So, some of you will be aware that Four's outtake was posted yesterday. For those of you that are probably curious, it also involves Four's trial via truth serum. I don't think I'll adding those details to GF but will keep it mainly to the Outtakes through other's POV's. Kayden's outtake is scheduled next and at the end of this chapter, it'll be obvious as to why… ;)

No one speaks when Eric finishes, though those that hadn't believed him before, are clearly shocked from Eric's passion for his Faction. He certainly wasn't a Leader for no reason.

Max steps up and places his hand on Eric's heaving shoulders. "Thank you for your honesty."

In a dull echo, the whole Faction says the same phrase. "Thank you for your honesty."

Towards the end of the week that 226 and 187 had to stay in Dauntless was quickly coming to an end so Issy gave them the last few days off to spend with family and relax before being thrown into the shit hole that is the Oblivion.

After the Trials, the Dauntless Leaders had thrown themselves back into their duties while also equally sharing tasks of Kim's department. Harrison ramped up the patrols, extending the routes and multiplying squads per route. For the soldiers who were working extra hours, Lilah had been giving them bonuses for all the extra time they've been pulling. Winnie had been pulling all the volunteers and holiday workers into active working to take care of the surplus of children left in care, many of them having been orphaned from the invasion. Max was pulling every solider he could from anywhere he could find them. Those who were unhappy with their previous jobs and others who were on the list for new placings were placed where Max saw fit. Most went to the Rebuilding Project for the compound, others were placed in squadrons in Harrison's depo.

And Eric?

No one had seen Eric since being cleared at the trials.

If Issy didn't know any better, she'd think Eric had retreated to get his emotions under control after his outburst under the truth serum.

Issy did know Eric, and even though she hadn't heard anything from Declan or the Leader himself, she knew he was out there busting his ass on every raid and mission he could be a part of…

Issy knew that because it's exactly what she'd have done if anyone had questioned her loyalty –

– prove those fuckers wrong.

Issy took the first of four days they had left off and spent it by herself. She sorted through her apartment, reorganising all her weapons and clothes in the already packed bag. Issy had been stressing over moving back to the Front. After the invasion, the compound had made Issy jumpy, just like how she could no longer stand on the bridge across the Chasm without feeling like she's about to fall through it.

Though some parts of Dauntless still set her on edge, her apartment brought her nothing but comfort, despite it been broken into by a traitor and raided by Eric's squadron for a bomb... apart from those two events, her home was filled with so many good memories that she almost forgot that Kim had invaded her space.

Issy remembered how Bree had helped her decorate the flat so it became hers. She remembers how the whole group cramped themselves into her living room, sitting on chairs, each other's laps, the sofa and the floor, to celebrate the end of training for 226. Drawing faces of her family, tattoos and random doodles. Even the nights filled with insomnia and music Issy remembered fondly. It was a time that Issy truly didn't have any pressure…

Then she took position as Captain of 226.

Then she moved her squadron to the Front.

Times certainly became more stressed. The more lives that Issy held in her hands, the more she doubted her own decisions. Thankfully though, the decisions wasn't wholly on her shoulders, she had her whole squad to support her.

Issy shook her head, trying to push away the thoughts.

It was her day off.

She could lounge about in her pyjamas all day if she truly wished… Just sit and draw while music plays in the background – but the normalcy of the life Issy had before the Front is too quiet now and she itched to be back on the battle field where everything made sense and could be dealt with, one way or another. But the day-to-day life back in the compound felt too delicate that she almost felt caged.

That – Issy realised – was something that led Eric and others into not trusting her with certain bits of information. She had yet to balance out her chaos in both her work life and her home life.

With that realisation, Issy fell onto her bed with a long sigh.

She had so much left to work on with what seemed like too little time to do so…

xXx

The second day, Issy found herself sat with most of her initiation, probably for the last time in a few months.

They had originally planned to sit on the roof, but the universe said no in the form of torrential rain, so instead they slumped down on the floor of the transfer training room. Many memories flew back that had Issy sharing a soft look with her fellow transfers.

She looked around, noting the obvious absence of Sam, who was still in the infirmary, and found they were one person short.

"Where's Kayden?" Issy asked the group.

Flare, who was sitting by Lilah, answered. "Oh, I think he said he had some kind of meeting with his supervisor on his floor." Flare shrugged and beside her, Lilah smirked. "I dunno, I think it might have been important."

"Speaking of important things," Alec starts, grinning. "I heard someone –" Issy's twin eyes Cody. "– got promoted…"

Eyes dart to Cody, who blushes. Cody swallows as he begins to stutter over his words. "Well – I – it's not an actual promotion… Zeke and I have been made temporary Heads of the Control Room while Four takes some time off."

"Why would Four take time off?" Noah questions, missing the wide-eyed look that is shared between Issy and Luke.

"Dunno, Max just said he needed it for however long."

The conversation soon turns into recounting memories of initiation. Memories in this room. Alec laughs, remembering their first time shooting a gun, which obviously turned into a competition for the twins. Their rivalry with Kayden for the first stage and then the complete change in attitude soon afterwards.

Kayden joins them almost an hour later while they are laughing at the silly shit that happened during Stage Two. The conversation quickly seizes though when they all get a good look at Kayden's face.

He's pale, looking very shocked but also confused at the same time.

Flare stands up immediately and goes to him. "Kayden? Are you alright? What happened?"

In between Flare's questions, other questions from the group are shouted at him.

"Did someone die?"

"Are you fired?"

"Is your dick smaller than you'd like?"

Hector gets smacked by several people, Issy included, for that remark.

Kayden looks up, his eyes finally focusing on them all. He blinks slowly like he's still processing the world. Kayden stares at each of them in turn, lingering slightly longer on Lilah, causing the young Leader to smirk and nod firmly. The action has Issy narrowing her eyes, deeply confused.

"So, uh," Kayden clears his throat. "I had a meeting with Max..." He says the Head Leader's name slowly, dragging it out. Issy's confusion only deepens as she tries to connect the dots of possible scenarios that could make sense. Kayden clears his throat again. A small smile twitches at his lips and his voices become firmer, nodding back to Lilah. "He offered me Leadership, and I accepted."