Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Twilight or Divergent. Those rights are reserved for Stephanie Myer and Veronica Roth.
Writer's note: Thank you Navywife, Roxhall, Hufflepuff, and Goddess for your reviews! Jeanine is up to something fishy. Max certainly overstepped where Jeanine didn't want, so now, he has to pay the consequences, or her consequences at least. I hope everyone is having a great day/night! Don't forget to follow, favorite, and review!
Work detail had been rough. Bella tried her hardest to show that she was okay, but Tris kept worrying about her. When they got back to Dauntless, they were given some free time, so they went back to the bazar to get some drinks. Bella hadn't drunk a lot of alcohol before, but she enjoyed it now whenever she could get a drink. She felt like after the past couple days, she needed a drink. The bazar was loud when they entered, which wasn't unusual.
"No heavy drinking." Bella warned Tris, who smiled a little. Jasper threw his arm around Tris and winked at Bella.
"I'll keep her soberish tonight." Jasper said, and they went off to the bar.
Bella smiled, watching her best friend be happy. That's all she wanted really, was her best friend happy and not hurting or dead. She looked over towards the tattoo place, and decided why not? She walked in and saw the woman from her original aptitude test. She hadn't realized that she worked here in the tattoo place considering she wasn't here last time. The woman was Asian in appearance, her dark hair had braids throughout, some purple and some red. She wore the same tight Dauntless clothing, and she was slightly shorter than Bella.
"What are you doing here?" The woman asked, frowning.
"To get another tattoo?" Bella was confused why the woman looked so displeased.
"Dauntless was the worse place you could have come to. You should have stayed in Abnegation."
Bella shook her head. "I'm one of the top recruits. I don't get why Abnegation would have been better."
The woman shook her head. "It's because of what you are."
"What I am?"
The woman looked around, making sure the door was shut. "What tattoo do you want?"
"What?"
"If we're going to talk, I need to be doing a tattoo on you. It'll look suspicious otherwise."
"Oh…" Bella murmured and looked at the decals. "Uh, I guess, I was wanting something like yin and yang."
The woman nodded. "Tori by the way." She said and then looked through decals. "Alright, plain yin yang, or I have some other versions." She said and showed Bella a few different ones.
Bella looked them over, liking the way one looked. It reminded her of a tree that she used to go and sit under and read as a child. It was an old oak tree. This yin yang tattoo was a tree with a white space in the branches, and the roots wrapped around to connect with the top of the leaves, and then in the blank space there was a dark swirl that looked like the leaves fell from that one spot. "This one."
Tori nodded. "Where at?"
Bella pulled off her shirt. "Over my good rib preferably."
Tori frowned. "Rough spar?"
"Yeah, twice in a row." Bella said, and Tori placed the decal on her ribs. "So… What am I?"
Tori started the tattoo, but she took a breath before she started talking. "You don't fit into one category or faction. That is why your results had been inconclusive and I overrode it and put in Abnegation as your result."
"Okay, I got that. But you didn't explain."
"I didn't have time." Tori said. "I hoped you would have stayed in Abnegation where it was safer. But you're here now, and apparently a badass, so I'll explain now." She paused and dipped her tattoo gun. "You're what they call Divergent."
Bella frowned. "Divergent? How do you know so much about this stuff?"
"Because my brother was Divergent." Tori said, her dark eyes meeting hers. "It's dangerous because they kill off Divergents. They threaten the faction model system because they can't conform."
"That's wrong."
"Well, there are people that would agree. Then there are people like Eric, who have hunted Divergents."
"Eric hunts Divergents?"
Tori nodded. "He's the one that killed my brother."
Bella was quiet. She wasn't sure what to think right now. "That's terrible."
"Well, they played it off as a suicide, but you know. Eric is a leader, and Jeanine has Eric do all her dirty work. I'm sure Erudite is behind the Divergent killings, I just don't have the proof." Tori continued. "That's why you need to be extra careful. Eric watches everyone like a hawk. He's supposed to be able to pinpoint Divergents by the time the simulations come along. It was shortly after my brother went through his simulation that he died."
Bella was still quiet, absorbing all this information.
"So, I'm assuming they can tell the same way I knew when you did your aptitude simulation. You have to pretend to be Dauntless if you want to make it through that round. If I knew more back then, I'm sure I could have saved my brother from his fate." Tori said and continued the tattoo.
"So, do what a Dauntless would do, and I'll be okay?"
"Maybe. That's my assumption. I don't know if there are other ways to tell. You're exceptional at being Dauntless. It's likely that by now, Eric has either pulled your results from the aptitude test, or Max has."
Bella nodded. "So, just be extra careful, and act more like Dauntless in the simulations. Got it."
Tori finished up her tattoo. "This tattoo suits you. But so will this one." Tori said and showed Bella a decal that she kept secret.
"What is it?"
"It's all of the faction symbols merged together… for Divergent."
Bella nodded. "Yes, I love it. Where should I put it?"
Tori smiled; your legs stay covered most of the time, right?" She asked, and Bella nodded. "Take your pants off. I'll lock the door." She said and got up and locked the door, while Bella slipped her pants off.
"My ankle?"
"Sounds good." Tori said and went to work.
Bella felt at calm with her ink work that she got done. She loved the art and knew she would be back for more tattoos later. Tori waved goodbye to her as she left the shop and went to the bar. Tris and Jasper were dancing together, as was Will and Christina. So, Bella sat at the bar and ordered a drink. She thought about everything that Tori told her. Eric had said that he done some terrible things, things that he wasn't proud of, and she wondered if it was Divergents. She decided to keep the information to herself. She didn't want to let anyone know about what she was because it could be dangerous for anyone else that knew.
"Drinking alone?" Lukas' voice sounded as he came to stand behind her.
Bella sighed and lifted her glass to her mouth and drank it down fast, before spinning and looking at Lukas. "Yeah, what's it to you?"
"Seems like someone like you, shouldn't be drinking alone."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Oh, I don't know. Someone who's been beaten twice in a row. Looks like you're favorite your right side, broke another rib?" Lukas said with a cool smile.
Bella arched a brow. "Don't you have anything better to do, than to come over here and bother me?"
"Where's the fun in that? I love to torture you, and well, tonight isn't an exception. I was thinking of following Tris back tonight. Her and Jasper seem cute huh? They'd be cuter at the bottom of the catwalk."
"What do you want?" Bella hissed.
Lukas smiled. "A lot of things. Can't seem to get lucky tonight, but you're available, right? Or I could take Tris. That might seem- "
"I'm not available. I don't fuck people Lukas." Bella spat.
"I see. Well, Tris it is. Toodles." Lukas said and turned away.
"Wait." Bella said and looked around. "Will you leave her alone? If I… do this?"
Lukas shrugged. "For tonight at least. I'm more willing to cooperate when I'm satisfied."
Bella swallowed and then looked at the bartender. "Another drink." She said and the bartender brought it over.
"Gonna get drunk? This should be fun," Lukas said as he got closer. He leaned down, his mouth going to hers, and Bella wanted to barf, but she stayed like she was, and let him do it.
Bella leaned back and took her drink, drinking it down fast. "Where would you like me to meet you?"
"Clinic room. It has a lock. Be there in a hour or I'll find my way back to Tris." Lukas said and left.
Bella closed her eyes, thinking about what she would have to do. She ordered another drink and then another, trying to get up the courage to go through with this without making it known.
"You're drinking a lot." Eric commented as he sat down at the bar.
Bella glanced at him but didn't say anything as she ordered another drink. The bartender brought it to her, and she downed it fast, this drink burned a little, and she closed her eyes as the burning sensation slid down her throat.
Eric frowned. "Okay, not going to talk to me."
"Fuck you." Bella said and stood but Eric grabbed her arm. "Let go of me."
Eric was confused. She was hostile towards him, and maybe it was because they were in the bazar, but something was wrong with her, he could tell. "Sit your ass down. You're not going anywhere right now."
Bella glared at him. "It isn't enough for you to be a dick during training, you have to interrupt my free time as well. Wait, I forgot, it's what you do." She said and sat down and looked at the bartender and he nodded, bringing her more drinks.
"Slow down." Eric said as he watched her down two drinks right after the other.
"Don't tell me what to do." Bella snapped at him. "I've gotta go. Unless you want me to sit here and continue drinking more." She said, her dark eyes looked at him, and Eric saw pain, and fear.
Eric didn't say anything. He just nodded and let her leave. He watched her go, worried about her.
Tris stumbled over to the bar a short while later, Japer in tow, she looked at Eric. She was drunk enough to be brave. "Oh, you're here. You have to bother Bella too."
"What?"
"You and Lukas, just have to keep pushing her down, further and further, but you listen here-"
Jasper took the drink from Tris, that she was about to drink. "Babe, you've had enough. Let's not insult our instructors." He said and looked to Eric. "Sorry."
Eric was staring at Tris. "Lukas was here with Bella?"
"Yeah, he planted another kiss on her. Sick freak." Tris slurred a little. "Maybe I did drink more than I should have." She said with a frown as she listened to herself talk.
Eric stood then and looked at Jasper. "Control your girlfriend next time. You're lucky I'm not in a pissy mood." He said and left. He had to make sure Bella was okay. Lukas was a psychopath, one that he knew very well.
He walked out of the bazar and went towards the training area. He saw Bella hesitating outside the clinic door, but she sighed and went in. Eric stopped, frowning. Was she hurt? He didn't get a chance to move, when Bella left, and Lukas followed her. They were arguing, so he slipped into the shadows.
"First you want to meet here, then you're going to drag me out and go to the catwalk. I'm not going to keep playing these fucking games. Just leave Tris alone. I've done everything you've asked for." Bella said, her dark eyes taking on an angry glow.
Lukas just smirked and stepped forward, his hand coming up to her throat, and he squeezed a little. "You do what I want, when I want, because that's how this works. You think I'm playing but I'm not. Tris is plenty drunk by now. All I have to do is wait until Jasper passes out, and I'll drag her out of the sleeping quarters and toss her over the catwalk after I've had my way with her. So, I suggest you stop stalling, and give me what I want."
Bella clenched her jaw. "When will this stop? How many times will I have to do this?"
"Until I say we're done." Lukas said. "Any more questions?"
Bella shook her head.
"Good." Lukas said and then planted a kiss on her, shoving his tongue in her mouth. Bella closed her eyes, fighting her tears, but a tear slid down her face anyways. He broke away and shoved her towards the entrance to the catwalk and to the pit.
Bella stumbled, but walked ahead of him, going through everything in her head, first. If she got him to the catwalk, she could get the advantage and just toss him over. Then he would be dead, and Tris would be safe. She would be safe. She just had to find her moment.
When they got to the catwalk, Lukas stopped her from going across. He pushed her into the corner and ripped off her shirt. The angle was hidden from onlookers, and she wondered if he had always planned on using this spot. He pulled at her bra, and got it off her, and she closed her eyes.
Eric hadn't liked how Lukas talked to her and treated her. He followed behind them to the catwalk, and then anger filled him as he rounded the corner and saw how he had Bella pinned, her top off and she was nearly naked. He reacted, pulling Lukas away from her and knocked him to the ground.
Lukas looked up, shocked to see Eric. "We were just messing around dude. We-"
"Does it look like she wants it?" Eric yelled at him, and straddled him, his fist clenched in his shirt as he ripped him up halfway off the ground to face him. "You're a pathetic excuse for Dauntless. Preying on women in the shadows thinking that somehow makes you a man. You're not a man." Eric spat, and then he pulled Lukas to his feet, and he decked him again.
Lukas fought back, but Eric was faster, stronger, and better. He didn't get to being a Dauntless leader by pure luck.
"Why do you even care? She's just a stiff."
"I don't give a fuck who she is. Sexual assault is forbidden amongst our ranks. You're worst than the factionless bottomfeeders. You don't deserve to be Dauntless." Eric said, and Lukas charged at him again, but Eric redirected Lukas' bodyweight, and flung him into the concrete wall, smashing his face. Lukas growled and turned to lunge at Eric again, but Eric did a semi-tornado kick and it smashed into Lukas' face and it propelled him towards the chasm below the catwalk. Lukas managed to catch the ledge, as he dangled.
Eric squatted down, looking at him. "Since you planned on tossing her and Tris over this catwalk so many times, it's only fair that this be your end."
"No! Pull me up! I swear I'm not going to do any of that!"
Eric made a hmph sound. "Begging never stopped me before Lukas. I've killed men for less. You made your bed, now lie in it." He said and stood.
Lukas had shear terror all over his face as he dangled. "Please!"
"No." Eric said, and then turned his back as Lukas dropped, his screams ceased as he hit the bottom of the chasm. He didn't care about Lukas, he only cared about Bella. He went to her; her arms were hugging her body to cover herself. He grabbed her shirt from the ground, it was ripped in some places, but it would be enough to cover her. He pulled the shirt over her head, and she let him. She was quiet, trying to come back from the shock. "Come." He murmured, and lead her away, before others came to investigate Lukas's screams. He took a secret way that led around to his room, that Bella hadn't realized was there before.
When they got to Eric's room, the tears fell. Her sobs were painful because her ribs hurt.
"Baby…" Eric murmured, and stroked a hand over her face, wiping at the tears. "I'm so sorry. I should have interfered before it got that far. I was… trying to figure out his plans, and he… he had his hands on you."
"You killed him." Bella whispered, choking a little.
"Yes. I did." Eric said.
Bella swallowed, taking a breath. "I was going to kill him. I was going to reel him in and then throw him over the catwalk. But you… you saved me."
Eric's eyes softened. "I will always save you… Bella, I love you." He breathed the last part.
Bella looked up at him. "You love me?"
"I do. I never want to see you in that situation again. You have to let me take over sometimes. You should have stayed at the bar… then- "
"Then he would have drug Tris out of her bed and did the same to her. I can't let anything happen to her, I just can't. She's my family Eric. She's everything…" Bella said, her lip quivering.
Eric nodded. "I won't let anything happen to her. I promise, baby, please trust me."
Bella thought about what Tori said, thought about what Eric said. "You've killed other people."
Eric knew she heard that part. He had hoped that maybe the shock would have blocked that out, but it hadn't. "I have. I've had to kill more than once. Under orders sometimes. I'm not proud of some of the things I've had to do."
Bella nodded. "Okay." She said, and then leaned against him. She wasn't sure if she could trust Eric all the way. If what Tori said, was true, then Eric would be obligated to kill her because of her being Divergent.
Eric's arms came around her and he held her for a while, while she cried some more. He kissed the top of her head, just wanting to comfort her the best he could. His palm pilot beeped, and he sighed, closing his eyes. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay." Bella said. "You're busy."
Eric pulled away and took out his palm pilot. He nodded. "Someone's found Lukas already. I have to go handle this. Stay here. Take a nice hot shower and then get in bed. I'll be back." He said and kissed her softly.
Bella nodded, kissing him back. She watched him leave before she went to the bathroom and turned on the hot water. It started steaming up the bathroom before she unwrapped her side and got in. She let the hot water melt away the stress. She cried more, hating herself for being so weak in this moment. She shouldn't let things bother her, but they did. Eric told her he loved her, and she hadn't said it back. The truth was, she did love him, and it was eating at her inside because she knew of the horrible things he did, and the horrible things he would continue to have to do. In the end, she was Divergent, and he hunted Divergents. It was like the lion falling in love with the lamb, and she was the lamb.