I watch mutely as the Dauntless run out, taking my Tris with them. I can't help but be a little fearful of what a future in Dauntless could mean for her, but I calm myself with the knowledge that she is stronger than even she realizes. If anyone can triumph in the wasp's nest that is their compound, it will be her. The Erudite file out more sedately, taking my other child with them.
Beside me, I can feel Andrew shaking with barely suppressed fury, a silent rage that no one else seems to notice. Of course, no one in Abnegation will look for something like that in one of their leaders. They are supposed to be calm and selfless at all times, though this couldn't be farther from reality. I've heard some nasty rumors about Marcus Eaton in particular, and I'm not sure they're entirely untrue.
The Candor walk out, and the Amity are the last to leave, laughing and joking as they exit. By some unspoken agreement, the members of Abnegation stand and begin to put away the chairs and clean up the droplets of blood left on the floor by some initiate's shaking hands.
We work in silence, but it's not uncomfortable. Most of Abnegation would only be nervous if we talked and joked the way the Amity do. It's just not in our nature. With all of us working together, we are quickly finished and we exit quietly, closing the door softly behind us.
As we reach our neighborhood, families begin to break off, some taking the new initiates to their quarters. Near the end of the street, we reach our house and Andrew opens the door for me, silently ushering me inside. I thought he would have relaxed a little by the time we were home, but I can still see the cold fury wreathing his steel gray exterior, and I can't help but shudder. This cold stranger is not the man I love.
I know he sees the fact that both of his children chose other factions as a betrayal, but I think that Caleb's departure wounded him the most. He has a history with Erudite, and recently it's been unpleasant.
"I can't believe it," he says hoarsely "both of our children deserted us!" His voice gets louder with each word, ending on a near-shout, and for once I am glad that gossip is frowned upon in this faction. If it weren't, the whole neighborhood would be talking about it by tomorrow.
"They have to make their own choices, Andrew. They're not our babies anymore. They needed to leave." I say softly, hoping to placate him. I reach out to touch his shoulder, but he flinches away from me. I wince at the rejection, but I know it's only because he's deeply hurt over what he views as a betrayal of the worst kind.
"You're right," he says as he turns to face me, and for a second i think he's come to his senses. but then, he says six words that I can hardly believe he'd ever think, much less actually say, "Those traitors are not our children. They're dead to us."
A/N: I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to write anything! I've been insanely busy with school and worrying about the SAT I take this Saturday, but I wanted to update something, and this is the one I've neglected the longest. I'll try to update my other 2 stories before the end of next week or sooner if i can. Thank you all so much for reading though, and I would really appreciate it if you would fave/follow/review.
And once again, thanks to fanficfollower for being so awesome and patient with me!