All rights to Veronica Roth…i know nothing.
I don't go into the office the next morning, and to be honest, I really just don't care. These red letters are burning a hole in my head.
I take the train out of town, reaching the area that used to contain the edge of the fence. But instead of empty farmland I find a new train that leads towards the Bureau Headquarters. I'm the only person there and I appear to be right on time, as the next train pulls into the station. Boarding, I find it still odd that this train car has seats. It's too awkward for me and I choose to stand in the doorway, peering out the window at the landscape as we pass it.
Trains always make me think of her. Trains were our place. Our solace we would seek together. She always smelled like fresh air. I hate that I cannot breathe the outdoor air in as we plow through the country side. I reach forward and pick at the rubber seal around the door. I pick and pick but it doesn't fray. I slide my fingers harshly up and down it looking for some weakness but I never find it.
By the time we reach the Bureau building I am red in the face, my eyes glossed over, and I'm pulling on the doors so hard my shoulders hurt. I haven't done that sort of exertion in a long time. There is a bell and the doors open. This platform receives several trains a day so several people are there to watch me exit the car.
I pull my sleeve down on my coat and quickly wipe my eyes. I can hide that, but I've got to calm myself if I want my flushed face to diminish. I walk towards the building and shudder to myself. I had returned only once and that was a few weeks ago to retrieve Beatrice's urn. I hadn't gone inside though. Matthew had met me outside with it.
This time I actually had to enter the building. The place where I had lost her! Where I had lost it all. I walk into the main lobby. The black stone fountain is gone and replaced with a small group of trees, their root systems viewable. Something having to do with growing and knowledge, I suppose.
I walk up to a desk nearby where a man with a bright shinning metal circle stands.
" What can I help you with today, Sir?" He asks me. He's older and fairly tall. He has a large thick grey mustache across his face. It's so dense it's hard to see his mouth until he smiles. He wears a badge with the name Phil on it.
" Hello there, Phil!" I say, maybe a little too friendly. I trying to hard. "My name is Tobias Eaton."
" Tobias!" I voice cheers from my right. I turn my head to see Matthew walking towards me, smiling and holding a small brown paper bag.
" What're you doing here?" he asks. He's happy to see me, but I can tell he's curious.
" Wanted to get out of the city. Needed some time to speak to you. If you can spare it, that is. "
His smile grows a bit. " Sure, " He says, " I was just about to go out and enjoy my lunch!"
He claps me on my back and we walk back towards the exit.
He takes me to the side of the building where there are a few large rocks and some tables with chairs.
" You eat lunch out here?" I ask, finding it a tad funny.
" Well not usually this late in the year, " He tells me, " but bad weather is on it's way and I want to enjoy the nice warm sun while I can. As you can imagine, working here, I don't see much sun." He chuckles at himself and I let out a smile.
" But the weather and my eating habits are not why you have come here today, Tobias. Are they?" He gives me a weathered wary look.
" No, " I say, removing a few sheets of folded paper from my back pocket, " I need your help! Are we safe to speak here?"
Matthew gives a general look around, " Yeah! I don't see why not. Don't think anyone honestly comes out here but me. And look, " he points up, " not a camera in sight.
With my own glance around I unfold my papers. And start retelling the story. A few moments later and Matthew is looking over the document. I watch his eyes scan over line by line, page by page.
"BH?" he says, " D1?" He stares off across the grounds and I watch as utter confusion slowly widens his eyes and his mouth opens ever so slightly.
" What is it?" I ask. He doesn't immediately respond. Forgetting myself, I grab his collar with my hands and pull him twice, " WHAT MATTHEW? WHAT?"
" Go home, Tobias. " he says flatly. Although, his face still shows a heavy expression.
" Why? What is wrong?" I am on the verge of begging him.
" Listen to me carefully! We just stepped into a heavy load of shit. Get up and take your papers! Get on that train and go home. I have to go back into work now but I promise, " he turns towards me and stares me down, " I promise I will be there as soon as I am done. Tell no one that we spoke."
"Alright!" I say, standing up and walking away. He places his hand on my shoulder and turns me quickly
" Tell no one!" he clarifies.
" Fuck." I say, my mouth turning down a little, " Zeke knows. He knew I was coming here."
Matthew sighs slightly but his eyebrows fall to normal, " That's fine, but no one else, alright? This is fucking serious shit here Tobias!"
I see the seriousness in his eyes as I turn and leave. As I approach the train platform I see him walking back into the building, he runs his hands through his hair. He's nervous about something.I hate leaving, but i have to put my faith in him right now. Something i wouldn't have been able to do if it hadn't been for Beatrice. She helped me trust again.
Writers note: Thank you to everyone who has submitted reviews. Updates will come just about every day now. I have nearly 100 pages written now so they'll keep coming :D
If anyone is interested, while i write i always listen to music…A few weeks ago i went to a concert with my boyfriend and his cousin, to see a band i had never heard of. The opening act basically changed my life and to be honest, set the tone for this story. So if you're interested i have the album " Homewrecker" by Little Hurricane playing. In particular i find a strong bond for Four & Tris in the song " Haunted Heart" :D 3