I don't own Divergent.
Hey, everyone. Here's an update. Sorry that I haven't been updating for a while...my dad flew in to see me and I've been hanging out with him - I haven't seen him in nearly a month! He comes roughly once a month. Anyway, enjoy!
"Do you like me, Tris Prior?" he asks softly.
I kiss his cheek. "Yes, I do." I move my other hand to his back and gently touch a bandage. "What happened tonight?"
"I like you too, Tris. And...well, after I met Booth, I went home. No one was there for another hour or so, and then Marcus came back and apparently the trip hadn't gone well. He took off his belt and started beating the shit out of me. Then he kicked me out of the house." Tears start forming at the corners of Four's eyes. "And then I thought, 'Where can I go?' And your house was the only place. And then everything else is kind of a blur."
I kiss Four's forehead again. "Shh. Just rest, okay?" Doctor Hodgins catches my eye and jerks his head to the side. I nod. "I'll be right back. Holler if you need anything." Four nods and I step outside.
"Does he have a concussion?" I ask before Doctor Hodgins can get a word out.
"Yes. But it's mild." Doctor Hodgins grips my shoulder. "That's not what I wanted to talk to you about. Four's injuries, along with his record of hospital visits….I have to call CPS."
"They'll put him in foster care!" I protest.
"Not necessarily. They might be able to place him with your father and you. Maybe." Doctor Hodgins hesitates. "If I recommend it."
"Please don't put him in foster care," I beg. "Hasn't he been through enough?"
"I'm going to recommend that he go to your father. It's only for the rest of the year, anyway. He'll be going to college at the end of the year, yes?" He smiles at me and I throw my arms around him. "But it won't be official for at least a few weeks. And he'll have to stay in the county home for those few weeks."
"Thank you, Doctor Hodgins. Say hi to Jack for me," I say, composing myself. He nods and I rejoin Four.
I sit next to his bed while he sleeps. There's a knock at the door and my father stands outside, looking worried. I close the door behind me and hug him tightly. He wraps his arms around me and whispers soothing words.
"Is he going to be all right?" my father asks.
I just nod. "Minor concussion, lots of cuts and bruises. No breaks this time. And Doctor Hodgins is going to recommend we take him until the end of the year, but he's going to have to stay in the county children's home for a few weeks."
"How long is he going to be in the hospital?"
"Through the night and part of tomorrow morning," I answer.
"Then let's go home. We can come see him tomorrow," my dad orders gently.
I shake my head. "I'm staying with him."
"No, Beatrice, we're going home. Uriah and Zeke are here," Dad tells me firmly.
"I'm not leaving."
He sighs. "You're more stubborn than your mother was. Fine, stay. I'll drop off some clothes and such later, okay?"
I hug him one last time and go to talk to Zeke and Uri. I see Marcus in the waiting room and stop.
"Beatrice!" he calls coldly. "Why don't you show me where my son is?"
Zeke, Uri, my father and I glare at him, but I am the one that speaks. "Hell, no, Marcus. You're the one that put him in. He's being put in foster care. Never are you going to see him again, if I can do anything about it. Get out of here before I call security."
"I want to see my son," Marcus insists.
Just then, I see a security guard walk by. Perfect. "Officer!" I call. He walks toward me.
"Yes, miss?" The officer's name is Desmond Brown.
"Officer Brown, that man over there put his son in here and now he wants to see him," I say, pointing at Marcus, who growls at me. "He whipped him so bad he could barely stand and gave him a concussion and he's trying to force me to take him to his son."
Marcus puts an innocent face on. "Why would I ever hurt my son? I'm sure he just fell."
"Liar," my father spits. "I saw him. And Beatrice caught you beating him before. Officer, please remove him from the premises and do not let him back on."
Officer Brown takes Marcus by one arm and drags him out the door. Another guard comes and helps him. Marcus is screaming obscenities and a police car arrives. We watch silently as Marcus is taken away.
"Zeke, Uri," I say softly. "Do you guys want to come see him? He was sleeping, but I can see if he's awake now."
They both nod and follow me. Zeke looks pissed off, and Uri looks furious. "Calm down," I order. "We don't need to stress Four out any more than necessary, okay?" They take deep breaths and I leave them outside his room while I check in on him.
He's asleep, but clearly having a bad dream. He's thrashing about, crying, speaking. I push his shoulders down onto the bed and attempt to pin him down. I guess the pain of having weight on his shoulders wakes him up, because he cries out and his eyes pop open.
"You were having a nightmare," I whisper. "Want to talk about it?"
"Not right now. Are Zeke and Uri out there? Will you let them in?" Four rubs the tears off his cheeks angrily. I nod, kiss his head, and open the door. Zeke and Uri walk in.