Unfortunately, we did not sleep all night. All the time we were trying to do something for the disaster that was around us.
At first, the Bureau's reinforcements tried to take it again. They were soldiers who had been left out, fighting Angela's people.
They were three hours of loud noise. My hand was still hurting. I entrench with others healthy at the entrance. Caleb was with me, trembling, looking like a child with that gun in his hand. We did not know if we would have to use it or not. We did not have to do it. We had luck.
We had overcome the Bureau, but we were still prisoners of his government.
I asked Jeanine about our problem the day after the attack. I felt a little frustrated because we could not escape. My plan to use the plane had been in ashes. During the fight, soldiers of the Bureau took the plane in an attempt to avoid the attack. Unfortunately they did not return.
-We're going out. -She assured me. Her hands were bloody. With so many injured, all people who have a minimum of medical knowledge must help.
I was so tired I would have given my right foot to be sleeping in our room, but could not afford to waste time feeling tired.
-How do we get out? - I asked. -We have many wounded and there would resist another attack.
-We will not go out with bullets. Let's walk out quietly. I just need a little time to implement our Plan B.
-Plan B?
-For The case of not being able to escape -she pursed her lips. -Like now.
-And which one is it?
Jeanine looked me in the eyes, tense.
-Is there something you're not telling me?
-Many things, dear -her smile was sad. -So many that, if I could say them, I would not know where to start. But guess that I must begin for the matter: Currently, this country is in elections.
I watched her face calmly, waiting for her to continue.
-There's a candidate for president. She is impure. She has the lead in the elections, and if she wins, it would mean a change in the country. A change that we could not achieve alone. Her name is Alma Coin.
-That is good news, why you have that face? -asked.
Jeanine blushed, and for a moment was so nervous that worried me. Until she pulled herself together.
Because she's my ex-girlfriend ... and we did not finish very well. And she may decide she want to blow me in pieces.
Jeanine told me the story, or at least mostly ...
She was seventeen when she met Alma Coin, a coming girl from a devastating war. Alma had experienced far worse privations to which I could imagine, even being grown in Abnegation. Alma did not look like anyone Jeanine had ever met. She was drawn to it immediately, she confessed with red cheeks.
I decided I did not want to know the rest. Just one more thing.
-Why did it end?
-Because she wanted me to stay with her.
-Why didn't you do it? You didn't love her?
I felt strange. Not exactly jealous, I had assumed there had been others before me. But I had never given them a name.
Alma Coin. Future President Alma Coin.
-... I chose my duty before her. -Jeanine watched her thumbs, kilometers away. -I could not do that with you. I chose you. I always will choose you.
…
The change came two days later. By then, we had some serious problems. The prisoners without memory tried to escape, some were badly wounded and supplies began to dwindle.
I had not seen my girlfriend since.
On the day she helped the doctors, which caused me a mixture of pride and surprise. Perhaps her remorse made her feel responsible for all the wounded. I'm not saying she is the only responsible, I know she isn't, because I also am. We are all responsible for this.
At night she locked herself with Angela, talking for hours. Every time I saw her in a hallway, or stole a look, she had dark circles under the silvery eyes. But nothing affected her efficiency, with energy that made me feel a little jealous.
I was dying of sleep. Beside me, doing surveillance on one of the tall windows, Caleb had fallen asleep standing. Together the soldiers were watching outside. They had set up camp in front of the Bureau, waiting for some weakness from us.
I looked askance at my brother. He was taller, with unkempt hair too, and a shadow of beard on his cheeks. God's Sake, Caleb has beard.
When we have become adults?
-No Jack, please, don't die. Don't let Rose ...
I take that back.
-Caleb, wake up.
-Don`t Let me go, Jack ...
I gave him a blow on the shoulder and my brother woke up, startled. Caleb looked everywhere, before making sure that no enemies. Or icebergs.
-That hurts!
-You know what else hurts? The boiling water. I 'll try with that if you go back to sleep.
-Don't out on me if you're in a bad mood, "Beatrice". -he said, imitating the voice of Jeanine.
-First, We all are in a bad mood. This morning Cara almost kills a nurse. Second, Jeanine does not speak that way.
Caleb scowled at me and the conversation died. At the time it happened something very strange in the camp that was before us. One by one, the men began to raise their stuff.
I was about to sound the alarm when Caleb stopped me.
-They're leaving. -said my brother.
-We have to warn others.
But before we take two steps, Angela and Jeanine appeared down the corridor to the door.
-It seems they already know. -Caleb whispered.
He stayed in the huge window, and I walked into the hallway, where a number of armed people were accompanying Angela and Jeanine. My girlfriend looked like a disaster, but she seemed not to notice or care. Angela looked exactly the same as always: as a clean and efficient robot. But there was a big difference, a detail that didn't fit in her: she had a very rare sword in the back.
-Jeanine.
She turned to look at me. Her face brightened and relaxed when she saw me.
-Here you are. -She took my hand and not stopped walking.
-What's going on?
-The Army withdraws. Orders of the new President.
-New President? As soon?
-The country is a disaster. The former president escaped. And the new President, as I predicted, is Alma Coin.
I opened and closed my mouth, digesting the words.
-And the pure people? They...
-They do not have a choice. -she interrupted. -For better or for worse, it is over.
-What about us?
-The New president is out. She came to... talk, I suppose. And I was looking for you.- She took my hand tightly. -I need you with me.
Before I can answer, the door opened.
Outside it looked like a post-apocalyptic scene. No one was there, not a soul. People who were there a moment ago had disappeared.
There was only one green car.
-I hate that color. -Angela whispered.
A couple of men came out of the front of the car and opened the door to a redhead woman.
It was a bit taller than me, woman with an impish smile and a playful look in her green eyes. Her face and collarbone were spattered with freckles, that far from make her ugly, its expanded her skin like splashes of a painter. The woman looked at us and studied us with a quick glance.
-Angela Roth, Ms. Beatrice Hazel Prior ... and you. -shee raised an eyebrow and smiled at Jeanine. -My favorite little mess. When did you stop wearing glasses, Bluebird?
-Jeanine. -she replied with a killer voice.
I know your name. -said the red-haired woman smiling. -Not it has been so long.
-Are we going to be here much longer, Alma? Or should I call you President Alma Coin?
-Call me as you like, Bluebird, but do it from your city -the smile fell a bit. -Because you may put ugly things here and you are too easy a target. I want you leave. To Chicago again, this very night. I have come in person to say this out for respect. We are grateful for what you have done here ... but if you stay longer, everything will go to hell.
-We need more time.
-Tonight -the smile died completely. -Come back to your beloved city, Bluebird. Don't force me to bomb the Bureau.
And again, the red-haired woman got into the limo and left. Before leaving, her eyes fell on me. The look she gave me left me cold. There was a mixture of jealousy and curiosity. But not a good curiosity.
-Well ... I'll get things ready. I do not trust the patience of your psycho ex-girlfriend. I told you that girl would be a trouble. -Angela said slightly annoyed.
-Angela ...
-Don't "Angela" me. I told you.
And with that, she disappeared with the rest of the men, leaving me alone with Jeanine.
-She called you "Bluebird"?
- ... At least she did not call me "Bitch".
- There are worse nicknames. She could have called you "Mockingjay". I hate those birds. They make noise in mating season... on second thought, "Mockingjay" is a good nickname for you.
- Beatrice!
I shook my head, smiling. I don't trust Alma Coin and I will keep an eye on her. Because no one will hurt Jeanine, with or without reasons.
I decided it didn't matter. No matter what the new president and my girlfriend had been in the past. As neither matter our past of hatred, our mistakes, not even our successes.
We were there, ready to start over, to do it again, to face the future. Together.
- Do I have to worry about some other spiteful ex-girlfriend? - Finally I answer.
Jeanine nods and smiles.
- No. Because there is no one in this world that I might want to but you.
She leans over and kisses me. The taste of her lips awakens an electric current through every nerve ending in my body.
The Caleb's simulation was realistic, but never come even close to the truth touch feel. In a way, I had forgotten how the feeling of being powerful was be skin to skin with her, and feel it again was something totally insane. Absurdly wonderful.
And we would have a long time for this.