I do not own Divergent and Pride and Prejudice. Credit goes to Veronica Roth and Jane Austen.
"Dear lord, what is he doing here," cried out Christina.
"What is it now Christy," Myra put her book down to look at her sister.
"Mr. Alan is here," Christina looked appalled. "Well I'm not going to sit with him for anybody. I don't care what Mama says," Christina stated before taking off.
Mr. Alan spoke to one of the attendants of the Prior's house first and said that he had wished to speak with Mr. and Mrs. Prior. It was a matter of utmost importance. However to his displeasure, Shauna, Beatrice and Myra were the ones to receive him in the sitting room. After explaining his desires to console their parents, Shauna decided to explain.
"Our father is out of town and our mother has not left her bed. She is terribly ill, Sir," Shauna said.
"Well then," Mr. Alan cleared his throat. "I prefer the parents but I suppose that the three of you, my dear sweet young now poor and defenseless cousins," he began. Beatrice could not help but hear the condescension in his tone. "I wanted to speak of the situation that has befallen your youngest sister, Lauren."
"Of course," Beatrice sneered as Shauna turned and touched her hand gently hoping to calm her.
"I feel it my duty as a clergyman and as a close relation," Mr. Alan continued. "I have come to advise your family of the inappropriate situation that your sister has been cursed with. I assure you that I am here to offer my services of condolence and grievances."
"Thank you, Mr. Alan," said Myra. "It is often said that a friend in need is a friend indeed."
Mr. Alan nodded to her and was proud to think that he would be giving us some friendly advice to his poor cousins.
"Be assured that Mrs. Alan and I are greatly distressed at your current situation. It is of the bitterest kind to happen to you all," Mr. Alan started to walk towards the fireplace in the sitting room. "The death of your sister would have been a blessing in comparison to that of loose, immoral, inhibited conduct. Another thing has also come to my attention. Something that my dear Susan warned me would happen because of your sister's evil indulgence. Though I am inclined to believe that she is naturally bad, however it is grievous indeed and would deeply affect the social standing of not just her but also that of yourselves," Mr. Alan concluded looking at them.
"Thank you Sir," said Shauna standing.
"Which I am joined in the opinion of Lady Evelyn," Mr. Alan continued as Shauna sat. "For the misguided step of one sister will prove injurious to the rest," Mr. Alan stared at them with a proud expression. "As Lady Evelyn put it, who would associate themselves with such a family."
Beatrice couldn't help but noted how wickedly arrogant he seemed to think himself. Mr. Alan looked at them as if they were lower than dirt. How odd for someone who was seeking her attention not but almost a year ago.
"Of course," Beatrice stood this time. "Now that you have brought that information to our attention, perhaps you would think it unwise to continue to sit here with us any longer," Beatrice hinted, hoping that he would take his leave. "A clergyman who has close association with Lady Evelyn should not wish to be caught in some company as us."
"You are correct, my dear cousin," Mr. Alan stood up quickly.
"One cannot be too careful," Beatrice smiled falsely at him.
"Yes, yes," Mr. Alan agreed. "It was foolish of me to come here. I send my regards to your father and your mother. I hope, I pray that God show mercy on all of you."
"Insufferable man," Beatrice said the second Mr. Alan left the room.
"Beatrice," Shauna told her. "I'm sure he meant well."
"I assure you he did not. He only meant to condone our situation and congratulate himself on his own happy fortunes," Beatrice replied.
"I think it was nice of him to console our family," Myra stated.
"Look," cried out Christina pointing down the driveway. All four girls rushed out to see that not but one minute after Mr. Alan had left their home, their father's carriage was pulling in.
"Papa," Beatrice ran towards the door.
"Not now Tris," Mr. Prior took off his coat. "Not now Shauna," Mr. Prior took off his hat, continued to walk into his office and shut the door behind him.
It was obvious that their father was unable to locate Lauren.
Meanwhile in Dauntless, Tobias and Ezekiel were playing at the pool table. The attendant walked in and delivered letters to both Mrs. Molly Hayes and Miss Caraline Pedrad.
"It seems Miss Arnett is decorating her ballroom in the French style," noted Molly. "How very unpatriotic," she put her letter down.
"I have something better," said Caraline grabbing onto her sister's hand. "You might want to hear this dear brother," Caraline called towards Ezekiel. "It's regarding your dear Miss Prior. Apparently her father has returned from Amity without the young Lauren Prior. Without any trace of her, even that Uncle we met has returned back to his home. It seems," Caraline laughed a little. "That all hope is lost."
That caught Tobias' attention. "They're giving up the search," Tobias asked.
"It would seem so," Caraline laughed along with her sister, Molly.
Tobias shook his head only a little before leaning down to hit the ball. It missed its destination and Tobias silently cursed. Beatrice was on his mind more often than ever and his feelings for her had never changed. Even after the news of Lauren, there was still a deep affection for Beatrice in his heart.
Ezekiel was up to play seeing that Tobias had missed and took to aiming the ball into the pocket. Ezekiel was shaking a bit from anger at the way his sisters were laughing.
"The letter goes on to mention that the two eldest Prior sisters have not been into town or at any assembly. I'm sure it's because their presence would be unwanted. No one would welcome their company anymore," Caraline laughed as did Molly. "Poor Shauna with all her sweetness will end up all alone."
Ezekiel couldn't help but scratch Tobias' pool table with his stick. There was a deep gash in the material and he was gripping onto the pool stick so hard that Tobias could see his knuckles turning white.
"Are you alright," Tobias asked going to stand by him.
"I am," Ezekiel stood up putting the stick down. "Forgive me Eaton. I do not know what came over me."
"I do," Tobias stated with honesty. Tobias wanted to attack or hit something as well with this information about Beatrice and her family. There was no enjoyment to be had to see that Beatrice was in great distress. "I would have done the same in your situation," Tobias nodded to him.
Ezekiel nodded, still uncertain by his friend's meaning. "You see Caraline," he turned to his sister. "That is what happens when you continue to talk in an unflattering fashion. Forgive me again Eaton. I must retire."
Tobias bowed to his friend as Ezekiel did in return before exiting the room. It was not long until Tobias took his leave as well. To him, not all hope was lost.