AN: Thanks for the follows and reviews. I've had this story saved in my doc manager for almost a year now, thought I should edit it and publish for fun. It's short, only 9 chapters unless I write an epilogue. I should be updating every other day, just to give myself time to read and edit what I had saved. Hope you enjoy.
Weeks were turning into months, and the virus was getting much more serious. The scientists in Erudite were so close to developing serums to both treat the virus and prevent it, but more people of Chicago were testing positive for the virus, and many were dying. Each leadership meeting they had, whether internal in Dauntless or inter-faction with the entire city's leadership, the virus was the main topic. It was running rampant amongst the factionless, and it had hit very close to home when both Tris' uncle Marcus Eaton and her father Andrew Prior, two of the main leaders of Abnegation, were struck with the virus.
Marcus' condition was stable, he had mild symptoms and was able to stay quarantined in his home. His wife Evelyn had thus far tested negative, and she and her sister-in-law Natalie Prior were sheltering together.
Andrew's situation was much worse, his symptoms had quickly developed into severe respiratory distress and just yesterday he was put onto a ventilator to help his damaged lungs.
Tris was devastated, she couldn't be with her family, and she couldn't even leave her apartment unless she was on an approved shopping trip to pick up essentials that she had to preorder. Because she was part of leadership, she was required to get tested once a week to ensure she did not have the virus. The entire leadership team at Dauntless continued to test negative, much to everyone's relief, however Tris was beside herself with worry over her father.
Her video alert sounds and she picks up Christina's call.
"Hey baby girl." Christina says with a smile. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm ok. I'm just worried about my dad." She sighs.
Tris fills Christina in on what she knows, and unfortunately it's not a lot. The virus that her father is battling is one that they've never seen, and one that impacts the people who catch it differently. Her uncle Marcus, who on paper seemed to be more prone to the more serious effects of the virus, has mild symptoms. Her father, who is usually of great health, has been hit the hardest.
"Is there anything you can tell me, development wise, that won't get you in trouble?" Christina asks.
"Erudite is really working around the clock to figure this out. There's nothing that they're not trying. It's just nothing seems to be working. They've given him so many different serums but nothing is making him better."
"He's not getting worse though, is he?" Christina asks.
"No, that's a good point."
They continue to talk, and Tris is so thankful for the distraction. Christina has been reassigned from her normal job at the tattoo shop to help with the groceries and other essentials. This allows her to work outside of her apartment, which has been helpful with her need for social interaction. They talk about Will, and Christina explains that the forced space was actually going well for them because they were actually talking through their problems instead of letting emotions gets the best of them. Tris knows how much Christina and Will love each other, and she's been their biggest fan when it comes to them getting back together. Christina and Will both take this virus seriously, and have been careful not to break any of the social distancing and protective equipment rules that are in place, but at least seeing him when he picks up his grocery order, and knowing he remains healthy makes her heart happy.
"Have you talked to Peter anymore?" Chris asks.
Tris sighs, "Yeah. He's been great about checking in with me, especially once he heard about my dad. It seems people actually care."
"Yeah, they do. Eric even asked me about you when he picked up his essentials order." Chris says.
"Seriously? He doesn't ever speak to me, well outside of forced work interactions." Tris remarks.
Chris shrugs. "Four was there too, so that's how it came up. He had asked about your dad and uncle and just wanted to see if you were doing ok."
They continue their video chat, and Christina, blunt as usual, brings up the DateMe app.
"You still haven't been curious enough to download the app again to see if that mystery guy is still there?" Chris asks.
Tris had deleted the DateMe app after not hearing from ManofMystery for several weeks after he had received her picture. It wasn't necessarily a blow to her ego, however she was incredibly hurt that the person she had grown so close with had completely ghosted her because he wasn't attracted to her. Christina's theory that she had been talking to Peter was a definite possibility, because once Tris had deleted the app he had made much more of an effort to talk to her on a more personal level. She still had no interest in rekindling their relationship, and thus far he had respected that boundary.
"It's been tempting, but I'm afraid I'm doing it out of boredom, or just as a distraction." Tris sighs.
Abnegation still frowned on electronic communication, which was frustrating Tris to no end since she couldn't get real-time updates on her father or uncle. Christina, Uriah, Tobias and even Peter had been great in checking in on her, along with some of their extended friend circle, but she was going stir crazy. She missed the calming online presence that the ManofMystery brought to her.
"It's a good distraction, Tris. I worry about you. If I didn't work in grocery, would you even get an order? I know you're not eating well, and you barely leave your apartment even when you have the permission during your work shift. If the guy distracts you from real life, do it."
"Even though he ghosted me for weeks before I finally deleted the app?" Tris asks.
"Maybe you'll at least get an answer." Chris shrugs.
After Tris and Chris end their video chat, she downloads the app, and signs in to restore her inactive account. She is surprised to see some archived messages in her inbox that were received before her account went silent.
ManofMystery: I shouldn't have signed off the way I did. You didn't deserve that.
ManofMystery: Please talk to me.
ManofMystery: Tris?
ManofMystery: I see your profile is deactivated. I'm not sure if you'll even get these. I'm sorry for being a coward. I'm still a coward now, because I could choose to speak to you as me, outside of this app, but I have no idea how you'd react.
He recognized her from the picture she sent, and it caught him off guard. Who is this person?
OnYourSix: It was hurtful when I sent you my picture and you ghosted me. If you are someone I actually know, outside of this app, it would have been nice to know that instead of you just logging off and ignoring me.
She is extremely surprised to see the read icon almost immediately, along with the typing bubble pop up.
ManofMystery: I'm glad you reached out and I'm very sorry for ghosting you. There is nothing at all that you did to deserve that. I enjoyed getting to know you in a different way, and I have missed talking to you on that type of level.
OnYourSix: I've missed talking to you too. I downloaded the app just to find you again, and to maybe get answers.
ManofMystery: I'd like to talk to you, but not behind this app anymore because I feel like if we are going to continue any of this, you deserve to know the truth. Will that be ok?
Tris stares at the last message. The truth? Is she ready to rip the bandage off and see who she's talking to? What if it really is Peter? She's not sure she's ready to deal with that hurt.
Her fingers hover over her keyboard, her mind debating the best response.
OnYourSix: Why can't you just tell me who you are? This is Peter, isn't it? Just tell me.
ManofMystery: I'd like a chance to explain myself. We've known each other a long time.
She shakes her head, holds her finger down on the app and chooses delete.
