Chapter 24:

Tobias POV:

We arrive back home just before night fall and I practically dive out of the truck and sprint up to Christina's apartment.

I knock.

"It's me! Tobias! I'm home! Open up!"

Christina finally comes to the door. She seems shocked to see my face. I hug her then pull away.

"Where is Tris?"

"Umm" She breaks eye contact. Bad sign.

"Christina…Where is Tris?"

"Mathew is looking for her."

My lungs empty and when I take my next breath, it's as if I inhale this angry vibe.

"Why does she always do this?"

"Tobias…"

I'm already half way down the sidewalk. Where the hell is she? How hard can it be to stay safe? Is she trying to get herself and our children killed?

I make my way to the truck garage and as soon as I turn on the truck I see Mathew park right beside me and I see Tris behind him. She's asleep. I jump out of the truck.

"What happened?"

"Hey to you too."

I'm not in the mood for Mathew with his fresh remarks.

"She's fine. Didn't get far. Just dehydrated and tired."

I'm relieved but still angry. He opens the truck door and I pick her up. She is heavier than I remember and her small bump continues to grow. I can't help but smile a little bit.

We arrive home and I carry her to our bedroom. I slide off her boots and tuck her under the covers. I'm about to leave the room when I hear her.

"Tobias…"

"I'm back."

"Are you okay?"

"Fine. We will talk tomorrow."

As soon as I leave the room I regret not hugging her and kissing her with all my heart but I need to be firm. She can't keep doing this.

Tris POV:

That's it? He just got home and that's al he's going to say? And why am I always the one that has to be saved? I'm sick of being saved.

I'm not tired. I need to talk to him. I jump out of the bed and make my way to the kitchen where I'm sure Tobias is.

"What the hell was that?"

"I don't know, Tris. What the hell was that? Do you think it's okay to put yourself in danger like that? You are not the only person you are in charge of right now. You have a big responsibly right now and its like you don't even care!"

"I just needed to see you! You could have been dead for all I know!"

We've never fought like this before.

"Well, what would you have done then?! Would you have just turned around and walk back in the middle of the night?! I swear I am the only adult around here! I'm sick of you running off and getting in trouble like a child! You need to grow up!"

His words trickle like acid down my spine. I spit out the words before they even run through my head.

"I'm leaving. I'm raising these kids on my own and I don't want you to be part of it! So if you could get the hell out of my house it what be much appreciated. I don't ever want you to have to come save me again. Bye, Tobias."

His face falls and its as if my words almost knocked him down.

"If that's what you want."

He turns around to try to hide how hurt he is but he can't hide it. I know him too well.

"I'm going for a walk and when I get back you better hope that you are gone. I grab the keys to the apartment and I slam the door behind me. Tears fall like a waterfall. This is worse than being shot or pregnant, or anything I've gone through. The worse part is… It was me. It was my fault, my entire fault.

When I get back, he's gone and I collapse on the floor. Everything is so empty; my home, my world, my heart. He has been gone for ten minutes and I don't think I can do without him any longer, but I need to.

Tobias POV:

My small duffle bag feels so heavy, I'm practically dragging it along. All my strength was flushed away as soon as she said those words. I make the turn for Zeke's house and my strength seems to weaken farther. I pull out the apartment key he had made for me. He gave it to me on the night I told everyone Tris was pregnant. I unlock the door and he's not behind it. The last person to walk on this floor was Zeke and now he's gone. It's crazy how someone has to be gone to realize how much you loved them.

I put my duffle bag in the guest room. I'm not going in Zeke's room. That's his room. It always will be. I collapse on the bed and pull out the small picture of Tris and I, then tears start to wet my eyes but I push them away. I can't keep my mind on Tris and Zeke. I need to go run.

I tie my shoes and head out the door. The streets aren't too crowded, there is a lot of construction going on, trying to sustain life for all the people who came from the faction community, like us. I pick up speed and my heart keeps pounding faster but I keep sprinting. I run until my muscles cant take any more pain, and my brain is too tired to stay awake.