Fuck, it feels like AGES ago since I last updated… in between rewriting Eric's outtake, planning and fixing the plot line I was writing this chapter along with something else, but I'll get to that later… This was a difficult chapter to write, firstly because it kinda drags on and off as I wanted to get the whole day done in one chapter rather than coming back to it for multiple chapters. Secondly, this chapter the building blocks for something – a couple of things actually – that's going to go down soon which is gonna be fun… For me…

The other thing that I've been writing is an additional story to GF, I'm aiming for 10 chapters, maybe more? I won't be publishing it until I've finished GF but then I'll have the story finished and will be able to keep to a real updating schedule so I'm not leaving you guys for months on end.

She listened to Eric pad around the bed before climbing in on his side of the bed. He reached for her and Issy stilled.

"If your hands are cold again, I will slap you."

He chuckled, shuffling closer to her. "Of course, you will."

Issy moved even closer, wrapping herself around him. "Shut up and go to sleep."

Eric laughed as Issy closed her eyes with a small smile on her face.

Like clockwork, her phone alarm went off at half four, waking them both up.

Eric groaned and tried to lean over Issy to grab it but Issy pulled him back down, locking him in place with her legs.

"I was only going to turn it off?" Eric grumbled.

Issy rolled her eyes and with her whole-body weight, she pushed Eric onto his back with her sat above his hips. He hands came up to rest on her thighs, stroking circles into her skin. "No. You were going to throw it out the window." Issy watched with a small smirk as Eric's jaw clenched but being the stubborn ass that he was he didn't look away. "But now I do actually have get up." Issy tried to get up but Eric held her down firmly.

"Why? You don't need to leave until half five."

"Because we're setting off the patrol alarms bang on half five so we've gotta be at the rendezvous for twenty past five."

Eric pressed his head back onto the pillow and slowly let go of her thighs. "You would have made a ruthless instructor."

"I wouldn't dare take that title away from you." She said as she got up, wandering over to where she left her bag. She pulled out her underwear, leggings and a tank. Issy glanced at Eric, who hadn't moved but was watching her closely. He raised an eyebrow at her, a hungry look in his eyes. She shook her head, walking towards his bathroom.

"I thought you trusted me?" Eric called after her.

Issy paused at the doorway and raised an eyebrow in return. "I do trust you. I don't however think it's a good idea to strip in front of you when I have places to be in half an hour." Eric opened his mouth, but she stopped him. "Really? You think you'll be able to control yourself if I stood in front of you wearing absolutely nothing in your bedroom?" Eric swallowed as his eyes grew dark and the sheets did nothing to hide his growing member. Issy smirked. "I thought not."

"Tease!"

Issy laughed as she entered the bathroom and changed quickly before combing her finger through her hair and pulling it up into a messy bun. When she re-entered his bedroom, Eric was nowhere to be found. The room was dark as the window blinds still hadn't been pulled up yet. She crept further into the room, her eyes slowly readjusting to the darkness as she tried to find where the chair was. A floorboard creaked and Issy paused before dashing towards the chair. Arms wrapped around her waist before she could even get halfway.

Her back hit the wall as Eric leaned over her. His body pressed up against hers. She bit her lip, staring up at him. Her clothes were somewhere on the floor and she gently placed her hands against his chest. "Um –"

As soon as she opened her mouth, his own latched onto the side of her neck. Issy gasped, her nails digging into his chest. "Shit!" Her head fell back onto the wall, melting into his arms as he bit harder. Somewhere in the background her five o'clock alarm was going off. "Eric…" Issy sighed and his lips moved against her skin. "Eric, I need to leave soon." His teeth unlatched but his mouth only to move further across her neck, sucking her skin into his mouth. Issy tried pushing him away but stopped when his teeth began to tug at her skin again. When he finally pulled away with a smirk on his face she could just punch off, her quarter past five alarm was blaring through the room. "Eric…" She swallowed, panting slightly. "Eric, please?"

His smirked wider. "Sorry," Eric shrugged. "You need to leave soon."

"You're a fucking teas–"

"Tease? Me?" Eric grinned down at her. He pushed his hips into her and Issy groaned. "Karma's a bitch, huh?" He stepped away and picked up her top that she slept it. Eric walked over to a set of draws and opened one of them. From what Issy could see, the draw was empty until he placed the top inside of it.

"What are you doing?" Issy was still against the wall but she stared at him strangely.

"I may not be able to tell you the future, but I can see that you'll be joining me tonight."

Issy frowned. "Just put it in my bag, I'll take it back to mine so it's out of your way."

Eric just shook his head. "It's not –" He stopped with a sigh. "We'll talk about this tonight when we have time. Its nearly twenty past five."

The frown on Issy's face deepened at Eric's sudden mood change. She didn't understand what triggered it. "Oh-kay." Issy moved around him and pulled on the hoodie from her bag. On the front of it was the image of her squad patch. Issy grabbed her keys and her phone, switching the alarm off, and paused in front of Eric. His fingers traced against his marks on her neck. "I'll see you tonight?"

He said nothing as his jaw clenched but kissed her on her forehead. Issy's expression dropped as she ducked her head, moving quickly to the door. She slipped on her trainers and tied them up before leaving with one last look at Eric, who wasn't even looking at her.

xXx

Issy got to the rendezvous point minutes after the alarms started going off. She skidded to a halt in front of most of her squad, Bulldozer and Geek were setting up the course for the rest of the day. The remaining members of her squad simultaneously turn to look at Issy. She waves them off, turning off her own alarm.

"Blame Eric."

Red side eyes her when she comes to stand next to him. "Do I have to teach the boy a lesson?"

"No Pops, I'm fine. We just didn't want to get up this morning."

He moved the collar of her hoodie back and pointed at the marks on her neck. "Clearly."

Issy turned to Rainbow. "Is it really that bad?"

"Oh hunny, it's kinda worse than when he marked the fuck outta you after your promotion." Rainbow patted her shoulder. "And it's hella obvious."

"Fuck!"

"Are you guys together then?" Hector popped up from behind them. "Or are you guys still in that really annoying stage of you act like you're together, you're both obviously interested in each other but for some reason you're not together and it pisses people off?"

Issy simply shrugs. "Somewhere in the middle of all that?" Hector groans but his comment is cut off when the first of the trainees' jog towards them.

It takes a little longer for everyone to join the rest of the squadron outside. Eyes glanced to Issy – at Issy's neck – but none of them stared for very long. Well, all expect one.

Emmett stared at the marks with a disgusted look on his face. "Hopefully your guard dog doesn't have rabies."

Issy laughed harshly, cocking her head in his direction. "Diseases as such as rabies can be treated and yet we have not found a treatment for your insolence." Issy grinned, looking towards the rest of the trainees. "Thanks to your fellow teammate, I'm stepping up the pace for our run this morning." They all groaned, casting Emmett hateful looks as the boyo himself paled. Emmett had struggled to keep up with the casual pace Issy had set for the last two days. "Follow me!"

Issy set a brutal pace throughout the run. Once again Red took his place at the back of the pack, snapping and snarling at those who fell behind. At one point during the run, Emmett collapsed to the ground gasping and so the run paused. Issy threw him a bottle of water as the pack parted for her, waiting with bated breath for her response. She walked closer, slowly like she had all the time in the world. In all honesty, Emmett's comment had pissed her off. Sure, leaving Eric's that morning had made her confused but she was somewhat happy none the less. Because she was in a reasonably good mood, Issy had originally made the decision the run at a slower pace this morning. Then Emmett opened his mouth and ruined it.

Stepping closer to him, she raised her chin slightly. Emmett looked at her with pain in his eyes, still gasping for breath. "You have two minutes to stand up and carry out the rest of the run. You don't get your shit together in two minutes, you're cut. You collapse again and you're cut." A flash of anger went across Emmett's face, but he clenched his jaw and kept whatever sarcastic comment behind his teeth. Issy stepped back, eyeing the rest of them. "You collapse once, that's fine. You're allowed to show weakness as long as you never give up and you get back up again." She side-eyed Emmett with distain. "One minute." Emmett held up a finger, staggering into the bushes before throwing up.

Red crinkled his nose and turned away. "That's just gross dude."

Emmett stands up, his legs shaking slightly. "Well?" He nods forward while wiping his mouth on his sleeve.

Issy turned without comment, walking back to the front of the pack. Billy raised an eyebrow at her before sharing glances with the rest of the squad. No doubt he was silently making bets with the others on how long he'll last for.

xXx

Instead of looping back round to the compound, Issy broke off from the worn-out paths and delved deeper into the city. Issy led them to a section of the city filled with crumbling buildings, a small canopy of trees and high structures still within the borders of Dauntless. Towards the middle of the area stood Bulldozer and Geek, who held a long but slightly deep box, with a large bag sitting on the ground in between them and a pile of rucksacks. Once everyone is gathered around, Issy starts talking.

"Today and next Wednesday is all about teamwork. We will be watching and taking notes on how well you can work with people you like, dislike, whatever. What we want to see today is how well you can all take suggestions, stay focused keep your minds on the task ahead."

"You're not telepathic," Emmett sent Issy a lewd grin as he rallied his attitude to hide how much the run affected him. "You look tense most days Issy, your pretty boy not able to satisfy you?" His head cocked to the side as if in thought. "If you were telepathic, you'd hear how I could turn you into putty –"

Bulldozer unzipped the bag, pulling out a gun and shot Emmett very high on one of his thighs. Emmett fell to his knees with a screech, hands clasped over his dick. "Don't be so dramatic." BD snapped. "I didn't shoot you in your dick, did I? Stand up soldier and show some goddamn respect to your superiors." When Emmet made no move to stand, BD got a nod from Issy as she pulled out her phone and sent off a message. Geek handed him something and Bulldozer strode over to Emmett. Roughly, the great hunk of man pulled Emmett up – who looked hilariously small in comparison – and stabbed him in the neck with a needle none too gently. Bulldozer pushed him away as Emmett's hand flew to his neck. Bulldozer pointed at Emmett and took a step forward. Emmett had enough common sense to step away from the large man. "You disrespect anyone, in this squad or your fellow trainees, I'm going to put you in the ring, and you can face me. No breaks, no conceding, no stopping until you make me drop to the mat. Am I clear?"

Emmett rapidly nodded as he stepped further back into the crowd of trainees.

"Thank you, Bulldozer." Geeks rolled his eyes lightly as BD stepped back to Geek's side. "Some of you might be familiar with it but for those of you that aren't, that is a Neuro Stimdart gun. They've been used in initiations these past five years. As Emmett will know, they simulate the pain of a real gun wound." Geek motions next to the needle that Bulldozer is still holding. "That, however, is new and thanks to our friends in the Weapons depo. It is a temporary tracking device that will be injected into your bloodstream. Once today's activity is finished, we will disable it and it'll dissolve, causing you no harm."

Beta folding her arms behind her back to hide how her hands shake when Geek gets out the rest of the needles. As the team's technician, she left it to Geek to handle it.

"Hope nobodies scared of needles!" BD announces gleefully and Beta tries to calm her breathing. She takes a few steps back as the trainees move over to Bulldozer and Geek for their injections.

Once everyone has their injections and holds a gun each, Issy begins explaining the exercise.

"Today you will be split into teams of two and one team of three. You will all be equal to each other," Issy sends Emmett a pointed look and he rolls his eyes. "And decisions are made together. A rucksack will be given to each of you and on it will be a microphone, recording what you say. This will let us score you on your teamwork and your strategies."

"The task is simple." Hector grinned. "In your teams, you will be assigned targets with varying difficulties. Once you are in your teams, you will each be given a map with your first target. There will be a target for each of you but as a team you only need to hit the bullseye once, dropping you a riddle to the location of your next set of targets."

Geek pulled out a tablet as a patrol truck pulled up behind the squadron. "The teams are Soren and Lani. Leo and Vera. Milo, Hannah and Emmett. Robyn and Elliot. Kale and Tommy. Pick up a rucksack and then go to Rainbow for your teams' map." The trainees shifted around, doing as he said.

Issy turned and smiled as Axel opened his door and hung out of the truck. He lifted his hand in greeting, ducking back into the cab to say something to his colleague. Issy rolled her eyes before turning back to the trainees. "The first group back will gain extra points towards their ranks. Let's get started."

No one moves for a second until Lani pulls Soren by the arm in the direction of their first target. One by one each of the groups disappear in their targets' directions until the squad and the patrol truck are the only ones left.

"So, Beta," Axel popped up again, grinning to each of them. "Heard you guys needed a lift?"

Issy grinned back as Red and the others went around to open the back of the truck and climbed in. "To sector five, if you don't mind." The passenger side opened, and someone stepped out, making Issy smile. "You know, when I messaged the garage asking for a truck and some equipment to be sent over for a small job, I didn't think it'd be you to come."

Eric smirked, his eyes apologetic, as Issy neared and his hands settled on her waist, pulling her closer. "I figured it'd just be a little detour to my schedule." Eric shrugged.

"Oh yes, because you're all about those little duties." Issy smirked back at him and his grip tightened.

"Stay professional, for god's sake!" Red shouted from the back of the truck and Issy laughed, pulling away. Eric pulled her to the cab of the truck, where Axel was already sitting behind the wheel and Eric slid into the middle. Issy got into the cab and was shutting the door behind her when Eric shuffled closer to her, slipping his arm across her shoulders.

At the front of the cab, Issy could only hear slight murmurings of conversation in the back of the truck as Geek went back and forth between files on his tablet, checking into what each team were doing. In the front of the truck, Axel was quiet for the drive occasionally smiling in Eric's direction, causing the Leader to roll his eyes whenever Eric caught him. Eric himself kept close to Issy and he stayed quiet as he played with the tips of her hair.

"Oh, by the way," Eric started, pulling back as Issy turned to look up at him. "Josh and Hugo want to meet up with you once your day is done. They said something about not being able to see the rest of the group on Sunday or something."

"Okay." Issy smiled "I'll message either one in a bit. How's the rest of your schedule looking for today?"

Eric shifted slightly and Axel swallowed, one of his hands reaching up to hold the dog tags around his neck. The movement from both of them caused Issy to frown. "We, uh, we're preparing today, sorting out our amour, weapons and the usual stuff –"

"– Chief, just tell her." Axel cut across Eric's ramblings. "She'll find out somehow."

Issy turned and raised her hand to grip Eric's neck, forcing him to face her. "Tell me what?"

Eric stared into her eyes for a long moment before he told her. "My unit and I are going on a raid tonight." Eric looks to Axel and talks in a low voice. "We'll leave in the cover of darkness with no trucks." He turns back to Issy and pulls her closer until she's practically on his lap. "You'll be on your own tonight, I'm sorry."

"Will you be gone all night?" Issy asks and Eric nods against her. "Will I see you for dinner?"

Eric sighs, leaning his forehead against her own. "No, Max wants to go over the brief… I'll see you tomorrow though."

Issy simply nods her head, holding Eric closer to her.

xXx

It took nearly an hour to get the sector five where the squad had decided the finish line would be. They were all thankful that the course that Issy and her squad mates had set up would take about another couple of hours to complete at least.

When they finally arrived at sector five, everyone gets out of the truck. Axel goes to the back of the truck to help the rest of squad 226 to unpack the foldable tables the squad will use to get some paperwork done while they waited for the teams to finish the course. While they do that, Issy and Eric take Hec with them as they scout out the area the squad will be using. Even though they were technically still on Dauntless territory, Factionless still used some of the buildings as a place to stay.

After spotting no threat in the area, Eric, Issy and Hec go back to the others to find a nice little camp they've all set up. A large canopy is pulled over where they've placed the tables. Geek has a station set up with portable computers with headphones for each so they can record what the trainees are saying and listen to it at the same time. Hector goes over to join Red and Billy as they set up another, smaller canopy. Eric pulls her towards the truck as Axel waves goodbye to the rest of the squad.

"I will see you tomorrow."

Issy fists his t-shirt and pulls him closer, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Stay safe."

Eric's arms wrap around her, pulling Issy tighter against him. "I will."

"Yo Chief! Let's go!" Axel yelled from the truck.

Eric sighed and let her go, walking backwards towards the truck. Issy snorted when Eric tripped and nearly fell on his back. "Not funny." He pouted.

"It was hilarious." Issy grinned, waving slightly, before turning away. As she walked to the temporary HQ her squad had set up, the truck engine roared to life. Rocks grounded under the tires as it pulled away and Issy glanced back to see the truck drive away.

"Okay then!" Issy clapped her hands together. "Let's get to work!"

Five of the squadron were assigned a team each as Geek went around checking the connection and portable signals were okay and Issy checked over the notes her squaddies were making as the hours dragged on. Geek was also automatically saving each of the audio files as they were coming through so that they could look at it all after training on Saturday. Another smart cookie, that one.

Issy wandered over to Billy, who wore a constant frown on his face. "Everything okay?"

Billy glanced up at Issy before concentrating on the screen before him. "I think so. The team is work well from what I can gather but its Hannah and Milo doing all of the talking… I haven't heard a word from Emmett since it started."

"So, either he's not doing any work at all or is just being oddly submissive…?"

"Yeah…"

Issy sighed, rubbing at her temples. "Great." She moved away and checked on the others before doing another lap around their HQ, scouting out any possible threats. As she jogged back, she was pleasantly surprised to see Soren and Lani jogging towards the HQ with equally large grins on their faces. Hector, from where he was sat, grinned too. "Congrats on being the first ones back." Issy smiled at them. "Dump your rucksacks down and relax as we wait for the others."

After Soren and Lani dropped their rucksacks by one of the tables, Lani dropped to the ground with a laugh.

A little under an hour later, the next team to rock up were Elliot and Robyn. Issy congratulated them and told them the same as Soren and Lani. She watched them as Soren lifted his chin up slightly when Elliot looked his way, causing his friend to scowl half-heartedly. Robyn collapsed near Lani and they started quietly talking.

Soon after, the third team arrived though this time, something was wrong…

Milo and Hannah ran closer, but Emmett wasn't with them.

Issy swore loudly as her trainees ran up to her. "What happened? Where's Emmett?" She demanded as they panted.

"He," Milo started, trying to catch his breath. "He broke off from us not long after the course started."

"I'll track him!" Geek called out before Issy could say a word.

"Why is he such a fucking moron? What did he say before he took off?"

Hannah shook her head. "He said it was a stupid exercise and just –"

"FOUND HIM!" Geek shouted and Issy jogged over to him, peering at the screen. "He's not moving…"

"Are you having a fucking giggle…?" She groaned before announcing Emmett's location to the others. "He's in sector six by the river bend!"

"Sector six?" BD stood up. "But that's –"

"Factionless territory." Issy nodded. "Bulldozer find the first aid kit just in case. Cutie Pie, Rainbow, Billy and Red, stay here with the trainees while BD and I go find his sorry ass."

"We'll come with you." Milo, Soren and Elliot step up towards Issy.

She hesitates. While Issy should say no because they're only trainees, they're also Dauntless and have training from initiation and basic squadron camp under their belts. "Milo you stay, you've only just got back while these guys have rested for a while." She turns to Soren and Elliot. "Go to BD and he'll set you guys up with a couple of guns each. I honestly don't know what we're going into but either way, we've gotta be ready for the worst." Elliot and Soren nodded like good little soldiers before going to Bulldozer.

Geek came up to her a moment later and took Issy's phone. "I've downloaded Emmett's coordinates to your maps, and it will send you in the most direct route." He hands Issy back her phone. "Safe journey Cap'n."

Issy nodded as she stepped away, turning to look at Soren and Elliot. "Ready?" They both nodded. "BD, I want you at the back of the line, Soren and Elliot in the middle. Let's move."

xXx

The journey to Emmett's position went without any problems, though that made Issy and BD tense. This was the Factionless territory and while they didn't attack the patrols that went through the sector, they always watched as any Dauntless went through. Issy and BD's problem was that there was no Factionless. Absolutely none.

The sector started to feel eery. It was maybe Issy's paranoia talking but there was the constant feel of eyes on them. Thankfully, Emmett's position on the river bend was close to the border of sector five so they didn't have to go in very far.

"I see him!" Elliot whispered from behind Issy and her eyes followed the direction he was pointing in.

Issy swore under her breath.

There, on the edge of the river, was a familiar Dauntless rucksack onto top of a heap of black cloth and limbs. He was unmoving.

Bulldozer was the first to get there and unceremoniously kicked Emmett in the ribs. Emmett immediately screech and curled up.

"What the fuck is wrong with you man?!"

BD raised an eyebrow and spread his arms out. "Why the fuck are you just layin' there? Get your ass up!"

"I can't! I think I've broke my ankle!"

Issy stations Soren and Elliot to keep guard as Issy passes BD the first aid kit.

Emmett grins up at Issy as BD searches through the kit. "Worried about me baby?" Emmett chokes as BD's boot smacks his ribs again. "Oi! Will you stop that! I'm gonna have broken ribs in a minute too!"

"Your own fault."

BD goes down to check if Emmett has any injuries before looking back up at Issy. "I can't make anything out. We need to get him back to the compound and to the infirmary."

Issy frowned, sending off two messages on her phone. "You're going to have to carry him. Soren, take his rifle and watch our sixth." She looks around for a moment, still feeling those damned eyes on her. "Let's get out of this damned place."

The walk back to 226's temporary HQ had to be the longest in Issy's life. Emmett didn't stop whining or whimpering or complaining about how stupid the course was today. On more than one occasion, Bulldozer accidentally dropped Emmett. When they did get back, the HQ was all packed up and ready to go, the other two teams were waiting and in the distance was a large dust cloud with one of the largest Dauntless trucks Issy has seen. The truck pulled up and BD's jaw dropped at the same time he dropped Emmett.

"I want one." Bulldozer whispered as Emmett groaned.

"HEY GUYS!" The driver yelled as he jumped out.

Hector snorted when Bulldozer's eyes widened. "You gotta be shitting me…"

Uriah grinned at them, twirling the keys around his finger. "Just passed my test. Course only lasted a couple of weeks."

"No way!" Bulldozer shook his head. "No way am I dying because of some newbie driver in some massive ass truck that he's been driving for a week! Give me the keys kiddo."

"What? You won't die!"

"No, I might not die but I'll place odds on you tipping the truck." Issy hid her laugh as Bulldozer forcefully took the keys. "The quicker we get dickwad to the infirmary, the less I'm likely I'm gonna kill him."

Uri helped them pack the tables and equipment into the back of the truck and Issy was surprised at how much room there was. While BD's truck could fit two in the front with the driver and five in the back – six, if they took down the rack for their rifles and packs. This truck though, still fit two in the front with the driver but also could fit six people comfortably on the benches, the aisle could fit a couple of people standing each side and still have room for Issy to park her bike. To quote Bulldozer, it was a massive ass truck.

Emmett laid on the truck bed while the trainees squished together on the benches. While Billy, Geek and Rainbow stood in the aisle, gripping the bars attached to the ceiling, Red and Hector took a pair of goggles each and climbed on the sides of the truck. Issy joined Uri and BD in the cab off the truck with a roll of her eyes.

xXx

As soon as they got back to the garage, Issy ordered Red to take Emmett to the infirmary, allowing BD some more time to drool over the large truck. At one, Issy let the trainees go for the rest of the day after they had helped the squad pack away the equipment. There was nothing more she could make them do, especially with one of the trainees temporary out of action. Not long after she dismissed her squad too for the day, leaving the ranks until Saturday.

Before Issy could relax, she climbed up to the Leadership offices and knocked one Harrison's door.

"Enter." Issy opened the door and walked in, shutting it behind her. Harrison completed whatever he was doing before looking up and a smile appeared on his face soon after. "Ah! Issy! Is everything okay?"

"We had a few problems today on the course I set up. One of the trainees went off on his own and ended up in sector six with what he thinks is a broken ankle. He's in the infirmary getting check over now."

Harrison frowned. "Any problems with the Factionless?"

Issy shook her head. "That's the thing… There weren't any. Like, at all."

"Hmm. Thank you for directly reporting this. If you could still make a report and forward it my way, I'll look it over before forwarding it to the other Leaders."

Issy smiles as she leaves and walks towards her apartment to get out of her kit. When she steps into North block's lift, her phone goes off with messages from Red and Bulldozer in the squad chat.

RED: Emmett's fine. It wasn't even broken and can hardly count as a fracture. Marlene said that he's okay for training tomorrow, so he's got no excuses for not turning up.

BULLDOZER: Fucking drama queen…

Issy laughs as she steps out, typing out her own response. If he doesn't turn up, you'll still put him in the ring with you, right BD?

RED: I'd pay to see that shit.

BULLDOZER: OF. FUCKING. COURSE. You won't have to pay me for that shit mate, I'd do that for free. Little fucker's been pissing me off…

RED: Amen my brother, amen.

She nearly drops her phone when she collides with someone in the hallway and she looks up to see Hugo grinning down at her.

"Hey brother!" Issy grins. "I was just about to send you and Josh a text after I changed."

"And I've just posted a note under your door to meet us outside the tattoo parlour in an hour."

Issy laughs. "Timing, huh?" She spins around Hugo. "I'll see you in an hour then."

"See you soon."

xXx

In an hours' time, Issy had showered and changed into jeans and a hoodie and was on her way to the Pit. Just as Hugo had said, they were waiting for her outside of the tattoo parlour though with them was another couple and a little boy. They all have sombre looks on their faces and Issy watches as the woman holds the little boy closer to her leg. When Issy steps up to the small group, Josh steps to the side and mock salutes her.

"Beta!" He laughs. "Heard your program is ruthless, I'm surprised you have time to sleep…"

"I'm amazed I can sleep too, but ya know, it'll be better for our Faction in the end." She shrugs.

Josh stares at her for a moment, his grin nothing but prideful. His gaze breaks and he gestures to the small family by him. "Issy these are my friends since initiation, Ed and Lyra," Issy tilts her head to each of them. "And this is my godson Cas." The little boy hides behind Lyra's leg but peeks around to wave his hand at her.

Issy smiles softly at the response before waving back. "It's a pleasure to meet you both." Issy turns back to Ed and Lyra. "It's rare for Josh to mention friends outside my family's circle, let alone people he went through initiation with!" The couple laugh as Josh turns his head away with a light blush staining his cheeks. Issy frowns slightly. "What were you on about earlier, if you don't mind me asking?"

Shared looks of confusion are thrown across the group before Ed turns to Issy. "You don't know?"

"Know what?"

"There's been reporting of young children being taken throughout most of the Factions…" Ed says, pulling his family tighter to him. Issy feels like she's been punched in the gut. "The reports were firstly Amities. The council figured they were out in the fields camping or something, but they ever came back… Then Abnegations were being taken, and Erudites."

Josh shakes his head slowly. "The Leaders and the Ambassadors has been run ragged with all the meetings to try and sort this out. Amities are keeping their kids in their compound, home-schooling them and even Erudite are taking their kids out of school too."

"What are we doing about this? Are the squadrons gonna be getting orders?!" Issy looked around the group until her golden eyes found Josh staring at her with the smallest bit of pity.

"Eric's crew are being split into their units to raid the areas where the cases say kids have been going missing. These past four nights, each of Eric's commanders have been going out and I think Eric and his unit are going out tonight… Word is the Leaders think that the rebel Factionless group is behind this, you know since the capture of one of the rebels and shit. Jason told me that the Leaders and ambassadors are meeting tomorrow to see what they can do to protect every Faction."

"Shit…"

"Yeah…" Hugo sighs. "It was only made public knowledge today at lunch, so god only knows how long it's been happening for... There was a screening of the council and the Leaders of the other Factions and then back at Dauntless Max held a speech up in the Pit about what people, mostly the older dependants should do when out of the compound."

Issy grabs a hold of her stomach. Eric's unit had been out searching the city for these kids and as he held her a night, Eric didn't say anything… He had his arm wrapped around her shoulders earlier today as he told her he'll be leading his unit out on a raid tonight but still didn't tell her about it… she inhales, her eyes focusing. "I need a really strong drink."

"Amen sister." Hugo pulled her closer and led her further into the Pit to one of the more family friendly bars as Josh and the small family followed after them.

Hopefully, while Issy knocked back some strong alcohol, they came up with better subjects to talk about and – fingers crossed – whatever alcohol Issy knocked back would hit her later, pulling her into an easy sleep…