Happy reading Everyone! I hope you are all staying safe and healthy as we are all facing this unbelievable pandemic. I hope this helps those that are overwhelmed and it distracts you for a little while. Enjoy the chapter and please leave me comments below.
Chapter 62
Last time on A love like no other- Tobias P.O.V
"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 stood 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?
I take a deep breath, I honestly don't have the patience or the time for this guy right now. My only concern right now is getting my family back. I can't waste another minute on things that don't matter, and right now Al doesn't matter. Tris matters, our daughter matters, that is all I can deal with right now. I never thought I would ever be capable of love… I think back to the days that I wasn't brave enough to even confront my own feelings for Tris, let alone think about the one day that we would possibly be together. I wanted Tris to have everything in this world that she deserves, even if it meant not being with me…
Four years ago- Tobias P.O.V
"Tobias?" Beatrice asks, as she flops down on the blanket beside me. It's getting late, as we both sit under our secret tree. The lantern that we keep hidden here is our only ignition of light that we have this evening. Her beautiful smile and the light in her eyes always warms my heart like it has for the last several years now. I love seeing her smile, hearing her laughter, the way her mind works…no matter what I go through, no matter what hell Marcus puts me through, I can get through it all, because I have Beatrice in my life.
"Yes," I say, encouraging her to continue. Beatrice is always the curious one.
"Do you think you will ever marry?" Beatrice asks, I nearly choke on my own saliva from her unexpected question.
"Um..." I begin, clearing my throat. "I never really gave it much thought to be honest." I reply. In all honesty, I admit I have thought about it. The only one I can truly see myself happy with is my Beatrice. Deep down I know I have feelings for her, forbidden feelings, beyond friendship. I would love nothing more than to offer her my courtship, but then again, I also would never burden her with being in a courtship with me. Not with the way things are in my life. Beatrice is so loving, kind, honest, and brave.. she deserves someone who isn't broken, that isn't damaged like I am. "Why?" I ask.
"Just wanted to know," She answers, looking everywhere but me.
"Do you… ever think you will ever marry?" I ask her. Suddenly I have thoughts of Beatrice, happily married and with children of her own running through my mind. Only I'm not the man that's with her… The sudden image of her with another man boils my blood beyond reason. Even though I may not be good enough for Beatrice, the thought of her with someone else that isn't me, brings emotions up to the surface that I can't quite identify right now.
I know I have deep feelings for her, feelings that I know I shouldn't have, but I still do. For now, her friendship is enough, for now she makes me feel complete. I wonder if there will ever be a day where I will no longer be a coward and I will ask her to be mine. To court her, to treat her the way she deserves to be treated.
Flashback Ends
I take a deep breath, I refuse to lose my family, not now. Not after everything we have been through to get here. I won't, not if it's the last thing I do.
"Four, man, wait up," Zeke says, as he finally catches up to me, with Al in tow.
"Zeke, I don't have time-" I begin to say, but Zeke quickly cuts me off.
"Dude, just shut up and listen for a minute. Alright?" Zeke says, holding up a hand signaling for me to shut up. "You need to hear -
Al out, it's important," Zeke gestures for Al to jump in and start talking. I fight the urge to roll my eyes at them. Seriously? What in the hell could this bastard tell me right now that could be more important than Tris and Sara?
"So I have been staying with some friends in one of the abandoned buildings in the factionless sector," Al begins, I really wish he would hurry the fuck up with whatever it is he wants to tell me. "Anyways, as I was walking tonight, I heard what sounded like a screaming child," He says, my thoughts immediately go to Sara. " So I sneaked in and stayed hidden in the shadows… I saw Tris tied to a chair," The mention of Tris' name has my heart rate racing twice as fast. "The little girl was in Molly's arms. She was handing her over to a man. He was older, dressed in all grey." Older man? Oh no, please let it not be Marcus. This can't be happening right now. Fuck! He goes on to inform me about what must have been a previous arrangement between Marcus, Peter, Drew, Molly, and… Lauren. Lauren, that fucking psycho ass bitch, I should have made her factionless the other day when she attacked and threatened Tris in the cafeteria after our shared kiss. That woman has been nothing but a complete nuisance to me and a damn slut since the first day I walked into Dauntless.
She needs to be stopped once and for all, I've had it with her shit. I take a deep breath, calming my boiling nerves. She will get what is coming to her, sooner or later, along with the other three. I will see to it. Right then and there I make a heartfelt promise to Tris that I won't stop until I find them both and bring them home safe and sound.
He continued to explain to me that Marcus indeed took Sara. To where? He isn't certain, because he did not follow them, instead he stayed behind to see what would happen to Tris. "After Marcus left, Peter and Lauren continued to taunt Tris… right before... they injected her with something, I don't know what it was though. All Lauren shared about it was that it was a serum that is ten times worse than the serum you guys have for the fear landscapes. I don't know what Lauren has planned for Tris, but whatever it is, it isn't good." Al finishes, his words send cold chills down my spine as the fear of the unknown sinks in. I have no doubt that Tris is the strongest person I have ever met, but I need her to be strong now, more than ever before to get through this. I just hope that I'm not too late to save her and our daughter.
I walk into the large conference room, surprised at the size of the turnout that is in here. I had no other choice but to tell Zeke to round up as many people as he could to help us. As I felt sick to my stomach, as images of what possibly could be happening to both Tris and Sara ran through my mind. The sudden image of my daughter crying and whimpering in pain, laying on the floor of one of Marcus' closets, bleeding and broken pops in my head. My strong, brave, precious little princess. I can't help but to hear her crying out for me, yelling for me to come and protect her from her… grandfather.
Grandfather? A title that that monster has no right to carry. A title that I know he will never live up to, no matter what. Sure Andrew Prior turned his back on his daughter when she needed him the most… but even he is more deserving than my father, Marcus Eaton is to be called Sara's Grandfather. The monster that would hold me by the collar of my shirt over the railing of our stairway. The monster that would have no problem with lifting his fist, a belt, or any other object that he could get his hands on and hit me in anger with it. The monster that would lock me up with no light, no water, no food, and no concern at all for bathroom breaks, in a closet for days on end. I recall the nights when Tris and I would meet at our secret tree, the bags that we hide there would be filled with first aid items to care for my wounds and food for me to eat. Now his monstrous hands could be inflicting his same torturous ways on my little precious girl.
I rush to the bathroom unable to hold back the bile that threatens to come up any longer. I violently lose everything that my stomach holds, along with the dry heaves that feel as if they will never stop. My thoughts rush to Tris and the possibility of the things that she might be having to endure at this very moment. It wasn't enough for Tris to have to endure Marcus' wrath, now Lauren had to be unleashed on the woman I love too. This morning we had it all. Things that people would envy us for, we had it. How did we get here? To lose so much, in such a short amount of time. I can't let this happen, I won't allow that monster to take another thing I love away from me, not now, not ever again!
I look around the room surprised at some of the people that are present. Zeke managed to round up as many people as he possibly could. I take notice that there are a few that although they may not know Tris personally, they are here for me to support me and to help my family. My eyes scan over the familiar faces that are here for not only me, but for Tris as well, Shauna, Uriah, Marlene, Lynn, James,Tori, Bud, Will, and the last person I thought that would ever be here…Christina.
We arrived in the Abnegation sector, jumping out of the train as planned. I run a few feet to gain my balance from the jump, I stand back waiting for those in my group to join me on the ground. As previously arranged, Zeke, Will, Christina, Uriah, Marlene, and I traveled to Abnegation. While Tori and Bud stayed behind to hold down the fort in Dauntless, and James stayed behind to be our eyes and ears between the two factions. While the others traveled to the abandoned building, where Al last spotted Tris captured. The idea is for them to keep an eye on Tris, but not to make a move until Sara is indeed safe and sound.
Originally the plan was to go to the factionless sector to save Tris first. But quickly that plan changed to us going to Abnegation instead to rescue Sara first, for numerous reasons. Tris would have no problems kicking my ass if I left our daughter with that monster for longer than she had to be. Tris is tough, she can withstand anything that Lauren throws at her, but Sara on the other hand is just a baby, an innocent child that didn't choose any of this.
I wanted Zeke to go with Shauna, Lynn and Al to factionless, knowing that if worse came to worst and something happened he would be there with them. But given my past with Marcus, Zeke wouldn't hear of it. He wanted to be there for both Sara and I. Which I could not help but appreciate. In the past two years Zeke has always had my back no matter what the circumstances were, I'm glad he has my back now too, more than ever.
We walk in the middle of the streets of Abnegation, where nothing but grey stone houses stand. Not knowing where else Marcus would go with Sara, we all agreed that the best place to start looking for them is Marcus' house. The thought of having to step foot into that house again, nearly sends me into a panic attack, but keeping my focus on saving my two girls helps me keep my panic at bay. I give my panic five seconds, just five seconds before pushing it back down where it belongs. I can't let my fear overrule me, not now, not when so much is at stake. Not when they need me the most. I won't let them down, I can't, they are my everything.
We continue on our course down the quiet streets between the grey homes. It's early morning, so everyone is still in their houses getting ready for the day. I hated the thought of leaving my little girl here, even for one night, but Zeke was right, a middle of the night ambush wouldn't have gone over very well. I force my feet to continue to move forward, no matter how much my mind wants to protest against it.
My feet finally falter when I spot two people that I didn't even think about contacting, but perhaps should have, Andrew and Natalie Prior. Shit, I should have called them. They both share the same puzzled expression on their faces. They are probably wondering why there are Dauntless soldiers in their faction. Why, I'm in their faction? I glance at those with me… although Zeke knows all about my horrific past, the fact is that Will, Christina, Uriah, and Marlene don't know anything about it. Somehow I had hoped it would remain that way, but right now I can't worry about that. All that matters to me is Sara and Tris and getting them home safe where they both belong.
"Mr. and Mrs. Prior," I greet them, as we are just a few feet away. I keep my face expressionless for the time being. Mr. Prior holds his right hand out to me, as I do the same, giving him a firm handshake. I haven't spoken to him since I worked with Jack Kang to stop the war against Abnegation. Although it was brief and nothing personal was discussed, I still remember the death glare he gave me, obviously he still isn't pleased with me, In all honesty, if I were in his shoes, I wouldn't be too keen on me either.
"T-Four, may I ask what is the meaning of this?" Andrew asks, gesturing his hand between the six of us.
"I'm afraid I have some bad news to tell you," I begin… "it appears that Marcus has teamed up with a few troubled outlaws from our faction. He has managed to cut a deal with some trouble makers of our faction to help him kidnap Sara, along with getting his revenge on Tris," I explain.
"Sara… wh- what would Marcus want with Sara?" Natalie asks, horrified.
"My guess is to gain some control back," I answer. After all he did lose his punching bags," I decide not to say Tris' or my name, as I try not to point out the obvious. Tris and I don't want or need anyone's pity. "He also lost his position as the leader of Abnegation and his respectful reputation. It's not a complete surprise that he is finally lashing out at us.
"What can we do to help?" Andrew asks, I can see he is fighting really hard to remain in control of himself. Being that he is the leader of Abnegation, this probably can really help us in the long run, after all.
"From what we can figure out, Marcus probably stashed Sara somewhere within this sector,"Zeke chimes right in for me. Andrew furrows his eyebrows, looking to Zeke who stands to my right. It's in that moment that Andrew and Natalie take in those that are with me.
"Our apologies of course, my name is Andrew Prior and this is my wife Natalie." Andrew introduces himself and his wife, they both bow their heads in the perfect Abnegation manner.
"Oh um…Andrew and Natalie Prior.. This is Zeke, my best friend," I say, gesturing to Zeke on my right. "He is also one of the newest leaders of Dauntless." I inform them, both Natalie and Andrew both bow their heads. "This over here is Zeke's younger brother, Uriah, and next to him is his girlfriend Marlene. Who is also good friends with Tris." I continue gesturing, as I introduce them one by one to the Priors. "Over here are Tris' fellow initiates, Will and his girlfriend Christina," I say, refusing to give Christina a title in Tris' life, not after everything she has put her through.
"How do you do?" Natalie says. "Nice to meet all of you."
"Guys, this is Tris' parents," I answer their unspoken questions. I see the realization of who they are appear on their faces all at once.
" I'm sorry Four but Marcus abandoned his home weeks ago. We figured that he had simply defaulted to being factionless. Ever since he was forced to step down, it hasn't been a peaceful time for him." Andrew explains. I am shocked upon learning this new information. Where would he have gone? Where is my daughter? Fuck!
Natalie graciously invites us into her home, offering to make us a cup of coffee while we discuss our next move. I ask Andrew for the list of abandoned homes in the faction that Marcus could be hiding out in… The only other place I can think of is the factionless sector… or perhaps Amity. I know Marcus and Johanna were good friends back in the day, perhaps she could be helping him now. I shake my head, clearing my mind of that thought… Joanna is one of the leaders of Amity, I can't imagine a leader, from Amity no less, doing that.
Andrew shows us the house numbers of each empty house that is listed in this faction. To my surprise, there are quite a few of them. No doubt because of all the dependents that are transferring out of the faction in the past few years. I can't imagine how this faction will look like one day down the road in the future if the transfer rate continues this way.
Will, Christina, Uriah and Marlene sit in the living room waiting for the next order in our plan. I momentarily feel defeated, as I have no idea where in the hell to even begin to look for my daughter and my monstrous father.
"You know, I thought I saw the lights on in house number 57," Natalie says, glancing down at the housing map in front of us. She points at the square with the number 57 written in the middle, the house happens to sit on the outskirts of the faction…it's the only house that sits far away from the others. It's the perfect place for a hide out.
"A light on, are you sure?" Andrew asks, looking up at Natalie.
"Yes, dear, I am. I was walking home last night from dropping off that casserole at Robinson's house. I saw all the lights on inside...but I didn't think much of it at the time, she continues. I glance up at Zeke, who in return gives me the same knowing look. We got him.
I take a deep breath, willing for my accelerated heart rate to come down to normal as I take the final steps up to the main door of house number 57. I pat the gun that is hidden in the hem of my back pants, letting the cold metal comfort me in some way. Just knowing that I have some sort of protection for both Sara and I makes me feel less anxious.
I had hoped that the last time I had seen my father would indeed be the last time ever, but destiny has a different idea apparently, as I ready myself to see the monster that calls himself my father. Growing up a part of me had always believed the hateful words that the heinous man known as my father would tell me on a daily basis. That I was nothing, I was broken, or damaged and he even had the audacity to tell me I was unlovable. How could someone who is programmed with the same DNA as mine, who should above all else love and protect me treat me in such a horrifying way? How could the one person that should have protected me the most, my own mother, leave me with such a monster as well? But thankfully I always had Beatrice by my side to prove otherwise, to show me that what my father said to me everyday was not true. I am not nothing, I am not broken or damaged, and I am more than capable of being loved. Tris and Sara prove that to me everyday. It was Tris who pulled me out of the darkness each and every day and into some semblance of light. It was the unconditional love that she and I share that showed me just what true love really is. It's the love that I now feel for my daughter on a daily basis that proved all of what Marcus said to me was wrong even more. I had always feared for the one day that I would become a father, not wanting to be like the monster that I grew up with, to project such a horrific life on my own children. But the moment I set my eyes on my baby girl Sara, I knew such a thing was beyond unthinkable. I would never neglect, harm, or say the awful things that were said and done to me as a child.
When I learned that Beatrice was forced to live with the same man that tried everything in his power to break me.. It took everything in me not to give him the same treatment that he projected on me and more than likely Beatrice. I hated and still hate with a passion the thought of that sorry excuse for a man to have had his slimy hands on my family. God knows if he has already hurt my precious little girl what I might do to him. There won't be a single person in this city that will stop me either. He will pay this time with his own life if anything happens to my little girl.
I stand before the door, I try to listen for any signs of movements or sounds in the abandoned house. I stand on my right foot, enough so I can peek into the window. That's when I hear it… hear him. He and my precious little girl, her cries are faint, muffled even, while he continues to speak loudly, almost yelling.
"You will learn to obey me child, one way or another you will learn your lesson." I hear him say, clear as day. My blood begins to boil when I hear his threats and the tone of his voice that he is using on my daughter. My little innocent child, Sara's cries hit me like a bed of nails to my heart. That son of a bitch, he will pay for this. I can promise him that, if it's the last thing I do!
Without even thinking I raise my right leg, bracing myself against the railing next to me, and with all of my might I extend my leg, kicking the door down. I don't stop, I don't hesitate, as this house is identical to Marcus', so I already know where they will be. I rush up the stairs as fast as I can, not bothering to hide my heavy steps.
"Sara," I call out, and with every step that I take towards the second floor, she screams and cries out louder for me to hear. I ran into the room that would be considered my old bedroom, sure enough my eyes landed on the bastard that raised me. He stands in the middle of the room with his belt in his hand, just like I saw so many times in my life growing up with him. But one thing I take notice of is that my daughter isn't anywhere in sight. No! My eyes glance towards the closed doors of the closet, towards the loud cries of my daughter. I remember the days Marcus would take pleasure in locking me in the closet, leaving me there for days on end, starving, beaten, and left alone to pee on myself.
If it wasn't for Tris...God knows what would have happened to me. Even at a young age, Tris was the kindest, and the bravest person I had ever met. As she would risk her own life for me, bringing me food and helping me clean up my badly beaten back.
"Ah Tobias, it's about time you made an appearance. Actually I thought it would be sooner," Marcus taunts me, smiling. He wanted this. He wanted me to come here. Was this some kind of trap, some kind of game in that sick and twisted mind of his.
"You sick son of a bitch, if you laid one hand on my daughter, I swear to-" I grit through my teeth, but he holds up a hand, interpreting my words.
"Ah Ah Ah. Don't you know it's not right to swear when you're in the hearing range of a child. They pick up everything," Marcus says taunting me.
"Parent advice from you? That's hysterical, coming from a Monster like you," I say as I laugh in his disgusting face. I need to get him out of this room and as far away from Sara as I can. Just hold on a little bit longer Princess, Daddy is here to help you, I think to myself.
"You selfish, bastard. I should have killed you when your mother was carrying you. But for some stupid reason she wanted you. For what? I still don't know." He spits out in anger. Good, I'm starting to get to him.
"Bastard?" I laugh. "Well if it ain't the pot calling the kettle black. Well at least you did me one good thing in my life, I guess. Well at least both of you did. Tell me FATHER, why exactly did you decide to cover up Evelyn leaving you by faking her death?" I ask, I bite down on my lower lip trying to keep myself from laughing at his shocked expression. "Was it out of embarrassment that your wife wouldn't take your abusive ways anymore? Or simply for the pity vote to become a leader?" I say firmly. I watch the anger in his eyes raise to the max, as he drops his belt to the floor and charges towards me. His arms are held up, ready to catch me by the throat in both of his hands. Only now I am not the cowardly teenager I once was. No, I am a trained soldier, a brave father and hopefully soon to be a loving husband. I will stop at nothing to save and protect my family. I surprise him by blocking his hands with mine and with a right jab I aim, putting all my weight into it. I internally smile, watching his head be thrown backwards as he takes my powerful blow. But this doesn't make him back down, instead he shakes the fog out of his head and with his hands balled into fists, he takes on a fighting stance. Only he hasn't been trained properly so he leaves many places on his body open for me.
"You little shit, after everything I did for you," he says.
"Did for me? Which part would that be, Father? Was it when you starved me, or when you'd beat me to a pulp with your belt…Oh I know, it was when you locked me in a closet." I say, letting my sarcastic side show. This time Marcus doesn't bother to say another word, instead he steps forward taking another swing at me. But this time I grab a hold of his wrist before it meets my face, and then I swing his body into the wall behind me with all the force I can muster, while continuing to hold his wrist behind his back, keeping him firmly in place. I grab the roots of his hair with my other hand, banging his head hard against the wall over and over again. All I can see is red, I want nothing more than to kill him right here, once and for all. But the continuing cries and screams of my daughter bring me back to reality. I take a deep breath, steading myself. Although I want nothing more than to squeeze the life out of his body… I once again remind myself of the penalty that I would pay for taking his life, justified or not. I will not lose my family for killing this disgusting poor excuse of a human being even though it would give me so much pleasure to do it. He's not worth it. I fist the back of his shirt, throwing him out of the bedroom door and down the hall towards the stairs. He falls down hard on the floor just feet away. Good!.
"Go, now! Get out of my face, you piece of shit," I spit out, my voice sounding nothing like my own. I know that he thinks I'm letting him go. Letting him get away with his devilish ways, but little does he know he won't get far, not far at all.
I quickly turn, heading back to the closet door. To my relief it is unlocked as the knob turns, allowing me to open the door. I find cowering in the corner my daughter laying in a fetus position, crying. I kneel down, slowly taking my little girl into my arms. "Shh. It's okay my baby, Daddy's here. I got you. You're okay, you're safe," I say gently to her, trying to comfort her.
"Daddy," she cries out happily, as she hooks her small arms around my neck, holding on for dear life. I can't help my hands as they roam her back, searching for any indication that she has been hit by him in some way. I let out a deep breath, not knowing that I was holding it back, as relief washes over me. He didn't hurt her, not physically, anyway. Although locking her up in the closet is bad enough. At least she won't have to carry the physical scars of this dramatic event. I stand up carefully, trying not to drop my little girl, as I feel her body relax into mine, her little head resting against my shoulder. I know she has to be exhausted after this whole ordeal that she has been through.
As I step outside shaking the images of my childhood nightmare out of my head, I see justice being served for once, as Zeke is placing handcuffs on Marcus, binding his wrists tight behind his back. I feel as though for the first time in my whole life that the nightmare that was once my childhood has come to an end.
"Daddy," Sara says, I can hear the tiredness in her voice. I look down, waiting for her to ask me what is on her mind. "Mommy?" She asks, my heart breaks not knowing how to answer her.
"Don't you worry baby girl. Mommy will be home soon, before you even notice." I promise. I intend on keeping that promise to my baby girl with everything I have in me, if it's the last thing I do.
A/N
I received the following review by a guest that I would love to address:
From: Guest on Mar 21
:( ? I know you said you will finish this story, but I am afraid you wouldn't because this site has a lot amazing unfinished stories and this is how all writers started and they had never finished them
Reply:
I do agree with you, there are so many amazing and out of this world stories that have been left unfinished, sadly. But please rest assured that I do intend to finish not only "A love like no other," but also my other ongoing story "To love again," and the "A rented family, one-shots."
This story has occupied my mind since I started writing my very first story on called, "Divergent series: Allegiant Alternate ending." I also have some big plans for many more fan fiction stories in the Divergent world to come, that are currently being brainstormed with FDFobsessed.
I do continue to ask you all for your continued patience, at this very difficult time in my life. As I am stretching myself thin as it is. Every second of down time that I have, I spend it on my writing. Truth be told, it's my one and only distraction from the day to day chaos that is my life right now.
I will continue to produce new chapters, along with new story lines even when these current stories are done… it will just be done at a slower pace than normal for the time being. I do hope one day soon to be able to go back to a weekly schedule.
Thank you for your understanding and patience, it means the world to me.
Brainstorming by: FDFobsessed
Like always Happy Reading
Trini
