A lovely long ass chapter for you guys here. Its probably gonna be a while before I update GF now because I've got like, seven outtakes that need writing and I've just allowed them to pile up...
"Okay, okay!" Issy holds out her hands as she breathes in deeply. "What do you call a Dauntless baker?" She pauses as her friends look at each other in confusion. "A whisk-taker."
Her own brother started laughing with the Pedrad brothers as some of the others shake their head with amused smiles on their faces.
"That's awful Issy." Josh said. "Absolutely terrible."
Sunlight pierced through her blinds and brightened up her room as birds chirped from outside. Issy groaned from the centre of her nest of pillows and threw an arm across her eyes to block out the sun. It was now late August so the days were getting too warm and yet it was only a few months ago when Issy was complaining it was too cold. As she relished in the fact that she was now off for two weeks, she let her thoughts wander. The past three weeks had dragged by without any problems, nothing new really happened and Eric had yet to come back from the mission Max had sent him on.
Not even a week ago was the night that the rankings of this years initiation were announced. Because they had started off with only fifteen initiates all together, only two of them were cut and both of them were from Erudite. Now that Stage Two had begun, Flare and the other instructors seemed a little tenser, watching the initiates more carefully. She knew attitudes were high and fragile during this stage but she shuddered at the mere thought of anything bad happening with those in her class being so tightly knit by the second stage. When Issy had asked Lynn about it she was told that it was in Stage Two where they lost initiates in the Chasm but whether this was by their own wishes or ploy of another, none of the instructors knew. Beforehand, Issy was completely unaware of this fact. Sure, she'd hear about initiates being found in the Chasm or initiates taking out others but she didn't know it was mostly in Stage Two that this happened... Curious to find out more, Issy had knocked on Max's office door to question him about it. The Head Leader had sighed, telling her that it was indeed Stage Two that the most accidents occurred with only a few initiation years being an anomaly to this. Once she knew this, Issy made sure to send reassuring smiles to the initiates, often patting them on the shoulder and guiding them to the infirmary when she realised how close they were to hyperventilating of breaking down.
Flare had been true to her word and had emailed Issy the file she had on Robyn, the transfer from Candor that had sparked an interest to Issy. The lass has ranked seventh by the end of Stage One and going by the reports in the file, the small transfer had excelled in everything that she was taught. She wasn't the best of the best in her class, but she was pretty close to it. Flare had also sent Issy the transfer's ranking for the first week in Stage Two and honestly Issy wasn't surprised to find that the lass had dropped down to tenth. As a second thought and just pure curiosity, Issy emailed Flare back asking for the files on Zed, Louis and Adam. Those three boys and Robyn were the only ones that really caught Issy's eye on the night of Capture. The wait had been short before Flare had replied with Zed and Louis' files and it was then that Issy learnt that Adam had been one of the transfers to be cut, dead last too apparently. Zed was one of the best during Stage One, claiming the ranking of second, before dropping slightly to fourth as Stage Two started. Louis, despite Issy's initial dislike to him, was noted to be someone who always looked out for the others in his class. He claimed the rank below his friend and surprisingly kept a hold of his third ranking during the fear sims. Honestly, Issy didn't know what she had planned with the three initiates that caught her eye. They would be a good asset to Dauntless after initiation, if they made the final rankings of course.
Her body ached when she finally heaved herself out of bed and made her way to the bathroom. Yesterday, just to let off a little steam, Issy and Dec had day of training, doing each exercise together. At first it was just meant to be a light, easy going day working out... Yeeaaahhh, nah, that didn't happen... The first exercise they did were sit ups and during this, Issy and Declan watched each other like hawks, refusing to get to the set amount after the other. By that point it had become a competition and by the end of their twelfth exercise, they were drawing. Their tie-breaker and the last exercise they settled on a sparring match. It stretched long into the night more than either of them wanted it to, but they kept at it until Dec became victor. It was dark by the time they parted ways and neither of them had realised the damage they had done, not until Issy stood in front of the mirror in her bathroom. She hissed, leaning forward to inspect further. There was dark bruising all along the left side of her jaw from where her brother's fist had landed the final blow. Black and blue was also brushed along her cheek bone from when Dec's elbow clipped her. Leaning away from the mirror, she crinkled her nose in annoyance. If this was what her face looked like she could only imagine what the rest of her looked like...
Issy turned and squatted down to the lowest draw, which is where she normally kept her needle-free first aid kit with all her salves and creams. She groaned loudly once she pulled the draw open, noticing how empty it was and she realised that she'd have to stock up immediately. Looking to the clock on the wall Issy noted that it was only mate afternoon so hopefully the infirmary wasn't too busy. Walking back into her bedroom, she pulled out a hoodie and a pair of leggings from her draws before pulling both items on. Issy pulled her hair into a bun and as she threaded her fingers through her hair she realised it needed cutting soon. After shoving her feet into her combat boots, sliding a gun into the sheath on her leg and her phone into the pocket of her hoodie, she grabbed her card and keys and left her apartment, strolling towards the infirmary.
xXx
Unlike the rest of Dauntless the infirmary was always brightly lit with white floors and walls that made Issy think of Erudite. Most of the other furnishings were of darker colours that the faction favoured but because of the lights and the walls it always made her feel somewhat blind after walking through the dark hallways. The infirmary was quiet when she entered. There were only a few nurses and doctors scattered around, remaking the cots and cleaning equipment. The smell of bleach and chemicals hit her like a tonne of bricks that had her scrunch up her nose. Toward the end of the hallway, Marlene stands talking to a male nurse clutching a file. Issy frowns as she recognises him as the one that managed to get into her room back in initiation after her fight with Kayden. Marlene doesn't look too happy with him either, her eyes flickering around the room as she absently nods her head until they land on Issy.
"Issy!" She calls out, cutting him off mid-sentence. In four long strides she stands next to Issy and grabs her arm, pulling her closer to them. "Excuse me Travis, but I forgot about the meeting I arranged with my friend."
"Oh!" A disappointed scowl crawls onto his face. "Okay. I'll see you next week then."
Marlene nods her head quickly. "Have a good trip at Candor."
Issy rose her eyebrows, confused at what business a Dauntless nurse would have at Candor. Erudite, she could understand. She and Marlene stood in silence as he left and Marlene sighs loudly when the door shuts behind him. Few of the staff chuckle quietly amongst themselves. "Candor?"
When Marlene finally glances at Issy, the nurse smiles meekly. "He's going to visit family under the guise of inspecting the infirmary there."
"Ah okay." Issy nods her head just as an older man with a greying mohawk came out of one of the offices towards the back. He had a stern aura about him and Issy got the idea that he wasn't to be messed with. Marlene noticed him to and immediately stood up straight, a professional mask in place as the whole room electrified with tension.
"What can I do for you today?" She asked just as the man passed them.
"Uhh," Issy paused, unsure of who that man was and what the hell just happen. "I need to stock up on my creams and stuff...?"
"Of course. This way." Marlene smiled polity at Issy like they didn't know each other before leading her to several sets of shelves nearer the front. Marlene handed her a cloth bag and smiled again. "Pick out what you need and then you'll pay for it at them at the front desk."
Out of the corner of her eye, Issy noticed the man walk around before nodding once and walking back into the office, closing the door behind him. Everyone in the room, but Issy, exhaled a deep sigh and relaxed.
"Important guy?" Issy offered, still confused.
Several of the nurses snorted and Marlene was one of them. "Important guy? That's Vex. He's Head of the Medical Department and of the Infirmary. People say that he was an Erudite transfer and half the time you'd think he was a nose too. Nobody does anything out of his routines without his say so. He's passionate about his work but hell, is he terrifyingly strict person ever. Heck, I reckon he could give Eric a decent run for his money to hold that title..." Marlene shakes her head and then suddenly freezes, looking at Issy with wide, fearful eyes. "I –"
Issy waves her off. "Its okay."
"Okay then."
Marlene and Issy chatted some more about random topics while the younger member picked out the tubs and bottles of the creams and salves she needed. Issy also picked up some extra bandages and such just in case. They were just making their way to the front desk when a noise had them both pausing. Footsteps thundered at a quick pace slowly getting louder and louder until the doors of the infirmary burst open.
A hoard of Dauntless soldiers stormed into the room, fence workers, Issy realised when she saw the grey bands on the arms of the jackets. Most of them were minorly injured but then the stretchers rolled in. The infirmary became a flurry of action as the nurses and doctors jumped to do their job.
"Issy!" Marlene shouted over the chaos as she helped a limping soldier onto the nearest cot. "See that large button behind the desk? Press it and hold it down for ten minutes. Exactly ten minutes Issy!" Issy said nothing back as she ran to the desk. She quickly shoved her bag under it as she leaned over and pressed the large yellow button.
One.
Vex stormed out of his office and immediately started barking orders at the few nurses and doctors in the room, sending a nod at the golden eyed woman, his eyes flickering to the button before he starting sending orders into the air.
Two.
The nurses and doctors tended to the first patients they came across and quickly got to work, heads down and eyes focused.
Three.
More Dauntless poured into the Infirmary admist the wounded but this time most of them were pulling on their black scrubs and joining their fellow staff in the chaos.
Four.
Issy inhaled sharply as she saw Bella stumbled in, clutching her arm and she searched the room for someone. The older woman was quickly guided to a free cot by a doctor who had only just joined the fray.
Five.
The cots quickly became filled and as the soldiers still appeared to be trickling in, the hoard seemed to be thinning out.
Six.
The soldiers that were coming through the doors were soon outnumbered by members dressed head to toe in black scrubs, who quickly latched onto the nearest injured and guided them to a free cot, getting to work immediately.
Seven.
Vex goes from bed to bed checking and double checking the forms stating the patience's injuries that sit at the end of the cots. He gives assistance if needed, but if not, he quickly moves on.
Eight.
The doors slam open once again but this time its Lottie, one of the seven Leaders and Head of department of Fence Operations and Liam, her trainee who will be taking over her department once he finishes his Leadership training. They look around before separating and talking quickly to the soldiers who are able to talk.
Nine.
Bella immediately leaves her cot once the doctor cleans up her arm and gives her permission to do so. Her best friend's mother walks straight to Lottie and starts talking immediately, the latter's eyes widening in shock.
Ten.
Max strides in, a scowl etched into his face but worry flashes each time he looks at his soldiers, and heads straight for Lottie and Bella.
Letting go of the button, Issy slowly makes her way over to the trio to see if there's anything she can help with and as she gets closer she catches parts of their conversation. Shift change... Factionless with guns... Out of no where... Just appeared... Squad arrived... Quickly scattered... Obviously planned... Issy opened her mouth to interrupt just as Max glanced her way when the doors opened again.
Bella gasped, eyes shinning with unshed tears. "KAYDEN!" Kayden looked awful. His dark hair was stuck up in different directions and his light eyes looked exhausted. His uniform had patches of dried blood that Issy hoped wasn't his own but other than that he looked to be in one piece. "Kayden where have you been? You've been missing for nearly an hour!" Issy watched as Bella's professional façade dropped and her expression shift into a motherly one. It seems the older member was clearly attached to her brother as she nearly started sobbing. "I thought you were missing, I –"
Kayden smiled tightly, his body taunt like a string as he stepped forward until his was in front of his mentor. "I had to get her out of there, I couldn't –" He shook his head and caught Issy's narrowed eyes. "I caught the last truck back to the compound and had to drop something off at my apartment." Light eyes met golden as he swallowed once and they shared a knowing look. Issy knew exactly what Kayden had dropped off and in all honesty, she'd do the same. But it was the her that had Issy thinking. She raised an eyebrow and in response Kayden lifted a shoulder. He'd tell her about that later.
"Are you okay Kayden?" Max asks. "Any injuries?"
A flash of panic crosses his face and Issy's hand ghost over her gun. "No, I'm –" But before her brother could finish that sentence, the limping soldier that Marlene had helped into a cot yelled out, frantically pointing at Kayden.
"Kayden got shot twice in the leg!"
The glare that Kayden sends in the soldier's direction has him shrinking back while the heads of Vex, the Leaders and Bella snap in his direction. The other soldiers that sit awake in the cots watch them carefully.
"Twice? Kayden, you must be tended to before it gets any worse." Max takes a slow step forward.
"No, its fine." Kayden says through gritted teeth and Issy slowly slides her gun out of its sheath. "Everything is fine." Both of the younger members stand tense, feeling very on edge in the infirmary.
Vex throws his hands up in the air angrily, grabbing something from the side carefully and fiddling with it as he throws a glare at Kayden. "It's not fine! You have bullets in your leg god dammit!"
"It's been dealt with!" Kayden snarls back.
Whatever Vex had, he now gripped it in his hand as he strode towards her brother. "Retain him!"
Issy catches the glint of something in the Head Doctor's hand and before anyone can react she is standing in front of Vex with her gun aimed at his head. She feels Kayden tense from behind her as he spots it. A needle. Few of the larger males in the ranks of the infirmary freeze, looking towards Vex for an order. "If he says its been dealt with then you better fucking listen to him."
Vex's breathing becomes heavy as he stares at the gun. "How do you know it's been dealt with?" He sneers but it vanishes as Kayden answers, obviously not expecting that.
"'Cause I took the fuckers out and stitched my leg back up!"
Now everyone in the room freezes and Issy lowers her gun, sliding it back in the sheath. Issy snarls at any one who moves and Kayden's fists clench. Vex raises his hands in mock surrender even as his anger fades.
Bella, who had simply watched to situation unfold with Liam and Lottie, spoke up. "Kayden," She says softly and Kayden looks towards her, his body relaxing slightly. "Let him check it over."
Just then, Marlene steps closer glancing between the Leaders, Vex, Issy and Kayden. "I'll take a look at it if you like?" Kayden glances to Bella and then Max before nodding at Marlene, motioning to lead on.
Stalking after Marlene with a slight limp, Kayden glares at Vex before following her into a private room with Issy on his heels. As the door close behind the three of them, they catch Vex roaring about something, most likely them, before getting cut off by Bella. Issy sits in the chair by the bed that Kayden lays in and watches as their friend check his job. Issy looks away as the nurse prods the wound, grimacing slightly.
"You did a good job." Marlene nods her head as she rebandages it. "If you weren't already settled in a career then I'd hire you on the spot." The younger pair chuckle.
A few minutes later, after Marlene had suggest ways to help it heal, the door opened as Bella stepped in, followed by Max. Issy nods to each other them and Bella comes to stand by Issy's side. Issy straightens up and Kayden's eyes immediately narrow at Vex as he enters with a long case in his hands. This time, its both Kayden and Issy's turn to freeze, their eyes trained on the case.
"If there's a needle in there," Kayden starts slowly. "I don't care who you are, I will stab you in the eye."
Vex sighs through his nose. "Do you trust your leaders?"
"Yes." He says immediately.
"Then don't you trust your leaders orders through me?"
"Not in the slightest." Issy snorts at her brother's answer and starts to laugh quietly into her hand. Marlene presses down on his wound in response. Kayden hisses in pain and snaps his head to her. "Ouch! What was that for?!" He snaps and Marlene rolls her eyes.
"Would you consider taking tablets?" Vex asks.
Kayden narrows his eyes slightly but tilts his head in thought. "What's in it?"
"Medicine that will allow the pain to go away."
This time Issy snorts louder and mockingly pouts at him. "Aw, did Erudite dumb it down for you?"
"Issy, Kayden, play nice." Max warns.
The younger members exchange a look before they start laughing. "But that's boring." They whine simultaneously, causing Bella to smirk and shake her head.
After a moment Kayden sighs and nods his head. "Fine." He huffs and Vex motions for Marlene to join him as he leaves the room. Marlene soon comes back in with a bottle of tablets, instructing him to take one a day and then she placed Issy's bag next to her feet before leaving again.
"If that's all, I'll go check on the others and try and see what's going to be done about this mess." Max smiles at Kayden before turning to Bella. "Once you're able, I'd like a report on what happened today. You and your soldiers will be given leave until you're all ready to go back, yes?" Once Max gets a nod of confirmation from Bella he leaves the room too.
Bella sighs deeply as she carefully slumps onto the edge of Kayden's bed. "I was so worried Kayden." She whispers and Kayden frowns. "So, so, worried. Nobody saw you getting into the trucks and then I couldn't find you in the garage or the infirmary." Bella lifts a hand to stop him from saying anything. "I know you're sorry and I also know you're not used to people giving a shit about you but please don't do that again. I don't even want to begin thinking of what to say to my daughter if something was to happed to you." At this Kayden quickly looks away, hiding his face but not before either Bella or Issy sees the tear streak down his face. Bella leans closer and squeezes his arm. "I need to go check on the others now but I'll message Flare soon okay?" Bella carefully gets up from the bed and steps towards the door before she pauses. She looks back at Kayden for a moment before quickly walking to Kayden's side and planning a motherly kiss on his forehead. She leaves quickly then, smirking slightly at the faint blush on Kayden's cheeks.
"Are you okay?" Issy reaches out and slips her hand into his, squeezing lightly.
He glances to Issy with a small smile, squeezing back. "I'll be okay." He shuffles in the bed until he's sat up straight with his good leg folded in while he left his bad one stretched out. Kayden pats the space in front of him. "It's making me uncomfortable with you sat there looking all worried. I feel like I may as well be on my death bed."
"But –"
"Sit." With a huff Issy pulls herself onto the cot and mirrors him slightly. She folds in her leg so that the toe of his boot brushes against her knee and she stretches out her other leg, the toe of her boot doing the same. "So," Kayden starts. "Where do you want me to start?"
Issy shrugged. "Where ever you think is best."
"Okay. Well, I don't really know where the attack started or where the factionless came from because I was on a break. I tend to stay away from the break room in the barracks unless its raining because I don't really know anyone other than Sam, who thankfully wasn't working today, my team member and Bella. I just prefer the solitude and –"
"You went to Amity." She didn't phrase it like a question, she didn't need to, Issy's expression ironed out from worry to suspicion at Kayden's guilty look. Protectiveness for Flare begins to burn in her and her eyes narrow slightly. So many scenarios popped up behind her eyes but out of all of them one popped up the most. "Are you dating someone?" The words are blurted out before she can stop them.
Kayden simply laughs loudly and shakes his head. "No, I'm not." It's Kayden, a small part of her whispers, he would never do anything like that. Issy silently scolds herself for even thinking such a thing as guiltiness cover her own face. "And it was actually the woods near the fence so its not actually in Amity, more like the border of it..."
"Still Amity..." She whispers and Kayden laughs again.
"What is it with you women and thinking that I'm cheating? I swear Flare thought the same before I told her."
"Flare knows?" Well... Issy wasn't expecting that.
"Of course Flare knows." Karen points at her accusingly. "What type of man do you take me for?"
Issy raises an eyebrow. "Uh, the type of man that didn't tell his other half until the last moment or when he's finally thought of how to word it without fucking up?" She offers, smirking as her brother opens his mouth to shoot a response back but pauses when the words finally register.
"I hate you." Is the only thing he says and Issy punches the air, laughing brightly.
"Nah, you don't brother!"
"Anyway," Kayden gives Issy a pointed glare as she snickers quietly. "I'm not dating anyone but Flare but I am seeing someone." Issy sobers up immediately, her eyes widening in shock. "My sister."
If it were possible, her eyes would have widened even more and would have popped out of her skull. "I, I, uhhh, what?"
"My sister. I don't reckon told you about her but since my first shift on the fence Bella and I have been training her for Dauntless during out longer breaks two times every week. My other breaks, like today, we'd just meet and talk, catch up, ya know?"
"Bella's on this too?"
He nods his head slowly. "And so will Flare once initiation has finished and she has time off."
"Okay." Issy hums, processing it all. Kayden and Bella have been training his little sister for Dauntless. Bella's okay with this. Flare's okay with this. Kayden's not cheating on Flare. Issy raises her hand like she was back at school. "Uh, question. Why all the secrecy? Why couldn't you have just told us?"
"Well there's no rule against it but its still frowned upon. I don't want her to get in shit when she transfers for being better than the others."
"I don't see the problem though... It just shows that she knows who she is and where she wants to be. Its confidence." Her gaze drills deeply into Kayden's light eyes, not really registering the fact that his are flickering over her shoulder. "If it really affects the other transfers that a girl from Amity is better than them then they just have to live with it. If they truly are Dauntless then it should make them strive to do better, to be more and most importantly to accept the skills of their fellow members without condemning violence. If someone is better than another at a task, they shouldn't think the best way to overcome it is to throw them into the Chasm." Bree appears behind her eyes as passion for her faction flares. "They should know that nothing is more braver or more courageous than asking for help."
"I couldn't have said it better myself." Issy nearly jumps out of her skin and off of the cot as she turns to face the Head Leader of her faction grinning with pride as he stands in the doorway. Flare stands slightly behind Max smirking at the shock on Issy's face. "Kayden, Vex says that you have to stay the night just in case of infection but in the morning you are free to go. Marlene will be checking up on you every few hours. Also, once you're better, send me a report of what happened today." Kayden nods once and Max turns to Issy, catching her eye. "When you're ready, all you need to do is ask." Issy breaks eyes contact and looks away before glancing back. Max nods his head once to Kayden, Issy and Flare before leaving for the final time that day.
"Well said Iss." Flare smiled as she stepped further into the room. Issy budged up and made room for her best friend on the cot. Kayden pouted as Flare sat next to Issy and rolled her eyes at his behaviour. "So I'm guessing he's told you about Adele, his sister?" Issy and Kayden nodded. "Now that that is outta the bag, what happened today Kayden?" Both women turned to him as he grimaced.
"As I was saying earlier about the shorter breaks that have," Kayden smirked slightly, looking up to meet the eyes of his sister and his girlfriend. "I was with Adele in the small cluster of woods at the base of the fence. It was nearing the end of my break so we were saying goodbye when the gun fire started. At first I thought it was just a few soldiers out on the range practicing but the shots random, chaotic even, and then Adele spotted soldiers on the fence either falling to their knees or taking aim. I pushed Adele away, telling her to run back to Amity and after hesitating, she did." Kayden rubbed at his temples, growing. "I didn't know what to expect when I climbed back onto the fence to the first level but seeing a large group of factionless armed with guns and grenades wasn't one of them. Their tactics were obviously planned that their attack worked almost like clockwork; their only flaw was that they didn't really know how to use their weaponry. There were so few of us actually at the fence as it was also shift change, another reason for it being planned. Its the only time when the fence is under staffed as the soldiers that stay at the barracks for months on end go back to the compound. The attack was completely out of nowhere, apparently they just appeared out of nowhere before anyone could radio the compound. Bella and the few senior officers that were there gave out orders but no one really registered them. I got down there immediately and started to take them out but as we shot them down, more seemed to arrive. Our injured started to climb into the trucks and take off. A group of factionless broke off and headed the few senior officers that we had and –" Kayden voice cracked and he took a deep breath. "They tried to take them out, succeeding with one and they only managed to clip Bella. I was so angry, I just reacted. I took out three of them as I made my way to Bella and that's when someone shot me. I knew I was injured, I could feel it but also I couldn't. I was just numb. I didn't realise that the last of the trucks were leaving until someone grabbed me by the shoulder of my jacket and shoving me in the opposite direction. Honestly at first I thought it was some shithead that wanted to finish the job until I turned on them and punched them in the face." Issy heart began to hammer in her chest. Kayden could have died. They all knew what they were getting into when their blood dropped into the coals, what was expected of them, but now it just seemed too real. "A moment too late I realised it was Eric." Her heart continued to hammer in its cage of bone, though quicker now. Its his job, the small voice reminded her, he'll be fine. "I took notice of my surroundings then. I'm assuming it was Eric's squad that came to our aid and the factionless just began running for it. They disappeared as quickly as they came. I got on the truck then, after Eric had shoved to again. The few soldiers that weren't injured stayed with Eric and his squad at the fence I think, I don't remember anymore trucks following after us..." Kayden finished slowly looking mainly at Issy and she shot him a small smile.
"And then you went to your apartment and took out the bullets." Flare said, nodding her head.
"Yeah."
Issy checks her watch and in surprise, she sees it to be nearly eight at night. The day had certainty flown by. She smiles at the pair, rubbing Flare's shoulder and patting Kayden's good leg, and gets off of the cot. "Well, I've been out longer than I intended too." Issy picks up her bag from next to the chair. "I'm gonna go home. You rest up Kayden, I'll be checking up with you guys soon." With a small wave, she left the couple in the private room and made her way home, blocking out any other thought that done happen to be her bed.