Chapter 2

Tobias pov:

I wake early the pull of sleep heavy on my body. Last night I slept restlessly I always do on the night of my mum's memorial. I sigh and dress quickly in my gym gear opting for black shorts and a black muscle tee I pull on my running shoes and leave my house soundlessly a habit I had picked up from my childhood to come and go quietly and leave little to no traces. I put in my air pods and begin my morning run I opened the pit training camp about 4 years ago, the pit is an elite training camp for special ops agents however we do also run a civilian boot camp on the outer reaches of the grounds. As I reach the top of the hill that overlooks the small town, I slow my pace to a jog and let the gentle breeze cool my skin. I didn't mind so much being on my own however the nights where long and sometimes it's nice to hear someone's voice not just your inner monologue. I signed the papers to transfer ownership of the gym in the town yesterday I didn't know Al however we had struck a deal before he passed away. I sigh at myself he didn't pass away he killed himself and hurt everyone around him his funeral was last week, and you could tell that the whole town was deeply affected. I feel my phone buzz in my pocket it's the gate alarm I check my watch no one should be here at this time. On high alert I run towards one of the weapons stashes at the gate perimeter and slowly gun concealed I make my way to the main gate it takes me less than five minutes to get there and I see a large black SUV parked at my gate leaning heavily on the horn. This wouldn't be the first time someone had tried to break in to the pit and so the government authorised me to protect the gates accordingly no-one should be able to breach the special ops training ground they would be able to discover agents names and identities the whole compound would have to be shut down and I would lose my government contacts this is why I bought the local gym to relocate the boot camp secure the FBI and CIA contracts my brow furrows as I look at the business logo on the front of the truck Pared deliveries. I didn't order anything why is a delivery truck here. The driver seemingly exasperated with my caution gets out of the SUV and slams the door reaching for his mobile and dialling a number. I'm just about to make my way back to the house and call my CIA contact when my phone rings loudly giving away my position to the potential intruder I curse under my breath and look down at who is calling. Zeke it's been over a month since we've spoke, he has the worse timing. The intruder swings around brows furrowed then I notice his face. Zeke stands at the driver's side of the truck on the small dirt road that leads to the main gate. He looks at the pistol in my hand and sighs. 'you going to let me in, or shall I take this back.' He holds up a black box tied in red ribbon I relax and chuckle slightly keying in the code, so the heavy metal gates swing open.

Zeke places the box on the hood of his car and walks towards me for a hug, I have to remind myself not to shy away from other affections and accept his quick hug. 'how you been man?' Zeke asks 'when did you move up here? I thought the guy who ran this was some sort of James bond.'

'hey man. I'm good, this is my place I opened about four years ago I didn't know you were living up this way man.' I reply trying not to give away too much. My many years as a black ops' specialist making me cautious about how much I give away even to my best friend. Zeke and I had grown up next to each other until I was 16 when my mum died Marcus moved me away to 'grieve' which to Marcus meant. A year of brutal beatings and torture before shipping me off to a military academy where I would 'learn to be a man' and since then Zeke and I had a monthly phone call to keep in contact that's when I wasn't on missions or in active combat. Zeke was my best friend and yet he knew so little about me. 'let's head up to the house and you can share whatever is in that box' I lightly pat him on the shoulder as he gets into his car and drives through the gates. I lock the gate behind his car and reset the alarm. I jump into his car and we ride in comfortable silence.

I sit on my couch Zeke next to me with a cup of coffee and listen to him update me on his life his business his family. Shauna; Zeke's high school sweetheart is now his wife and they're planning on traveling Uriah has a girlfriend called marline she grounds him and makes him all the more palatable. He tells me about Chris, and will who run the flower shop and will be getting married in the fall then he reaches for the black box still sitting unopened on the coffee table.

'and this was sent courtesy of tris, she runs the little bakery in town have you ever been? Dauntless it's all black and red but the cakes… oh man the cakes' he kisses his fingers and extends the box towards me. I undo the red ribbon and find a small note attached to the top of the box it reads: any friend of Zeke is a friend of mine. Welcome to dauntless.' I open the box and can hardly believe the array of treats that lie inside the box strawberry tarts and cupcakes but the best looking by far is two slices of a chocolate cake with chocolate butter cream. Zeke points to the slices that I had been so enticed by as if reading my mind.

'she calls it dauntless cake and people come from all over to get some man and if you think it looks good wait till you taste it.' I rise to go grab some plates to put the cake on.

'this better be as good as you say Zeke, I'm not supposed to eat shit like this could totally ruin my rep' I joke as soon as the first forkful of the smooth cake hits my tongue my eyes go wide. This must be the best thing I've ever tasted. Zeke laughs and demolishes his cake in between mouthfuls he tells me how everyone can't wait to meet me I'm just about to object when he says. 'before you say no the parties tonight everyone is coming, and I know you have a paintball think booked here tomorrow because it's me that booked it so no excuses.' A smug smile crosses his face 'I'll tell tris to bring some dauntless cake.' I roll my eyes.

'fine I'll be there' Zeke fist pumps.

'I'll be by at 8 to pick you up you can crash at mine and we'll get back for the paintball session bright and early.' He jumps up and leaves before I can say anything else.

I sit in the quiet of my house thinking about all the times Zeke and I spent together in high school. Before I know it its 7pm so I shower quickly and dress for the party in black jeans and a white shirt at 8pm Zeke honks his horn at the front door I disabled the gate alarm knowing he'd be back, and we make the short drive to his house.

The music is blaring as Zeke and I enter his house Shauna stands at the end of the hallway and runs towards us squealing and dives into my arms.

'four omg how have you been I haven't seen you in forever you got bigger why do you still go by four?' Shauna rushes over her words I chuckle slightly and just respond with a.

'hi Shauna.' Putting her down on her feet she grabs my arm and pulls me through the party to the kitchen rambling on all the way.

I stand in the kitchen with Shauna as she clears her throat 'ladies and gentlemen… four.' Seven heads snap up at the sound of Shauna's voice, and I am quickly enveloped in hugs and handshakes I'm quickly introduced to Christina and her fiancé will, marline Uriah's girlfriend and Lynn and her boyfriend matt. Uriah gives me a quick hug and before I can be introduced to the last member of the group. Uriah's voice booms through the party' if you weren't invited here personally get out.' The rooms quickly empty and Zeke's friendship group is all that's left.

'I figured you'd prefer a smaller gathering' Zeke says quietly in my ear.

'thanks' I quietly reply.

I freshen my drink and follow the group to the living room; a small blonde girl passes me on her way back to the kitchen I haven't been introduced to her, so I follow Zeke to the living room. Zeke Uriah and I pull the couches and chairs into a large circle in the living room. Will and Christina bring bottles of alcohol and mixers through Shauna has snacks and Lynn and matt are too busy kissing on one of the chairs we've pulled round. We all settle into the couches and are making small talk when the small blond girl comes into the room with a large chocolate cake and a huge butcher's knife, she places the cake on the coffee table where the rest of the snacks have been placed then quickly leaves to get side plates. That must be tris. Chris and will settle into a chair together Shauna and Zeke take a chair Lynn and matt haven't moved at all and marline and Zeke take another sofa leaving one for me, tris rounds the corner side plates in hand and pouts a little at Chris who feigns innocence. Tris crosses to me and slits on the floor in front of the chair with her back pressed against the chair leg. I lean down and whisper in her ear 'I don't bite you know.' She blushes an adorable shade of pink and shakes her head before she can respond I reach down and pick her up from under her arms and place her on the small chair next to me.

'four' I say smiling at the look of sheer astonishment on her beautiful face.

'tris' she whispers back never breaking eye contact.

'oh, so it's your bakery, Zeke raves about your cakes.' I notice everyone is staring at us and quickly clear my throat. We spend the rest of the night laughing drinking and getting to know one and other.