Hello, as you all should know by now I only own new characters and events, I make no money from writing, and all rights go to the rightful owners. Outfit sets are on Polyvore, username is Noellamonster. Thanks for reading.
I stand looking at everything, Evelyn was going to be making her big speech later today. I pursed my lips, "Ava," I knew his voice now, it was quiet and reserved.
"Yes Tobias," I don't bother to turn and look at him "I just wanted to talk to you in private, but you're rarely alone this last few days." I sighed "I have been making my own plans, I have to ensure she doesn't end the factions. Just because you want it doesn't give you the right to do so, I may think things need to change but not everything Tobias. If you keep this up you will lose all you hold dear," I turn looking into his blue eyes.
"So you think we should keep the factions? And then what?" his voice was curious "We should have a council with a leader from each faction, to help control our government. Erudite should be on a short leash and I believe that their leader should be given Truth serum as a precaution to ensure they are not being malicious in intent with technology."
"Okay. I agree, I'm with you. I don't trust Evelyn, I overheard her talking to Edward that once things are in place and factions gone she wants all Amity killed." I snarled "I will kill her first,"
"I don't have any doubt about that,"
"We can build a better world, we just have to have faith in each other, I hope my faith wasn't misplaced," I say to him as Tori walks up "Your mother is a cornucopia of deception,"
"Yeah, she is. But right now she out numbers us, we have to play along until Ava's plan falls into place," Tori gives me a look.
"I will put it into effect tonight it will take a week, it wasn't what I wanted but it was my best choice. I won't have the factions destroyed," Tori gave Tobias a look, she paled.
"I won't let it happen either Tori,"
"Revenge lead you to make a pack with her and could have led to the downfall of all factions. Tobias, I understand your love for her, but if you are just now seeing her true colors, it also could have cost us so much. I tried reasoning with you since we saw her for who she really is, now it lead to my plan."
They looked ashen "So when she makes her speech play along," I walked away to find Cara, we had to start the count down on the serum. God forgive me for this.
She was with Will and Christina "Start it now, we have to. She wants to rid us of factions and govern herself as leader, as long as she has the factionless army she will be able to."
"May god forgive us all," Cara said taking a small electric pad from her pocket "We are saving our world as we know it, we are doing what's right," Will said hugging Christina.
A low beep was heard "It can't be undone, the children will be taken in by Amity. I have already spoken to Johanna." Cara says, at least that was something good. They would be happy there, they were young and there were few of them.
"How are you feeling Ava?" Christina asked her arm around my waist "Tired and this morning sickness is killing me,"
"You're with child? I can make something for the sickness, from herbs," Cara smiled hugging me "Really? That would be very helpful. We are keeping it quiet we don't want to alert anyone," I say to her.
"I understand, I will go get herbs. Will come on you are going to help," we watched as she grabbed her brother and hauled him off "Help girls," I smiled as Christina waved him off.
I was helping Tris, Marlene, Uriah, Christina, and Lynn clean in a black tank top sweat dripped down my forehead then down my back when a cool cloth was placed on my neck, it was heaven. I turned, it was Peter.
He acted like he didn't do it but Tris looked shocked he just went back to picking up a brick. Once we finished I pulled Tris aside "He helped me when I was sick in Erudite, held my hair and everything,"
"That is weird, he's never nice," Christina said looking at us making sure we aren't being watched.
"Yeah, it's a very turbulent relationship." I walked with the girls our Dauntless tattoo's showing.
We sit together Uriah was holding Marlene, as Lynn was talking about the upcoming battle. We could build a better world for the next generation, but first we have to survive this one. "Don't get into the hype Evelyn spits out, that means you Lynn. She isn't what you think, she tells you what you want to hear, and she is good at telling lies and warping your own views to gain your trust." I say to them.
"Well we trust you," Lynn said without question, without hesitation "I am with you Ava," Marlene said, but she be with me just because I saved her life.
"I got your back," Tris was braiding my hair "That means I cover your front," Christina winked.
"Yeah Uncle Uriah, is in too," he smiled I groaned "I am only sixteen," I wasn't going to cry… or at least not right now…later.
"So, we got you," Will was back his fingers tinted different colors "Thanks," I smile at him as Chris drags him to the ground.
We just talked for some time when it was time for Evelyn's speech "Let's go," I mumble.
I see the orange glow of fire. Alarmed, I see that the fire rises from large, man-sized metal bowls set up on the sidewalks. The Dauntless and the factionless have gathered between them, a narrow divide separating one group from the other. And before them stand Evelyn, Tori, and Tobias who motions for me to come up as a Dauntless Leader I have to.
I spot Christina, Uriah, Lynn, Zeke, and Shauna on the right side of the cluster of Dauntless and stand with them. Evelyn lifts her hands, palms out, and the factionless fall silent. It takes Dauntless a few seconds more, now if Eric was here it wouldn't have gotten so loud.
"The past few weeks, we have been developing a plan to fight the Erudite," Evelyn says, her low voice carrying easily.
"And now that we have finished, we would like to share it with you."
Evelyn nods at Tori, who takes over. "Our strategy is not pointed, but broad. There is no way to know who among the Erudite supports Jeanine and who does not. It is therefore safer to assume that all those who do not support her have already vacated Erudite headquarters." I sigh this was a radical plan, it wouldn't fail to her because she wanted them to die.
"We all know that Erudite's power lies not in its people but in its information," says Evelyn. "As long as they still possess that information, we will never be free of them, especially while large numbers of us are wired for simulations. They have used information to control us and keep us under their thumb for far too long."
A shout, beginning among the factionless and spreading to the Dauntless, rises up from the crowd like we are all parts of one organism, following the commands of a single brain.
I look at Tobias. His expression is neutral, and he stands behind the glow of firelight to my right. "I am sorry to tell you that those of you who were shot with simulation transmitters will have to remain here," says Tori.
"Or you can be activated as a weapon of Erudite at any time."
There are a few cries of protest, but no one seems all that surprised. They know too well what Jeanine can do with simulations, maybe.
"The rest of us will divide into groups of mixed factionless and Dauntless," says Tori. "A single, large group will attempt to penetrate Erudite headquarters and work its way up through the building, cleansing it of Erudite's influence. Several other, smaller groups will proceed immediately to the higher levels of the building to dispense with certain key Erudite officials. You will receive your group assignments later this evening."
"The attack will occur in three days' time," says Evelyn. "Prepare yourselves. This will be dangerous and difficult. But the factionless are familiar with difficulty—"
At this the factionless cheer, and I am reminded that we, the Dauntless, are the same people who, just a few weeks ago, were criticizing Abnegation for giving the factionless food and other necessary items. How was that so easy to forget?
"And the Dauntless are familiar with danger—" I say this time.
Every Dauntless punches the air with their fists and screams. I feel their voices inside my head, and the burn of triumph in my chest that makes me want to join them, but I remain silent.
Evelyn's expression is too empty for someone giving an impassioned speech. Her face looks like a mask.
I walked away, I knew what I was going to do, and there was no stopping it now. Tris was going in Tobias' group, she would have to find a way to leave it and get the information, Marcus came to her, and I was unavailable as always.
I sat, everyone was heading in doors it was dark, but the dark was comforting like a blanket. "Psst," I turned seeing nothing.
"Psst Ava" it was coming from the top of the house I was near, I looked up it was Jeb. I grabbed the ledge and started climbing up the pipe before I knew it I was perched on the roof.
"Hey Jeb, sneaking past our guards," I smiled "It was hard but I managed," his voice was a sense of relief.
"So why?' I ask him.
"Eric, had to know you were okay. I see you are, pale and sick looking but okay. Here it is Jeanine didn't steal anything, she planted it there or had someone plant it here in Abnegation. The information Marcus wants is real but not, Eric took a group outside of the gate. It was horrible Ava, beast as large as cars, a building was full of dead bodies all in white lab coats with a single survivor his name was David. He was insane kept going on and on about how divergents are pure and he tried to attack us with some serum. Eric shot him, then we blew the building," he was pale and shaking as he told me this.
"Jeanine wanted the war," he finished.
"Well now she has it. Is Eric well?" I ask him my hands wringing together.
"He is well, he misses you,"
"I miss him so much, Edward is unbearable," I smile "I have to go, he said not to be gone long,"
"Give him this," I placed a small kiss to his cheek "Yeah sure, I will kiss Eric on the cheek." He grumbled then he was gone, I should just sleep up here but I scurried down the pipe heading back to Tobias room, I would kick him out of his own bed.
Tris was alone in the bed "Where is my brother?" I ask her "Had to go talk to Tori," she whispered.
"Good, Jeb came. The information we don't need it, it was about what's beyond the wall. Eric took a team out, there was beast the size of cars, then they found a large building made of glass. But when they entered everyone had been killed by someone named David who was ranting about genetically pure Divergents before he attacked Eric with some serum, so Eric shot him. They blew the building, so it doesn't matter anymore. We stick to the plan, the serum we put into the factionless will activate two days after we attack,"
"Beast the size of cars, we need more guards on the gate," she whispered and I agreed.
"But it would have been nice to talk to this David, but he also killed his team," I say as she nods her head. Were we genetically pure divergents?
I changed clothes when a knock was heard "Come in," I called it was Peter a can of something in his hand "Here, I noticed you haven't eaten." His hand out.
"Thank you Peter, very sweet of you," I kissed his cheek "Yeah, whatever," he left fast "Scary," Tris laughed as I ate peaches before we lay together in Tobias bed.
We fell asleep soon after, but I woke when the bed dipped and a warm arm moved over the both of us. Tobias. No danger, my eyes fluttered close once again.