Chapter: 32 The "New" Rebels
*Tris POV*
It has been a week since the evening of terror occurred, the orchestration of ten warnings – ten perfectly timed murders across three different locations. It had later been confirmed that all ten victims were documented as Genetically Pure. Even the two that had been in Chicago, they were GPs from the Bureau that were ambassadors sent to work with Johanna as she established the new government. Their message was loud and clear, their goal is destruction of the Genetically Pure.
The young girl that read the message has been interviewed at great lengths, Luke needed to cancel our last training session as he was called to Providence to be part of the team that questioned her in person. I look at the vase of peach roses sitting on my kitchen counter that he had delivered with the message letting me know about his trip. I find myself missing him, and hoping he is safe.
There have also been two smaller bombings in Chicago in the last two days. The death toll was higher than the original acts of violence, this time the Rebels were targeting public areas: a bus station and then an open market.
+o++++o+ Flashback +o++++o+
+o++ Control Room, Night of the ten murders ++o+
The chaos from the control room is stifling, Luke is immediately coordinating numerous departments under him – from surveillance of current feeds to look for further threats, review and analysis of the actual attacks, and then security forces on the floor to ensure the safety of civilians. My mind is reeling, why are these people claiming to be us? We are the ones that released the memory serum months ago. We also didn't kill anyone, we were just preventing a war.
I take a step back from the main floor to get out of the way, noting that Tobias has gone back to completely ignoring my presence in the room. He has returned to his personal work station, which is situated next the desk that Josh and I had been sitting at earlier today.
"Tris? Are you ok?" Luke asks me as he is suddenly in front of me, snapping me from my thoughts of Tobias.
"Luke." I whisper, and then I am unable to even put into words what I am feeling, dismayed by what is happening around us. Unexpectedly his hand is gently cradling my face, he stares at my eyes and lightly rubs his thumb across my cheek. Suddenly I forget Tobias is even in the room.
"I need to get you home safely. I have a small break, let's go quickly." Luke declares lowering his hand to his side.
I insist, knowing that he has so much responsibility on his shoulders. "No, you are needed here. I can make it back to my apartment on my own - - "
Luke cuts me off, "I will be able to really concentrate on everything, once I know you are out of harm's way. I brought you here, and I need to make sure you get home. Please Tris…don't fight me on this."
I nod my head in agreement. And that moment two men that are armed approach us, one is carrying my gym bag that had been in Luke's office. Luke turns to them and asks if everything is ready, they nod.
As I follow them out of the surveillance room I look back at Tobias, as I expected – he never turns to look in my direction. I remind myself – he doesn't care about me. That was made clear enough at dinner just the night before.
+o++++o+ End of Flashback +o++++o+
I look at my watch, the gang will be arriving to my apartment within thirty minutes. As my apartment is the largest, and our desperate need for privacy – it was decided that all of us that were involved in the original attack on the bureau would meet here. I roll my eyes, I can't believe I will have not only Tobias, but also Nita, in my home at the same time.
I then scold myself – this is a serious issue. I can't worry about their relationship anymore. I finish getting ready, as I remind myself – this is important. I need to let go of the past.
+o+++o+ An Hour Later +o+++o+
Matthew, Cara, Caleb and Christina have already arrived and are sitting on my couches. Zeke let me know he would be about 20 minutes late. And then there is a knock at my door. I take a deep breath, knowing that it should be Tobias or Nita as they are the only ones we are waiting for.
I plaster a smile on my face and open the door, then seeing both Tobias and Nita in the hallway. Tobias gives me a sour look, and Nita smiles brightly at me. I bite my lip, she is a monster – she just loves the tension between me and them.
"Come in." I say politely and hold the door open for them, noting that Tobias is pushing Nita's chair.
As I did with the others, I offer them a drink.
"We are good Tris. Tobias and I just came from having lunch together." Nita says smugly. Tobias just nods his head in agreement. I can see he is scanning the room, probably looking for Zeke. I just close the door behind them and walk into the kitchen area, I need to get myself some water and compose myself.
When I enter the sitting area, I note that Tobias has pulled over a dining table chair and placed it directly next to Nita's wheelchair.
"Wow Tris, aren't you living large. This apartment is amazing – and you live here alone?" Nita yammers at me.
"Yes." I answer her and then change the subject. "Zeke should be here soon, but let's get started – we have a lot to talk about."
"This is terrible. These…rebels… why are they taking claiming to be us, and responsibility for what we did months ago?" Cara exclaims.
"It could be as simple as taking ownership of something that happened many months ago implies that they are more established than they really are. Whatever their reasoning – this group is insane and has no value for human life." Matthew counters.
Christina comments, "The bus bombing in Chicago – there were children among the dead. A bus stop near a school is a place that is targeting civilians…"
As everyone begins talking, sometimes over each other, I see that Tobias has been very quiet. I also notice that he seems to be actively ignoring me, refusing to look in my general direction.
Another knock at my door interrupts my thoughts, I run over to let Zeke in.
"Hey, I am glad you are here." I smile at him.
He enters and gives me a hug, "How are things going for you? Are Nita and Tobias here already?" he add the last part with disdain.
"Oh yes, they made it here after the lunch date they had right before arriving…Nita made sure to tell me about it." I whisper to Zeke. I feel him tense up.
"Tris - - I don't even know what to say. I really care for Tobias, a lot. But I am starting to feel like this memory loss has impacted him more than I initially thought." Zeke pauses, looking around to make sure that no one is close enough to hear us. "It's like one minute he seems like his old self, the man he was…and then the next he is cold and detached…but specifically in regards to you Tris."
I stiffen, but not sure what there is to say.
"I will be honest with you, as soon as Christina and I got back to our table that last dinner we had – and I heard you and Tobias had gone alone to get food…I ran back to get some extra napkins and check in on you two from afar. I only watched for a couple of minutes…but just seeing the two of you together. It was like I had hopped in a time machine and was seeing the Four I used to know. He looked relaxed, happy, and just enamored with you. Like I remember him before you left Chicago to come here." Zeke's voice trails off.
I frown, remembering myself. I can't deny what I also felt in that moment - - that Tobias was really with me.
"Let me tell you – he was so jealous of that guy Luke Clark, he actually stormed away from the table after having a hissy fit… And then I didn't see him the next day, which is when all this Rebel craziness began. When I finally spent some time with him again a couple of days later, it was like his personality when it came to you had changed. He was just cold and indifferent…it just feels off to me…"Zeke says, I can see he is trying to figure Four out.
"It's pretty simple Zeke, he doesn't remember me, and he doesn't WANT to get to know me again. I can't keep getting my hopes up. It is not healthy for me…and it just hurts too much." I say with conviction.
This time Zeke just nods his head in understanding, no longer encouraging me to hold out for Tobias. "We better get back in there." I suggest.
As Zeke follows me into the sitting room, he says a general hello to everyone. He gives Nita a nasty look, to which she smiles at him sweetly. Tobias seems oblivious to their exchange.
I make it through the meeting, noting that Tobias barely acknowledges I am there. As a group we decide and to keep in touch if anything interesting happens.
Just like the rest of the people, we are at the mercy of this new Rebel group. Waiting to see what their next steps will be.
*Tobias POV*
This has been a crazy work week for me in surveillance, so many overtime hours. Not to mention since the night of the attack and having shown off my programming skills to basically everyone – I have been given more projects than I have time to complete. My time in front of the surveillance monitors has been very limited. Josh has also been helping with testing on my codes; I specifically requested he work with me. At least we can enjoy our usual banter while working, it has helped to relieve some of the stress we are all under.
Another reason I love to work with Josh is his wife Amy is amazing and always packs an extra sandwich and snack for Josh to share with me. Unfortunately the cost of the food is she always includes a napkin with a handwritten note…that encourages me to find love…again…with Tris. Josh just shrugs his shoulders and reminds me that she is the boss in their relationship and my discomfort is not worth him getting into trouble with his lady.
I was working side by side with Josh the evening of the initial attacks, he was wrapping up a 10 hour day shift that he was covering on his usual day off. Thankfully he was already safely home with Amy when the attacks occurred, his shift over at that point.
Before he was done for the day, Josh seemed kind of off, but quiet. I kept asking him if something was going on with Amy. He finally caved and told me about Tris. About Tris and Luke Clark, their date in the control room. Josh seemed so nervous to tell me. I don't know why. I remind him that Tris and I have a history that I don't remember and thus means nothing to me. She is free to do whatever she wants, with whomever she wants.
What I do find really annoying is having to put up with her in my place of work. I don't care who she is with, but to be sitting right near my space. I roll my eyes – I wish I didn't have to see her so often. It would be best for us both if we just had distance, and we could both really move on in peace. The night of the attack was stressful enough as it was – then I had to add Tris and her doe eyes to the mix. I just feel so much pressure when it comes to her.
Because of all of the overtime this past week I needed to work, I had to cancel two of my rehabilitation sessions with the team. Nita came to see me at work when my shift ended – she was kind, but firm that the data collection for my study needed to be timed consistently in order to not skew the results. She asked me as a personal favor, to please swing by her lab before I headed home. I was exhausted but I agreed. Nita looked genuinely relieved, I feel a pang of guilt for making her jump through hoops like this. She obviously takes her work very seriously and here I am blowing her off. I apologize and ask her what I can do to make it up to her. She smiles and asks me to take her to lunch the next day, right before we meet up with the group to discuss the threat on hand.
The meeting at Tris's apartment earlier today had been organized by Cara. It is important we figure out why this group is pulling us in. They didn't need to claim to be us, and to take credit for the release of the memory serum we did months ago. I wonder what their endgame is. Aside from the important topic on hand, my mind wanders to all of the unnecessary drama that follows me when I get together with the group. I had Zeke's sour attitude to deal with. Tris was just being…Tris. I don't even know how to describe her anymore. One minute she seems fine, and the next she looks at me like I killed her dog. And she looks at Nita like she would like to push her down a flight of stairs. Nita tries so hard with Zeke and Tris, only to be treated with such disdain. I think at this point – everyone should accept how the other person feels...and move on.
I am deep in my thoughts when Luke's assistant is speaking to my direct supervisor Troy, and I hear my name mentioned. She nods her head towards me and smiles. I am being summoned to Luke Clark's office. Oh joy.
As we are walking over Catalina asks me how I am doing, and if I knew anyone in Chicago that had been impacted by the recent bombings. I pause, thinking about how best to answer her – I admit I really don't know, as I was affected by the memory serum months ago and I have not been back to the city. She nods her head sympathetically. I ask her if she knows why Mr. Clark wants to see me. She doesn't, but she does warn me that he has been in a mood, the stress of the attacks is a heavy burden on him. I just nod.
Once we arrive I thank her for walking me over. She smiles at me warmly as she ushers me into his office. It is more than twice the size of my apartment.
"Ah, Tobias Johnson – thank you for coming. Would you like a water bottle or a juice before Catalina leaves us to get down to business?" Luke Clark says with confidence. I nod my head in a no. He does look more tired and haggard than the last time I saw him. I notice his travel bag on the floor next to his desk, instantly I remember Tris sharing with us that he had traveled to Providence to work with his counterpart there.
"First – I want to personally thank you for your invaluable work on the night of the attacks. When the dust settles, I promise we will be looking at your skills and position and making sure you are being utilized to the maximum and then compensated accordingly. But for now, we need to get a handle on the threat at hand." Luke says firmly. I nod my head, not really having anything to say to him.
Luke walks around his desk and asks me to take a seat across from him. "It is my understanding that you are already working with Troy to link our systems with Chicago, it seems that the Rebel group has been targeting them for a reason, and that reason is that the Chicago Experiment does not have the securities in place that either we or Providence have. They basically have a huge X on their back. I have your file here," Luke says while tapping a binder, "But in all honestly I have not had a chance to review it. Please give me a high level recap on your background."
I clear my throat, "Sure. I was born and raised in Chicago, I came over with a small group after the video of Edith Prior had been discovered. I was impacted by the memory serum months ago. Since then I have been working with the Rehabilitation team and starting my new life here."
It is then I see the look of realization cross Luke's face, "Wait – so you came here before the serum from the Chicago experiment. Were you part of the group that Tris Prior was in?"
"Yes." I state, my face emotionless.
"Do you know Beatrice well?" he pushes.
"Not anymore – I don't know anyone well. The serum…" I start.
"Yes, of course – I apologize. I am getting off topic," Luke stammers for a moment, "Let's talk about how your current project with—"
Two men burst into Luke's office, we both immediately jump up startled and ready to fight – both of us on instincts. It is two higher ups on Luke's team that I don't recall their names.
"Mr. Clark! There has been a new development. The Rebel group has released a short list of people, and then a description of how their existence is part of the problem – and that they are the solution." One man spits out.
"They are the solution?! So in other words they are specifically targeting people – to kill them. Where is this list?!" Luke spits out.
That is when both men look at me in the room, and then back at Luke – as if to ask if I should be privy to this information. I just raise my eyebrows.
Luke eyes me, and then says that I will be working on a project that has this information – so to proceed.
The document is laid out on Luke's desk for him to review. It is a list of three people:
1. Director Laura Grey (GP)
2. Doctor Victor Grey (GP)
3. Beatrice Prior (GP)
At reading her name my eyes and mouth open wide, it is as if a light switch on my emotions is turned on. My stomach flutters and I suddenly feel a shortness of breath - as though I suddenly am unable to breathe. Tris is in danger, someone wants to kill her.
Over my dead body, I think to myself.
"We need to act fast! One of you take Laura and the other Victor. I will go to Tris. Go now!" Luke barks, his voice tone now tense. He runs out of the room without even giving me a glance, he looks frantic. The moment he realized that Tris is in danger – it was clear that nothing else mattered to him.
And suddenly I feel rage inside of me, my fists clenching at my side, in response to witnessing Luke Clark's reaction this situation. She is with him now. I feel like I am losing my mind – why am I feeling this way about her?
She is supposed to be nothing to me.
+o+++o+ Chapter End +o+++o+