Run. That's what you always do.
Leaves crunch beneath my heavy Dauntless boots. A familiar, but yet foreign feeling. The last time I was in these woods my feet were bare. Instead of crunching to small pieces, they tickled my toes.
In times of trouble, the woods became a friend. Just like now, they embrace me like an old friend. I find a rock with small ants navigating the top and rest against it. As I look down at the tiny creatures, I feel superior.
Maybe this is how Peter felt? For a second, the rock fades into a pool of blood. Edward is the source, a knife wedged into his eye. Blink. I see small little ants.
Familiar, but foreign. Instantly, I pull my Dauntless shield off until it rest on a tree branch. Nudity, a fear of mine now serves as the only savoir. Stripping away my sins...my life. The only thing covering me is my long hair.
I lay across the damp ground. The sky is grey as if rain will trickle from it at any moment. My eyes close for a second until sleep takes over.
A small house sits lonely on top of a hill, surrounded by trees. Amity homes. They're all the same. I step forward, take a breath, and knock. My mom cracks the door, and smiles.
"Elea!" The doors swings open wide, hitting a cabinet. Spice bottles and whisky filled flasks rattle. Whisky. Oh, how a swig would be nice.
"Mommy!" I cry, filling her arms with my sore body. Bruised and cut from every possible type of punch and kick. And Eric.
"Here," she whispers, bringing me inside. I'm handed a towel to cover myself- my Dauntless clothing still hanging alone in a tree.
Dad looks in from our- their living room, his glasses hanging off his face. A smile runs over his face, but there is something hidden beneath it.
"Dad," I say, tightening my towel. Mom sits me down in an urgent manner.
"What are you doing here, Elea?" she asks, pushing a small plate of berries my way. I pluck an overly ripe strawberry in my mouth. Candy...almost like candy.
"I don't belong there," I reply, watching her thumb caress over my hand until it reaches and lifts my chin. "I don't feel safe. I was wrong. The test was wrong."
"Elea," my father says with an unusual amount of concern. "You can't-"
"We'll talk-"
"Cindy! Rules are rules. Miss. Matthews wouldn't allow it!"
"When did she allow anything? She's not our representative," my mom snaps like snake, her hair a bit disheveled. I part my mouth. Shock. "Now. You either stand with me or sit with your mouth shut."
"Cindy!" my Dad says in rhythm with a fist to the table. I rise from my seat.
"I will leave," I say, pushing the chair back into place. "If it means keeping the peace, I will leave."
"Elea, I love you, but you don't belong here anymore," Dad says, pressing his lips together. "The council will never allow you to stay. Factionless is your only option unless you stay in Dauntless. I'm sorry."
"No, you will stay here, Elea," Mom says, facing me to my old bedroom. "Johanna. We'll speak with her tomorrow. Everything will be fine. I promise."
My old bedroom, dark and warm, is the same. A hammock flooded with teddy bears and pillows. My desk, just the way I left it. Mom probably kept it this way. I drop my towel and fish around for some clothing. Nothing.
"I've given your clothing to the Factionless," she says from the doorway. "Your- he means well, Elea. He does."
"I understand," I reply, putting my towel back on. Mom is smaller than I and Dad is too tall and lanky. "He's right. I can't stay here."
"Johanna will decide."
"What if she says no?" Mom sits with me, swinging on the hammock. Her fingers comb my knotted hair.
"Some people are worth breaking rules for, Elea." Her lips press against my temple for a second before she leaves me be.
The next morning, I sit at the table. Blueberry pancakes and potatoes on the plate before me. They're a bit sloppy as if she hasn't flipped a pancake in weeks. I eat them anyway because they're brilliant.
"Johanna just came back. She was in the city. Meeting, I guess."
"Mom, are you and Dad alright? Yesterday was a bit of a surprised."
"Stress does weird things to people, Elea. There's a lot going on."
"Like what?" Mom glances from her stove before putting aside her apron and joining me. There is sadness in the creases of her cheeks and eyes. Only now do I realize she is aging.
"Elea," she starts, sitting. Her hands joining with mine. "I think it's time we speak in truth. Things here in the city aren't stable anymore."
"What do you mean-"
"Elea,-"
A loud, daunting knock stops us abruptly before a gun shot jolts us from our chairs. In an instant, I grab a knife, and hover over my mom. But she pushes me aside and takes the knife from my hands. Like I did. Like any Dauntless would.
But she's Amity.
Eric's massive body stands in the doorway, gun pointed. His temple pops just like his jaw becomes more defined. Redness takes over his usual pale white color.
"Lady, if you wish to keep that pretty head of yours attached to your body, I'd drop the knife," he says, voice flat. She does, but doesn't move anymore.
Eric pushes her off to the side, looking down at me. A smirk filling in.
"Leave!" I snap.
"You know, sweety," he starts, licking his bottom lip. "I thought you maybe went for a walk. A midnight stroll! Then! Then I found these in the woods," he laughs in disbelief, as he reaches into his pocket. My black panties hang from his index finger.
"Drop them," I say, my insides dying. Eric shakes his head, feeling the fabric.
"For a second there, I was fucking fuming. Then it hit me, somewhere in those woods you were naked! Babe, I searched behind every tree-"
"You touch my daughter, I will kill you," mom says, standing. Eric rolls his eyes.
"Shut up, Cindy. Max already told me how feisty you really are. Sharp teeth with no bite. Ouch!" He tosses my undies in the air and catches them before shoving them back into his pocket.
"Leave," I repeat. "I'm not going back to Dauntless."
"Yeah, yeah you, babe," he replies, yanking me up. I frantically grab at my towel, but he drags me without it. "Damn, how I wished for this moment to happen." Sarcasm hints through his words. Mom shoves my towel at him.
"This is why people leave Dauntless. Cruelty mistaken for bravery! Ha! Men that carry big guns just to hide littler things...that's all." Eric ignores her, forcing me to stand.
"Put it back on," he orders, focusing his eyes elsewhere. I fold it around my body fast.
"And you can tell Max I said that." I look at her, tilting my head.
"Dauntless. Mom-"
"We have to go back," Eric interrupts, but I wiggle from him and run to her arms. She puts her mouth near my ear.
"Don't trust anybody. Not even him. I see the way you look at him."
"Mom," I say, before Eric finally flings me over his shoulder.
"A car?" I question, catching my breath.
"You didn't know your mom was a transfer?" he asks, pushing the keys in the ignition. He looks cool sitting there. I shrug.
"I care, but transferring isn't anything new. Is it?"
"My family- Erudite. All of them born and stayed. But me."
"Maybe because you're an asshole?" He chuckles.
"Maybe."
"I'm serious. You are."
"Not to you-"
"Especially to me!" I defend. "First you pushed me, made me eat meat til I puked, shot a poor innocent rabbit," I pause, feeling my heartrate increase. The car starts, but we sit there.
"Continue!"
"What-"
"What else did I do?"
"Beat me until I couldn't move, yell at me, kiss me then pushed me, talk to me like I'm dirt! Boosted my score-"
He quickly leans in, our lips touch slightly, taking me in a little then all the way. Eric's hand squeezes my bare knee and the other holds my head. We kiss in sync with the soft humming of Amity folk songs. His tongue slides across my bottom lip. This time I grant him entrance. This time I wrap my arms around his neck and neither of us pull away.
"I'm sorry," he says between kisses. I feel wet drops tickle my cheeks. Only this time they aren't mine.
"I'm fragile. Please don't hurt me again," I reply, snuggling into his neck.
"I swear. You can trust me." I grow tense for a second thinking about what mom said about trusting people and about our city, but for now, I push them aside. I'm too comfortable.
"I know."
"I'm keeping your panties though," he jokes.
"As long as you buy me a new pair. Those are my only ones." He pulls away, an amused look playing on his face. For a second we are silent then we laugh until our sides hurt. The first time I've ever laughed so hard.
AUTHORS NOTE: THIS CHAPTER...I'M PROUD! So hopefully you like it. Please, please tell me what you think.
I'm so sorry for my late update. I had writers block. That, and I wanted to edit my older chapters. But I can't do that on a bloody phone.
Remember, I have a new fic called Deepest Betrayal! After I catch up with that one, would you want a Harry Potter/DVG(no real oc. Maybe a small one) crossover or another Divergent fanfic. I have a billion stuck in my head.