Thank you so much for the reviews on the previous chapter! Don't worry! This portion of the story is almost over. Depending on how things pan out with this chapter, I might split things up into two chapters. I probably won't go over 2000 words with this chapter. If that happens I hope to have this chapter and the next one done ASAP. There'll be mild language in this chapter.

Added thanks to KIWIEPIE BEATS DAUNTLESS CAKE for your insightful review. You made an excellent point. I will be sure to address that when the time comes which will most likely be the next chapter.

Tris POV

I'm about to head upstairs to shower when the doorbell rings. I groan wondering who it could possibly be. To say I am shocked when I open the door is a gross understatement. I can't help the gasp that escapes my lips. Standing on the other side of the threshold is Peter.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I spit. "How did you know where I live?"

"Watch your tone, Tris. I've been keeping tabs on you for months since our run in at the store. I didn't see a point in making a scene in front of your friends then. I would have if I want to though. I thought I'd make sure that you were alone first before gracing you with my presence again. Lucky for me I just happened to see your boyfriend leave right now so no one would be here to save you. I'm here to take back what's mine."

I scoff. "You practically let me break up with you so why on earth would I want to get back together with you?"

"I admit that was my mistake. Acting weak and pathetic is for sissies. I am most certainly not those things. I am a real man and I always get what I want."

I roll my eyes. Real man, my ass.

"You are the furthest thing from a 'real man'. You are a coward and a bully. You never deserved me."

"Maybe I was wrong to pay attention to you. You are not a woman, you are a small and pathetic little girl. You were always so stiff. Nobody else would've even given you a second glance, but I thought it'd be fun to have you at my disposal."

Anger boils inside me and I am on the verge of tears but I will not let them fall. I need to keep my composure and not let Peter think I'm weak. I am not weak. I am strong. Tobias taught me that and I curse myself that it took me until this moment to realize that. I've been so stupid. At a moment of weakness I pushed away the only person that believes that I am strong and brave. If I don't believe it myself then I am letting Peter win. I am not allowing that to happen.

"Your boyfriend must be insane if he thinks he could get any action from you."

His words threaten to break me as I remember Nita saying almost the exact same thing but I can't and I won't let them break me. Instead I focus on the image of Tobias and hearing him call me strong and beautiful. I will make it through this. I know I can.

"I might just allow myself the pleasure of making you mine, but before I claim my prize, I'll need some extra hands."

Out of nowhere I see two masked men come up and stand behind Peter. How did they get in? The only thing I can see of them is their eyes and mouths. Both of them wear the same evil grin that Peter currently has. I begin to panic as all three of them step toward me. Before I can react three pairs of hands grab me forcefully. One covers my mouth as I start to scream. I think quick and open my mouth with all the strength I have then bite down on the hand. I hear him cry out in pain and let go but that doesn't stop the other two from holding me that much tighter.

Their hands are all over my body and I scream louder, writhing under their grasp. I need to get my arms free if I want to do anything to fight back so I concentrate and attempt to push with all my might. It works just enough for me to reach up and yank the mask from one of the other two men. He freezes just enough for me to see his face. I stare at him and realize he looks familiar. Al. The same Al that Christina tried to set me up with. Will's friend. He stares back at me, horrified. In this moment Peter and the other masked man use the opportunity to pin me to the ground. I hear and feel kicks and punches land on my body. A hand grabs my throat.

I'm not sure how much time passes, whether seconds or minutes, but all of a sudden I hear a shout and the grip on my throat disappears. As I try to regain my breath I hear a scream then thumps, kicks, and groans. I blink a few times and focus as hard as I can on the only face I can see. It is contorted with anger. His eyes are dark blue. Tobias

Strong arms wrap around me and lift me from the ground. Then everything goes black.

PAGE BREAK

Tobias POV

I leave Zeke's place in a flash. I drive home as quick as I can while still remembering to maintain the speed limit. I'm ready to talk and as I'm driving I realize that the fight wasn't just about Tris' lack of trust in me but also my inability to tell her the whole truth. I purposely left out a few things in order to avoid a huge fight with Tris, but I only fueled her reaction by trying to lie and failing miserably. My reaction to her reaction didn't help either. She should be mad at me, not the other way around.

As I'm about to pull into the driveway something catches my eye. I almost don't see it but even from here I can clearly see that the front door to the house is ajar. I don't see Tris or anyone in the front yard so why is the front door open? What is going on? I know I should check out what's going on so I park the car in the driveway without bothering to open the garage door. I get out and walk over to the front door.

As I get closer I hear noises coming from inside the house. As I step inside the noise becomes clearer and I recognize it as screams. Tris' screams. My eyes land on three men, one wearing a mask, pining Tris on the floor. I see their hands everywhere on her body and one of the unmasked men has his hands wrapped around Tris' neck. I am immediately red with rage. I charge forward grabbing one of them and punch him square in the face. He falls to the ground. I ignore him and focus on the man choking Tris. I grab him and pull him off of her. He falls to the ground and I kick him repeatedly. I focus just enough on his face and realize this guy is Peter Hayes. This only makes me angrier. I almost forget that there's a third guy in the room. Peter stops moving so he must be unconscious. The third guy cowers in front of me. It only takes one punch to the gut and a few to his face for him to stop. In the midst of this I barely hear him say:

"We were only trying to scare her."

One more kick and he falls, barely conscious. I turn my attention to Tris who is whimpering and moaning. I carefully gather her in my arms and gently lower her on the couch. She stops moving but thankfully is still breathing. I pull out my phone and dial 911.

Not five minutes later I hear the sirens. I let the police and EMTs inside. While the medics are tending to Tris and her attackers, I explain to the officers what happened. Eventually Tris is put on a stretcher and into the ambulance. I assume Peter and his friends are as well but I don't care what happens to them and focus on Tris. I'm allowed into the ambulance and it heads to the hospital.