It's a short but sad chapter and an absolute bitch to write.
Four cocked his head at her. She knew he was thinking about the jabs about taking her out in Manic and the smugness since then. "Are you fucking serious? That's the reason?" He scoffed. "Can't you take –" He paused.
"A joke?" Issy finished for him. She eyed the glitter clinging to him. "Clearly you can't so why should I?"
Four shakes his head. "I never thought you'd be one to be petty."
"Oh Number boy, you really don't know me at all do you?"
Knowing that he's not going to win the conversation, Four scoffs again and pushes his way out of the Pit.
A few days later Issy was hit with déjà vu as she stands with Bree, Noah, Kayden, Flare and the rest of her brothers on the same ledge overlooking nearly all of Dauntless' population. This time, Issy knew what was about to happen. The crowds below murmured to each other. Some were pleased at the prospect of a new Leader, but most were saddened by what was to come soon afterward.
Issy had been in the middle of helping Bree plan a date when they and the rest of the girls can go dress shopping when she received a message from Eric about the ceremony. Seconds later, there was a knock on Issy's door and Hugo appeared on the other side. Déjà vu indeed.
Guards paced the walkway with frowns on their faces. Everyone was frowning or looking sad. Sure, Issy understood why but this sadness was caused by the faction's own beliefs. Winnie and Kim were the first Leaders to stride onto the walkway. Winnie appears close to tears. Kim however, had her nose wrinkled and an emotion flickering across her face that Issy couldn't pin down. Eric and Harrison were the next to walk on. Eric barely held back the sneer as he looked to Kim and Harrison hissed something at the pair of them. Eric turned his shoulder to Kim and instead looked through the crowds below him. His eyes stop scanning when they find her golden blue ones. Issy's lips twitch up not a small smile and his eyes soften slightly. Adrian and Lilah walk on discussing something with their hands flying about while Lottie, Liam and Max follow after. The redness framing the Leadership tattoos running down from Liam's shoulders is bright.
Max looks around the room. "As many of you know from the recent months that Lottie is stepping down from Leadership with Liam taking over her department." People glance around to others, their expressions torn between being happy for Liam as their new Leader and being sad about the incoming loss of not only one, but two Leaders. Adrian and Lottie had been Leaders longer than Max had been and yet they could still give some of the younger members a run for their money. Max glanced back to the couple with a grim smile. "From today, we will see the endings of one adventure and the beginning of another. It has been a pleasure to lead beside you both." Max swallows and Lilah places a hand on her dad's arm.
Adrian nods while Lottie steps forward and looks over the crowd with tears in her eyes. "It has been an honour to be a Leader of this faction. This crazy place has been my home, my family, for so many years and I thank you all for keeping each day as entertaining as the last. So for our last time, please enjoy drinks free of charge starting from half six in all pubs in the Pit."
The crowds roars. Expect instead of being fuelled by the knowledge of free booze, they roared in respect to Adrian and Lottie.
xXx
The next two or so days were depressing. It was a waiting game for the news that will tear through the faction. Lilah and Liam had received letters from their mentors and the rest of the faction received free booze to try and drown it all out. It was morbid but that was the way of Dauntless.
Jaws clench to keep in the tears and eyes and down casted when there is commotion from the Chasm. No one runs to see what's happening with curiosity burning in their eyes. Feet are dragged across rough stone, trying to delay the inevitable. Dauntless are called into the Pit once more and Max stands on the platform on his own.
Issy stands on the lower level surrounded by other members. There were moments when Issy wasn't sure that she'd turn up to this. She hadn't liked the idea of celebrating death but out of the respect for the couple who reminded Issy of a loving grandparents, Issy arrived quite late into the ceremony. She didn't know where her family was but she didn't worry about it once she saw Eric pushing his way through the crowd.
"I've been trying to find you." Eric says as he stands close to her. Issy doesn't answer but burrows herself into his arms. Eric sighs into her hair as he pulls her closer, leaning his head against hers as they watch Max hold back his tears while giving the speech about Adrian and Lottie. Issy turns her head into Eric's chest when Max starts saying about how braze the couple are for exploring the unknown, trying to block it out. Eric's arms wrap tighter around her and he doesn't comment when his shirt becomes damp under Issy's face.