I feel a tough and calloused hand gently stroke my cheek. I tell my eyes to open, but they don't want to listen, but a faint moan escapes from my lips. "Tris?" The voice sounds worried, but hopeful. I force my eyes to open, and I am pleased by the view. Tobias' eyes are staring intently into mine, and he lets out a sigh of relief. "Tris." He says it like it's more than just my name, like it's a fact.
I try to sit up, but sharp pains arise from all over my body and I fall back. "Tobias," I try and say it in the same tone that he pronounced my name, but it comes out as a whimper. I go to say more, but his finger presses against my lips.
"Shh, you're okay now." He whispers, only inches from my face. I try to take it all in, his expression, his scent, everything, but it's too much. Before I have a chance to resist, a dark wave of exhaustion takes me over.
When I next wake up, Tobias is sitting next to my bed, quietly talking to someone on the phone. I am able to catch a couple of phrases. "She's been out for almost a week," then I hear some mumbling from the other side of the line. "No, I'm not coming home until she can come wi-" His eyes catch mine and he stops mid-word. "I have to go now, bye mom." My heart flutters when he says the word mom. Both of our missions succeeded and he has reunited with his mom.
"Hi" I say feebly, "miss me?" Before I can say anything else, his mouth pushes against mine. He kisses me with so much passion that all of my pain momentarily washes away. He pulls back and smiles. "I'm taking that as a yes" I say and he starts to laugh.
I try to sit up again, and this time Tobias helps me. His strong hands handle me gently, like he's afraid he's afraid of breaking me. I want to ask him what happened, but my mouth doesn't seem to get the message. Luckily, Tobias always knows what I am about to say. He tells me about what happened in the city. He explains the treaty between Evelyn and Johanna, Peter's memory loss, and everything else that happened. I stare at him in disbelief. Ever since we met, our lives have been nothing but constant danger. Now, everything is over and we're safe. I honestly don't know how to react to this. Tobias senses my insecurity and reaches out to squeeze my hand. "We're together now, let's just focus on that.
I smile and nod before I feel my drowsiness take over. Tobias rests my head back down on my pillow and kisses my forehead. He watches me as I drift into unconsciousness.
In my sleep, I see my mother again, with my father this time. They are smiling at me, their eyes filled with tears. I go over to talk to them, but they back away. "We love you, Tris," my mother tells me, "don't you forget that." I try to step forwards again, but my feet won't let me.
"We'll see you again someday," my father adds, a sad smile spreading across his face, "but it won't be for a long time."
"I'm sorry for my selfis-" I start to apologize, but my mother shushes me once again.
"You are the most selfless person I've ever met." My mom meets my eyes with hers and smiles.
"There is no need to be sorry for anything, you saved an entire city by risking your life. I couldn't have asked for a better daughter." My father looks at me for a moment before adding, "Get well soon, your friends need you." With that, they turn around and walk towards the light. I want to chase after them, to join them in whatever afterlife awaits me, but I know that I am still needed back on Earth. With a tear, I turn around as well and walk back into the darkness.