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ATTENTION- IMPORTANT MESSAGE! PLEASE READ:
For those of you that don't read To Love Again, please read the A.N. at the end of this chapter for important information regarding my future updates.
Chapter 61
Tris P.O.V
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"Are you sure you don't mind doing all this while I'm at work?" Tobias asks, as he cradles my face gently between his hands. He looks me in the eyes, looking for any doubt on my face. He smiles down at me, seeming satisfied with what he sees.
"Yes, I am sure. You need to work, I understand that. I also want to move into our perfect apartment this weekend, before I start classes next week," I say in all honesty. I rest my hands on his chest, looking up at him giving off the same intensity as he is to me. "I want nothing more than to start our new life together in that apartment as soon as possible." He leans in slowly, gently kissing my lips. We break apart when we hear our small giggling toddler as she watches us kiss.
"Alright. Just don't overdo it Tris, okay?" Tobias says. I can see the mischievous thoughts behind his comment, as he leans down to whisper in my ear, not wanting the little ears that are listening to over hear his words. "I have great plans for you tonight." Shivers run down my spine, as I feel his hot breath against my neck. Damn.
"'I'll hold you to that Mr. Eaton," I say, returning the same mischievous smile that he is giving me. A part me wants nothing more than to beg him to play hooky today. To stay home with me and make love all day long. But the other part of me knows that he is a leader and Dauntless needs him. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him down to meet my lips. I press my body flush against his, keeping in mind that we have our little audience watching us right now. Tobias moans, as his hands hold on to my hips, keeping me in place.
"I need to go, or I won't be held responsible for my actions," Tobias says, breaking our kiss. I can feel, see, and hear the longing in his voice that he has for me, matching my own. What I wouldn't give to have another twenty minutes alone with him? But instead of saying anything I nod, breaking our gaze.
"You're right, you should go. I love you." I say sweetly. I can't bring myself to look up at him, afraid that I will beg him to stay with me. He leans down resting his forehead against mine, as he lets a frustrated growl escape him.
"I love you too, Tris, always." He says, right before letting me go.
"And you..." I say in a playful tone, as I scope up our little girl into my arms, resting her on my hip. "I hope you have a wonderful day at daycare. You play nice with all your friends. Okay?" I say tickling her little belly. She laughs, while nodding her head. I kiss her little forehead, "Mommy loves you so much Princess," I say, before handing her over to Tobias.
"Lube you, Momma," Sara says, while wrapping her little hands around Tobias neck. Tobias smiles widely at me before saying his final goodbye and leaving, closing the door behind them.
Honestly I love seeing Tobias so happy and carefree. Not even when we were young kids sneaking out in the middle of the night, did he ever seem so at ease and carefree like he is now. We always worried about getting caught, along with the repercussions of it. We knew we shouldn't have snuck out, shouldn't have been laughing, or running and climbing trees as children, but that didn't stop us. As we grew up we knew it was even more wrong to feel the way we did for one another, to be holding hands, to hug each other in trying times, to kiss, and to make love. We always worried, keeping our eyes open, ready to part the minute that we were discovered together. But above all, we were mostly worried about Marcus finding out about us. I have no doubt in my mind that he would have killed Tobias if he would have come to the knowledge of our indiscretion. But now that we are here in Dauntless safe from him, I can feel the ease and the calmness within the both of us. No more looking over our shoulders, no more having to hide who we truly are. We are free to be brave and to be in be a family. To live our lives together, like it was always intended to.
I decide to start off in the living room, packing up all the books and some old notebooks that Tobias had kept on a bookshelf. I turn on the radio, hoping for the sound to fill the silent air. I find a song that has a pretty good rhythm to it as I shake and dance around, while placing the books into the box. I can't help but sway my hips from side to side, having a little fun while I'm working. In Abnegation, such things would be considered selfish. Dancing, singing, or just jumping around…What a sad way to live a life that should be worth living instead. When I finish up, I move on to the kitchen, carrying a box with me on the way, I then begin to bring down the plates from the kitchen cabinets. Tobias and I agreed last night that the best thing for us to do is to eat in the dining hall for all our meals until we move into the new apartment this weekend. Although we have come to love our family dinners that we have together, it seems to make the most sense right now.
I finish wrapping all the plates in the newspaper, placing them carefully into the box, I close it up and seal it with some packing tape. I then reach for another box and begin doing the samething to the glasses. By the time I have the fourth one wrapped up and carefully standing up in the box, I can't help but feel a weird sensation that I am no longer alone in the apartment. I recall the same feeling that I felt when the lights went out, right before we were attacked by Eric and his minions. I don't turn around and I don't stop what I am doing, but all my senses are heightened, listening out for any rustling or any movements, any steps that are not made by me. At first I begin to think I must be losing my mind, that my paranoia is finally catching up with me after so many years of hiding and looking over my shoulder. But then I hear the faint noise of fabric rubbing together against fabric…it starts to get closer from behind me. I know it isn't Tobias, as he never makes that sound while he is walking. I know for a fact that he is much quieter when he walks. My heart rate speeds up, with every step that they take closer to me. I take a deep breath, willing myself to fight with everything I have. As I refuse to give everything up that Tobias and I have worked so hard for. Not now, not when we can finally see the light to our never ending darkness. Not now, when we have gotten a taste of what our life should be together.
My thoughts quickly reflect back to this morning, kissing my little girl goodbye, telling her how much I love her, I remember being in Tobias' warm embrace, loving him and kissing him. Please don't let that be the last time I see my family.
This all too familiar scent brings me out of my deep thoughts… I know that smell. I think about when I last smelled it. It's strong and unique, then I remember where I smelt it before, Peter. My already speeding heart rate picks up even more. I don't know what Peter is doing here, but I do know that whatever the reason is, it isn't good.
I close my eyes, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, listening even harder for any sign, any signal of his now expected attack. I don't know what possessed me to cock my head to the right at the same exact moment when Peter's fist meets the cabinets that were right in front of me really hard. He yells out in pain, I take that moment to slam the heel of my foot down hard on his left foot. Unfortunately for me, I'm not wearing any shoes and I can tell from the pain that I am feeling in my foot that he is wearing steel toe boots. Fuck no, that hurts so bad. That moment of hesitation from me gives Peter enough time to collect himself. As he now seems to be back in control, he reaches up and grabs the back of my neck, forcing my head to come down hard against the kitchen counter top. The searing pain overwhelms my head, as I can feel the warm sticky liquid begin to run down my face, and the corners of my vision begin to darken. I don't know why Peter is doing this, but I know I won't go down without a fight. I can't, I need to live through this to see my baby girl and Tobias again. I will not let him take my new life or my family away from me. I bring my right elbow up with all the force I can muster, meeting his chin. I watch as his head is thrown backwards from the blow, but he doesn't release the tight hold he has on me, as he fists my shirt in his hand, holding me in place. I try to struggle against him, desperate for him to let me go, but it's no use, he is so much stronger than I am.
"Peter, No!" I choke out, as he wraps his hands around my throat.
"You little slut, you cost me everything that is important to me… My life, my faction, everything that matters to me, you took. But don't worry about that you stupid bitch, you'll get what's coming to you soon enough." Peter spits out. "Maybe if you're nice, I'll show you what a real man is like in bed before we kill you." I freeze hearing his words, "kill me, we"... No, no, this can't be happening, not now.
"Why?" I barely get out. Like it really matters.
"You pissed off the wrong people, that's why," he says, with nothing but sheer anger in his voice. I watch as Peter lifts his fist up and then he brings it down with more force than his own body weight. I feel the overwhelming pain take over me, as a blow to my temple leaves me nearly paralyzed with nothing but excruciating pain. I feel myself getting lifted up onto his shoulder, but I am powerless to stop him. I look up one last time before the darkness takes over me, a chill runs down my spine as I realize now who the other person is that is working with Peter, Lauren.
"Finally, take this whiny brat outta here you old man." A voice says, I know that voice from somewhere. But the throbbing in my head wont let me concentrate enough to pinpoint who it is. Speaking of throbbing, why is the room spinning? Well, if you would consider this place a room. I don't even think there is a roof on wherever I am right now, as I'm pretty sure those white dots that I see are the stars up in the sky. But like I said, the throbbing pain in my head and the spinning is so bad that it isn't helping me make anything out for sure.
"Yeah, it's about time you showed up." A man's voice spits out.
Although I do recognize the cries that haven't stopped since I came to. The realization of whose cries they actually are runs chills down my spine. I shut my eyes even harder than before, hoping for this to be a nightmare, or perhaps I am in my fear landscape somehow. Anything but this, please.
"Momma." Sara cries out louder for me. I finally give in to the reality and open my eyes. I didn't think things could get any worse, but I was wrong… before me stands Peter, Drew, Lauren, and Molly. Molly seems to be trying to pass Sara to none other than the monstrous, Marcus Eaton.
"Well, I guess there will be some lessons to be learned for her, no doubt," Marcus says glancing at me, while ripping Sara out of Molly's arms. It's then that I get a better look at Molly, she is wearing a long haired blonde wig, to obviously try and look like me. The moment Marcus has Sara encased in his arms, it's as if she remembers who he is, which I know is impossible as she was just a baby at the time. She suddenly screams higher than before, while kicking and throwing her little fists at his chest, as she tries to free herself from the evil person that he is. But no matter how strong she is for her age, she isn't strong enough to overtake Marcus. I start to struggle with my restraints, as my hands are bound and tied behind my back in a chair. But there is no use, the bindings around my wrists and ankles are tied too tightly so I can't get myself free. All I can do is sit here and watch as Marcus takes my precious little girl who is screaming and crying away from me, while I do absolutely nothing. I can't allow myself to think about what he might do to her or I will lose my mind, so I pray in silence that Tobias will come and save our precious little girl. Tears escape my eyes and my heart breaks in two as I give into the defeat, because deep down inside I know I can't do anything to stop this from happening to her. I promised when she was inside me that I would always protect her from that evil man, if it was the last thing I did. Now here I am failing her miserably to do it. My last and only hope is for Tobias to rescue her.
"Hey, what about our payment?" Drew mumbles. Like always, he doesn't want to be heard, he's just reminding those around him of their arrangement that must have been made in advance.
"What was that you imbecile, speak up?" Marcus spits out. "Or else don't speak at all." I watch as the monster that I know all too well shows his true colors with a vengeance. I am slightly surprised that he doesn't try to hide behind his Abnegation mask like he usually does.
"He was saying," Peter began, trying to match Marcus' tone.
"Oh I know what he meant…"Marcus cuts Peter off. "What's wrong boy, cat got your tongue? Speak up!" Marcus continues, not even letting a screaming, struggling toddler distract him from his train of thought.
"What about our payment, S-Sir?" Drew finally chokes out. Even during initiation, Drew barely spoke, as he always allowed Peter to take the lead.
"You will get your payment soon enough." Marcus spits out, as if Drew's presence annoys him beyond anything that has ever annoyed him before.
"And what should we do with this homewrecker?" Lauren asks, gesturing over to me. Funny how she insists that I'm a "homewrecker," as if she ever had a chance with my Tobias. Please!
"Do with her as you wish. She is nothing but wasted space as far as I'm concerned." Marcus says, taking his cue to turn around and leave with a crying Sara in toe. I am forced to sit here and watch Marcus walk away with my struggling precious little girl, as she hangs off of his shoulder, her arms stretched out reaching for me to take her back, yelling for me to help her.
"Marcus, NO! Please don't do this," I plead, screaming with all the strength that I have left in me. My head hangs down defeated, as I know there is no stopping this. I take a deep breath, willing myself not to cry. Not willing to give them the satisfaction of knowing they broke me, but once again I fail to do so… just like I failed to save my little girl from that monster.
"What's the matter Stiff, afraid of what we might do to you next?" Peter says leaning down, as his face is inches away from mine. I can smell his disgusting breath, forcing me to hold my own to keep the bile that is rising in my throat at bay.
"We have big plans for you, Tris. You see, I'm gonna make you pay for taking Four from me," Lauren says, as her hand grips my right shoulder tightly. I try to mask my wince, as I can feel her long fingernails begin to dig into my delicate skin. "Oh did that hurt? Good. There's more where that came from, believe me. You will pay," Lauren continues. I bite down hard on my bottom lip, to try and keep my mouth from running away from me. It wouldn't help my situation at all to run my mouth right now.
A sudden noise from the distance distracts everyone from me, as they all turn their heads towards the sound of wood being tripped over. I see a shadow of an outline of a heavily built body, the build of a familiar male. I squint my eyes, trying to see who it is...oh my god, it's Al.
"Who's there?" Peter asks loudly. But he doesn't get a reply, as Al remains hidden in the shadows.
"It's probably just a rat." Drew mumbles. I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Why speak, if you're just gonna mumble to yourself?
"Better be. We don't want any witnesses," Lauren says, turning back to me with a smirk that sends chills down my spine. I watched her as she pulled a syringe out of her back pocket. I begin to struggle even further, for fear of what might be in the syringe, and for what they plan to do to me.
"What is that?" I say loudly, trying to free myself, but it's no use, I can't move. I'm forced to sit here and take whatever they want to do to me next. I don't even want to think about what that entails right now.
"Oh just a little something special…I heard it's nearly ten times as worse as the serum that you get for your fear landscape. I got it from Jeanine Mathews before she was caught."She continues, bringing the syringe in contact with my neck. Fuck! The last thing I see before my eyes close is Al's figure in the shadows turning around and leaving me at the mercy of my worst enemies.
A/N
ATTENTION- PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT MESSAGE!
Due to extreme and unforeseen circumstances out of my control, it is with great displeasure that I will no longer be providing deadlines on my future updates. From here on out, updates for all my projects will continue, but at a slower pace. I hope sometime soon we will go back to our weekly updates, but for now just be patient with me please. I will however alternate between updatingTo love again and A love like no other.
I am absolutely not abandoning my work, I'm just unable to keep up with the deadlines with the new norm that is my life right now.
At this time, there is no E.T. A. for the chapters of my two stories. Although I do hope to have a new chapter released every week or so.
Brainstormed with: FDFobsessed
Like always, happy reading everyone!
Trini
