The cookie jar is half empty.
"Sorry, what?"
Veronica clears her throat, looking between us and the cookies in our grasp disapprovingly. I almost frown. She was the one who declined the cookie offer.
A glance at Eric shows he has stopped munching; I must've heard right. "I said, the three of us decided Eric is best to lead the faction."
Now it's my turn to stop munching.
Eric? As head of Dauntless?
I fly straight up, beyond shocked. These people must be insane. "Why?" I stuff the remaining cookie into my mouth and chew quickly. From my peripherals, Kyle timidly raises his hand and gestures for the cookie jar. I pass it to him distractedly. "I mean, why not you or Kyle or Jessica?" I rephrase, belatedly realizing how rude I must've sounded.
Kyle fishes for a cookie and offers the jar to the impassive woman, who finally concedes. She fishes for a cookie and inspects the imperfectly perfect masterpiece. "I'm not well versed in faction politics, neither do I want to learn it. The same goes for the rest. We're comfortable with our current jobs." She eyes Kyle and the golden circle warily. Once she's convinced it isn't poison, she offers the jar to Jessica, who concedes as well.
I had made three jars yesterday - Eric's request.
"And we hate Marcus too," Kyle pipes enthusiastically. He nods animated as Veronica takes her first bite, wiggling his eyebrows at her while she chews. I force myself to stare straight ahead. If Eric and I made eye-contact, I may just burst out laughing. A few days away from the faction and the leaders have morphed into cookie-loving children.
I'm a little worried.
"Okay, it's pretty good," Veronica sighs, sharply glaring Kyle for continuing his brow-dance. Jessica nods as well, sliding the jar back to me. I suppose it's progress.
"Then you'll take Eric's place on faction relations." Veronica takes notice of my freeze. "Your job scope is flexible, since you know…" she gestures to the man next to me with her head. I get her point immediately, but just like Kyle, she continues the gesture for a few more embarrassing seconds. "Is that a yes?" She looks straight at Eric this time. All of us do the same.
Eric's cookie is gone. He must've eaten it sometime when I was talking. He's staring at me, face blank. Neither of us expected this to happen. Although I did suggest the possibility last night, Eric had shut it down, saying there's no way they would do something so 'idiotic'. Hence, we only briefly discussed the three logical possibilities; Eric retaining his position (unlikely), Eric losing his position (probably), or Eric getting kicked from the faction (hopefully not). I had mentally mapped out how we would go from there. Eric wasn't particularly talkative, spending most of the late evening watching me bake silently.
He's been acting off since we arrived at Dauntless. I hope it only a temporary episode. He appears to want his space.
Sabre stirs awake from his nap, confused by the silence. He's sitting on a chair to the other side of me. Kyle had requested his presence in the meeting, speaking how the hero should be 'honored'. Jessica was less than thrilled, but she didn't complain. My dog behaved, quickly settling onto his leather chair and not fidgeting much other than the occasional ask for pets. He dozed off around the time Jeanine's trial was being discussed – the morning jog was long. Kyle whipped out his phone for pictures when Sabre fell asleep the same way Gunner does when watching me work.
The dog sniffs my arm, warm wet breath on my skin. I stretch a hand to soothe him.
Finally, after a minute of silence, Eric breaks eye contact to face Veronica. "You trust my judgment?"
Veronica frowns, puzzled. "Should we not? You fit the position well."
"How so?" Much like Eric's hesitation, their offer is too good to be true. Surely they know Eric had whole-heartedly planned to decimate a faction. Were they not at the hearing? Did the truth serum somehow not work on him?
Veronica's gaze turns uneasy. She glances at the other two leaders for help, who shrug unhelpfully. "Well, since you're a…" Her eyes flit to me then back to Eric, seeking permission.
"She knows."
"A divergent. Your 'qualities' fit the role better. The leader should be brave as well as smart, it was something Max lacked."
Fair enough, albeit shallow.
"You don't want to lead the faction?" Now it's Kyle's turn to be confused. "We thought you'll be happy to hear the news." Jessica nods in agreement.
Eric's response is as flat as his expression. He jerks his thumb at me, like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Then choose her. She's smart, brave, and kind. Our faction lacks sympathy, much less empathy. It'll do us some good to be more considerate. Maybe new changes will calm the factionless." His tone is wry and awfully dry.
I blink, unsure of how to act to his sudden outburst. A part of me is hurt by his delivery, despite the words being nothing short of true.
Kyle glances to Veronica, mildly panicked. "Well yes, but-"
"I'll pass, thanks." I slowly push the thumb away, staring at Eric cautiously. His expression is still flat and emotionless. I look away. "I'm barely halfway through my trainee program. Leading a faction should be best left to someone more experienced," I force a chuckle, directing my words to no one in particular. Never mind my lack of experience, I can already think of a bazillion problems that'll sprout up, starting with my faction of origin. I doubt anyone will be happy with an apple-picker now leading the city's protectors.
"As Veronica said, traits come first, experience second. I'm sure you'll pick up quickly."
My face pinches. Is that… jealously? I tense my legs and turn to Sabre. The dog watches me curiously, tilting his head. No, it couldn't be. Eric couldn't be jealous of me, he's way too good for me to begin with. Eric's nothing like Four, he doesn't harbor bitterness against me. He's been nothing but supportive of everything I've done, never once voicing he would like to do what I've accomplished or to be me instead.
I don't want to think about it.
Veronica saves me. "Well yes, but Anna has a point. And no offense to you, Anna," she dips her head apologetically. I wave it off. "But we chose you, not her, to lead the faction."
No reply.
Veronica continues, and I feel bad for her. "Look, I understand you've just arrived home yesterday and everything is a mess. How about you give it some thought and inform us once everything's settled with Jeanine?"
I've decided not to dwell on Eric's cold behavior. He didn't plan to talk, so I won't push. For all I know, something personal could've came up and he's not comfortable with sharing it yet.
"They look like worms with legs!"
I blink, offended. "They do not."
Uriah moans and grabs Zeke by the sleeve, effectively pulling him out of a conversation with Shauna. "Look!"
Zeke's expression sours from being pulled away, promptly snapping at his brother. He stops when he notices me, brightening to see I've finally showed up. A second later, he's back to scowls when his gaze flicks down to the dogs. I would've found it comical if they were reacting to anything else except me and the boys. "What was it you said earlier?" he asks Uriah.
"Worms," Uriah unhelpfully answers.
"Yeah, they look like worms." Nonetheless, Zeke still steps forward to greet them. "I understand the earmuffs, but goggles?"
"Flashing lights," I supply.
Zeke nods in understanding. "Fine. I guess they look really cool."
"Right? I want one too." The ski-style goggles are very Dauntless. Impressive, considering it was made in Amity. Though the lenses are black, their frames match the dogs' individual vest colors; Gunner dark green, Sabre black, and Hawk light brown. As a cherry on top, their names are also stitched to the straps.
The dogs are taking in everything excitedly. Their tails wag as they survey the packing stadium. Other than the fact the dogs are in dire need of a distraction, today falls on the weekly tournament; I figured it would be a good time to bring them. The rest of the team bound over once they notice the canines. They shower the dogs in loving pets, while me in polite impolite comments of their appearance. I laugh it off, having accepted the fact they don't understand the measures I take.
Zeke asks if I would be joining the competition, as they have an extra spot due to Four's injury. I decline, using the dogs as an excuse to sit out. No way am I putting myself out there; I haven't played for over a month.
Axel's here too.
"Aren't you supposed to be away?"
Axel staggers back, hand flying to his chest. His lips part in mock hurt. "Ouch." Lynn throws a distasteful glare to his back when he almost collides into her.
I shrug. "I was told you're rarely at Dauntless, always traveling between factions or something." We're at the sidelines watching Zeke in a match. He's currently winning, a second evasion in order.
Axel bends down to greet the dogs, mostly Sabre. "Yea, but I've been called back with everything going on. I'm taking some load off Kyle until this whole Jeanine fiasco is fixed." He raves to Sabre on his coloring, praising how beautiful it looks. When he thinks I'm not paying attention, he cups the dog at the cheeks with the promise to become best friends. My dog, too distracted by everything around him, unknowingly agrees with pants.
I watch the interaction feeling out of place. "So… I never did thank you for helping me back there." Gunner could've been dead had not he stepped in on time. "Thank you."
He straights and beams. It's the first time I notice a dimple on his cheek. "You're welcome. I've been meaning to make it up to you. I'm glad I was there at the right time." He sticks out a hand between us. "Friends?"
I stare at possibly the most seven-year-old thing I've heard since seven. "Is that what you said to Eric too?" I ask warily. If so, Eric has some questionable friend choices.
He laughs and nods. "Yea, same exact question. He showed me the middle finger and told me to fuck off."
I hum in understanding. "Got it." Doing as Eric had done, I sweetly say, "Fuck off."
My father catches my eyes, desperate and teary. "Anna please, you need to get to mom. She's alone and and she-"
His head is thrust to the side, the gun on his head comes to view. "Shut it! Stop talking or I'll shoot!" The gun cocks.
The man before me keeps his composure calm. He blocks half my view, and I don't bother to step aside. "Stacy, put the gun down. As I've said earlier, I won't do anything so long as you-"
"No!" The gun is pressed further to my father's temple. He begins to visible shake, hands squeeze together. "You'll kill me! Just like she killed him! Where's Jeanine? Tell me where is Jeanine!"
Eric takes cautious steps forward, but only makes two steps before she directs the gun at him and screams. His hands raise in surrender. "Nobody is dead, Stacy. Cole's vitals are stable, he's alright. And Jeanine is speaking with Max, we're only here for Adrian."
"No, you're not! You killed her! She didn't text me! And Cole is dying! He's dying because of that!" The way Hawk bristled, I can tell the gun is now aimed at him.
"Anna, please tell your mom that I'm sorry." My throat is tight, I can't say anything. "I'm sorry."
"I said shut up! Stop talking! I said I will-" My ears ring. A spark on the ground two feet away from Hawk. The dog yelps as the bullet ricochets off the floor. He yanks on the leash and twists, but my hold remains firm. "Step back!" Click. The gun is cocked again. "Step back or I'll do it again!"
Eric continues making slow steps towards her. He doesn't check on Hawk, attention completely focused on the hysterical woman. "Stacy, calm down. Let me help you before anyone else gets hurt."
"No! I said stop!"
He lunges for her.
Pak!
Darkness greets me.
This is my first nightmare. The first since Maple died.
My heart is still racing. I fist my shirt and sit up. Pressing a palm to my temple, I sigh. I should've seen it coming. Perhaps this is my mind finally reacting to what had happened. It's delayed, yes, but better late than never.
The clock reads 4:16 am. It's too early to wake up. I wouldn't last the day at this rate. Laying back down, I stare up into nothing. I shut my eyes, but the scene of my dad greets me. He falls like a sack of potatoes - ungraceful and heavy. The hole in his head is trickling with blood, soaking the hair surrounding. This scene replays over and over, a loop that I can't stop.
4:35 am.
Screw it.
I slip out of bed and down a glass of water. The television is still running in the darkened room. A boring uneventful show plays to help people at this ungodly hour sleep. This was my attempt for achieving whine-less sleep. Even with a day full of activities and a night of being in a new environment, the dogs' energy wasn't drained enough. They have yet to get over the deaths, sadness still kicking in once the night turns quiet.
Their misery started to becoming suffocating. The way they refused to sleep and co-ordinately whine by my ear irritated me to no end.
And with four straight horrible nights, my sympathy has been stretched thin.
Keying in the password to the door opposite mine, I cross my fingers and pray he didn't double lock.
He didn't.
I'm about to enter his room when his words suddenly hit me.
I tried everything; booze, sex, beating the crap out of people... Then I saw you.
My fingers hover over his bedroom door, a sudden chill going down my spine.
I take a deep breath and slowly exhale. No, Anna. You know it's not like that. Eric's better than this, he wouldn't...
Watching you... calms me... It showed me a world where everything was simple, not fucked up.
How can I explain that? I retract my hand completely and swallow.
The dogs are awake when I re-enter my apartment. They stand around the door, confused but happy by my return. I don't share their enthusiasm, mumbling a greeting and switching off the television. With a 'come', they follow me in my bedroom, excitingly finding their own comfortable spots. The dogs snuggle close; Sabre and Hawk on either side and Gunner at the end.
They do not share my new revelation, nor do they share the newfound ache in my chest.
A/N
Lil bit distracted by thinking of writing a paranormal fiction.