'm so sorry for my partners actions back there but he kind of misunderstood what happened last night. When I bumped into you he saw and thought I was up in the night to meet you even though I went to the training room. I am really sorry."
The boy answers first, "it's okay, it was just a misunderstanding. I'm Jay Wright by the way," He says reaching his hand to shake mine which I accept. "And this is my dad Daniel Wright."
I reach my hand out to Daniel but he just says, "Prior, did you say?"
I retrieve my hand awkwardly and answer, "um yes?" He looks blankly at me, "I'm sorry but does that mean something?"
He shakes his head, "oh I'm sorry for tuning out there but do you think we could talk somewhere private, there's something I would like to ask you."
"Yes of course, I really need to drop my kids off at school but you are both welcome to come to my apartment at 9:30 if your not busy, I'm sure then you can get an apology from my partner." We both agree, telling him my apartment number before I return to the kids who are checking out Tobias' bloody nose.
"Does it hurt dad?" Corey asks poking it a little, Tobias winces and pulls away from the prying hands.
"Yes it does, especially when you touch it." Corey laughs and continues to eat cereal.
Zeke speaks up, "It's nothing to laugh about kids, your dad shouldn't have gotten into a fight." Did that actually just come out Zeke Pedrad's mouth?
"Oh shut up Zeke, you've got into loads of stupid fights. At least this was for a reason." Tobias grumbles.
"It's wasn't a good enough reason and you know it." I say before grabbing the kids empty plates and putting them in the washing area. "Come on you two we need to catch the train. Oh and Four, the boy you beat up and his father are coming to the apartment at 9:30 so be there please." I say, without waiting for an answer, I leave the cafeteria with the kids hot on my tail.
I drop the kids off safely before returning back to the compound, I got straight to the apartment because it's only half an hour until my guests will arrive and I need to talk to Tobias.
Once I get there, I find him sitting on the couch watching some tv but not really paying attention to it. He turns his head when he hears me and says, "hey."
"Hi" I reply before sitting next to him. "We need to talk Tobias." He nods then turns the tv off, "why did you do that this morning, me and Jay are strangers, I only met him that night and it was because of us being clumsy and bumping into each other."
"I know, it's just I got so angry that there could have been a chance that you were meeting up with another man, its unbearable to even think about it." He explains but then stops and looks up, confused. "Wait, how do you know his name is Jay?"
"Because when I was apologising for your actions this morning we introduced ourselves to each other." I snap back. "They are coming over soon so please just act nice for a little bit and say sorry to this boy who's done nothing wrong at all. Okay?"
He sighs then says, "okay."
I walk away from the living room and go into the kitchen to get some space, wasting some time I grab a banana. I just really don't want to go back in there at the minute, the air just seems way too thick. After ten minutes of just thinking, I go to the freezer and get an ice pack for Tobias.
I return back to the couch and hand it to him, "thanks," he says before gently placing it on his swollen nose. We wait another ten minutes, watching tv and not talking to one another until the there is a knock on the front door.
I jump up to answer it while Tobias puts the ice pack away. When I open the door, there stands Jay but no sign of Daniel. "Hey come in, I thought your dad was coming?" I say.
"He uh said he needed to check something out until he could be for sure, whatever that means. He's acting pretty weird today." He explains, looking still quite confused himself.
"Well never mind, you don't need him here to get an apology. This way, Four's in the front room." I say leading him through the apartment, it's about if a mess at the moment with all the kids toys.
He looks around at the extremely large space, not most of the housing here at dauntless are quite this big. "You have kids?" He asks dodging a dinosaur toy on the floor.
"Yup, I have my son Corey and daughter Blake." I say while pointing to a photo frame of both my kids, it hangs on the wall just outside of front room.
"Wow, Corey looks just like his dad and Blake looks exactly like you except for the eyes." He says mesmerised.
I chuckle a little and say, "I don't know how, we adopted her." Jay looks distraught, like he's said something terrible.
"I'm sorry I ne-"
I cut him off, "it's fine really, we don't keep it a secret nor anything." We finally make it to the front room where Tobias is still in his spot on the couch. Once he sees we are here, he stands and holds his hand out for Jay.
They both shake a little awkwardly before introducing themselves, "um I'm sorry for this morning Jay, it was stupid and as a leader I shouldn't have just come assumed things but my anger got the better of me and discarded all other possible answers. Can you forgive me?" A smile stretches on my face, I knew he could do it if he tried.
Jay also smiles then says, "of course, people make mistakes. Anyway looks like my dad gave you something to remember us." He jokes referring to Tobias' growing nose. While I laugh, Tobias just turns a shade redder while rolling his eyes.
"Speaking of, where is your dad?" Tobias asks.
"Said he had to find something out, I don't know what though." Jay says, I wonder what Daniel needed to find that was so important.
"So um, where do work?" I ask, changing the topic.
"Oh I just passed initiation last year, I got a job as city patrol because place six on the leaderboard isn't that good but I do really enjoy my job. It's getting outside all the time, well maybe not on the nights and I have night shift tonight unfortunately." We laugh a little, "I know Four's a leader but what about you Tris."
"Well I have just got erudite to set up a new app called factionbook, it's where you can communicate to anyone in the city and you can also advertise things. I'm going to use it to display my new gym in the city, where all factions can come and keep fit and learn what dauntless is like."
He looks a little taken back, "wow, that's pretty different but a cool idea, yeh I like it."
"So who else is in your family." Tobias asks.
"Well there's me, dad, my mum and little sister Alicia. I moved into my own apartment just after initiation."
We spend about an hour talking and getting to know each other but eventually it's time for me and Tobias to get to work.
"We should definitely meet up another time, this time with your dad, I want to know what he was trying to figure out." I say.
"Yeh, I'm sure he would love to meet you. Oh and my mum and sister too, they'll all love you!" He exclaims, excited.
I walk him out the door, we take our separate ways, me and Tobias head towards his office to get some work done.
Anonymous POV
I got a note from him earlier this afternoon to meet at the tracks near the hub. I haven't heard from him in over 25 years, why would he contact me now? The walk to the tracks doesn't take too long, maybe half an hour at the most.
Once I get there, it's deadly quiet, no one in sight because the "after midnight light rule", it shouldn't be long until the next train will come. I wait another five minutes until the screeching of a train starting to slow down is heard.
As the third cart passes, he jumps, black clothing blended in with the night sky. God he's grown so much since we were kids, when I left he just never contacted me, not once.
He stars to walk over, a scowl plastered on his ageing face, those pale green eyes that match my own glaring hard at me. He stops in front of me and waits. The awkward silence seems to grow thicker as none of us take the first move to talk.
I finally decide to be the one to break it, "hi."
He looks to the floor and replies, "hey."
"So why did you ask to meet me after all these years?" I ask.
"You have a daughter?"
Why does he want to know about that? "Um yes, she transferred to dauntless, why do you ask?"
"I think I met her today, small blonde girl?" He asks.
"Yeh that's her," I need to know the truth. "Why did you just stop all contact with me when I left, you know I had no choice."
He clenches his jaw tightly then shakes his head, "what don't you get? You left me when I was ten years old for some fucking boy! Who does that?" He shouts, frustrated.
"I had no choice, I was in love and I needed to be with him!" I fire back, how could he blame me for that. "You could have always come when it was your choosing ceremony."
"Dauntless is where I belong and where you belonged, you shouldn't have threw that away for some guy!"
"He's not some guy, he's my husband and the father to my children. I'm glad with the voice I made, it was the safest place and somewhere where I could always be with him." The nerve he has accusing my decisions after all these years. "If that's all you wanted to talk about then I better get going."
I'm about to turn around again but he stops me, "no wait. I want to know Tris." He says, do u really want him to have contact with her?
"I would rather introduce you to her and Caleb properly, she doesn't even know you exist so it's better if we just wait." He nods disappointed.
"Okay, that's fine but could you make it sooner than later. I don't really want to walk around dauntless trying to avoid her." He explains.
"Yeh of course, I'll contact you soon about when I'll tell her the truth." He nods his head then turns.
I watch his retreating figure running towards the tracks, just as he reaches them the train begins to near. He runs along side it nearly until he's out of sight, as it's about to go pass the buildings, he jumps. Just like that, we are separated once again.
Bit it of a mystery at the end, I would love to hear your ideas on who your think the anonymous characters are. It won't be hard to guess who's POV it was but I will give you a clue on the person she was meeting is. That person is not a original character, I would also love to hear how you think Natalie knows him/her! So please review, thx!