O MY GOSH GUYS. I am so sorry about the delay. I feel like I've had no time to even breathe. I hope this chapter is an acceptable apology.

XXX

Since hearing of the news of the possible attack on Chicago, the school decided to shut down until the matter was resolved. While this was perfect for me to spend more time with Bee before I leave, it also gave her time to pry at my plans for the army and hint at her determination to join us. The last day before I moved back into my apartment at Dauntless for two weeks of training, Bee and I went on a walk. She was old enough to stay in my apartment alone so she had nothing to pack, but Shauna had promised me she would check on Bee every day I was gone. Just in case.

She looped her arm through mine affectionately as we walked our usual route around the lake. All we are wearing is a light weight jacket, ditching the scarves, gloves, and heavy coats and enjoying the tiniest bit of heat. We take a seat on the bench and discuss casual topics, like the weather and our neighbors terrible playing of the violin. After a few minutes, I take her hands in mine. "Bee, I need to talk to you about the future." She bites her lip while shaking her head no. I give her a look saying that I have to and continue. "I have set aside money for you since I took you in. In my closet are all the files in order to get that money if you need it. If I don't come back, you will have access to the rest of my savings and accounts. Also, Cara and Caleb will let you live with them if you feel like you aren't ready to be on your own, though Caleb is coming with us."

Tears slowly roll down her cheeks and I try to wipe them but she angrily pushes my hand away. "Why are you talking like this? Do you want to go?"

"Of course not, Bee, you know I don't. I'm just trying to be reasonable." I take a few deep breaths. She comes crashing into my arms, and I hold her, as if she was ten again and not a young woman.

"You know, this would be easier if you'd let me come," She softly offers while slightly pulling away. Seeing my grimace, she returns her head to my chest.

"Don't worry about your old man," I stroke her hair softly. "I have to be back to take care of my pansycake." My comment is returned with a playful hit.

XXX

That Monday morning was a calm one as I left my apartment in the city and headed to my apartment in Dauntless. A few volunteers were waiting at the door that didn't require a net to enter to help with registration of the soldiers. Zeke and I called a meeting with all the other commanding officers for a quick debrief of how the next two weeks will be going. I drop my stuff off at my old apartment like it's the most natural thing in the world and head to the conference room, two flights above the living sector. I decide to take the stairs, assuming the extra cardio can only help my cause. I'm really feeling my age here lately.

Opening the door, I see that everyone is present and I am slightly late. "Four" Zeke says and nods for me to close the door and let the meeting start. Hearing my old name in this familiar setting sends shivers down my spine but I ignore them and look around the table to see my team of officers. Zeke stands to my right, Officer Daniel is absentmindedly stirring his coffee, Christina gives me a smug look as if to say "teacher and student back at it again." When I see the bright red hair, I stare in confusion. I had no idea we were going to add another officer to our agreed group of four. Zeke places a hand on my shoulder. "Four, this is Officer Williams. She was interested in joining us and met all the criteria." I nod and manage a small welcome. Her bright green eyes fierce with determination nodded back at me. I pull my eyes away and return to the vague stare I use when talking to a group. "The reason I called this meeting was to debrief you about our goals in preparing these soldiers for war. We will each have our own unit to see over. But as of right now, we need to be in charge of one station each; firearms, hand to hand combat, medical, physical training, and info about our mission. Officer Daniel, I would appreciate it if you took the info because of your involvement with the police department. Christina?"

She spins her pin on her fingers before grinning maniacally. "Firearms."

I chuckle at the predictability of Christina and turn to Zeke.

"Well, Four, you definitely should be hand to hand combat. I'll take physical training." I nod and gaze at Officer Williams. She gives me a small smile before answering, "medical will be fine."

"Great. So after we talk to the soldiers we'll head to our assigned sectors and train for the day. We'll continue this for a week and regroup to discuss progress." The group mumbled in agreement before heading to their unit. Seek waited for me by the door. "Who is Officer Williams?"

Zeke's white grin flashed against his dark skin and he wiggled his eyes. "Her name is Samantha Williams. She was a recommended choice by Amar and luckily she was already interested in working with us. She is a former accountant but left it to become a police officer after her dad died on duty. He was one of the head officers with George. She's pretty badass. And just pretty too." He gave a small laugh at my expression before I pushed him out the door.

XXX

"Now, when it comes down to hand-to-hand combat, you need to always keep your hands up to protect your face. For you ladies, because you're physically built smaller, this is important for you as well as using your elbows and knees." I look around my small class before stepping in the ring with one student. I nod for him to attack me and I take him down a few seconds later. "Never attack first. Remember that we don't necessarily want to kill these people, but rather knock them out until we shut down the controlling serum program. That's it for today." I help the student up and release everyone for lunch. Once I'm out of the training room, I head to my apartment and plop down on the couch. I dial the number on the sticky note and wait for the other line to pick up. "Hello?"

"Hey Shauna. It's Four. Can I talk to Bee?"

"Yeah of course."

When I hear her voice I smile. "Hey there Bee."

"Hi dad. How's it going over there?"

I stretch out on the couch ready for a long conversation. "It's going pretty well considering the amount of time we have had. I don't think we'll need that second week of training."

She's quiet for a moment before answering solemnly. "Oh. Ok. Well that's good."

I wait to hear more but I reply when nothing comes from the other end. "Bee, don't be upset. You know what I have to do so we can win this fight. It's what has to be done."

"I know dad. I do. I just miss you."

I sigh and rub my face. "Me too, kiddo. Me too."

After I hang up, I leave my apartment and head to the filing room on the top floor. The sound of people talking gets softer and softer as I rise and I can focus on what I need. The filing room is chilly so I move quickly towards the correct filing cabinet. I pull out the folder that's titled Erudite members and look through the pictures quickly, but I decide to take the whole thing back to my apartment. Walking as quickly as possible, I slam into something soft but I steady it. I look down to see Officer Williams staring back at me with a slightly bewildered face. "Officer Williams," I breathe, "I'm so sorry."

She waves me off after pulling away from my sturdy hand and she fidgets with her clothes. "Oh no problem. It's fine. In a hurry," she asks after seeing my gaze.

"Just trying to get some more information." She nods with a small smiles."well, good luck with that, sir." I suddenly smile back, which is something I almost never do during a conversation, and giver her my thanks before returning to the pursuit of my secluded apartment. Once locking the door behind me, I spread all the pictures out on the table and look at them. There are multiple pictures of a crew of scientists and also some of them working. Nothing is hinting at any of the clues we've gotten for the war. I look at all the pictures on the table, frustrated, when I see one of them sticking out to me. In the middle of the table is a picture of three scientist: a brunette headed man with the name tag the reads Tom, Caleb Prior in a pristine white lab coat and a terrifyingly happy Jeanine Matthews.