CHRISTINA
I UNDERSTAND WHY Zeke left; he was a good friend of Tobias'.
Is a good friend.
Tobias is still alive, I'm sure of it. I'm not going to let some big tough guy from the middle of nowhere get away with kidnapping my friend. Amar looks like he is going to follow after Zeke, but then decides against it.
"I'm going to head to the control room, see if I can find anything that might help us with defeating Viktor." He leaves the room and I'm left alone with Evelyn.
She's almost stopped crying now, swiping her fingertips beneath her eyes to remove any tear stains. I suddenly remember something I'd been meaning to ask her.
"Hey, Evelyn," I ask. She looks up at me, and even though her eyes are red, she's beginning to regain her composure.
"Do you remember if you happened to tell anybody about our trip to the fringe?"
"Tobias told me he was going with you three to act as a political figure and I was so proud of him. I told Abraham Stellos—I was bragging, honestly." She smiles at little. "And we talked about how much he'd grown and how he was going to make a fine leader one day…" she fades off and stares at the wall, engrossed in her memories, but I've stopped listening.
Abraham Stellos.
There's that name again.
He's a good man, you know," says Evelyn, coming back to reality. She sounds a little defensive, but I can understand. It must seem like I'm accusing Abraham of treachery. "I think he might be the answer. He always makes me feel happy and important. Not like…"
I know whom she means, but she can't say his name.
"Anyway, he's gone now, and Abraham has moved into my life. And he most certainly did not betray anyone."
Her black hair wraps around her jaw and casts a shadow on her face. Her dark eyes bore into me as they glare meaningfully, and I shudder. I'd hate to ever cross Evelyn's dark side.
"But I told only him, no one else."
"Thank you, Evelyn. I don't think that he betrayed anybody, but if someone else knew, there's no telling if they let something slip or not."
"I'm heading back to the farming district now if you'd like to some and ask him yourself."
I consider the idea. It's probably best, seeing as it can only help when it comes to finding Tobias.
"I'll let someone know where we're going so they don't worry, and meet you at the west entrance."
She nods and then leaves the room and I head down the opposite corridor, looking for Zeke or Amar.
If Abraham didn't tell anyone, then that makes everything easier. It limits our possible suspects to Oliver, Eli, Evelyn, Johanna, George and Abraham. Of course, if Abraham did tell somebody, then it means anybody could have betrayed us. It doesn't completely rule out the primary suspects, but there's a bigger chance that someone not as close to Tobias gave away his location.
But I can't forget the four of us who took the trip. I didn't tell anybody and neither did Marie, as far as I know. Tobias wouldn't throw himself into danger unless he's been on their side all along and this is just a trap.
But he wouldn't waste the past three years of his life convincing us otherwise. That leaves Amar and Zeke, who I would never convict of such a crime in my life, but I can't rule them out completely.
It could be anybody, really.
We can't seem to get any closer to finding out about Viktor and this mystery spy than we were the day those men ambushed us at the church. I scowl at the ground and shake my head to clear my thoughts. I'd begun walking faster without even realizing it. I turn a corner and collide with Justin.
I fall to the floor and he stumbles a little, catching himself on the wall.
"Are you okay?" he asks, offering me his hand. A small smile plays at the edge of his lips.
"Yeah, I'm really sorry," I say. I can feel the blood rush to my cheeks and I don't meet his green eyes.
"No, it's my fault. I wasn't looking where I was going." I take his hand and stand up. I hastily brush the dirt from my jeans and regain my composure.
"Hey, would you mind telling Amar or Zeke that Evelyn and I are going to the farm district? We'll be back by tomorrow morning, but I didn't want anyone to worry."
"Sure can," he says.
"Right. Thanks." I don't know what else to say, so I turn swiftly and begin to walk in the direction that I came.
Way to be so smooth, that you fell down, I think to myself.
I can't deny that Justin's messy brown hair and green eyes are sort of attractive, not to mention his kind-heartedness, even after everything he's been through.
But I can't do that to Will.
I know it's been nearly three years, but I feel like he died believing I still liked him. Which I did.
But I can't stay hung up on Will forever. He would want me to move on and be happy, even if that meant dating other people.
I turn around, and nearly run into Justin a second time. He grabs my shoulders to prevent our collision.
"Hey, sorry, my fault again," he says, grinning.
I laugh.
"Do you mind if I…walk you to wherever you're going?" he asks.
"Not at all," I say, flashing a flirtatious smile at him over my shoulder.
He bows nobly and gestures with his arms for me to lead the way. "My lady," he says.
I smile and start walking towards the east entrance. Since Chicago was reestablished, the content of the history lessons at the school have changed. Instead of including the factions and all their severity, they date back to some of the earliest generations of humans. I've read up on some of the things that they didn't teach us. One of my favorites is the medieval times, where chivalrous knights displayed acts of kindness and people fought on horses with giant swords.
It's a little odd to read for pleasure instead of being forced, but I kind of enjoy it. I have the freedom to read about what I am interested in and there's no ridicule that accompanies it. I don't know how Justin knew, though; maybe he likes to read as well. Or perhaps he's just a natural.
I smile at the thought and turn to look at him. He's a bit taller than I am, so I have to look up.
"So, why're you going to the farm district?" he asks.
"To talk to Abraham Stellos about our trip to the fringe. Evelyn said she told him, and I want to make sure it stopped there. Otherwise we could have a real mess on our hands." He nods.
"Who's Evelyn?" he asks.
"She's Tobias' mother. She used to be a political leader, but now she works in the farm district."
He pauses for a moment.
"I could come with you, if you'd like. If Abraham did let someone know, then you could have an endless line of possible suspects and you're going to need help interviewing them all."
"Thank you," I say. "It would be wonderful if you joined us."
"Great, let me just go tell Annie or Arian where we're going."
He runs off down the hall and then reappears about five minutes later, completely out of breath.
"Maybe a workout is in your future?" I joke.
"Are you kidding?" he says in between gasps. "That was my workout for the month." I laugh and he gives me a good-natured shove.
We begin to walk towards the east entrance.
"So let's say that hypothetically, the story stopped with Abraham," Justin says. "That would leave the possible suspects as him, Evelyn, the four of you who went, and who else?"
"George, Oliver, Eli, Johanna, and my boss, Marie."
"But you don't think any of them gave you all away, do you?" he says quietly.
"Would you be able to convict your own friends?" I ask, looking him in the eyes. They convey understanding and sorrow. I forget to breathe for a moment and then he looks away.
We've reached the east entrance. Evelyn is there waiting for us and we all head out to the car.
"Justin is going to come with us," I say. Evelyn nods and climbs into the driver's seat. It's a quiet trip to the farms. We're all thinking about Abraham's answer. If he kept it secret, that means someone we know betrayed us. But if he told others, then there is a very small chance that we'll ever uncover the spy.
I'm not sure which one I'd rather be faced with.
We pull onto the little side road where I saw Abraham the first time. Evelyn knocks on one of the doors to the small houses and it opens. A tall, well-built man with a mop of sandy brown hair stands in the doorway. His eyes are deep brown and they scan us with a level of curiosity before landing on Evelyn. They soften and she smiles.
"Abraham," she says, "this is Christina and Justin. If you don't mind, they have a question to ask you."
"Yeah, yeah, absolutely!" he says enthusiastically. "Come on in!" The inside is much like the one where we met Evelyn, with no artificial lighting. Candles illuminate the room and oversized furniture rests in front of a burning fireplace. Autumn is nearly here and the cold has come earlier than usual.
"What can I do for you?" asks Abraham after we've all taken a seat. I'm distracted for a moment by a delicious smell coming from the kitchen, but I snap back when Abraham speaks.
"Yes. Evelyn informed us that she mentioned to you about our trip to the fringe."
"Ah, yes! Tobias is really coming along on this whole politician route. She tells me about when he used to be one of the best fighters in Dauntless. What a change!" He laughs at the thought, and Evelyn joins in, her high voice mixing with his deep one.
"Do you happen to remember if you told anybody about that?" I ask.
"I do believe I may have mentioned it at a meeting. I was promoting a new idea about recruiting for the farms and suggested sending a representative to talk to the fringe transfers, just as Tobias was going to represent the government."
My stomach feels like it's in my feet.
"How many people were at this meeting, exactly?" Justin asks when I don't speak.
All I can do is stare at the floor in dismay, dreading the answer.
"Well, it was a meeting for the head staff of the Farming Corporation, so about twenty."
I gasp.
"Twenty?" says Justin, incredulous.
"Yeah. Why do you all look so depressed by that?" Abraham asks, confusion in his tone.
Evelyn finally speaks.
"Tobias has…disappeared," she says with some difficulty. "We believe that whoever took him are the same people that ambushed them at the church."
I glance up and for a moment, I think I see a look of panic in Abraham's eyes. But when I blink, it is gone, replaced by sadness and more confusion.
"They were ambushed at the church? Tobias is missing?"
We told Evelyn everything when we saw her the other night, but it is obvious she had not yet relayed the information to Abraham.
"A group of men lay in wait for them when they went to pick up the fringe transfers. They managed to escape, but a few days later, somebody planted a bomb at the old Dauntless compound, broke in and kidnaped Tobias. One of our own overheard something about a 'Rogav' who was planning to come to the city in search of the 'translatable rebels'. We believe that Viktor Rogav is the one behind this," she finishes.
Abraham is silent as he lets the new information sink in.
"We were hoping to find out who may have given away our position to Viktor, but with twenty new possibilities…"
"I see," says Abraham. "I truly am sorry. I would not have spoken had I known." His previously cheerful mood has disappeared, replaced by sadness and frustration. There's a long silence before anybody speaks again. The flames crackle as they burn through the wax and it sounds like my life, falling apart around me, burning slowly to the ground.
"Would any of you care for some potato casserole? Maybe that will help take our minds off this painful subject for a moment," Abraham suggests.
Evelyn and I nod absentmindedly.
"I'll go set up some plates and then bring them in."
He stands and Justin jumps up from his chair.
"I'll help you," he adds hastily. Abraham smiles at him and they both head into the kitchen.
I'm deep in thought, as is Evelyn, when there's a loud bang from the kitchen. I leap up and run to the doorway, Evelyn on my heels. The scene before me is the last thing I expected to see.
Justin has Abraham pinned up against the cabinets, his hand wrapped in Abraham's shirt collar. In his other hand is a knife, pressed threateningly against Abraham's neck.
"You slimy, pathetic TRAITOR!" yells Justin. His face is red and his eyes have turned from a gentle sea green to a raging storm. I've never seen him lose his temper.
Abraham is sweating, his eyes bright with panic.
"Tell them what you did!" spits Justin, hatred forming each of his words.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Abraham yells frantically. "Please!" He tries to take Justin's hand away from his throat, but Justin just shoves the knife harder into his neck, leaving a red mark.
"Justin!" I yell desperately, trying to get his attention.
He turns, rage contorting his face.
"He betrayed you, Christina! He's the one you're looking for!" I shake my head back and forth. There's no way that Abraham is the traitor.
"Why do you say that?" I ask.
He pauses, unsure of his answer.
"I just know," he says, knowing it won't be enough to convince me.
"Let him go, Justin." He looks reluctant, but throws a nasty look at Abraham before releasing him. His hands go immediately to his neck and he backs away from Justin. Evelyn breaks free form her trance and surges forward, catching Abraham in an embrace. She leads him from the room, but all I can do is stare at Justin.
"Why would you do that?" I ask faintly.
He looks at me anxiously. "Christina, please, I can explain. Back at home, I could—"
Something snaps inside of me. "But you aren't there anymore, Justin! This is your home now and you can't just go off and start accusing people of being a traitor!"
I can feel myself about to cry. What got into him? Why did he hold Abraham under a knife and accuse him of such a crime without real proof?
"Christina, just listen. Back at the fringe, I was known for being able to tell things about people by 'reading' them. I could look at their eyes and their body movements and tell if they were lying, or keeping a secret, or feeling uncomfortable. And Christina…" He's closed the distance between us and he brings his hand up to my chin, forcing me to look him in the eye. "He was all three."
I can't fathom the idea of somebody reading another person's body language like that. Does that mean he knows that I like him? Can he tell I'm still grieving over my loss of Tris and Will?
I want to believe him, but the knowledge that Evelyn trusts Abraham enough to love him, holds me back.
"I'm sorry, Justin, but I don't believe you." I force the words out, and quickly turn my back on him. The tears begin to fall and I can feel his desperate stares on my back as I rush out of the room.