Thank you so much to Bamberlee for editing this chapter :)
Have a great weekend!
"Move."
Vincent steps in front of me, and his posture reveals he's ready to fight. They stand toe to toe, and recognition radiates from the man in grey. When he looks at me, his brow furrows, deepening as he tries to get past Vincent. Vincent bumps into his chest, sending him backward. The man shakes his head, then throws up his hands and tries to appear friendly.
"I'm not going to hurt her. I just want to see if she's okay."
"Fuck off, dude. You're not welcome here," Vincent snarls. "You know better than to show your face around these parts."
"I see I'm not forgiven. That's okay. I'll live." The man keeps looking at me, and his blue eyes are glued to my face. "She doesn't look great. I can help. I'll help both of you. Let me get you some water."
Behind him, the class is silent. A few snicker at Vincent and me, but most look nervous.
"We don't need your help. We're fine. But let me remind you just exactly what Evelyn told you. The next time we see you around here, it'll be your last." Vincent warns. "Take your class and don't come back."
"Just let me talk to Everly. I'm sure she'd be happy to know –" He starts to say something, but he stops. "What's really going on here."
"Nothing is going on, Tobias. You're on our territory. Take your little class and leave." Vincent scoffs. "Tell Eric I said hello."
"I'm sure he'll be happy to hear from you," Tobias answers, and his tone turns authoritative. "You know we can do this the easy way or the hard way. If you come with me, Eric might even let you live."
I scowl at him. Knowing his name doesn't make me like him any more. He doesn't appear to like me, either. When Vincent doesn't answer, he attempts to duck to the side, and Vincent blocks him. Behind Tobias, the group watches, and I hate the way there's both empathy and amusement on their faces. Some laugh when I step back, only stopping when the man turns on his heel.
"Knock it off. Any one of you could easily be factionless." He chastises them loudly, and several immediately look remorseful. "And until you know the situation at hand, keep your mouths shut."
"Four! Hey, is that…her? Is that…" A lone, brave voice comes from a girl a few feet back. She squints at me, and when the man turns to look in my direction, Vincent punches him in the side of the head. "Fuck!"
"Everly, run!" Vincent shoves him as hard as he can, then jerks me forward. I take off, ignoring the roar of noise from the group. "Don't look back. You need to get to Evelyn."
"It is her!"
"Everly, stop!"
"Should we get her?"
"They're going to the left!"
Their commentary is jumbled together. Panic swells in my chest, crashing down as we head anywhere but the ice cream parlor. I follow Vincent's lead, cutting down a side street, ducking into an alley, and climbing a chain link fence. I'm faster than he is, but only because I didn't get beat up. My side aches as I drop over the fence, and when my feet hit the pavement, a wave of exhaustion courses through me.
Nevertheless, I persist.
I run with Vincent toward the train station, the platform long abandoned and destroyed, and the two of us keep an eye out for anyone heading this way. The sound of the train whistle is loud, but close. In my mind, I count down the minutes until we can jump. I've never jumped onto a train before, but the unspoken implication is that we jump or die.
Behind us, the class grows louder as they catch up. Their run is long forgotten as Tobias instructs them to find us. They yell all kinds of things, excitement burning as they realize where we are. The noise is distracting and terrifying, especially when I see them head down the street we're on. The only thing that could make this worse is Eric, but thankfully, I don't see him.
Only the headlights of the train speeding in our direction, and the friendly wave of a factionless man at the controls. My eyes widen when I see him, but there's no time to ask Vincent. Dozens of train cars rush past us. Vincent takes hold of my hand, and when he looks at me, he smiles.
It's worried.
Tense and stressed as the train clanks over worn track, and the air is filled with screams.
"On the count of three, jump. It's just like the roof. Except…you really don't want to miss." His words are grim, and his hand turns sweaty as it tightens on mine. "One…. two –"
Three never comes.
The class catches up to us, swarming the area in a tornado of chaos. They are everywhere. When one is near enough to grab me, Vincent leaps back and picks another route. I am pulled down the platform as they descend upon us, and back into the street. The noise is ear piercing. I duck my head as we make our way through another street but the sound of someone screaming makes me stop. I glance over, and there, in the middle of the street, is the long-haired soldier from Dauntless.
He runs with a cheerful smile, waving his arms wildly.
"EVERLY! Over here! Hey!" He sprints toward us like we're long-lost friends. He's as tall as Eric, but his hair is my length. It trails behind him as he runs, and his uniform is the same one Eric had on. "Don't move! Don't –"
His roar is as loud as the truck's tires screeching. One of the trucks comes around the corner, driving faster than it should. It hits him with startling force, sending him flying several feet. His head hits the ground with a thud, and his groan is immediate. There's a crunching sound, followed by his loud swears. Horrified at the sight of his leg bent at a weird angle and his hands clutching his head, I'm unable to move.
Unfortunately for me, things worsen before I can blink.
A dozen more trucks arrive, each one carrying an endless number of soldiers. The red-haired guy jumps out of one, yelling Rylan! He reaches him in record time, yelling for someone to help. For the moment, they forget about me. They surround Rylan as a group, checking to make sure he's alive. There's some back and forth over if they should move him, then the agreement that he should go to Erudite. His friend argues that someone named Daniel is in Dauntless, but someone else points out that Erudite is closer.
They lift him off the ground, shuffling as they move him to the truck.
"Hey, come on. We gotta go. Tobias will be here any minute." Vincent yanks on my arm, hard, but I don't move. "Everly, come on. We can't stay."
"Do you think he's alright?" I watch as they put Rylan into one of the trucks, and his expression is woozy. He smiles drunkenly, then closes his eyes and leans his head back. Dark blood drips from the back of his head, dampening his hair to nearly black. "Vincent, do you think he's okay?"
"Are you serious? Why would I care if he's okay? He wouldn't care if you or I were okay." Vincent's answer is caustic. "If you want to hang here and wait for them to find you, cool. But we don't have time to stay. We need to run, now."
His posture changes. His grip tightens on my arm hard enough to bruise, and his next words are barked at me.
"Everly, fucking MOVE."
I don't.
The truck reverses with more grace than when Monster drove one, and the others follow suit. They wait for it to drive off, and through the window, Rylan stares. His hair is a mess, sticking to his head and falling in his eyes, and he tries to point at me. The gesture is graceless, and he stops when the truck turns. I watch the others follow, and I only move when I hear the noise of the class.
I follow after Vincent, and this time, the exhaustion is bone deep.
By nightfall, I realize I am in over my head.
After speaking with Jeanine, it was clear something was going on and I was being kept in the dark. I didn't like my mother's plan, but Jeanine hadn't even touched on that. She was focused on Eric finding me, even admitting it wouldn't be long. I shivered at the thought of Eric using Leif to get to me, and I wondered if he would reach out. Bargain. Try to coax me to him by using my little brother. He'd probably hurt him if I didn't, and I would be responsible for what happened.
The thought hurt, worse than my side and my shins.
Worse than the sight of my face projected onto the side of the buildings.
"Fuck."
From the sidewalk, I stare up at a picture that I don't remember having taken. I almost wouldn't believe it's me, but it is. My hair is clean and parted to the side, hanging in soft waves that aren't tangled. My skin is clear and vibrant, and I look healthy. Alive. Pretty, even. I'm smiling, dressed in a dark jacket similar to the one Eric has, and my name is printed beneath the photo.
If found, please alert Dauntless. A reward is offered for her return; points, food, clothing, shelter, or the opportunity to join the Dauntless faction. If turned in to Eric, he will personally see that you are rewarded for your efforts.
Everly Coulter, 19, missing since last November.
I blink as the text scrolls across the building, and the picture changes. It's another angle, this one closer to my appearance now. My skin is ashen, my eyes are dull, and my hair is a mess. It looks like it was taken from someone spying on me, because I'm not smiling or even looking in the direction of whoever took it. It's a stark comparison photo, unflattering and bleak.
They must have faked the other one.
"Yeah, you're fucked." Monster joins me, crossing his arms over his chest and sighing. When I don't answer him, he elbows me hard. "That isn't good. Did you see it?"
"Monster! Shit! That hurt! And how could I miss it?"
"Sorry." His apology is not at all apologetic. "What are you going to do now? That reward is too good to bypass. Someone will turn you in." He sounds wistful, and my stomach drops at the thought of someone I trust alerting Eric to where I am. "You better watch your back."
"You think they would? Would they want to join Dauntless?" I crane my head up at him, and his nod is quick.
"Not just that. The points, food. Shelter. I wouldn't be shocked if someone jumps on this offer tonight." He looks down at me, and it's oddly sympathetic. "It was nice knowing you."
"Funny." I glare at him, scowling when he laughs. It lightens the bleak moment, but not by much. "I don't get why Eric is doing this. Why does he care about me? I've never done anything to him. I don't even know him."
"I think he's in love with you," Monster snickers. "He put his last name as yours."
"What?"
I look back at the building, and the text flashes again. Eric's last name is nowhere to be found, and I realize I don't even know what it is. I'm sure I've heard it, but I can't recall anyone ever saying it. I can't even remember my own last name.
"Monster…what's my last name?" I step closer as the wind blows. "Do you know what –"
"Eaton. Evelyn said she named you after her and it sounded good together. But I don't know anything other than that. But I have a question for you. Do you know anything about Tobias?" He watches the picture change again, and this time, Eric's smirk is twelve stories tall. "He'd be your brother. He's a rat."
"I don't know him. She's never mentioned him."
"Weird." Monster blinks as the projection changes, this time to the list of rewards offered. "Damn, even I have to admit, that's a great reward. All for you."
My head throbs.
No matter how hard I try, I cannot remember a Tobias other than the one I met with Vincent. The thought of him gives me a weird feeling, and I hope it's not him. My mother has never mentioned this Tobias, but if it is him, he lives in Dauntless.
Which makes me wonder how our mother is factionless.
"Yeah, it's great. Do you know who Tobias is?"
"Nah, I've never seen the dude. I've only heard of him. Sometimes, the others talk about him and how he used to come by. He and Evelyn got into some argument and he quit coming around." Monster admits. "But shit, Evelyn is never gonna let you out again. Not with this announcement."
On the building, my face replaces Eric's. The projection lags, and for a second, I am beside him. My smile is much nicer than his smirk, and even in the photos, he is much taller. The text flashes again, and my stomach sinks.
"Do you think my mother has seen this?"
"Probably." He flashes me a tight smile. "I'd expect her to come looking for you. Honestly, it might be safer for you to stay inside. Just for a few weeks. Let the interest die down. People will forget Eric's offer."
"I don't know if they will."
My pictures flashes again, and across the street, someone stares. I don't know them, but their clothes hint they are part of the factionless who don't know what's going on. There are some I've encountered who appear to have memory issues, or who have lost their minds completely. The man watches with a blank stare, then turns his head to look at the photo. He stares for a long time, mouthing the words as he reads them.
Then he looks back at me, then up at the picture again, and his lips turn up into a cruel grin.
I don't waste any time.
I take off inside, not bothering to look back.
The Dauntless faction takes shape while I sleep.
In my dream, it is large and spacious, with hallways leading to various floors. There is a large pit where members are fighting, and several stores offering the finest in black clothing. In my dream, I walk through alone, clutching a phone in my hand. I stop before one of the stores, lit up with bright neon, and pause to try and read a sign. It looks like it's advertising that they need help, but I can't read it. Inside, the store has a single employee ringing someone up, and near the front, is Eric.
And me.
My brain points out that I am there, staring at Eric with a funny look on my face. It wavers between lovesick and surprised. He keeps looking at me, the corners of his lips fighting to stay in a frown, and his jaw keeps tensing. When the other me turns, he watches. His stare follows with a possessiveness, and his shoulders pull back. The other me walks away, heading back toward a row of clothes, and he blinks when I stop before them.
His gaze is lethal and precise, sticking to me as I struggle to grasp a dress. When I can't, he ventures over to help. He easily plucks the dress down, and the pink fabric is comical in his hands. He says something I can't hear –the sound muffled like I am underwater –then he turns and looks right at me.
Grey eyes flash with anger that I'm imposing on this moment. His posture changes, becoming violent and powerful, then he starts to run toward me. I realize I'm dreaming when it takes him longer than I would expect to reach the door, and when he's in front of me, he becomes fuzzy. I can't see his face, but I can feel the way he grabs my arm, shaking me as hard as he can. My arm throbs, and his fingers tighten, effectively crushing my bones to dust.
I open my eyes to darkness, my arm aching and my head sore, fully expecting to be in Dauntless.
I'm not.
The disappointment is something I'm unprepared for. It's a wave of homesickness, a longing to return to a world that I've never been to, and a pull to get out of here before something happens.
I can't.
The only thing I can do is go back to sleep and hope my mother hasn't seen my face on the buildings.
In the morning, the orders arrive bright and early.
They are delivered by Vincent with a sigh. He hands me the crumpled paper, unfolding it like he squished it over and over, then tried to smooth it out. The writing is elegant and precise, but disappointing.
You're to stay inside for the next two weeks. Vincent will make sure you have plenty to eat and drink. If I catch you outside, drastic steps will be taken to keep you alive. Do not believe whatever Eric offers you. It's a trap, one that you have proven to be foolish enough to believe.
Do not disappoint me again.
I read it, and though my chest tightens, I nod, then throw it right into the trash while Vincent watches.
The next dream is the worst one so far.
In a bed of black, Eric hovers over me, and his mouth is on my neck. I know I should push him away, but my hands move opposite from what I want. They sink into his hair, slipping through secretly soft strands to hold on. His body moves, covering mine while his legs pin me in place. His cheeks are rough, and his teeth bite at my skin like a feral animal.
"I missed you."
The words slip past his lips like he can't stop them. The rest of him blurs, and all I'm left with is sensation. The warmth of his body, the mountainous slope of each muscle, the way he smells. Tobacco, whiskey, and affection, burned together and steeped into his neck. My nose rests there as his hands move down my side, and my next gasp is when he tells me he loves me.
It's frighteningly real.
I open my eyes expecting him to be there. My body protests the lack of heat, the empty space in the bed beside me, and the absence of him. It's absurd to wish for the man trying to kill me, but I'd suddenly give anything to feel the way I did when he whispered that he cared about me. I am ashamed at the way my brain is dealing with the stress of the situation, by torturing me with the thought that Eric wants anything more than my blood on his hands.
I blink my eyes over and over, but the burning behind them never stops.
"Please."
"NO."
"Monster, please. I'll be fast. Thirty minutes, tops. I promise." I ignore his dull glare, begging when he shakes his head. "Please. I'll get you something. I'll –"
"You'll what? Buy me something from the hospital? How?" Monster glowers, the insult all over his face. "Have you been to Erudite? Do you even know where you're going? Or who this guy is? Does Vincent approve?"
He emphasizes Vincent's name, and I know why. He's going to tell me no as well, but I won't accept it.
After watching the Dauntless truck hit one of its own soldiers, then seeing my own photo broadcast for everyone to see, I knew time was running out. My chances of survival were becoming limited: I either had to keep running or risk being killed. I knew my own survival was more important than finding Leif, but I couldn't accept that. I felt responsible for him, and oddly enough, I felt responsible for the man who was hit by the truck. Rylan had been yelling my name as he ran toward me when he got hit, and I couldn't shake my worry that he was really hurt. He wasn't as threatening as Eric, and in my mind, I decided they were friends.
The assumption came out of nowhere.
After my dream about him, I conjured up a wild scenario where Eric had friends. An entire life in Dauntless, with coworkers, a place to live, and maybe a girlfriend. I couldn't picture him with a wife, but I could picture him dating someone just as menacing as him. She'd be mean and violent, just as skilled a hunter, and nearly as tall. I could clearly picture Rylan joining him for dinner, and when I blinked, I could see him dressed up, greeting Eric with a tight smile and a slap on the shoulder.
I almost threw up.
I was losing it. I was romanticizing the idea of these monstrous men. I was giving them a story they didn't deserve. They were proving anyone in their uniform would kill me the second they could, and I was panicking. I was trying to soften the blow that I knew was coming by humanizing them. Ripping away their uniforms and giving them feelings when they had none. Eric had made it clear he was after me, and Jeanine had confirmed it. Even my mother had vocalized the theory that Eric wouldn't stop.
I was hanging onto the shred of hope that he'd forget about me, but the pictures proved he wouldn't.
Even weirder, seeing Rylan get hit left me feeling so anxious I could barely breathe. I found myself invested in whether or not he was alright, so much that I dared defy my mother's orders and crept outside. I found Monster sitting on the fence, watching some kids play in the street. When he looked at me, I boldly asked him to take me to Erudite without telling anyone.
I figured I could at least visit the hospital and see if Rylan is still there. He'd hit his head, which wasn't great, and odds are they'd kept him overnight. I could ask him about Leif, maybe hint that Eric should find someone else to stalk, and maybe things would smooth themselves over. I knew if I could pull this off, at least I'd feel better knowing Rylan wasn't going to die.
I shouldn't care.
The ridiculousness of caring about a soldier wasn't lost on me. If Rylan caught me, he'd drag me right to Eric. I was being stupid for wanting to check on him, but I couldn't help it.
Because I had the sickest feeling I knew him, and it wasn't going away.
"We won't tell Vincent. Actually, we won't tell anyone. If we go fast, they won't notice. And if they do, I'll say I asked you to take me for a drink." I bargain desperately. My knowledge of where Erudite is located is limited to knowing it exists. There's a high chance my mother will find out, but there's also a chance she won't. "I'll find you breakfast tomorrow."
"I work tomorrow," he hisses, but his anger isn't aimed at me. "I have to be there before you'll be awake."
"Where do you work?" I've never heard of this concept before, and I'm surprised when he looks embarrassed. "Monster?"
"I got a job in Candor. They pay us to clean up. It's shitty hours and shit work, but it's food that we need." He looks everywhere but at me, shame flushing on his cheeks. "They don't pay anything but clothes or food. I have enough clothes."
"I didn't know you could do that." For some reason, this bothers me. I've never heard of such a concept, and it seems like someone should have mentioned it. "Okay, well, I could go with you. And give you my food. I didn't know you were hungry."
"Sometimes," he mutters. "Fine. You know what? I'll take you to Erudite if you want to go that badly. And you don't have to work with me. It's a quick shift and then I'll be back. But you keep your word and stay hidden after that. I don't have time to babysit you."
"Thank you!" My gasp is immediate. I would hug him, but he looks uncomfortable. "When can you go?"
"Whenever you're ready. The sooner we get this over with, the better." He finally looks at me, and his next words are a warning. "You better not tell anyone. If Evelyn hears about this –"
"I promise, I won't say a word!"
Relief washes over me, unexplainable as ever. I have no reason to need to see Rylan, but I have to. I decide I'll be as quick as can be; I'll tell them some lie to get to see him, make sure he's alive, then leave. If he's sleepy or not quite himself, I'll ask about Leif. The best case scenario is that he won't see me at all, and I'll still rest easy knowing he'll be okay.
I tell Monster I'll be ready in just a few minutes, and his nod is all the response I get.
He goes back to watching the factionless children play, shrieking and jumping over a bunch of broken wood in the road. He looks defeated, but he does smile when one of the younger kids asks him to join.
He does.
I pause to watch him, and the unfairness of the situation hits me like a ton of bricks. In every way, he's a child himself. He jumps over a few larger pieces of wood, and he helps a small girl climb up the pile. We both know why these are here, and it's not great.
Dauntless has set them up, enforcing some sort of strange boundary. The assumption is they'll be lit on fire to keep us trapped, and the worst part is, it'll work. Those who don't know what's going on will be afraid, and those who do will also be afraid.
It's a sign they are coming, and they won't rest until they find what they want.
Me.
Erudite is nothing like I expected.
To be fair, I wasn't really sure what to expect.
I've never been anywhere but the Market. The Market sits in what is essentially a non-faction, nestled in the middle of the others. Erudite is further than I was thinking, and very secluded.
I stare out the window as the faction blossoms before me, and it's stunning. Tall buildings with large, glass windows, and charming stores. The streets are nicer than anywhere, smooth, dark, and lined with trees. From the inside of the stolen truck, I try to memorize everything. The layout of the shoppes, the café set in between a grocery store and tailor, the people walking down the streets.
They are all well-dressed. Each person wears something blue, and everything is tailored, clean, and brand new looking. Amidst the crowd, a tall man dressed in a black coat wanders toward the café, and next to him is a brown haired woman. They pause to look at the window display, and she points to a longer, dark blue jacket.
"We're almost there. Do you know what you're going to tell them?" Monster drives the truck with less grace than the soldiers. It rumbles over the road loudly, but no one pays any mind to us. He's worn a darker coat, so one might think he's from Dauntless, and he flips off someone who does look in his direction. "I'll drop you off at the front, then park in the back. You'll have to walk out once you're done. If you get caught, I won't know."
"I won't."
My promise is accompanied by a frown in the direction of the couple. He's handsome, and she's very pretty. They are close to my mother's age, but clearly well off. His head turns as we drive past them, and I am grateful the truck is high. His frown is immediate, but not concerning. We've seen another Dauntless truck driving here, and the driver merely nodded, unable to see who we are. They didn't bat an eye at the crunched front, and the others must have similar damage.
"Thirty minutes, tops. You'll have to find a clock in there." Monster side-eyes me, slowing as we near the hospital. It looms atop a hill, made entirely of white. "If you panic, head downstairs. There's a cafeteria that has an exit to the back. I'll park there and look for you."
"Thank you," I smile at him, but it's not reciprocated. "I appreciate you helping me."
"Yeah, well…I know the guy. Rylan isn't half bad. I met him a few times. He didn't stick up for me, but he didn't agree with Four, either." Monster admits. "I should have told you I knew him."
"Who is Four?" I unbuckle my seatbelt as he pulls around the front. The sign reads Admittance, and he stops near two large doors. "Is he friends with Rylan?"
"No. He's the trainer who kicked me out. He was morally outraged over my fighting." He snickers, but it dies down when the doors open. "Well, good luck. I'll see you in a few minutes. Just remember, I think this is a stupid idea and I'm not responsible for it."
"Thanks, Monster. I'll be right back."
I climb out of the truck with a grin and walk toward the sliding doors. I wave, and he rolls his eyes as he pulls away. Once he's a good distance from the doors, I head into the lobby, and I'm met with white marble everything. The floors are glossy. The walls are polished and smooth, and the staff walking around are dressed in white or blue. I pretend I am confident as I search for someone to ask, and luck happens upon me.
I spot the receptionist's desk in the middle of the lobby.
A girl my age is typing away on a computer. She flashes me a bright smile, holding up one finger for me to wait. I'm relieved when she doesn't seem to suspect anything. I've worn the darkest shirt I have, the last pair of clean leggings, and someone else's boots. The heavy jacket that Madison stole for me, and braided my hair down each side. I made sure it was clean and presentable, hoping to pass as someone from Dauntless.
It works, because she hangs up with a polite smile and asks who I'm here to see.
"I'm looking for Rylan. He was brought in yesterday, I think." I realize I don't know his last name, and her fingers pause after she types a few letters. "He's from Dauntless. He hit his head."
"Rylan…oh, Rylan. I know who he is. They were worried he had a concussion." She types something else, then frowns. "He's up in Neurology. If you head that way, they'll take you to him. He's on the fifth floor."
"Thank you." I start to leave, but she shakes her head. "Yes?"
"You'll need a sticker so they know who you are. Are you related to him?" The girl squints at me, then looks apologetic. "Sorry. I just have to know who to tell them is here. Sometimes, they don't allow visitors on that floor. He might be in an exam or asleep."
"He's…my brother." I rack my brain for a logical explanation. "I uh, don't live with him, so –"
"What's your name?" She pulls out a nametag and a thick marker. "That's fine if you don't live with him. I just need a first name to write down."
"Lucy."
The name pops into my head out of nowhere.
"Okay, head to the elevators on the left and take them to the fifth floor. Once you're there, he's in room 117. You should be waved right in. If he's not there, find a nurse and they'll see where he's at. I hope he's alright." She smiles blandly, gesturing toward a wall with several elevators. "Do you need anything else?"
"No, that's all. Thank you for your help."
I step away, glancing up at the clock to see the time. Satisfied at the ease of this mission so far, I head toward the elevators, and push the call button. I wait for the doors to open, and I'm joined by several others. They are dressed in scrubs, and their chatter is nothing. A few comments about working overtime, and one about a date someone is going on. I half listen as the car rises, and the motion is surprisingly familiar.
I don't know why.
I've never been in an elevator. I politely wait as someone else jabs the button for several floors, giggling that they're about to be late. When the doors open to reveal another reception desk and two hallways forming a U shape, I let the others exit first. I keep my stare friendly as I walk toward the desk, and the girl is swamped. She looks up, and without saying a word, reads my name tag and the room number. Then she nods in my general direction and points to a plaque on the wall. It tells me which way to go, and luck is, once again, on my side.
The room is only a few doors down.
I find it half open, and when I glance inside, he's right there. Dead asleep. Maybe dead, I can't really tell. But the machine beside him is not hooked up, his arm is thrown over his eyes, so I assume he's fine. One of his legs has a cast on it, and his uniform is nowhere to be found. He has several tattoos that I can't make out other than harsh black lines, and one just above where the cast starts below his knee. He's an interesting sight, and the tattoos remind me that I shouldn't be here.
I hover outside the door for a few seconds, then gather enough courage to step into the room.
I hate it.
It's cold and sterile. The bed is nice, placed near a window and comfortable looking, and higher than any bed I've seen before. But everything else is white or black, with wires and tubes, linked to a monitor. I inch closer to the bed, and it's hard to miss the bandage near his temple. There's a band aid on his arm, and a note on his wrist that he's allergic to something.
He looks better than I would expect for getting hit by a truck.
I feel less worried, until he groans. He moves his arm away from his face, then blinks several times. Then once more, as he tries to stare at me. His vision is unfocused, and he smiles like he's drunk.
"Whoa, what kind of trippy drugs did they give me?" He croaks out the words, and they hold more than a hint of wooziness to them. "I swear, fucking Amity is in here. Who would have thought?"
"Are you alright?" I speak quietly, watching his face carefully. "I saw you get hit. I know I shouldn't be here, but I wanted to make sure you weren't dead. I was there when the truck hit you."
"I got hit by a truck? Weird. I don't remember that." Rylan rubs his eyes, then his forehead. His hair is tied up haphazardly, and there is dried blood near his hairline. "You'd think I would. My head does hurt."
"It looked like it hurt," I step even closer, glancing back at the door quickly. The faint sound of voices filter into the room, low and busy. "I just…I don't know you, but I wanted to come by. I felt guilty that you were yelling my name. And I thought…maybe you'd tell me if Leif is okay."
"Leif…" He mutters. "Yeah, I know the kid. He's fine. I think."
"Okay, well –"
"And hey, don't be ridiculous. I do know you. Eric is going to be so mad he's not back yet," Rylan says, and whatever they gave him must be wearing off. He looks semi-alert now, and his eyes flash with triumph. "I should call him. He's been really pissed off ever since Four showed up. Do you have my phone?"
He attempts to sit upright, but it takes more effort than he has.
"I don't. I, um, I just…I don't know why I came here. But you have my brother, and I want him back." I blurt out, and the stupidity of this decision hits me like a ton of bricks. He isn't as out of it as he was, and if anything, he looks even more determined. He squints at me again, frowning when I back away. "But I did want to make sure you weren't dead."
I add that last part guiltily, hoping he knows I didn't just come by to ask about Leif.
"Everly, I'm not dead, at least that I'm aware of. But seriously, how the fuck did you get here?" Rylan forces himself upright, wincing at the motion. "Shit. Where's my phone? Did you see Eric? Is he here?"
"I should go."
My plan to see if Rylan is alright is a partial success. He's alive and presumably well, but currently attempting to climb out of the bed.
"Everly, don't move. Stay there and I'll get a nurse." Rylan tries to swing his leg over the edge of the bed, but he's trapped. "Okay, fuck that hurt. Everly, don't leave. Just…give me a second. But don't run. Seriously."
"I can't. Mon…" I pause before I say his name. The less Rylan knows, the better. "My friend is waiting for me."
"Eric will be right back." Rylan looks at me, and for a split second, he could be my brother. His hair is lighter like he's been in the sun, and he's much taller. But he has similar colored eyes, and a very cheerful smile. Except it's a frown right now, one darkening when I step back again. "You need to stay. He'll take you home. He's been looking for you."
"I know he has. But I don't want to die." I point out, walking toward the door slowly. In response, Rylan attempts to move faster, but he can't. "I know we aren't friends, but I'm glad you're alright. Can you tell Leif I'll find him soon? And please don't let Eric hurt him."
Rylan scrunches his nose up, like he's thinking hard. Then he shakes his head, and scowls. "We are friends. You came to my wedding. You just don't remember," he insists. He sits up, then jabs a button beside him as he looks over my head. "HEY! I need help! I need someone in here! She's here! HEY! NURSE LADY!"
Well, shit.
My plan crumbles as he yells again, this time screaming that he needs someone to come stop me. Without a goodbye, I leave his room. I'm lucky there are no nurses nearby. The receptionist is still busy, and the nurses who are working are going in and out of the rooms with their charts and carts of medicine.
I rush toward the elevators, and fate smiles upon me when it opens immediately. I join several others, slipping into the back after nodding when they ask if I want the lobby. My heart races as the elevator doors shut and the car drops. It descends a single floor, opening up to let more people in. I am hidden behind two doctors comparing notes on a surgery, and when I peer around them, I gasp.
Eric stomps into the elevator with a sneer on his lips. He huffs at the sight of everyone, then roughly barks that he needs the fifth floor. The little contents of my stomach nearly come back up when he turns to face the doors, and through the gap between the doctors, I see him. The back of his head, the collar of his jacket, the belt around his waist. A gun strapped to his thigh, and his phone in his hand. In the other is a coffee. Beside him, the red-haired man from earlier speaks to someone on a phone, agreeing that they need to hurry.
"Yeah, I know. We're only here for an hour or two because Harrison wants everyone back in time for the meeting. He's thinking of trying the same plan that Evelyn did, but in reverse. We'll offer to let Leif go if we can talk to Everly." He pauses, and his head tilts toward Eric. "Kacie wants to know if you've seen her lately. Security has nothing and the cameras they tried to put up in the city were immediately destroyed. So far, the barricades are still in place."
"No." Eric's answer is curt. "The last time I saw her, she was with the baby. Then they ran into the city and hid. I can only imagine she's with Vincent."
The way he says his name makes my stomach drop.
It's dripping with annoyance.
"And the baby isn't yours? You're sure?" His friend glances at him as the elevator stops again. The doors open, and a few nurses politely join the car. I'm pushed back against the wall, but I stay as silent as I can.
Especially when Eric lets out a bark of laughter.
"No, it's not mine. Harrison found the mother. She came along willingly once they told her they wanted her and the baby to see a doctor. In turn, she told us where they've been staying and who Everly is likely to be found with. I'll give Vincent this –he knows to keep moving. She said he's with Everly all the time, and she trusts him. It's not likely he'll let her get caught."
"Fuck that guy. I can't believe she'd trust him. I guess we'll have to find her alone. You think she'll come to see Leif?"
The question hangs in the air as the elevator finally reaches the lobby. I want to scream at the ease at which they're talking about my brother, but even more so that they're actively hunting me down. I hold my breath as they step out of the elevator to let everyone off. My palms are sweaty and my head pounds as I do my best to stay hidden behind the doctors. I walk with them, slinking past Eric and his friend as they turn to get back in the elevator.
"Eric, do you think –" His friend stops speaking when I make the mistake of looking back. His expression turns to shock, and he hits Eric's arm, hard. "Fuck, she's right there! Eric!"
"What?" Eric whirls around, and I see the exact moment he spots me.
His eyes grow as large as saucers, but his lips turn up cruelly.
I have no choice but to run. Lost in the chaos of the doctors now arguing over their surgery, and a slew of nurses vying for them to sign off on paperwork, I sprint along with a group of hospital staff, then duck into a brightly lit gift shop. It's easy to blend in with the people shopping, but I know it won't be long before Eric is here.
Once inside the store, I keep moving. I undo the braids in my hair and grab a sweatshirt from the wall. The blue fabric is soft and warm, and I quickly swap my own for it. The worker at the counter is busy ringing someone up, and they miss me completely. I silently apologize for taking the shirt, but I have no choice. I exit through the other side, then panic.
I have no clue where I'm going.
The hospital is expansive, full of winding hallways and endless doors, and crowded. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch sight of Eric tearing through a swarm of doctors while yelling my name. Security trails behind him, looking excited at having something to do. I walk as fast as I can without being obvious, and my heart threatens to burst. I'm so nervous I feel lightheaded, and my only consolation is the cafeteria appearing into view. I ignore the murmurs of the people waiting in line, walking through the huge doors and continuing until I spot the exit leading to the outside.
Relief hits me like a ton of bricks.
I don't have time to admire how nice the cafeteria is or focus on how good the food smells. I wind through the tables, sprinting when I see the red-haired guy near the entrance, then I run full speed. I make it through the door in seconds, and when I see the Dauntless truck, I hope it's Monster.
If it's not, I'm about to walk right into their trap.
"Everly! Over here!"
It is Monster.
I feel like I'm drowning as I run toward the truck. I fling the door open and climb inside, gasping for air. My breathing is uneven as the exit door opens, and Eric emerges looking livid. He scans the area with a grimace, and the truck must not stand out. I close my eyes when Monster locks the doors and throws the truck in reverse.
"Duck down. I don't think they can see you, but even if they can, they can't run this fast." Monster instructs. I slump just enough to see the truck catch Eric's eye, and his expression changes. It's clear he just realized this truck isn't being driven by one of his soldiers. Monster flips him off, then speeds away as fast as the truck will go. "You're good. He's back there throwing a fit."
"Shit!"
I struggle to slow down my racing heart. I can't even celebrate getting away from him because he knows I was there, and he knows we have the truck. It's not likely he'll find us in the next few hours, but he will eventually. I'm sure of it.
"Did that go the way you thought it would?" Monster laughs. "When I saw you come bursting through that door, I knew he was there."
"Did you see him walk inside?" I sit up straighter, but I can't be mad at him. He would have no way of finding me in the hospital. "He got into the same elevator I was in!"
"I didn't. I assume he went in through the front. I did see him throw his drink at the ground when we drove away." Monster looks like he's trying not to laugh. "If he wasn't out to kill you, I'd think you had quite the admirer."
"Do you know anything about him that would help me? Like how to distract him or get away?" I stare outside as the scenery blurs past. We leave Erudite on two wheels, screeching around a corner and heading toward the inner city. An odd flash of disappointment rushes through me because I don't want to go back. Not only did I not listen to my mother, I involved Monster and nearly got caught. "Something I can use against him."
"Not really. Like I said, I only met him a couple of times. Once, when he came down to watch the initiation class. Another time when he sided with me about the fighting. Other than that, I rarely saw him. There are rumors he has a wife, or did. But I never saw her. Four never spoke about him unless it was to tell us who he was and how we should act."
"Great." I slump against the seat, dread knotting in my stomach. "Do you know his friend?"
"I know of his friends. Rylan was the one who got hit. I'm assuming you're talking about Jason. I never met him. He came downstairs with Eric once and was on the phone the whole time. I only know that he's a Leader, and his position is almost the same as Eric's. I think Eric has more power. They seem to default to whatever he says," Monster answers. "Can I ask how you plan on staying away from him if you keep venturing out?"
"Good question," I mutter. "I guess…I can't. I'll have to face him at some point. Or kill him."
"Yeah, good luck with that. He's twice your size. He's got an entire army, friends who are also hunting you, and access to weapons. You'll either have to spend the rest of your life hiding or convince him you're dead."
"The way things are going, I don't think he'd stop even then." I answer lowly.
I look at him once, and he's lost in thought, presumably struggling since Eric once sided with him. But it wasn't enough because he still got kicked out. And odds are, if he finds me with Monster, he'll kill Monster, too.
I think about this the entire ride back, and I barely notice that we reach the city in no time. Monster parks on the top floor of a garage, one that's destroyed enough that I'm shocked it hasn't collapsed. He walks next to me as we descend to the bottom floor, and I'm unsurprised to find Vincent and Evelyn waiting for me.
"Drink your water."
My mother is, reasonably, furious at me. Her stare is so dark she looks like she might snap, and her lips are a fine line of disappointment. Each blink is slow and purposeful, thick with disbelief that I've disobeyed her. Even Vincent looks annoyed, and together, they make quite the team.
"Did you really think that was a smart idea? Leaving the city to visit Erudite. To go see the soldier who was hit. One who has been looking for you. Did you think it was smart to risk your life and Monster's?" Her tone is icy, as are her hands. She places one on my wrist, tightening her grip when I don't move. "Everly, drink your water and eat your lunch. Please."
"I wanted to ask him about Leif," I summon the courage to look right at her, knowing my reasoning won't matter. "I wanted to make sure he was okay."
"Leif or the soldier? You shouldn't care about others who want to hurt you," she snaps. She shoves my hand toward a large glass, and she's so mad she's practically seething. "Drink your water. Now."
"I'm not sorry that I went. I wanted to see him, and I did. He told me Leif is fine. Which is…good, I guess."
The words slip out before I can stop myself.
Her head whips toward me, but I don't give in. Before me, the water shimmers just like Leif's had. Just like the one when I woke up in the bathtub. I refuse, because I don't have time to take a nap. I have a feeling there's something in it to make me sleep. She doesn't want me to leave, and she's afraid I will.
"Everly…" She says my name lightly this time, looking at Vincent with a nod. "Darling, you're going to get hurt. We want to take Eric down, but not yet. I just need a little more time. And you keep drawing attention to yourself, so I think it's time we intervene. I can't keep you safe if you're out there, recklessly doing whatever you please."
"What?" I blink when Vincent stands up, and his expression is strange. It's full of hesitation and regret. "Vincent, what are you doing?"
"I'm sorry. I don't agree with everything, but she's right. You're going to get us caught. This was a dumb move on your part." He moves beside my chair, and I panic.
"What are you doing?" I shove the chair back and attempt to stand up. "Vincent –"
"Are you sure you want me to do this?" He shoves me back down but looks only at my mother. "If I do it, there's only enough left for one more time. She'll remember before we have a chance to get more."
"No, she won't." My mother seethes at his hesitation. "Vincent, you've been with me for long enough to know how important it is that we reach a deal with Dauntless. I was against her going outside because of this. He knows he can find her if he tries hard enough, and she's making it known that she's out there. It's all over once he catches her."
"You said a year," Vincent wavers, and his hand presses down on my shoulder, keeping me in place. "Evelyn, it's not even the right one. It's weak. Kenneth found it months ago. It wasn't even labeled. It could be anything. Irreversible. Or –"
"It's been almost a year. What a conclusion it'll be when he realizes he spent a year only to lose." She smiles, and I don't recognize her. Her features are too pronounced, and her hair is wild. She's a total stranger, and when she stands, I don't remember her being so tall. "Everly, if you aren't going to drink your water, we'll take you upstairs."
"I think I've listened to you for long enough." I blink a few times, trying to place her. There's a disconnect, and not just because she's always been kind to me. These past few weeks have been different. She's on edge, like everything is splintering apart. "I don't want to drink anything and I don't want to stay here. I'll find Eric first, then I'll get Leif back. This isn't that complicated."
"It's more complicated than you think."
Her words end with a nod and a sharp pinch in my neck. My hand flies to it, and when I pull my fingers away, there are several spots of blood on them.
"What the…."
She grows blurry. Mother stands to say something to Vincent, but I can't understand what she's saying. I don't recognize them, nor do I recognize the room, the food in front of me, or why my head lolls to the side. The only thing I know is that I am cold and weightless as someone carries me away.
In a small room made of concrete and bare walls, I awake to the sun setting. A chill in my bones, an ache in my neck, and cold feet. My clothes are a nightgown and a sweater, one childish at best, and my leggings are long gone. I shiver beneath a thick blanket that smells like damp Earth, and the memory of being stabbed in the neck comes right back.
The sharp prick of pain, then the woozy rush of being weightless.
My hand flies to my neck, and it's sore to the touch. I press lightly, wincing when it hurts, then once more to be sure. As much as I don't want to, I know what happened, and it's likely it'll happen again.
I am furious.
An indescribable rage courses through my veins. The memories from today flood back in an instant: seeing Rylan in the hospital, Monster driving back and talking about Eric, and my mother and Vincent coaxing me to drink water likely tainted with something. I can visualize the exact moment when I didn't, and he wavered, then stabbed me in the neck. His words were a warning for me, just as much as they were for my mother.
"Evelyn, it's not the right one. It could be anything."
The memory makes my stomach turn over because Vincent didn't want to do it. There was something wrong with what she was giving me, and most terrifying of all, she still insisted. She didn't want him to leave me alone, and she was going to great lengths to keep me away from Eric. This was no longer about my safety, but control over something.
I just don't know what.
"Shit." I swear at no one, waiting for my mother to chastise me for such language. Despite being factionless and having almost nothing, she always insisted upon proper manners. Kind words and carefully spoken thoughts. But she's the only one who does this, and her rules don't matter anymore.
I force myself to my feet, groaning when they touch chilly concrete. The door is a few steps away, and each one is painful. When I try to open it, it doesn't budge. The hinges groan with effort, hinting that it's locked from the outside. I try again, hoping it'll come undone because it's rotting and rusted, but it doesn't. It creaks, and in the distance, I hear Vincent arguing with someone.
"I told Evelyn I didn't know what was in it and I didn't want to do it. With my luck, Everly won't remember shit ever again. I asked Evelyn to leave me out of this but…"
He trails off, and I'm furious at him, too.
I trusted him.
He was my friend, the first person to take me outside, the one who taught me how to survive. He was always there. I had confided in him, admired the way he fearlessly existed in a world not meant for him, even sometimes found myself hoping he'd shoo away the girls who smiled when he walked by.
And he had injected me with something to knock me out so I couldn't argue.
"Okay, think. How would he get out of here?" I mumble, hoping to calm myself down. I try to think logically, like Vincent. If he was trapped in here, how would he get out? The door is heavy and locked from the outside, there is no other door, but there is a window. It's a little higher than my head, and there are only a few bars on it. The rest have crumbled away, and the cold air pouring in tells me there's nothing in front of it.
It doesn't tell me how high I am, though. I have no clue where I've been taken. I could be on the top floor of a building, or the bottom, or so deep in the city that I'll never find my way out.
I have no choice but to try.
With all the strength I have, I reach for the edge of the windowsill. I remember Vincent helping me climb onto the one on the roof, and this is exactly that. I take a deep breath, and using whatever force I have, I pull myself up.
It's not impossible.
The first time, I'm rewarded with the sight of the bars, an orange sky, and the hint of another building. I try again, knowing if I can sit on the windowsill, it's likely I can knock the bars out. I jump once more, swearing when I grasp onto one of the bars and it snaps. It cuts my hand as it breaks into a dozen pieces, but I ignore it.
"She said to check on her in an hour. I guess…Eric is nearby. He saw her at the hospital, so they've been patrolling all day."
"Are you ever going to tell her?" The voice of Monster answers Vincent, and he sounds pissed off. "She should know what you did. You're gonna run out of that shit. We can't always get to the labs, you know. What do you think she's going to say when she finds out you're involved?"
Vincent's answer is muffled as I grab onto the last remaining bar. With an absolute miracle, it doesn't give way. I pull myself up, sitting on the ledge as much as I can. From here, I realize I am on the first floor. The ground is maybe six feet below me, but the street is one I don't recognize. I hold onto the lone bar for balance, and to my relief, there is plenty of space for me to fit through.
The hope in my chest wanes when I realize I have no clue what I'll do once I jump.
Sure, I'll be outside. I can go wherever I want, do whatever I want, visit whomever I please. Except my mother will be furious when she realizes I'm gone, and she might not welcome me back with open arms. If she does, it's likely I'll be kept inside again, this time, with more of whatever Vincent gave me. If I stay, I'll have to listen to what she says. Obey her orders and keep quiet. Be used as bait for Eric, and hope that he gives up once he sees nothing can be gained from finding me.
The ground seems to drop beneath my feet when the door opens, and I nearly fall off the ledge.
"Are you going somewhere?"
Jeanine's question is less inquisitive and more entertained. She shuts the door behind her, then strolls over like I'm not perched on the window, about to flee.
"Everly, get down from there. You'll hurt yourself on the fall." She waits patiently for me to listen, and her stare is curious. "Where are you going?"
"To find my brother." I answer shortly. "I can't stay here. It's not safe anymore. They drugged me with something last night. I'm going to find Leif and run."
"Did they now?" She doesn't look surprised, but she is interested. "How do you know they drugged you?"
None of what I'm saying seems to phase her. She watches me, clasping her hands behind her back.
"They put something in my neck. I got back from Erudite, and my mother was mad. She kept insisting I drink this water, and when I didn't, Vincent did something to me. I can't let them do it again." I balance carefully, still leaning toward jumping. "Do you know what they gave me?"
Her expression is curious.
Invested, like she's watching some sort of science experiment unfold.
"I heard you went to Erudite. That aside, I must ask, do you have any lingering side effects?" Her eyes meet mine, and they are bright. "Headache? Nausea? Dizziness? Strange, unexplainable dreams?"
"Why?" I shake my head, not wanting to answer her questions. They feel like a trap. "No. But I need to go. You can go tell everyone if you want. I know you will."
I can't waste any more time. I throw one leg over and she tells me to stop.
"Don't jump just yet. I can help you. You're not wrong that they did something to you. Do you know anything about the serums? Has she explained what they are for? There's a Peace Serum. Memory Loss Serum. Death Serum." She pauses, crossing her arms over her chest. "Dauntless uses a Fear Serum. She could have given you any of those."
"Why would she have them?" I ask, not entirely trusting Jeanine. "Because she doesn't want Eric to find me? Everyone keeps telling me he will, so it makes no sense to sit around waiting for him. She doesn't need to drug me for that."
"I agree," she murmurs. "Do you know anything about the serums at all? Or what they do?"
"No." I ignore the obvious agreement that I have been given something. "Did you know she has them?"
"I know she's interested in them. The way they work is fascinating. Imagine having one injected into your skin, and seconds later, you don't know where you are. Your worst fears are coming true, right before your very eyes. Or, quite the opposite, nothing bothers you. Things are tolerable, and peace is your focus." She walks to the window, stopping just beneath me. "People want control, and the serums give that control. I could tell you anything, absolutely anything, and with the right serum, you wouldn't know what's right or wrong. You'd trust whatever I say."
"What do you mean?" I shiver in the cold air, the breeze reminding me freedom is a drop away.
"Imagine this. You wake up in a room much like this one. I visit you and tell you who you are. You aren't a factionless girl with a mother leading a rebellion. You're the wife to one of the Leaders of Dauntless. Eric's wife, to be exact. He lost you by playing his own hand, and now he's desperate to get you back. And he will. He's so close he can taste it. First, he saw you alive. Then he got your brother. Then your location. He cuts off the supply from Erudite to produce the serums, knowing you're being given one to make you forget him. He closes in, forcing Evelyn to either hand you over or kill you. Either way, she loses. So do you. In the meantime, she keeps giving you the serum to make you forget, because she knows it'll wear off. And when you remember, you won't be happy." Jeanine pauses, and her eyes gleam. "Would you believe me?"
"No."
Something settles in my stomach, uncomfortable and heavy. Her words feel like mockery, but they're too precise for her to have just made all that up.
"Which part don't you believe?" She reaches up to touch the windowsill. "How intimately you know the man hunting you? Or the fact that your mother would drug you to the gills to make you stay put? Or the part where she's not your mother at all? You can't be sure any of it is true now, can you?"
"Why are you telling me this?" I suspend the belief that she's not lying, because that means everything I know is wrong. It means the things I've wondered about make sense because they don't actually make sense. It's why I don't know anyone named Tobias, why there is no father ever mentioned, and why my mother has kept me inside, refusing to let me go anywhere alone. "Tell me the truth. Is she drugging me? Is she even my mother?"
"Which one do you want answered first?" Jeanine watches, still unmoving. "Do you think she's your mother?"
"Leif didn't."
Something slams into my brain, an image so vibrant I'd swear I was there. The smell of winter in the forest, a warm fire roaring in between tables, a sweet cake eaten while someone's leg presses against mine. The blurry image of Rylan at a bar, while a woman smiles at me from the side. Someone who looks like me, someone who threw the party for me, someone holding onto a young child while he excitedly chants Eric's name.
"Why are you telling me this? What good will it do?" I hate the image because it's a much happier one than what I'm experiencing right now. "Even if you aren't lying –"
"I'm not. I have no loyalty to Evelyn or you. If you haven't guessed it by now, the serum you're being given wears off quickly. She's running out. So, she's giving you whatever she can get her hands on, mixed with the memory loss serum to make it last. You're going to remember soon enough, and when you do, remember that I'm the one who told you who she really is. A thief. A kidnapper. A monster." She steps back, and her next words send a chill up my spine. "You'll want to go left. Eric is waiting to the right. Good luck."
"Wait..." I'm more confused than ever, but she could be lying.
Part of me dares to believe that what she's saying is the truth. That the woman who claims to be my mother isn't. That Leif was right to leave with Dauntless because we don't belong here. But this means everything I know is wrong. Leif could be anyone. Vincent could be in on it. Even Monster could be working to keep things hidden from me.
But that also means Eric isn't who I think he is, and I can't wrap my head around that. I've seen the look in his eyes, the glint when he cornered me, and the smirk when he thought I couldn't get away. He certainly wasn't coming after me out of pure concern. He wanted something, and Jeanine could be lying about him, too.
It dawns on me that I can't trust anyone.
Not Jeanine.
Not Monster.
Not even Vincent.
The door to the room closes with a soft thud, interrupting my thoughts. It's followed by a click as it locks, and it's then that I jump.
There is no one who can help me. My only chance at surviving is to stay on my own, away from the world I thought I knew. I grasp at any sort of hope, but it's hard when I'm hit with an icy chill from the night, and the sharp sting of the breeze. For a second, I contemplate turning back around. Walking inside and finding my mother, apologizing and pretending to go along with whatever plan she has. Drinking whatever she gives me, and not questioning anything. She might believe it, especially if I tell her what Jeanine told me.
But then that thought fizzles, because just like my mother, Jeanine is a liar.
I go left to walk around the building, and there is Eric.
"Fuck."
He's fast.
I have to give him credit, even as my feet tear over the pavement, the man is built to be Dauntless. His uniform should hold him back, but it makes him blend into the night. He runs easily, sprinting where he should trip and leaping over broken pieces of building. My heart sinks when he catches up, then drops back, giving me a second to get ahead.
When I look back in desperation, he smirks. My nightgown tangles in my legs, and my foot hits a cracked chunk of cement that once was a barricade. The pain is instantly hot, burning as I stumble to find somewhere to hide.
Behind me, he slows his pace to radio his location. When I look at him, his stare is dark, but his lips turn up. He's enjoying this. His hunt is easy now that I am at every disadvantage, and he's toying with me. I hear him say names that feel familiar –Jason, Harrison, Karl, and Jeremy –then he demands they surround the building. My stomach tenses when he heads right toward me, slicing through the night with precision. His stare is locked on my neck, and nothing is stopping him. Not me, scrambling to reach the boarded off fence that surrounds the apartment complex, and not even Vincent screaming from the side.
He has others with him, and they launch their own attack.
The two worlds collide as Dauntless soldiers emerge, and the factionless fight back. I don't see my mother or Jeanine, but I do see Monster knocking someone to the ground, and Vincent attempting to get in front of Jason. Compared to Dauntless, they are less skilled, but still efficient. They move easier, having the advantage of knowing this area, but they are weaker than those who have been trained for battle.
"We've got her surrounded. Jeremy, go left!"
Orders are called out as I run, and my heart threatens to burst. I reach the wooden fence with a groan, realizing I can't climb it. I can climb the fire escape, and by the time I reach it, Eric is on my heels. I make it to the first section without stopping, but I lose my footing on the slick metal. It's wet and cold, and I slam into the side as I try to keep my balance.
"She's up there!"
More orders are shouted as I keep running. A quick glimpse down shows Dauntless surrounding the fire escape, and I have no choice but to keep going. If I reach the roof, I can jump to the next one. I can try to lose them inside, but I can't go back.
I won't.
From the ground, shots are fired, and the echo reaches the second floor. Eric's boots thud over the metal stairs, and his ease from earlier is gone. He takes them two at a time, until he is so close I can hear him breathing. He stops when someone yells his name to warn him the fire escape isn't stable, and I stop, too.
Beneath my feet, it creaks. There's a metallic squeal as it moves, the whole structure threatens to fall apart.
"Shit."
"Everly, come with me. I can help you." Eric and I lock eyes. He extends his hand, like I'll stupidly take it, and his words are urgent. "You have to trust me. It's going to break if we don't get down."
"No." My answer is bleak as he takes another step. Our combined weight makes the fire escape sway. "Don't come any closer."
"Everly! –"
He roars my name as something falls. A nail or a screw, then what sounds like half the lower level. The landing I'm on undulates as he steps backward.
"Okay, fine. I'm going to head back down before we fall to our deaths. I'll find you another time. Don't worry." He retreats, stepping carefully while watching me. "But if you fall, you won't survive."
"It's not that high." My words are indignant, and a lie. The only thing below us is concrete. If I fall, I'll definitely die. "Leave me alone. I don't need your help."
"I think you do."
He cocks his head, and in the moonlight, his face is lit up. He's certainly not bad looking. His cheekbones are prominent, but so are the dark circles beneath his eyes. The shadow of a beard haunts his cheeks, and his lips are turned downward. He waits for me to answer him, but I can't.
The whole fire escape begins to come apart. I see it happen right before my eyes. Bolts begin to fall, and the cable above me snaps. I have no choice but to follow Eric, and he knows it. His stare is glued to me as he retreats, then it turns furious when I reach the first landing. Rather than keep going, I lunge for the bars of a balcony. I grab onto them, and he realizes a second too late that I can pull myself over.
Vincent had taught me this once.
I was only given a few attempts to try it, but we practiced inside. He told me it might come in handy. Dauntless might be fearless, but the factionless are resourceful. He and the others learned to subdue their fears in order to survive. Leaping between the roofs, scaling fire escapes and balconies, climbing where one would not think possible.
His training pays off. My foot finds the corner of the balcony. I use what strength I have to pull myself upward, but I hesitate when the patio cracks. This building is falling apart, and to my horror, I realize I will fall right along with it. I manage to catch another bar, right as strong hands grasp me by the waist. I'm pulled backward, as from a few steps up a crumbling fire escape, Eric grabs me.
With the violent jerk of his arms, I have no choice but to let go.
My vision darkens as I hit his chest, and he stumbles backward. He steadies himself quickly and I'm hit with a million sensations of him. The smell of bourbon, the muscle of his arms, the rough fabric of his jacket. I'm dragged down the steps and into the street, so terrified I can barely breathe. His grip is as tight as can be, and no amount of struggling is enough to break away.
He holds on with a death grip, only stopping when the fire escape eventually collapses. It hits the ground, exploding upon impact. In the distance, there is a wave of cheers from Dauntless as the dust rises. Jason runs toward us with a thrilled look on his face, and the man who took Allie follows behind him. The others follow, their faces bright with triumph and glee.
The factionless are gone.
I don't see Vincent or Monster, and my attempts to get away fizzle when Eric turns me around.
His stare is greedy as it slips over me, and one hand roughly pushes my hair back. His smile is evil, dark and absolutely rife with glee over winning, and one of his arms snakes around my back. As the dust settles, and the soldiers surround us, he leans in, and all I can see is him.
Grey eyes flashing with delight, and the sharp slant of his nose, inches away from mine.
"It's really good to see you again."
He murmurs the words to only me, and his grip turns painful. I have no chance of getting away, not even when the others join him. I am surrounded. On every side, there is a soldier, and even more terrifying are their joyous cries of celebration. They rise into the night, louder with each yell, until Eric steps back.
He pulls me along with him, and when I try to dig in my heels, he turns and picks me up. My struggle dies when I realize the trucks are here, and he heads right toward one. Out of the corner of my eye I spot Monster, watching with an odd, miserable look on his face. He's the last person I see before I am roughly shoved into the truck, and the door is slammed shut.
There is no way out of here, and with a heavy heart, I realize my mother was right all along.