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Ch60
Tobias P.O.V
It's been such a long day, I can't help but notice the clock ticking ever so slowly. As if time in itself is mocking me by going even slower than usual. This day has been nothing but mundane and ordinary, and extremely boring, so all I really wanted was to go back home to spend some time with Tris and Sara, instead of being here working. After two long years of separation between us, I can't ever imagine being far from Tris' presence again, even if it's just a matter of a few hours here and there, it is still so hard on me whenever we are not by each other's side. I just know I wouldn't be able to bare to stay away from her any longer than that, even in that little amount of time, I still feel the struggle and the emptiness when being separated from her.
I was so thrilled and beyond happy when Tris said yes to being my wife. It feels like it has been a long time coming, but we are finally on the right track. Now that Tris is a member of Dauntless, and as of three days ago, my fiance, there is no stopping us now. This is our time to be together and to become a real family, officially. Since Tris doesn't start classes for the position she has chosen until next week, she decided to stay home to help begin packing up the apartment. To help out, I dropped Sara off at daycare, so Tris could focus on packing and not have to worry about watching Sara while doing it. I even offered to pick Sara up at the end of my work day, so Tris didn't have to worry about that either. We hope to be in our new kick ass apartment by this weekend, before Tris starts her classes next week. Although I was surprised about the announcement of the job she chose, I couldn't be more proud of her than I am right now. As a victim advocate, I can't imagine how each case she takes on will affect her, but Tris is the strongest person I know, and she will take on each one with extreme compassion and empathy. I know deep down in my heart that she is the right person for this job, as she will fight till the end for anyone who is in need of her help.
"Yo man, something is happening down at the Chasm. Come quick, now!" Zeke says, barging into my office. I can see the urgency written all over his face, so something serious must be happening for him to look that way. I quickly stand, grabbing my keys and phone and lock my office door. I run as fast as I can, rushing through the pit down to the path that leads to the Chasm. I push my way through the endless sea of Dauntless members, as cheers and woo's are loudly heard throughout the faction to find what looks like the beginnings of a fight. Although what catches my eye first is the amount of members involved in the situation. It's clear to me right away that this isn't an ordinary fight between two reckless Dauntless members, instead it is three members against two that happen to be fighting. At a quick glance I can already see that two of them are those among the Dauntless traitors, verses the other three members, that are among the loyal Dauntless. Zeke and Tori are already there trying their best to rein in the problem at hand, but the members don't seem to be listening to them at all. I can see Tori yelling at the top of her lungs trying to get their attention, while Zeke looks like he is trying to figure out a way to stop this at once before it gets out of control. I finally push my way through the last of the members, taking my stance next to Zeke. We both glance at each other, giving a quick nod before stepping forward between both of the groups, our hands held out trying to push both of them back. Zeke and I are both on high alert, not wanting to get our faces in the path of a flying fist or worse, seeing as we have no idea if any of them are carrying weapons.
"HEY! HEY, STOP!" I scream out, trying to grab their attention. I see as the two on my right glance down finally taking notice of my presence , but the other three very angry loyals are not quitting and they don't even seem to give a shit about me being there. "Does someone want to tell me what the fuck is going on here?" I scream out, waiting for an answer.
"Hey, Four your leader asked you a damn question." Zeke screams out, when no one says anything.
"These assholes don't deserve a place back here in Dauntless….they deserve to be factionless." One of the loyals explains, while pointing at the two Dauntless traitors. I can see the growing irritation on their part, as they probably have been hearing this ever since they got back to the Compound.
"That may be so… but they have been placed on probation for the time being," I begin to explain. "Each one of them had their own reasons for betraying Dauntless, but a hand had forced them into deeds that they wouldn't normally commit," I say, defending them.
"Reasons? Forced?" One of the loyals says, Billy, he kinda reminds me a lot of Eric by his body shape and his blind ignorance. However, Eric would have been more likely to be on the traitors end of this argument. "You going soft on us, Four? You're finally getting some after all this time, and now you can't get your dick out of the clouds…" What the? What does my personal life have to do with all of this? But before I could respond to him, he continued, "The last time I checked this faction represented bravery... to protect those that need it within the city. Not being too chicken to stand up for what is right and wrong." The man continued with his accusations.
"Hey watch yourself, Billy. Remember that I have all the power and the right to make you factionless if I chose to," I threaten him. I try to relax my clenching jaw, not wanting him to see that he is getting to me at the moment. But he needs to be reminded of his place in this faction, and who is the leader here. I will not be disrespected, and certainly not in front of the whole faction.
"Well at least you would finally be doing something around here. Now if only you could get rid of these disgusting traitors, they don't deserve a place here anymore." Billy continues.
"That's not for you to decide," Zeke says. He keeps his arms up and at full attention, ready in case anything was to happen.
"Oh really, you don't think this has anything to do with us…" Billy says, his arms open wide, his palms side up, as he turns around encouraging the cheers that support his choice. "Yeah who are you to decide who gets to walk free from their crimes." Billy continues to speak, once the cheers die down. "You were nothing but a couple of intelligence specialists and a tattoo artist, what, like not even two weeks ago?"
"We are your leaders who made this decision about the traitors, along with all the other leaders in the city. Together we decided what to do with those that had less of a hand in all that went down. Now stand down." Tori says, taking her stand right next to Zeke. Her arms are down by her side, calm and collected as she speaks with an understated forcefulness. "Now unless you want to join the factionless, I suggest you back off." I swear in the past two years, I have never seen the look Tori is giving off right now. If looks could kill, Billy would be a goner for sure. It really is quite impressive to see her this way. I knew I made the right choice when I asked Tori to be one of our leaders.
"I suggest you all get back to your normal schedule. There isn't anything else to see here." Zeke screams. Although I'm not surprised when I don't see a single member move a muscle.
"You heard him, MOVE! Anyone still standing here in the next two minutes will be made factionless, " I threaten. Suddenly they all scatter out, evacuating their spots quicker than I have ever seen the Dauntless move before. The only ones that stay are those that were involved initially in the fight.
"You two." I turn towards the traitors, Jason and Landon, giving them a chance to explain. I know ever since most of the traitors were welcomed back into the Compound, many have been given a hard time, some were even abandoned by their own loved ones. The minute they came back, it was as if they had a target on their backs for everyone to aim at. Although I may side with the loyals for more than one reason, I also understand about the forced hand that the traitors may have had to face. "What happened?" I ask, giving them the benefit of the doubt and a chance to explain their side of the story.
"Man, we were just standing by the railing ya know, drinking a beer, when these guys came up to us and started their bullshit on how we don't belong here. That we should make it easier on everyone and just leave." Jason explains, pointing at the three guys behind me. I begin to hear the starting of an interruption take place, as they too want nothing more than to plead their own case. My right hand flies up, motioning for them to quiet down. What are these men, children? "We weren't trying to bother anyone, we just wanted a place to relax and chill." He says defending himself. I nod my head, turning back around to the other three.
"No one can stand the sight of them anymore. No one can trust them, or feel safe with them here." Billy points out. Honestly, I don't blame them for feeling that way.
"But it is what it is... unless they break the rules against their probation, they are granted a home here. Everyone makes mistakes, Bill, including you. Or did you forget about how you once cheated on your wife? She forgave you and chose to work things out with you. Did she not?" I point out, calmly. My comment is not to insult him, but to simply compare how someone's actions can affect those around you, but sometimes they can still be forgiven.
"That's not the same." He says, no doubt taking offense to my words.
"Isn't it though?" I ask, taking a step closer to him, as I lower my voice not wanting everyone to hear what I say next. "You hurt those that you loved most in this world. One night, one choice… that was all it took. One careless mistake. But yet, you asked for your wife's forgiveness, you asked that of everyone…different circumstances, yes, but the same outcome." I take a step back from him, letting my words sink in for a bit. "Now, we will let this slide just this once, but if I or any member of the leadership team see you making trouble again… you will make me have to force my hand. I watch as the fight in him suddenly dies out, as he looks exhausted and ready to finally give up. Nodding he turns around, heading out of the Chasm along with his two buddies. I turn back to Jason and Landon, taking a deep breath before I continue on with them. "I can't guarantee your safety, unfortunately people are really confused and angry, but you are welcome to stay here as long as you live by the rules and don't do anything to risk your probation." I state to them, placing all the cards on the table.
"But we will do what we can to help." Zeke chimes in. I know his thoughts on this subject, as we have all spoken about it many times…
"Yes, we will." Tori says, as if it's the end of the discussion on the subject.
Did I mention that it has been a long day? I finally finished the report, filing all the necessary paperwork into each file of the person that was involved in today's incident. I want nothing more than to go get my beautiful daughter and go home to my Tris to spend the rest of the night cuddled up and maybe watch a movie. To be honest, I really don't care what we do tonight, as long as we are all together, to just spend some quality time as a family. I quickly lock up the cabinet that holds all the files of the past, present and dependents of the Dauntless members, before heading out and locking the door to my office.
As I make my way through the Pit, I can't help but notice all the weird looks that I get on my way, as they probably all seem to notice the goofy smile on my face. I can't help it, the thought of seeing Sara, and taking her home to Tris… is the highlight of my day.
I arrive at the Daycare center, I smile at Stacy the receptionist not bothering to greet her any more than that. Stacy has always made it very clear that she would love nothing more than to be with me. I have always made it clear to her that I was not interested, just like all the other girls that have come on to me here at Dauntless. I don't give her another chance to make her advances towards me again, as I speedily walk past her and into the toddler room.
The minute I enter the room, I notice something is off. Usually it only takes seconds before Sara notices me and toddles her way over to me, screaming for me to scoop her up in my arms. But today I don't see my little blond haired angel anywhere. I look around the room, my eyes scanning each child's face, but all I see are the faces of the other children, not my Sara.
"Hey Melissa. Where's Sara?" I asked Sara's daycare teacher. I try to keep my panic at bay, for all I know she could have been taken to the nurse or to another room.
"Umm. I'm not really sure." She stutters, looking around the room.
"You don't know. Isn't it your damn job to know where my daughter is?" I point out, as my panic and frustration begin to show.
"Let me see her,." Melissa says, pulling out the attendance book. I watch her finger skim down to Sara's name, finding that she was indeed signed out about two hours ago. She turns the attendance log towards me, telling me that she was signed out by a signature reading Tris. I am momentarily relieved, until I notice that the signature isn't in Tris' handwriting.
"That's not Tris' signature," I say, as I turn running out of the doors to the childcare center and heading back towards my apartment as fast as I can. Panic threatens to overwhelm me as countless horrific scenarios play in my mind. As I get closer to the apartment I pull out my phone to dial Zeke's number, but I end the call before he can answer it, as I see the door to my apartment is left wide open. When I look inside, my blood begins to run cold as the apartment has been torn apart. Clearly a struggle took place here and Tris is nowhere to be found at the moment.
I burst through the doors of the control room, with Zeke hot on my trail. I called him on my way here, he didn't even hesitate to tell me he was on his way. He loves Sara and Tris as if they were his own family. I know no matter what, he will do anything it takes to help me get them back.
"James, I need you to pull up the security feed in the hallway to my apartment and to the Daycare center, starting about two hours ago." James pauses for a moment, before pulling his glasses down to look at me, making sure that I am serious. "Now!" I bark out, I don't have time for this shit.
"Yes, Four." He says, turning back to the screen as he works on the commands. I watch as he works on the screen with the daycare center in view. He begins two and half hours ago, as he fast forwards the reply. "What are we looking for Four?" He asks.
"My daughter." Is all I say, my eyes scan the feed looking for anything that looks suspicious. Then I see it, a woman dressed in all black clothing carrying a crying Sara, my baby girl, out of the Daycare center. "Stop, zoom in." The woman seems to be trying to comfort my daughter. To anyone's eye, it appears to be a mother comforting her own child that is under duress. I watch as James zooms in on the frozen shot, making the image clearer as he goes. "Son of a bitch!" I say, barely above a whisper as I recognize the person that is walking off with my daughter. She has a blonde wig on disguising herself as Tris... This person, I thought we wouldn't have to deal with her ever again. Boy, was I wrong, Molly.
"Four, who is that girl?" Zeke asks, his voice full of concern.
"Molly," I answer.
"Molly? Initiate, Molly? Molly, the one you had been thrown out of Dauntless for recklessness." He asks in clarification. I nod my head yes, not able to find my own voice at the moment. I can't believe that bitch has the nerve to take my daughter. I swear if she harms one little hair on her precious head... I will kill her without a second thought.
"Switch to the feed to my apartment, Now!." I order, but I already feel the chills beginning to run
down my back. I roughly run my hand through my hair, wishing to release some of the tension that I'm feeling in my head. But no such luck. This can't be fucking happening right now.
It was just this morning we had everything. Nothing but laughter and love filled the apartment, a happy and healthy little girl that was the result of the love of her parents. I remember Tris walked Sara and I out of the apartment, wrapping her thin arms around us, kissing Sara on the forehead before she stood on her tiptoes to give me a tender kiss on my lips. Would that be the last time I ever got to kiss her? The last time our family would ever be whole again? No, I won't
allow it. I have to get them back.
"Yes, Four." James says, he continues to hit the keys to the right commands. Again it starts with the view of the camera that sits in the hallway to my apartment. He zooms into my door, and rewinds the feed about two hour back. It's not long before we see it, two people, a man and woman, the man suddenly kicks my front door open and they both enter. "Four, there's audio available on this feed." James says, I can hear the caution in his voice. I nod, as he releases the plug of his headphones from the speakers making it audible for all of us in the room to hear the commotion. He restarts the feed from the moment the man and woman come into view.
"We have to hurry. We can't waste any time." The woman says, cold chills run down my spine as I recognize the voice of the woman, Lauren. That fucking bitch.
"Get in and out." The male says, just as he lifts his right leg kicking the door down. I see the side of his profile, I'm shocked as I realize who the male is, fucking Peter. Holy shit!
We hear them enter the apartment, we also hear Tris' muffled screams, then the sounds of things crashing and breaking. It takes them about five minutes before they reappear in the hallway. Lauren looks out first before she exits the apartment into the hallway, while Peter is carrying an unconscious Tris over his shoulder. James follows them throughout the compound, as they seem to go unnoticed. I start to feel sick to my stomach as one of the feeds he plays has Tori, Zeke, and I breaking up the fights between the loyal and traitor Dauntless, while Lauren and Peter, who is carrying my Tris, walk right past everyone's back undetected. Fuck no, this can't be real. Please say I'm having a bad dream right now, what am I saying, it's a freaking nightmare.
"Four." Zeke says, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. Both my hands rake through my hair, nearly pulling it out of my scalp. Right then and there resolve hits me all at once, knowing that I will do whatever I have to do for my family, to get them back home safe.
"Load up, we're leaving now!" I say.
"Four," Zeke starts, but I don't let him continue.
"Whether you are coming with me or not, your choice, but one way or another I'm going after my family," I say, as I leave the control room not bothering to look back at Zeke. I walk into my office, unlocking the cabinet that holds all of my weapons. I stick a hunter's blade with its cover on it in the waistband of my pants, along with a small gun that I put into my boot, and I also put another gun into the hem of my pants, while stuffing extra bullets into my pockets. I then head out of my office, locking the door.
"Four, wait up." I hear Zeke behind me. I turn ready to argue with him if need be. But I stand there frozen in place, as I didn't expect Zeke to be escorting a person that I had thought once again that I would never have to see ever again, Al. What the fuck is going on now?
A/N
Stay tuned for the next update: March 4th
This chapter was brainstormed with FDFobsessed
Like always, happy reading everyone!
Trini
