A/N: Yay for 2017. Somehow in the uploading on my new computer I mixed up my last chapter with this one. Had to go back and move things back to where I had them. Added to it where things didn't need to be added aha mom brain, just craziness. Hopefully I haven't missed anything. You know the routine, I don't own anything but what I created and crawled out of my mind. I'm not going to bother to give warning. Its chapter 10 if you've made it this far then your cool with the shit I've posted so far. Nothing has changed.
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CHAPTER 10 - Crumpled Mess
The years initiates had just been announced. Like the many years before them the leaders gave a welcoming speech. Once again sending a few who didn't make the cut off to the faction-less sector. Four tended to the nerves of the small girl from Abnegation. Friend or not, he had showed her more of his world then any other girl. Yeah they occasionally flirted or teased each other but it was never to an intimate level. They were family, but Tris plucked strings in Four; heart then she had ever though possible. Smirking as she saw the shy girl smile and blush up at him. Dean had wrapped his arm across her shoulders veering her towards her friends.
"Look who I found." Dean pointed to her, talking to Rena, Chelsea, and Toby.
"Its not like I was lost." His arm falling to her lower waist. Kissing her on the cheek.
Their group's conversation stayed light. As they headed down to the Pit for the party. Tris, her friends, and the few stood on tables. Most with drinks or bottles in hand like the surrounding crowd. Max stood on another table a little further out. His voice loud over the simmering chatter and hollers of the room. Congratulating as well as welcoming them to their faction. Releasing their attention to go celebrate. Deeper in the Pit, away from the tables, was quiet. Gaining confused murmurs as people rounded the corner. Leaning on one of the metal rails of the metal stair that led to the upper levels and shops of the Pit, was Eric. Swallowing hard, she didn't notice Dean's wandering absence. She finished off her drink, not once wincing at the burning liquid. It was his turn to address the room. She watched him, his eyes floating across the room before settling on her.
"Alright listen up. Before you leave tonight I want you all in four lines.'- Finally adverting his gaze to point to where and what he was referring. - 'Everyone gets a tracking device. Don't ask questions, its just a precaution."
That's when she heard it, the distinct hiss of multiple injectors. Before she knew it everyone had moved into lines as hard faced members walked around doing the injecting.
"Have you seen Four?" Tris asked , her eyes darting across the room. Turning to look back to look at her Christina answered. Will asking what was going on. "Oh my God." Was the last thing she heard from the small girl as she hurried out of line. Nearly smashing face first into Eric. Slowly stepping back to the back of the line before jumping into the next line. Hoping to hear what he was saying to Tris.
"Congratulations, you should be first in line. Here I'll make it easy for you." His smirk completely gone by the end of that sentence. Tris was injected before she was able to respond. The pain causing her to wince and cover her neck. Looking at the man holding the injector, shocked. -"Hurts like a bitch huh. Now your really one of us." Giving her a fake smile and walking away.
She was so focused on them that she didn't notice the black haired woman step behind her. Slamming her hand on her own neck, she spun. Pushing down the urge of punching the woman in the face. Instead giving the her a overly sweet smile and a 'Go fuck yourself.' Slamming into the woman's shoulder as she stormed off. She found Rena off to side in one of the lines. Still rubbing the spot on her neck to talk to her friend.
"Something about this doesn't seem right."
"Is that because it could of waited or because most of us down here are drunk from celebrating."
"Both. The sober are few and far between and the drunk are to drunk to ask to many questions tonight."
"Sober people asking to many questions? Well I've never heard of such things." The humor did little to deter from the facts. All jokes aside.
"That would give Eric's tight ass something else to bitch about." The pair burst into laughter. Not really caring if anyone was watching.
"Like he needs a reason to bitch about anything. Between you and me, I could totally stare at that tight ass all day."
"Now now miss Helena, don't you have a boyfriend?"
"Hey, staring isn't cheating. Not like I'm sleeping with him."
"To crazy? Or way too scary cocky?"
"Both. If I were to hook up with him it'd probably be the longest thirty seconds of sadness of my life."
"Only thirty seconds?"
"Long enough for that idea to pop in and back out before it does any mental damage."
"I thought you were going to say that the sex wouldn't live up to the hype."
"I can't help I have high expectations."
Rena's face grew white as a sheet. Feeling the breathe on the nape of her neck but it was to late. Eric had heard the end of that statement. Swallowing hard she couldn't move. Her heart started to race when she felt his breathe on her ear. With arms still crossed he lowered his head to her ear so only she could hear.
"Isn't there somewhere else you need to be." Nodding while keeping her eyes on Rena. "Then you should get going instead of holding up the lines." Cringing slight at the faint sound of him grinding his teeth.
"Oh I'll get right on that." Regaining some of her cockiness, she crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. That is once Eric had moved along.
"Well that was interesting,"
"Oh hush."
"This is taking forever."
"Hey, I'll catch up with you later. I'm going to go to bed, I'm half tempted to drink if I have to stay any longer."
"Breakfast."
"Lets do that and hope for lunch?"
"Exactly." Smiling and shaking her head, shifting towards the front of the line slowly.
Passing the chasm, she seen Eric and a woman she couldn't make out off in the dim corner. Just out of site from any of the cameras in the area. She couldn't hear what was being said but didn't want to hear the lecture of being caught ease dropping on one of the Leaders. Keeping her head down she made it home. It was dark and the bedroom door was closed. Something she didn't remember shutting that morning. Making her way to the door she heard noises. Opening the door she half expected to see Dean being sick. She stood in the door way in shock. Their he was half dressed, with one of the newly faction-less initiates straddling his waist. She didn't scream or yell, she just started clapping. Causing the girl to jump off like she had just been shot. Darting for her clothes as Dean sat up to pull his pants up.
"Oh don't stop on my account."
"Hel? This isn't what it looks like..."
"Then what does it look like then Dean?"
He didn't reply. The girl was dressed, carrying her boots. Hesitantly waited for Hel to shift enough for her to slip past.
"Nikki, right? Let this be a lesson, spreading your legs gets you no where. Enjoy being faction-less." Pausing for a brief moment before hurrying out the front door.
"Leave her alone, Hel."
"My problem isn't with her sweetheart, its with you."
"Is that so?" Stepping up to her, he ran his hands up and down her arms.
"How about we just go to bed and we'll figure this out in the morning."
"That's not going to happen." His whole demeanor seemed to change at her answer. It teetered on the edge of smothering.
"What isn't?"
"Me getting back into bed with you. Literally minutes after finding you balls deep in another girl."
"I 'm drunk and besides I thought she was you."
"Oh you were drunk, so that's your excuse?"
"I'm sorry baby, let me make it up to you."
"Move. Your so full of shit."
"Not til you tell me you forgive me."
"That is never going to happen. Now move."
"No."
Shoving him away from her, then punching him. Not giving him a chance to steady himself, she punched him again. Smiling when she seen the huge bruise forming across his jaw.
"Do me a favor 'babe' and go fuck yourself."
Pushing past him, she grabbed the few things she kept there, shoving them in her gym bag. Making sure not to forget a single item, she never wanted to come back. Grabbing his keys from the side table she removed her apartment key. Cramming it into her pocket. Tossing them non-nonchalantly on the bed. Taking her own out of her pocket, quietly removed his key from her ring. Shoving past him again, spinning just enough to walk backwards towards the door. When he attempted to stop her again, she threw his key at him. The sound of it skittering off across the concrete floor, echoed in the dim silence of the room.
"Hel, please."
"Stay the fuck away from me." He went to her, this time keeping his mouth shut. Putting her hand up, causing him to pause in his tracks.
"I mean it." Giving him the hardest of looks she could muster in that moment. Giving him more then enough reason
Once on the other side of the door she let out a breath. She wasn't heart broken, it was just one of those things that was coming to an end anyways. Finally catching him in the act had been the icing on the cake. An end to the short and lingering suspicion, but she couldn't find the mental energy to dwell or care enough to do so.
Keeping her motivation to just that, making it home without having to deal with anyone. She was in no mood for anyone's interruptions. Grateful that the majority of her path was clear for the most part. It was late even for Dauntless to still be awake.
It was chilly inside her apartment. Throwing on her hoody, she gathered what little belongings Dean had left in her apartment. Placing everything from a few bits of clothing to a few toiletries into a pile on the balcony. Grabbing her stash of fire-water and returned to the pile. Taking a few burning yet relaxing swigs before tossing his shit over the railing. Taking another sip and retreating back inside. Once the door was closed, she returned the black bottle to its spot. Mentally thanking herself for changing the sheets the last time she was there. Tossing her boots to the side, to tired to change. Wrapping the blanket around herself, finding sleep without much effort.
A few hours later...
She woke up, feeling like a ton of bricks was sitting on her chest. Forcing herself to sit up. Like she was in a almost dense fog, only able to see what was directly in front of her. Putting her boots back on and putting her hair up. Moving to the door, she tried to stop herself. Like someone else was controlling her body. The more he tried to fight it, the heavier the fog seemed to be. Scared as she reached the hallway, not sure what was going on or how to stop it. Others filled the halls as well, like drones, completely emotionless. All making their way to the train. Dean came into view, grabbing her by the wrist and half dragging her through the corridor. He was mumbling something she couldn't hear. Not knowing if it was because of her current mental status or the echo of hundreds of boots. Rounding a corner, almost losing her footing when she slammed shoulder first into a tall male member.
Oblivious that anything had happened, just kept moving. Shaking her head, she yanked free of Dean's grip. Leaning against the wall in pain, feeling like her head was going to explode. She tried to shake the unbearable feeling, but she didn't know how. Dean closed in on her, cupping her face, and in that moment just for a moment it looked like he was going to kiss her. Still she tried to press herself further into the wall. His words still lost to the noise and the pounding of her mind. Even with all the commotion around them. He pleaded with her, attempting to coax her to keep moving. A hand appears on Dean's shoulder, yanking him away from her. He hits the wall behind him, a few feet away. It's Four. The pain increases making it almost impossible to stand upright. Four's looks at him angrily but Hel cannot watch their interaction. Holding her head as another wave of fog coated pain hit her. Seeing the fog completely take over before everything went black.
Another long forgotten part of her memory jumbled with things she just wanted to forget. The thought of that pain, jostling her awake. Drenched in sweat, she frantically brushed the hair from her face. Sighing in moderate relief to find herself alone in her bed this time. The other side long grown cold, Eric must have already left for work early. Nothing new he was usually gone before the sun was up. Showered, dressed and out the door. Leaving just under half a pot of coffee, knowing she'd be up before it got cold. She fixed herself a cup with sugar. Milk was something that would probably end up spoiling and going to waste. She wasn't there often enough to bother keeping any on hand. Turning on the shower, she sipped her coffee and waited for it to heat up. By the time she was down to half a cup, the steam billowed over the top of the shower door. Running her fingers through her hair after tossing her clothes in the tiny hamper.
Before long she felt better. Dressing in her favorite pair of worn black jeans. Going through the long forgotten purchases she had made weeks ago. Dawning a low cut dark crimson top, that showed off just enough to emphasize her cleavage. Doing her makeup and finishing off the last bit of coffee. Slinging on her jacket, stuffing her keys in her pocket. Opting to skip breakfast and head straight to her office. If Four wanted to meet with her before the new initiates began another day of Stage one, he'd have better have brought coffee. He had beat her there, feet up on the edge of the desk. On the other side of his leg sat to matching cups and a small foam box.
" I know you don't have your boots on all that paperwork that is due to go out today."
His mock sheepish expression was almost enough to want to punch in the face. Using the tip of her boot to slide his feet off.
"Of course not. They were on the stuff due tomorrow."
"Oh your so funny. Is this for me?" Pointing at the cup closest to her.
"And the piece of cake too."
"Coffee and your giving me cake for breakfast. What did you do?"
"I haven't done anything to get into trouble."
"I find that hard to believe."
"Why is that?"
"Even a hard ass former stiff has a wild side."
"Keyword is former."
"Oh no. I've seen it first hand."
"We made out that one time."
"Yeah that one time on a few occasions."
"Fair enough, but we never hooked-up."
"That is true but it never was from lack of trying."
"We've grown a lot since then."
"Yeah we both got with even crazier former members of our old factions."
"So you and Eric are officially a thing now?
"I wouldn't call it that."
"Trouble in paradise?"
"It's not that. We just haven't defined anything. Yeah we're sleeping together but since when does that make two people a couple." He nodded in agreement, picking up his cup, then using it to push the cake container closer to her.
"I see, but would he be mad if you started dating again, not just him."
"I don't know, we just seem to be in that friends with some benefits area."
"Okay I get the picture, I really don't want anymore details."
"So what did you need to talk to me about so early before work?"
"Evelynn"
"Your mom? What has she done now?"
"Don't call her that, please. This whole thing is crazy enough."
"Okay...?" Leaning back in her chair, she looked for one of the random plastic forks still buried on her desk.
"Had a meeting with her last night. Here in the compound."
"Wait, what? Why was she here?"
"I needed answers only my mother could give me."
"What all did she say?"
"Apparently I have a sister."
"You mean other then me?" Trying to lighten the mood, she stuck her tongue out at him. Cracking the smallest of smiles before he was serious again.
"I've been over the possibilities a hundred times in my head and half of me still thinks its remotely possible."
The sun rising and shining through the tiny window shed light only Four. Illuminating features she hadn't noticed in the dim light. Four hadn't slept, the shadows under his eyes were visible.
"That the girl were on high alert for is your sister?"
"When my mother faked her death it was rumored she died in childbirth. But little did I know until a few hours ago that Evelynn gave her baby to Jeanine"
"But how do we know if that is the same girl?"
"We don't, for all any of us know you could be my sister." He replied pointing between the two of them.
"That sounds crazy even for Evelynn."
"Which part?"
"That even Evelynn could be stupid enough to go to much less give a baby to Jeanine."
"Whoever said 'Power' corrupts wasn't lying."
"You are right about that."
"What made you want to confront your, I mean Evelynn in the first place."
"When you got back from the train. It made me remember a rumor."
"The one that the Prior's help spread? The whole she died in childbirth thing."
"Yeah."
"I don't think they knew she would turn to Jeanine."
"She was convinced it was a better solution then raising the baby in the Faction-less sector."
"That's a half ass excuse. I could never do that."
"Yeah because you know that Jeanine was a monster. What if Evelynn was right? They were different back then."
"Still that was her child, they were different, it just doesn't justify that."
"I know. She already left one child so why not a second."
"Tobias, but those are two very different situations."
"Still doesn't make it right."
"I know, I'm sorry. What else did you find out?"
"Just that Jeanine had told her the baby died, that she drowned."
"Drowned? When was this?" The memory of being in that tank sent shivers done her spine.
"Around six or seven. Least that's what Evelynn said. Without evidence there is no proof when it or if it happened."
"This whole guessing a fucking timeline shit sucks. Six or seven what?" No longer interested in her now half sized piece of cake. Wrapping her arms around herself.
"When she would have been six or seven. In my opinion though it could have been sent years after the fact to further cover up the whole thing." Looking up to see her demeanor had changed, now even more possible scenarios had flooded her mind. She felt trapped like in one of her Fearscapes. Getting up he pulled her to her feet, hugging her to his chest.
"But to cover up what exactly?" Taking all her energy to keep from losing her shit. She hugged him tighter at the fact that before dauntless.
"The mystery baby, my mother's faked death, the list goes on and on at this point."
"What about who the father might be?"
But the idea of Four or even both of them having a sister out there plotting against them, her, was eating at her. He didn't reply, he just shook his head. Hearing a familiar echo of boots coming down the hall caused her to back away. Four returned to his seat as Eric came into view with coffee in hand.
"Good morning?"
"Um morning. I didn't know we were having a meeting this morning."
"No meeting, just going over a few more responsibilities while Tris is in Candor."
"Being me is just so hard." Hel gave the pair a mocking cry face before laughing at their raised brows.
"Are you done?" Four asked her with seriousness, causing her to sit up straighter, her eyes falling on Eric again.
"Yes but am I ever really done when its not work related." The smirk on his lips made even Eric laugh a little this time.
"Well I just came to bring you coffee but appears someone already beat me to it."
"He brought me cake for breakfast too though."
"I'll get going then."
"Don't you dare walk off with my coffee. This one's empty." Tapping on the lid of the cup with her fork, pouting.
"When it comes to her and coffee, Eric, rule number one don't tease her with it."
Moving to the desk, he placed the cup in front of her, slowly backing away from it. "Just like cake."
"You are so not funny. You make it sound like I stabbed someone over it."
"Not recently." Four laughed at her as she sat there with her mouth hanging open. Growling at him under her breath a moment later. Despite the almost gleeful smirk on Eric's face.
"That happened one time, not like he lost use of his hand."
"I should get going, I have to debrief the guys coming in from the wall, as well as the ones heading out."
"Me too, the new transfers will be arriving soon."
"I'll finish up here and I'll see you in a bit." Nodding over to Four, then turning to Eric.
"I'll see you later."
"Yeah." Rolling her eyes as the two men left her alone in her office.
The rest of the day went rather smoothly. Having collected the first days points from the transfers, headed to collect them from the dauntless born. It was later then she had hoped, the transfers had been released for dinner. Passing the Chasm, she spotted Eric in that same dark corner she had seen him in that night. The very same one where he had kissed her for the second time. Only he wasn't alone, the space was shared with a tall and curvy woman. Dark red hair that sat in ringlets that fell across her shoulders. He leaned on one arm against the wall, partially blocking the female's face from better view. Her outfit giving her away as someone from Candor. The black blazer and matching pencil skirt was definitely not from Dauntless.
Great more emotions to have to deal with, she thought. Today was going rather well despite the contents of her unplanned meeting with Four. Leaving no time to boggle the scene in front of her she continued on. Trying to shake off her growing anger and mixed feelings towards Eric. But what was there to be mad at? They never defined anything, never put a title on it. Was she just his friend with benefits or was it more complicated then that? Shaking her head she pushed her self to keep going, not wanting to cause a scene. Heading up stairs to the second set of training rooms, she caught up with Christina and Rena before they left for dinner themselves. Hugging Rena for what felt like the first time in forever. Updating the initiates scores and posting them, they'd be on full display by morning.
