A/N- Going to get writing the next chapter straight away, hopefully should be out sometime next week! Hope everyone has a great week, and remember to follow, fave and review! Bethany x

Chapter 35

I wait impatiently in my office, tapping my pen against the wood of the desk. Glancing at the clock every thirty seconds, I watch as the hour hand just ticks onto 10. Mum had told me the ball would begin at 8.

So we probably have about 9 hours to figure everything out.

I drum my pen anxiously, every few minutes pacing to the door, opening it, and then shutting it when I see the hallway empty. And finally, when my office begins to feel suffocating, the door slams open. Eric stands there, out of breath, his expression on the wild side. "Why did I not think that the other Princesses would be here?"

My brows raise, and a laugh gets lodged into my throat, "you bumped into Nita?"

He shuts the door, running his hand through his hair, "she started asking for Four, and I didn't know how to even answer so I did the very smart thing and just ran off."

I shrug, "I wouldn't call that a bad strategy." Standing, I move around my desk, "you get in contact with Erudite?"

Nodding, he moves further into the room, collapsing on one of the chairs scattered around the table. "The wave frequency has been slowly increasing over time, but in the past day it's skyrocketed."

"The lake's been doing the same thing. Do you think the water has heated up substantially more since we left?"

He nods thoughtlessly, eyes locking on a pointless statue in the centre of the circular table. "If your theory's correct, then I'd put money on it."

My persistent impending doom surfaces again, and I'm overloading on Eric. "I have no plan, Eric, nothing at all. And I know everyone's waiting for a bright idea, but there's nothing up here." I rub my sore head, "maybe if I didn't dive yesterday I'd be able to think properly, but right now the only thing I'm latching onto is just giving Celia or Arthur the paper."

"I can't give you a better plan, Tris." Is all he replies.

Looking over my shoulder, I pick out the page on my desk. One piece of paper. Two deals. "I can't choose between Christina and Four, Eric." My voice trails off, slowly losing its sound as it cracks on his name.

"Let's check in with Uriah and Zeke. They might have some better news for us." He stands, and opens the door slightly, "and who knows? Maybe Robert and the Dauntless leaders already have Four and Lauren."

Just before we leave, I grab the page. We walk out the door, passing through the quiet hallways before we get to the manic entrance. "Why don't you call Four his birth name?" It's been on my mind for weeks, the name Four always sounding odd coming out of his brothers mouths, out of his parents.

Eric shrugs, "we used to when he was young, back when we were closer. But then we started to grow up, and he wiped that part of him clean." He looks at me quizzically, "does he let you call him Tobias?"

I keep my gaze ahead, my stomach doing flips as I nod my head. Eric doesn't say anything more, and then we're in the hustle and bustle of the foyer.

"Can you find Natalie?" I ask him. We don't have time to waste, and I don't think I can spend any more alone time with her today. "I'll search for the boys."

It looks like he's about to challenge me, but instead he just nods, then walks towards the reception hall. Finally able to take a deep breath, I walk out the front door. I give tight smiles to passers by, trying to keep to myself. When I'm outside, I look around. If Arthur hasn't arrived yet, then they'd be here. But if he has, then I guess I'll have to change my search to the guest wing.

I check around the bushes, going so far to look in the clear fountain. After a good 10 minutes of searching for Zeke and Uriah, I come to the conclusion that they're not here.

I let out a huff, knowing they could be anywhere in the guest wing. At least she's here. She's safer here.

I head back towards the door, my feet slapping against the warm concrete. But just before I put a foot on the steps, I hear a car speeds through the gates.

Turning around quickly, I watch as a van comes to a halt. The man jumps out of the car, dressed in a crumpled uniform. I recognise him vaguely, only having seen the post mailed one or two times since I've been here.

But as he gets closer, I get a good glimpse of a man that could only be a few years older than myself. He's walking with a limp, one ripped trouser dragging behind him. I slowly look up to his chest, seeing his once pristine uniform stained with blood and dirt.

Eyes wide, I lock onto his neck. 2 perfect hand prints, imprinted with blisters.

"Oh my god," I whisper, moving towards him hastily. Frightened eyes hold my own as he cowers away from me. I stop before I scare him further, holding my hands tightly together. "What happened?"

A shaky hand lifts up, an envelope vibrating between us. My gaze moves to his moving mouth, "this is for you."

He shoves it towards me with a jerk, and I take it hesitantly. As soon as the paper leaves his hands, he's racing back towards his car.

"Hey! Wait a minute!" I can help him, surely? Celia healed Tobias yesterday, and she didn't seem to be harbouring any strong emotions? She's either a pro, or she's just simmering on furious 24/7.

But his van is already circling the fountain, the gates reopening to let the postman out.

My eyes linger on the speeding car, until it's out of my view. Then I'm looking at the envelope.

If that's what she's done to that innocent bystander, then what's stopping her from wreaking that sort of havoc on Tobias again? On Lauren?

I rip the note open, knowing the longer I think about opening it, the less likely it is to see the light of day. I skim the words, my hands gripping the fragile page tightly,

'You don't think I haven't felt your still beating presence, have you? I'll be waiting at the Silent Cliffs if you want to see your Prince alive. Come with the second page, and come alone.'

I stare at the paper for a second or two, my mind wanting me to do the smart thing, to tell someone. Eric, Uriah, Zeke- just to let someone know. But my body has a mind of its own, and I'm running back into the castle, heading towards the weapons room.

…

I pace the stables, trying to talk myself out of this. It's a dumb idea! He's not even properly saddle trained, and I've never even ridden him. He's young and wilful, there's no way this wont go wrong.

But my options are limited. Bess and Teddy are still in Dauntless, and the other Prince's horses seem to be MIA. So that just leaves Snow.

I walk back over to him, standing just outside his door. He eats his hay somewhat comfortably, but his left eye flicks to me every few seconds.

My body is tense when I open the half door, and Snow copies.

If I had another option, I'd take it. But I can't drive a car, and the train will put me into public view, so it's either my young horse or walk. Even with my decent level of fitness, it will take me the full day to get to Dauntless. But with Snow? If everything goes to my weak plan, a few hours.

But as he backs himself into a corner, I have a feeling I may have given him too much credit.

My riding clothes scrape against each other as I take a hesitant step forward. The stable is so quiet that each bite of sawdust under my feet is like a thrown grenade.

And Snow thinks so too, pressing himself impossibly closer to the wall. Rubbing my head, I can feel my eyes welling up.

When my legs start to shake, I give up on standing and crouch down- finally letting my tears freely fall. I don't even want to go. I don't want to do any of this anymore. It feels like the end is nearing, but for some reason just getting Snow out of the stables is my biggest hurdle. And even with the dim light pressing through the clouds, I don't want to go. I want to go down to the beach, or back to my room. I want to meet Tobias there, I want to spend every waking minute with him. I just want my chest to finally let me breathe.

And as the tears fall and fall, I feel guilty for even thinking of giving up. How can I say all of that? The only way I'm going to get my old mundane life back is by pushing through the block in the road. Tobias would never let those thoughts win, wouldn't even let them run through his mind, wouldn't contemplate it.

But my tears don't stop, and I'm swallowing my sobs to try and keep Snow's own anxiety down. I press the heels of my hands into my eyes, pushing so hard I start to see stars. You just need to hold it together just a bit longer.

And then I feel it. A nudge.

My palms retreat, blurry eyes lifting to him. A white face looks back at me, his nose now just inches from my own. Taking in a shaky inhale, I wait for him to move away. But he doesn't. Instead, he sits down.

Knowing eyes stare into mine. Dark pits that used to swallow me whole. But I'm just sitting on the surface now.

Lifting a cautious hand, I reach out for his cheek. He watches me closely, and I stop just before we connect. Holding my breath, I wait. And wait.

And then he does it. Coarse hair sits beneath my hand, a warm cheek pressed against my palm. I let out a wet laugh, more tears falling as he lets me smooth him.

"Can you help me?" I whisper.

He makes what I take as an agreeable snorting. I gently smile back, the first hurdle completed, "thanks."

…

We take the coast path. It looked to be the quickest route to the silent cliffs, compared to the route the train takes. If the landscape was more suitable, I'm sure train tracks would be beneath Snow's hooves by now.

My map sits securely in my saddle bag with my precious page, my compass hooked onto my belt. From the looks on the map, it's a pretty straight line along the coast. I haven't gotten lost so far, with the high coast line being just fields that fall off into oblivion. We stay a decent distance away from the drop, the white cliffs nearly as dangerous as the black ones we're closing in on.

I've been obsessing over the time nearly as much as I've been trying to keep the pretty much baby horse on track. With it closing in on 2, I'm hoping I'm nearly there. The map isn't much help now, only giving me a vague idea of how to keep on track with my compass.

I look into the distance, finding an incline. My heart starts to fasten, and I put all my hope into the crest showing the Silent Cliffs, and thus, Dauntless.

I lean down, my face closer to Snow's ear, "just a bit longer, baby." He's having fun, that's for sure. I think on Bess or Teddy I would have gotten to the cliffs around 1. Hopefully on the way back I'll be able to get him to concentrate.

But it has been a freeing experience, doing this alone. I feel like a lot of the time, I am on my own. People look to me for a plan, for a leader. In those heavy roles, it's not unusual to feel like you're just guiding the group, being separated from the masses. So, yeah, I've been on my own for the past few months. But this is different. Actual aloofness, the freedom that comes with no one knowing where you are, no way to be contacted. If this does go south, at least my final moments will be off lightness, of sunlight.

A few more galops, and I'm pulling back on Snow, getting him to slow as we crest the hill. When he's finally out of his gallop, I lead him forward, walking to the decline. It's flat up here, at the top. The grass beneath Snows hooves crunch with dryness, the yellowing floor indicating a hot summer to come.

Getting to the crescent, I thankfully bring Snow to a full stop. Letting go of his reins, I grab the elastic off of my wrist, peeling my hair away from my neck.

It goes up into a ponytail as I take account of my surroundings. To my left, in the distance, is the Twin Peaks, Dauntless's fortified home. I look out for the busy market, but it isn't visible this far away.

But what is visible, surprisingly, is the small group of people congregated straight before me. I glance to the right of them, watching the violent waters hit higher than I've ever seen before. Waves hit off of the formations surrounding the cliffs, water falling into large crevices, trapping themselves until the next wave hits them out.

She must have noticed, how could she not? There's one thing I will never not give Celia credit for, and that's her mind. Dangerously brilliant. Way better suited for an Erudite princess than a Dauntless.

"Right," I say to Snow, but mostly to myself, "let's get this over with."

It takes no time at all to get down the yellowing hill, and only a stretch longer until I'm finally standing 20 or so metres away from her.

I don't get off of Snow as I make it to the flat, wanting to find Tobias before I make myself vulnerable. I scan through the group of factionless bodies, but only find strangers starting back. That's until I find Lauren's face in the crowd. Her eyes are sharp, her mouth in a strong line. From the looks of it, she's been spared of Celia's unforgiving punishment.

And then her head is twitching, her eyes moving to the left. My face scrunches in confusion, until I realise she's trying to get my attention somewhere.

When I look to my left with more accuracy, I see him. Held by two guards larger than him, Tobias is being moved away from one of the larger rock formations, right next to the cliffs. His clothes are wet with the relentless splashes of water, his struggling body useless against the giants holding him hostage.

He's far enough away that I can't hear him, but his mouth moves with his body, angry and desperate. Pulling and pushing his weight around. And I can't look away, watching him struggle with ease. But his guards don't budge, and nor do my eyes until her voice pierces through me.

"Get off that horse, Princess."

Her dark blue eyes hold mine, bouncy hair crossing her face as the harsher breeze pushes it around. "I didn't see that demand in your letter?"

She moves away from her group, taking a step closer to Snow and I. Snow, without warning, starts to move backwards. I almost find it funny, and probably would have laughed if she wasn't a loose cannon.

"It's alright," I say softly, rubbing up and down his neck to calm him. It works well enough, and I'm able to dismount to spare the poor beast of his nightmare. I look around, trying to see if there's anywhere I can attach him to. Unlike Bess and Teddy, I have no doubt that he will bolt at any second, scared or not.

But there's nothing, and I won't put him in harm's way just so I can keep my grip on him.

"You run home, okay? You go the way we came." His large eyes seem to understand, and I see him taking a few steps back as I reluctantly let go of his reins. "Be careful." I glance at the cliffs, and can only hope he stays far enough away to stay safe. Turning around quickly, I don't let myself watch him go.

He's safer without me. And with Celia bearing down, I know I've made the right decision. I wouldn't want anyone else to be standing with me on my side of the field.

"I was expecting a blubbering mess," Celia comments, her voice thinning out as the wind travels between us. We're close now, maybe 2 metres apart. "Have I misjudged your affection for our Prince?"

Trying to get a rise, not surprising. It may have worked a few hours ago, back at the castle. But right now, my chest is hard.

I shrug, smiling sarcastically, "what gave you the impression I had any affection for him?"

She smiles back, then her eyes glance down at my hands, "I'm assuming you have what I asked for?"

And then an avalanche of boulders fall on my chest. Oh my god. I've left it in the saddle bag.

I breathe through my nose, a deep breath, a calming breath…

"Of course, as you know I would do anything to get Four back."

Her head cocks to the side, "you can quit it with the sarcasm, girl. I know what you're doing."

She does? I do laugh then, just a small huff. I don't even know what I'm doing. Should I keep acting like I don't care for Tobias? Would that angel work? I've tried it before, with Eric, and it wasn't exactly a success. And then if she can't use him over me, would she see him as disposable? She's only holding onto him to get to me…

"You don't know me, Celia, so stop pretending like you do." This time, I move forward. "Just let the Prince go, or you're going to have a whole country on your back doorstep."

"And what about you? Will you be leading the parade?"

"That depends," I reply smoothly, "I'll sure as hell lead the procession to your funeral if you don't pass him over."

She laughs, then holds her hand up. "You know why he's over there and your friend is over here?"

Of course I know. Tobias is one of the only people I will make rash decisions for. I think Celia would have a field day if she had captured Christina instead of Lauren.

"I can only assume."

She rolls her eyes, then twists her palm.

From the corner of my eye, I can see it. They're pulling Tobias closer to the cliff.

But I don't move my eyes from hers, even as my hands go sweaty, my heart triples its beats.

"I could have him thrown over without a second thought. He's meaningless to me, as I hope you know."

"It's not hard to see," I do then let myself glance at him. He's dangerously close now. I look back at Celia, holding onto my composure. "You drop him and I won't give you your sheet." I shake my head, a grin forming, "it's funny, actually. I know exactly what's on your page, and I didn't even get a good look at it. But I don't think I can say the same about you. Do you know what's on it?"

Her eyes hardened, her shoulders squaring, "you weren't even supposed to survive that dive, Princess, let alone walk around to gloat." Thinning her eyes, "what are you hiding? What damage have you done to that body?"

My face stays still, but curiosity pokes it head around. Does she know why I haven't healed myself properly? And like she already knows, she smiles.

"There's only so much time you are allotted to heal yourself, Princess." Her eyes graze over my body, falling on my heavy chest. I don't know how noticeable my breathing is to passers by, but Celia…

She nods to herself, "I think I'll do the same to the Prince," she motions the guards over, and they're soon dragging Tobias away from the cliffs. "I'll rest my hand on his chest, long enough that my palm will touch the floor." Dead eyes stare back at mine, all specs of humour having disappeared. "Then, as you're held back, we'll wait. As the hours pass, you'll no longer be able to revive him." Then she's smiling, and Tobias is placed in front of her. My wide eyes meet him before he's facing her, the pure insanity of the situation leaving us both without words. Her attention sticks onto him, and it takes all my willpower to keep my feet from moving. "And when she's cradling your stiff body, I'll kill her. And with my full powers reinstated, I'll revive you."

"Tris, you have to go," he chokes out as he tries to turn around. But they've shoved him on his knees, and I can see some of the factionless group closing in on us. Sweat trickles down my back as I hear the growing panic in his voice, and my head's shaking even if he can't see. But they're coming, they're going to hold me here as I watch her kill him.

"You'll both be going soon, so don't you worry about that," Celia chirps, moving closer to Tobias.

And there's nothing else I can do. I don't have my bargaining chip, and Celia seems to know it.

"I think I'd like to see how much the Princess cares for you, Tobias."

My hand's reaching behind me quickly, grabbing the one weapon I could conceal with ease.

Two guards holding him down, one knife.

Celia's attention stays on Tobias, her hand shaking with power. My eyes flicker to the guard on Tobias's rights arm. He's too close to the Prince, but I don't have another option.

I bring my arm up, and the knife flies quickly. With the force of nothing but panic, it has a stupid amount of weight behind it.

And it lands, just as Celia's attention moves to me in confusion. Hitting higher than I anticipated, the guard recalls with a shout, stumbling back until he loses his footing and falls to the ground. Having no time to watch the knife stick out of his shoulder, I act, and so does Tobias.

He pulls away from the other guard, using his own body weight to take him off balance. With the guard's concentration obsolete, he flips over Tobias.

And everything has turned to chaos. I've lost sight of Celia, but I rush into the small group of factionless to try and find her. If I can get that other page off of her, then I can put pause on her plan.

If you just get rid of her for good…

Pushing the thought away, I scan the field. People, running into the fight, running away. But I can't see those bouncing curls.

But there is someone. Someone I don't know, someone I've passed my eyes over when in the group of factionless. But now, without the bodies hiding him, I can see what he's keeping.

I'm sprinting towards him without thought. With no weapon but myself on me, I run towards the young boy with the journal securely in his hands. He stands with wide eyes, and I begin to wonder why Celia's left it. I get a metre in front of him, my chest heaving with breathlessness.

I hold out my hands, gesturing to pass the book over. Not being much older than 12, he places it there quickly. Allegiance is nothing against fear.

When I turn around, I'm greeted with a sight. Most of the factionless have left, leaving a few who chose to fight lying unconscious on the ground. But Lauren and Tobias are still occupied.

I'm moving closer quickly, just as Lauren deals one final punch into her opponent's jaw, knocking them down.

But then I catch Tobias. Exhausted and bloody, he's looking at me as he steps forward, my name on his lips. I pick up my pace, my body turning into a blazing fire as the distance between us decreases. But then I'm watching the once fallen guard yank out my secured knife from his unconscious colleague's shoulder, and stumbles up.

My mouth opens, his name just leaving my mouth. But the warning comes too late, and there's nothing I can do as I stand paralysed, watching as the guard sinks my knife into Tobias's back.