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Four drives like an asshole.

He speeds away from the asylum like Jack will come crawling out of it at any moment. He barely gives Tori time to catch up to him, driving down the winding road far faster than he drove up it. He takes a direction I'm not expecting, turning sharply, resulting in Violet slamming into me, her head hitting my chest, and I'm surprised the truck doesn't tip over.

To my dismay, she doesn't react.

"Can you not?" I bark at him, my nerves firing in so many directions it's hard for me to keep control and reason. I'd normally be able to overlook the fact he can't drive, but right now the panic is overwhelming. It grows through my chest like weeds, wrapping around every organ and tightening in on them. I try to breathe normally, gritting my teeth until they hurt, holding on tighter to her, but it's nearly impossible.

She's still pale.

She's still not awake, nor has she opened her eyes. Whatever they've given her to keep her unconscious worked. I work through a mental check list of all the things it could have been, but my knowledge of sedatives pales in comparison to what they had on hand. All I can do is try to make sure she's still alive, but I have a dark feeling her outlook isn't good.

My brain races to think of a plan, but instead of something clean and simple, it brings up all sorts of chaos that I don't typically experience. My thoughts take a dark turn, much like Four's driving, and I nearly throw up when I realize nothing good can possibly come from this. Breaking her out might have been the best option, but I still needed her to pull through to make this worthwhile. If I saved her, and she died at my own hands, then I'm not any better than the rest of them.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I'll slow down so their security can catch up with us," Four barks right back at me, the tension clear on his face. "Did you want my help or not? Because you could always drive, you know."

I glare at him, something lethal and full of rage, but I say nothing. Had I driven, I would have had to hand her off to him, and I wasn't about to do that.

"Fine." I finally dredge up the word, narrowing my eyes when he makes another sharp turn. "Where the fuck are you going?"

I feel thrown off that I don't know, but this isn't a route I'd frequented. None of it even looks remotely familiar. The trees seem darker and higher, and the road winds and turns dizzily. For a solid minute, Four drives in silence. He finally side eyes me, then shakes his head.

"Somewhere I never thought I'd be taking you."

"Helpful," I retort, noticing my leg is bouncing up and down. I'm well aware I'm panicking now, something I've rarely experienced. My attempt to rationalize the panic, to think it's merely a fight or flight reflex, is in vain. I still have the urge to run, to leap from this truck, and never look back.

It comes out of nowhere, powerful and angry, and I hold onto Violet tighter to stop it. I force myself to lean back against the seat to stare at the rear-view mirror as a distraction. Behind us, Tori's friend is driving just as recklessly, doing his best to keep up with Four. They follow us down the long road until we approach the border of Abnegation.

I look over at Four, and he keeps his stare straight ahead.

"Just promise me, you'll be…quiet."

His words are apprehensive, fully aware this might be a bad idea. A terrible idea, really. But I have no choice.

I don't agree to anything, but I do sit silently while he drives, this time slower until he stops in front of the nondescript house.

Ages later, Natalie Prior looks horrified.

She should.

Violet is still slumped against my chest, and her head is only propped up because I'm holding it.

Natalie takes in the scene before her, doing her best to keep her reaction as neutral as she can. She's trying to remain calm, looking at me before her gaze falls to Violet, but it is there: the same distressed look Four had when he saw her, the same look that told me I was in over my head.

Four had taken us to Abnegation. Not to his own former home, for that would be laughable, but to the Prior's house. He'd knocked, waited, gone inside for longer than I'd preferred, and then walked back out with Natalie. I only knew her because of Andrew, but I had little faith she would be able to help us.

She'd walked out of her house curiously, her hair neatly pulled back and her grey clothes blander than ever, following Four. For a second she looked happy; happy to see him, happy to be helping him out. Of course, she'd do her best. There was no way she could tell him no. But her expression changed the minute he motioned for her to walk around and the second truck had pulled up.

I hadn't gotten out.

Being silent meant not going in and screaming for someone to get started, so I'd sat there with Violet, unmoving. Both of us did.

Carrying Violet inside, in broad daylight, felt risky. Sitting in this truck felt risky. Natalie Prior leaning in, her hand reaching to touch Violet's hair felt risky. It was like this was ready to blow up in my face, like this plan was hanging on by a single thread, and anything that went wrong would cause it to snap.

"Who did this to her?" Natalie questions, her voice soft. Worried. She and Four have the same disheartened grimace, and she presses the back of her palm to Violet's head. "How long has she been like this?"

Her questions are gentle, not at all accusatory, but I feel guilty. Like I'd done this to Violet all because I left her behind, like it was my fault. It takes me a second to answer, and when I look up, the world tilts to the side.

My equilibrium is off, and I shut my eyes.

"Someone at the asylum drugged her. They were preparing to do something else to her when we got there." My voice sounds odd, as if I'm not the one talking. "They wanted her quiet, so they gave her something to keep her knocked out."

Natalie frowns and looks at me. "The asylum?"

"Yeah, it's a fun little place no one knew existed. I'll explain more in a minute," Four interrupts, looking left then right. "You can help her, right? We need to figure out how to wake her up. What they gave her. We can't take her to Dauntless or Erudite, and you were the only person I could think of who might know what to do."

Natalie nods slowly. "You didn't mention she was…drugged like this. This is…a problem."

"No shit," I mutter, and Four glares at me.

"Knock it off," He snaps and thank God my arms are full. "I know you're worried about her, but we don't have long to figure this out. Natalie, please. Maybe…maybe he can bring her inside. Maybe let her sleep it off?"

"I don't think…I don't have much medical experience, but I can try my best. I have no clue what they've given her. You said it was something to keep her asleep? A sedative?" Natalie answers and her stare meets mine.

"Yes. They sedate patients as they see fit." I answer tersely, and she nods.

"Okay, that's a good start. I think we need to work quickly and it's not wise for you to stay out here. Someone will get suspicious. They're probably wondering why you're all here now."

She stops, pausing to look over at Four as she thinks out loud. "Take her inside. Upstairs. There's an empty bedroom to the left."

"You're going to keep her here?" I stare at her in surprise, not at all sure how I feel about this. Scratch that. I do know how I feel about it, and while it should be gratefulness, it's mostly reluctance paired with nerves.

Natalie notices, and she turns to me, smiling kindly.

"Yes. I can get started with something to help flush out what's in her system. We tend to approach things a bit differently, but if I can get her to drink something, that'll help. Worst case scenario, I can start an IV for her with some saline. Try to flush it out of her."

Her words, while spoken kindly and softly, feel like knives in my skin.

"Where on Earth are you going to get all of that?" I ask, and Tori appears alongside her.

"Are we staying? I'm getting antsy."

Four looks at her, then me, then Natalie. I have to make a decision, but my brain feels like it's a minute behind.

"He's bringing her inside, but you're all more than welcome to stay. You'll just need to move the trucks somewhere off the main road." Natalie offers.

"Are you sure?" Four asks, not looking convinced even when she nods. "I didn't want to get you involved. I don't even know how you'll help. I just…it's not right what they did, and there's nowhere she can go—"

"It's not a problem. I'd be happy to help, but I suggest we get started. Something bad must have happened for you all to be so concerned about her." Natalie is speaking to Four, but she's looking at me. "We have a very small medical center here. It's run by volunteers, and we use it to help the factionless however we can. I can run down there and grab a few things. If she gets worse, we can bring her down there and pretend we found her. What she's got on won't be associated with any faction. They'll think she was one of the factionless."

"Alright," Four agrees, albeit reluctantly. "But if anyone comes along—"

"I can deal with them. I don't think anyone here would want her to suffer." Natalie gently pulls her hand away from Violet, and motions at the house. "You'll need to bring her inside now."

"Eric," Tori announces, and she smiles defensively as someone walks past us. They peer curiously, but they can't see anything from where they are. "I hate to bring this up now, but we still have a lot to take care of. Jeanine…Max…Harrison. I don't know how long we can all stay here without someone noticing."

"Yeah, I know. We'll get her inside then head out. Hopefully, she'll be awake by the time we're done," I answer.

I notice Natalie listening in, so I shake my head at Tori.

"Give me twenty minutes."

Natalie leads us inside.

I carry Violet in after her, followed by Four, Tori, and Reggie. I'm sure we are quite the sight, but I keep my head held high, reminding myself no one will look for her here.

Once inside, I notice the house is just as bland and boring as I would have imagined, but it smells good. Natalie must have been baking something moments before we arrived. I follow her past the kitchen, noting every detail in case I need to bolt, memorizing the layout. The houses in Abnegation are identical, set back along the street with dull color. It feels small, cramped even with minimal furniture, and everything blends together.

There is absolutely no sense of privacy or defense.

"This way." Natalie gestures, I'm careful not to drop Violet as I walk up the steps. She carefully slides past me, stopping to open the door to the bedroom. The room is small and plain, but there's a bed in the corner, and that's enough.

I lie Violet down immediately, my muscles screaming in agony after being tensed during the ride over here, and Natalie instantly sits down beside her. She picks up her wrist, her skinny fingers searching for a pulse while she frowns. It might be the dull lighting, but I swear, Violet's shoulders move.

An unexpected wave of hope washes over me, fleeting, but there.

"Eric, can you tell me why they'd want her to be quiet? Were you there with her?" Natalie looks up, pulling her knees to the side to make space if I wanted to sit down.

I don't.

She speaks calmly when I answer I wasn't there for long, and she proceeds to ask me a few more questions. I can only guess what they've given her, listing a few of the things I knew they had on hand, and I feel useless when I can't offer much more.

It takes me a slow second, and the arrival of a tense Four, but I realize she's trying to calm me down. I'd caught sight of my reflection in the mirror, my own skin pale, and she must have figured out I was seconds away from losing it. I had half a mind to tell Four just to take us to Dauntless. At least we had an active infirmary, and I could buy some time by signing her in under the name of a member.

But that wasn't plausible at all. I'd eventually have run into Max and Harrison, and they'd be well aware the unconscious girl in my arms was Violet. I'd have to deal with them before Jeanine, and with my luck, she'd already alerted the faction to what was going on. Max might have played nice when he was getting the faux emails, but he wouldn't when he realized Four had been behind them. I knew I had to work fast, but time was slipping away from me with every passing second.

"Are you ready?" Tori asks, impatience written all over her face.

I nod tightly, and I jerk my head north.

"We'll go to Erudite first."

"It sounds like you have a lot you need to do still." She pauses, looking at Four, and motions toward Violet. "She'll be fine here. Even if someone comes to look for her, I can keep her safe."

I swallow, doubtful as ever that a woman from Abnegation would be able to fight off anyone who was looking for Violet. I had high hopes that no one had followed us here, but I couldn't be certain.

Natalie can tell.

"I promise. If any of the neighbors get a little too concerned, I'll tell them you found her, and she's going home very soon." Natalie reassures us calmly, too rational for this entire situation. I stare at her, realizing I'm slowly being pulled down further and further, that this is spiraling out of my control. Natalie is now a part of this. Involving another person doesn't sit well with me, but I have little choice at this point.

"Eric?" She looks at me, and I look at Four. I'm trapped, this decision completely out of my hands now, and they all know.

"Fine. I'll leave her here. I'll come back as soon as we're done."

"Great. I'll meet you downstairs." He answers, and he shuts his eyes. "Natalie, thank you again for your help."

"Of course," she answers, ever kind.

Four leaves, and I can hear this boots thud on the stairs on the way down. I wait until I can't hear them anymore before I stand up, fully prepared to walk away from Violet.

Instead-

I stand there, staring.

Waiting for her to wake up.

I wait for her to sit up, groggy but alive, looking at me. Realizing she's out of the asylum, and here with me. Her dark eyes flashing in gratitude, not that I'd saved her, but that I'd come back to see her. That I'd wanted her to stay alive, that she meant something to someone.

But she doesn't do anything of the sort.

She lies there, looking worse for the wear.

"You're close to her, aren't you?" Natalie breaks the silence, peering up at me curiously. She shifts beside her, fidgeting with the covers. "I saw you…walking through Abnegation a few months ago. Looking for something. I didn't know you had a significant other."

"I…" I have nothing to say.

My words die in my throat, and I stare at her.

Natalie was right. I had been here, looking for a person. Looking for someone who didn't fit in. Ready to grab them by their hair and drag them back to Jeanine. She would have tested them, and when they reached a breaking point, shipped them off to be repaired so she could test them again.

"She's…just …if she wakes up, or when she wakes up, tell her I'll be back."

I look right at her, hating the need to explain myself. There isn't a word to describe what Violet is to me, so I don't. I simply leave the room without looking at Natalie.

Erudite is dark.

It isn't really; while the sun is sinking, the faction itself is bustling with its usual business, and people are walking around everywhere. The sun hangs mockingly in my line of sight, and I focus around it while I drive the truck. Four had offered to drive us here, but I'd waved him off, slipping into the driver's seat and turning the truck on without a single word.

Natalie had stopped me before I walked through the door, quietly telling me she thought Violet would be fine. She'd told me she was going to head to the medical center to grab someone who was definitely not a qualified nurse, and by the time I was back, Violet should be in a better state. Maybe even awake. I had little faith in the Abnegation's way of handling such a medical issue, but I couldn't do anything. I didn't have any other choice.

"Do you have a plan?" Four asks, looking less than pleased. "Or are we going into this blind?"

"We," I say sharply, "are not doing anything. You're coming along to stand there and look like you might shoot someone. I'll handle Jeanine. Just keep your mouth shut and pretend whatever I say is news to you."

He doesn't look impressed.

"What are you going to do? Talk your way out of this? You've taken out the leader of Candor and had him committed. I'm sure that's gotten back to her. You now have Max and Harrison on the hunt for you, both on high alert for the moment when you wander back into Dauntless. Oh, and let's not forget that once you kill Jeanine, you'll either have to kill Max and Harrison or somehow get them to side with you."

Four has a point, but I'm aware of it already.

"I told you. I'm going to kill Jeanine. Once she's dead, we'll deal with Max and Harrison. They'll be easy," I tell him, keeping my eyes straight ahead. "If you're too scared, you can go back and wait in Abnegation."

Four bristles. "I'm not scared. I'm just wondering if you're really… you're just…dismantling every leader in every faction today? That's all that was on your agenda? Or is there somewhere else we're going next?"

"Calm down. Amity and Abnegation are fine. The rest of the factions will survive. They won't even know they're down a leader. The worst-case scenario is we cover them once we're back in Dauntless. You and I both know Dauntless will be fine without Max, and everyone hates Harrison." I look over at him, and he averts his stare. "I would think you'd be happy about that last one."

"I would be," Four answers as I park. "If I wasn't heavily involved in all this."

"Well, it's a little late now," I answer mockingly, and he shakes his head.

"Eric, before we go in there, I have something I need you to hear."

"We don't have time," I snarl.

"Listen to me. I helped you. I've been helping you for a while. I have no doubt this will work in your favor. But you owe me. And after this, after all is said and done, and you've rid the factions of whomever you pleased, and you get Violet back, you leave me alone. You leave all of us alone. You quit your hunt for Divergents, you quit your interest in what I do, and you leave Tris alone, too. You thank Natalie, return to Dauntless or wherever the fuck you're going, and never ever seek me out again. Understood?"

I turn to look at him, and he's deadly serious with his lengthy list of demands. His lips are pressed into a fine line, and his eyes are dark.

I stare at him, his beady eyes on mine, and he nods at me, a hint of encouragement in there. Unfortunately for him, this is just getting started.

"Eric. Give me your word."

I don't answer him. I grab the gun nearest to the diver's seat and get out of the truck.

We walk into the building quickly.

Authoritatively, like I have every right to be here.

The others follow right along with me, all mimicking my posture: shoulders pulled back, spine straight, head held high. We walk directly past the receptionist desk, right past the few members waiting.

I make eye contact with no one, giving them the impression that they are beneath me. My plan, arrogance on full display like I'm not wanted for breaking out of a mental hospital and stealing a patient, works.

Security waves us through with no issue. I know the security team is a joke, but they're still members of the Dauntless faction who prefer to stay here for extended amounts of time. They have no real loyalty to Jeanine. Their only real concern is the factionless, or anyone who poses a threat. But they could always fire anyway, or at least stop us.

I must not be a security threat, because while they recognize me, not a single one blinks as we stride by them. They watch silently, not even curious as we walk toward the large silver doors. We take an elevator up, this one with spotless mirrored glass panes, and Four and Tori both look at each other, then at me.

"We need to know what you're doing…" Tori starts, but I cut her off.

"Let me do the talking."

I glance at them, noting the tense postures of everyone. I suppose they're deserved. After all- we're heading into the heart of Erudite with the intent to end Jeanine's life. Killing their Leader. No way out of this that doesn't involve someone winding up dead.

"Are you armed?" Tori asks, and I nod. I'd grabbed a gun off the seat. Four had followed suit, and Tori and Reggie were both still armed from before. Their stares are worrisome, stress creeping up as the elevator dings to announce our arrival. This wouldn't be a pleasant visit, but it's not like any part of this day had been exceptionally cheery.

The doors open slowly, giving way to a hallway flanked by two large glass doors. The Erudite logo is embossed in the glass, the sharp etching perfect. Through it, I can see Jeanine sitting behind her desk, her blonde hair falling forward as she types something quickly. Her gaze is distracted, fixed on her work. I motion for everyone to follow me, and I throw the doors open like I own the place.

Jeanine looks up as I walk through, a dark, pleased smile appearing slowly. She waits until I'm halfway across the room before she pushes her chair back and stands up. She pauses to fix her dress, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles, and then smooths down her hair. When I near the desk, she steps around, a fake, sympathetic look on her face.

"Eric. What on Earth have they done to you? You look terrible." She murmurs the words, her gaze flitting to the group behind me, as she reaches for me. She stops, touching the sides of my face lightly, then turning my head from side to side, examining my skull intently. She frowns when I jerk away roughly from her pretend examination, as though she weren't the one who sentenced me to be committed.

She reaches for me again, but I shake my head. Her touches felt torturous, like nails scraping down my skin.

"You have a lot of explaining to do," I announce, her sympathetic stare still on me. I can feel it, as she searches for a sign of something on my temples.

"Of course. I'm sorry about the mix-up. I never meant to leave you there. Things just got…out of hand." She steps back, smiling brightly as she shakes her head. "I heard about your stay. I know you got the girl out. You and I both know you'll have to return her back to where she belongs."

She pauses, clasping her hands in front of her as she examines me from head to toe. "I'm assuming you're ready to resume your role here. We'll have to get you cleaned up. You look rough. And who are your guests? Are they here on business?"

"Cut the bullshit," I growl lowly, my tone dark enough she has the decency to flinch. "You and I both know you had every intention of keeping me there. You needed someone to take the blame, and you chose me.

"The rest of you can have a seat." She looks beyond me, calling out to them like I've brought them here for fun. She then leans in and lowers her voice so only I can hear her. "It's in your best interest to play nice. I know they're armed. I'm not stupid. I've been expecting you since the minute you left the asylum. You know it won't take much to get my security team in here."

"Turn off the cameras," I instruct harshly.

Her gaze turns cold.

"Why would I do that?"

"I'm about to make you a deal," I announce, and I glance back at Tori and Four. "And I want it done off camera. Talking about the asylum, when this footage might eventually leak, isn't very smart on your part. So turn it off, and I'll fill you in. I'll give you what you want."

She eyes me coldly, rightfully suspicious, but she nods.

"Fine."

She walks back to her desk, and I watch carefully as she pushes a few buttons on her computer. The screen changes, showing the security cameras, and her office goes black on the screen. She looks up expectantly, her arms crossing over her chest. "Now then, please tell me what sort of deal you think you're making."

"Call Max and Harrison. Have them both step down. Have them come here. Whatever you want. Take my name off your alert list. Leave Violet alone. You'll tell me how to fix what they've given her and make sure she wakes up."

"Those are some lofty demands, Eric," Jeanine drawls, looking entertained. "And what would I get out of this?"

I turn back and find Four's stare, his lips pressed together, and his hands balled into fists, and he looks like I'm about to betray him.

He's right.

"The brown haired one, Four, is divergent. Four's girlfriend, Tris Prior, is also divergent. We've been eyeing her for a while, but we were never able to quite confirm it, but he asked for her protection earlier. Next to him is Tori. She wants to kill you because her brother was divergent and had an unfortunate accident. And Reggie, well, he's fine, but you'll probably want to kill him for what he's witnessed."

Jeanine's eyes flash, and she eyes them greedily. I can see her mind working quickly at the prospect of being handed not one, but two Divergents and someone with an agenda against her. Of having two people she could fuck with merely because. Of me, proving I would always take her side no matter what she's done.

For a long minute, the air is silent, thick with tension.

"I'll tell you where Tris is. Fuck, I'll bring her to you. Violet is with her mother. We could meet her in Abnegation, and you could take her straight back if you please." I pause, looking at Four, and he's so livid I'm surprised he's still standing. I see him twitch, reaching for the gun he'd grabbed in the car. "I wouldn't do that if I were you, Four. You might be armed, but so is the security team waiting outside. They followed us up. It would only take one shot for them to be in here."

Tori looks me with pure and utter loathing. "You piece of shit. After all we did for you."

I shrug, waltzing behind Jeanine slowly. I watch Tori with a smirk on my face, remembering the very day she came to the asylum. "Thanks for the help getting me out of there, by the way. Sorry to call off the engagement."

She looks like she wants to rip my head off, but I ignore her. It won't be long now until I have what I want, so I wait while Jeanine debates my offer.

"All you want is the girl? Really? After all that, all you want is her? She's useless, you know. It's a pity, really. She could have had a bright future ahead of her."

"She's what I want. I told you." I roll my eyes, my stare on Reggie. "Tell me what they gave her. Will she wake up or no? Is what they gave her permanent?

"Will you take her to Dauntless?" Jeanine questions, her fingers on the edge of her desk.

"Sure," I answer, and Four swallows. "Now tell me, what did they give her?"

"It's a new serum. It's sort of like a sedative that could be used for surgery, only longer lasting, perfect when you just need someone out of your way for a few days. The good news is, it'll wear off on its own. The bad news is she may experience a few side effects that we can't quite pinpoint. Shaking, hallucinations..." Jeanine pauses and looks right at me. "Paranoia. She may fear you when she comes to, thinking you're the one who injected her. Or she may not have any. It's a work in progress, you understand."

"When did they give it to her?"

"I don't know. I don't work there." Jeanine loses her patience, and she snaps her gaze to me. "I would assume it won't last much longer. However, there is something she can be given to force her awake. It's administered intravenously. I can't think of the name off hand but find someone from the labs, and they'll help you."

"And Max?" I question, walking directly behind her. Over her shoulder, I can see Reggie sweating, and Tori looking like she might throw up. "Call him."

"He won't answer. He's on his way. I told him you were here."

"Fine. I'll deal with him when he gets here. Call off my name, now. The rest of you- arms up in the air." I point my gun at them, and they blink. Tori glances at Four, and slowly, painfully, they raise their hands.

Four waits until my stare lands on him, and he shakes his head.

"You're a coward," he spits, and I roll my eyes again. "You always have been, and you always will be."

I turn slightly, so I can watch Jeanine type an email to her security team. I know it'll go to Max and Harrison, and to all other faction leaders, revoking my status as someone to be on the lookout for. It takes her longer than I'd like, and I grow antsy until I can see that she's sent it.

"Alright then. You can go pick up your girlfriend and take her home. I fully expect your cooperation from here on out. We'll put this little incident in the past." She pauses and turns to look at the group in front of her. "As for the rest of you—"

She doesn't finish her sentence.

I shoot her in the back of her head. The shot is silent; she never heard it coming. She staggers forward, crashing into her desk gracelessly. The blood splatter is immediate, staining her blonde hair and staining the carpet in an artful spray. The room is silent while she falls, her body thudding to the ground with a sick thump, and Reggie lets out a shaky gasp.

"Eric!" Tori blurts out, the color completely gone from her face. She looks at me with wide eyes and holds both her hands up. "Eric, wait!"

I walk over to them, and they take a step back, panic all over their faces. They scramble to draw their own weapons, fumbling to aim them as I walk over. I approach Four first, making sure he's looking right at me. Thinking of our unspoken rivalry, of all the times I've thought about this moment, of all the times I deemed his life worthless.

He can tell. He's frantic as he looks at me, his mouth falling open as he pulls his gun to aim it, and I swallow thickly.

"I need one more favor. Then you have my word."

He stares as I hand him his gun back, walking back to the desk.

I motion for them all to come over, as I neatly type up a memo for the factions.