Chapter Three

"Stiff."

"Peter. What do you want?" I state, the content grin I previously had disappearing instantly. I feel Tobias walk to the door to stand behind me, glowering at Peter.

"Can't a friend stop by and say hello? See how you and Four here are doing?"

"Psh. Friends. That's a bit of a stretch, don't you think?" I feel Tobias tense up behind me as Peter and I continue our glaring contest.

"I guess you're right. Hmmm… what did I come here for… Oh, yes! Now I remember! I wanted to remind you and your little boy toy here that I haven't forgotten about initiation. I know something was up, I'd watch my back if I were you Stiff."

In an attempt to prevent Tobias from lunging at him then and there, I decide to play it off nonchalantly with an eye roll. "Whatever, Peter. Honestly, if you think I'm such a weak little stiff, why are you so afraid of me? Leave. Now." And with that, I shut the door in his face. Or attempt to, anyways. Typical Candor. They always have to have the last word.

"I'm coming for you, Stiff."

With that, Tobias makes an intimidating growling noise and forces the door closed.

"Are you okay?" he asks, heartwarming concern plastered onto his features.

"It's Peter. He's just pissed he didn't get a higher ranking and couldn't get a better job."

"The last time Peter didn't get what he wanted he stabbed someone in the eye and tried to throw you into the chasm. I don't think his threats are empty, Tris."

"I know, Tobias, but there's nothing I can do about it right now. I'm Dauntless and I will be brave. Let's just continue our lives with a little bit more caution and forget about it. Besides, I'm hungry."

"Tris, you have to promise me that you won't go doing anything stupid if he threatens one of the rest of us." At my sign of protest, he reiterates this demand, "Promise me, Tris."

"Fine. I promise. Let's go get food," I state, in a desperate attempt to get him to finally drop the subject.

"Alright," he says, still giving me that wary look, as if to say, "I'm not so sure about this."

****time lapse woot woot (approximately three hours) woot woot time lapse****

As we lounge on the couch, once again admiring our tree, with Tobias humming Christmas carols to me, there is once again a knock on the door. This time, though, it's a much softer knock. Still frantic, just not excessively heavy.

I open the door to reveal Christina looking happy as ever. She walks in to the apartment and stops dead in her tracks when she sees the tree.

"You two did this? Seriously? Was this like a display or something?" she questions. Jeez, Chris, have a little more faith.

"Well, Chris, while I appreciate the faith you had in my ability, believe it or not this was not a display. It in fact is the tree we created while you were off with Will."

"I'm so proud, my little Tris is growing up." I hear Tobias chuckle in the background as Chris pretends to shed a tear. I gently push her arm, laughing a little myself.

"Anyways, Four, I'm stealing Tris for the night. Will and I are having a Christmas party this weekend and Tris is going shopping with me." I begin to protest but realize that will get me nowhere, so I settle for a reluctant glance at Tobias followed by a mouthed, "I love you," before I'm dragged down the hallway and to the Pit.

"So the party theme is Ice: Dangerously beautiful. I've already decided what I want you to wear so you should be happy about that, it's less time we have to spend shopping."

"Woo," I say, only slightly sarcastic. At least I can get home earlier than I had anticipated.

"Alright. So you have two options. One: you can where all white and have a very dark smoky eye, or you can wear all black and have very angelic looking makeup. Your choice."

"Ummm… all black with angelic makeup?"

"I thought you'd like that. Alright, let's go buy some stuff!"

*Shopping woot shopping woot shopping woot shopping woot shopping woot shopping*

After about two hours, Christina finally releases me to head back to my apartment with my bags in tow. I never thought that I'd have to buy that much stuff for one outfit.

As I walk down the hallway, I get this eerie feeling that I'm being followed. I turn around, and upon seeing no one, I continue my walk, slightly picking up my pace, upon nearing the apartment.

I begin to hear footsteps behind me and migrate from a fast walk to a slight jog. The apartment is in view now and I only have a bit farther to go.

The footsteps pick up speed and I shoot into a full on sprint. I begin to wonder if Tobias would hear me if I screamed, but think that I can make it a bit farther before that will be necessary.

I thought wrong.

Before I know it, a strong arm has wrapped around my waist and the other has a hand covering my mouth. I manage to bite the hand covering my mouth, causing my attacker to release it momentarily before I take that opportunity to scream for Tobias and knee them in the groin.

"FOUR!" I yell, praying to God that he can hear me. I see a shadow at the opposite end of the hallway and realize that it's Uriah. I let out one more shrill scream before a fowl smelling cloth covers my mouth and everything goes dark.

A/N: I know, you guys hate me. Two cliffhangers in one night? I'm cruel. I would've continued writing but I'm exhausted. Next chapter will be up tomorrow morning! Who do you guys think the attacker is? Did Uriah hear Tris scream? Did Tobias hear Tris scream? All will be revealed in the morning. Again, thanks to all of you beautiful readers, followers, favoriters, and reviewers for inspiring me to write! If it weren't for y'all I would've given up on this after the first chapter. Love you guys! Review, please! xx~ chrissym453