The room is empty when I finally enter, the silence mildly overwhelming, especially with my head spinning with all the conversations I've had. And in spite of my previous assurances of my being alright, I find myself exhausted following the simulation, and so I go to my bed and lie down, letting my eyes rest. I know better than to try and actually sleep, between the chaos of the faction, and the fact that the others will be returning, it's not worth the effort. Instead I passively lay, focusing on my breathing and trying to calm my mind down.
As time passes, the others slowly come in, most wandering to their beds and laying down, some Dauntless born also wandering in, having made friends with some of the transfers. There is a calm silence that continues to cover the room, occasionally broken by some sighs or sniffling, or quiet whispered conversations. I don't bother to open my eyes as people come in, only guessing who comes in when based on the weight of their steps and the sounds they make. But despite the emotions, there is a sense of calm and peace that fills the room. It isn't until Peter comes in that things shift.
He is snickering quietly as he comes in, and when I finally open my eyes to see what has him so joyful after the initiation from earlier, I see he has a paper in his hands. He quickly goes to his bed, eyes rapidly scanning the page, his grin growing the more he reads. Another quiet giggle can be heard, and some of the others in the room are starting to sit up, looking at Peter curiously. He settles down after a while, laying down on his bunk but not letting go of the paper and the room finally settles back into its silent calm. After a period, the door opens again, leaving only Tris and Drew to do their simulation. Molly looks rattled, eyes red and puffy, but instead of commenting on that, Peter instead sits up quickly, holding up the paper.
It takes a moment before Molly seems to realize what it is, and despite the obvious torment she went though what is likely to be just minutes ago, she grins much like Peter. He stands up and meets her in the area between bunks. Others rise again, sitting on their bunks and watching the two standing at the center of the room. Will stands up across the room, approaching the two and glancing at the paper. He only looks for a moment, but the blood drains from his face and he steps back. Christina reacts to Will, her face becoming concerned as she also stands, Al and her both going to stand near Will.
"Will? What is it?"
He only shakes his head in response as Peter looks at the three. The other people in the room stand and gather around Peter and Molly. He shakes the paper, as if to straighten the single sheet before clearing his throat and reading.
"Under the suggestion of multiple factional authorities, and finally having the clearance for some light investigation, Erudite has taken it upon ourselves to look into the recent exodus of influential members of Abnegations next generation. It has stark implications for the future not only of that faction, but also of the leadership of all the factions together."
Now Will's reaction makes sense, and I feel myself mirroring his reaction. The chill that runs down my spine settles in the tips of my fingers, and my breathing becomes steadily more shallow, the oxygen not quite reaching my lungs. After spending so long asking for people to investigate, after crying for help for so long an being ignored, why are they finally doing something now? Peter is still reading aloud, but I can't hear, until I hear the door opening yet again and I am quickly reminded that I am not the only one at the center of this.
Tris.
As she walks in, surveying the room, I become aware of what Peter is saying. And it is not about me, but about her. Not only her, but her brother as well. Quotes given by one of us, about the implications of abuse. I feel my lips trembling, and when I glance at Tris, she looks both betrayed, but also so full of rage.
"What?" Her voice is broken, her friends watching her but not approaching. While Christina looks pitying, the others seem more conflicted, unsure how to handle her like this. At her outburst, she has taken some of the focus of the room. Peter looks even more gleeful, watching Tris fall apart in front of everyone. As she steps forward, demanding the paper, he holds it out of her reach. But as he glances over the next line, his face falls slightly, and I find myself standing at that, slowly coming towards the group. I don't trust the look on his face. And this has gone on for long enough. There is also an echoing sound outside, the sound of steps approaching, possibly in response to the commotion and chaos coming from the room.
"And beyond Andrew, let us also consider the loss of Marcus Eaton's two children. In looking into old reports, there are hints of a much darker truth to the de facto leader of Abnegation, and how he rules his house. He has lost his wife, his son, and most recently his daughter, offering a huge blow to his public persona that he so carefully molded. Kathleen was considered the paragon of Abnegation," Peter glances at me as he reads, his face neutral, lacking the glee he had worn just moments before, "so one must ask: what could possibly drive her from her home so readily? What led her to flee to what some would see as the only group of people capable of defending her from such a broken home? We have trusted the leadership of our city to monsters and tyrants who relish in the suffering of their own children."
Tris is screaming, stomping on Peter's toes and he cuts off his reading with a pained groan. She goes to attack Molly, but Will is rushing forward and grabbing her. As he goes to carry her out of the room, she continues screaming at Peter, who has stood back up. The door to the dormitory opens as Will drags Tris out, her other friends remaining cemented in place, faces pale. As Will and Tris leave, there are other footsteps entering, but it is hard to hear over Peter continuing to shout more of the paper after Tris.
"We must ask Beatrice and Kathleen what they could have possibly suffered? And why have they run? What made them so that they couldn't face their families, and why not speak up? There is something to be said about them going to the faction for the fearless. Are they having to learn to get over the fears beaten into them in their own home? Or did they run to Dauntless so people don't notice they're too afraid to seek justice and truth?"
I don't process my body moving. I can't feel my body. All I can feel is the strange sensation of absolute cold fear and anxiety compounded with the boiling rage and indignation as the words leave Peter's mouth. He has seemingly forgotten that I was even here, not turning to face me as I approach. The other initiates around him, many of whom I do not know, are watching my warily. My ears are ringing, and so while I see some of their mouths moving, I can't hear a single word anymore, only the blood rushing. As I pause, standing within arm's reach of Peter, he finally notices me. Molly takes a step back, not looking nearly as smug. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Drew enter the room, and there is someone else who enters with him. But I can't care, hands shaking at my side as Peter meets my eyes.
"Kat-" his voice sounds almost apologetic.
My arm moves almost of its own accord, but I make no move to pull back as I feel my fist connecting with his face. He lets out a pained cry, stepping back and holding his face. Molly take a step forward and I throw my elbow sideways into her body before turning and throwing myself at her. I don't know what I hope to accomplish. I don't know what I want. But I know that there is something burning beneath my skin and I can't just sit there doing nothing. And unlike Tris, I no longer have anyone in this room sensible enough to pull me away. And so I lean into the rage and allow myself to lash out. Allowing myself to prove those words on that cursed paper wrong.
There is shouting above me, and I find a small part of the back of my mind recognizing the loudest voice. People are moving around us as I sit on Molly, pressing her face into the ground, an animalistic sound ripping from my chest. Suddenly I am being pulled up, my legs no longer on the ground and I am being pulled out of the room. I can feel myself thrashing in the hold of whoever is lifting me bodily into the air. I am being tossed over a shoulder and carried out.
"You don't understand what you're talking about. Don't speak on what you can't possibly understand." I don't shout, but I spit the words out. They nearly burn as I speak them, my face twisting in a way that almost hurts. There is still more shouting, and I can feel the person carrying me speak, but I still can't hear over the blood in my ears.
The experience is an echo of Tris and Will from earlier. In fact, the two of them are still standing outside the door, and they both are silent watching as I am carried further away into an empty hallway before I am placed down, their hands holding tightly to my shoulders. Finally I can see the glinting of light off piercings, even in the dimly lit hallway. Eric's face is neutral as he watches my face, his grip on my shoulders tight and I can feel him pressing down lightly. The pressure somehow manages to quiet my mind enough, allowing me to center myself enough that as Eric starts to ease the pressure, I don't feel like I'm going to collapse. He leans down slightly, putting our faces in line, and just watches me.
"Breathe Kat." His voice is gentle and quiet, I can almost feel it more than hear it. As I take in the air, I can feel my body shaking with the breath, and as I hold it, trying to break the pressure in my chest, I find my eyes burning. I close my eyes, unwilling to look at Eric like this. I don't want to be seen like this. Letting the breath out slowly, just as unsteady, the tears building slowly spill over and I refuse to open my eyes. I have tried so hard to fit here, to be what they wanted me to be, to be more than what I left behind. But in just an instant, everything feels like it's crashing down around me. My entire body is trembling as I try and breathe again, and Eric's grip on my shoulder tightens again.
"Kat, look at me." I can't. If I open my eyes, then it's all over. I won't be allowed here. I fought another initiate outside of training. I lost control, both of my anger, but more importantly of my fear. I'm pathetic. I'll be the next one on a train to the factionless. It's all been for nothing. I can't open my eyes.
"Kat, please look at me."
I take another slow breath, steeling myself. I am doing myself no favors by fighting Eric on this. If I am going to be sent away, I'll face it with dignity. When I open my eyes, Eric's face is still mostly neutral, but his brows are pinched, pulling at the piercings slightly. He scans my face, eyes darting from the tears down my cheeks, to my trembling chin and mouth, back to my eyes.
"Thank you. Kat, what happened in there? I pieced some of it together, but I want a better explanation of why two initiates were willing to come to blows with another."
"Peter was reading an article written by Erudite." I pause, looking for some hint of recognition from Eric, but he continues watching me, no changes to his expression. "It was talking about Abnegation. More importantly, it was discussing the families of transfers. Particularly Tris's Dad. Making implications that are less than kind or respectful." I swallow the thin saliva pooling in my mouth, my stomach churning. Eric continues watching, but when it appears I have no intention of speaking again, he nods slowly.
"And that led you to punch Peter? That doesn't seem to have much to do with you, given the lengths you have taken to distance yourself from your former faction."
I stare into his eyes, hoping that maybe he'll take pity. That maybe Eric will piece it together without me having to say anything. Or that he'll just accept my answer as good enough. But when he continues to just stare back, I look away focusing on a spot where the wall meets the floor.
"It also brought up Marcus. Asked if I was running from him. If we ran to Dauntless to be safe because we were too afraid to stay, or if we were too cowardly to try and expose the truth."
"What?" He sounds shocked, and turning back to him, I can see the confusion and surprise. And it seems so genuine. But quickly it turns to disgust. "Jeanine's going too far. Stay here. I'll be right back."
He turns and heads back in the direction of the dormitory, probably to get the paper from Peter. Leaning back into the wall behind me, I allow myself to feel heavy and slide down the wall until I am sitting, pulling my knees into my chest and resting my chin on my knees. I hug my arms tight around my legs, turning my face down to hide, as I feel the pressure building back up both in my chest and behind my eyes. The next breath that pulls from my chest is uneven before turning into a sob.
I can hear footsteps approaching again after a few moments, and I try and wrestle the emotions back down, but by the time I can tell who I assume is Eric is next to me, I have only managed to tone my breathing back to a quieter sound.
After a moment, I can hear Eric settle down on the floor next to me. A warmth settles over my shoulders, before I feel Eric pulling me closer. I can't find the energy to fight it, allowing myself to be moved until I am pulled into his chest. I released my knees, but Eric simply tucks my face into his neck, resting his chin over my head and wrapping his arms loosely around me. A calm silence only broken by my uneven breathing, but feeling his chest rise and fall against me, I try and match my breathing to his. When Eric finally breaks the tenuous silence, his voice is gentle, rumbling against me.
"What they said was wrong, but surely it's a good thing for Marcus to finally be called out for who he is?"
And I can see the logic. In some way, I understand. Many people would argue this is the best possible outcome. People would imagine this is everything I'd ever wanted. I don't know if Tobias is aware of the article, but I can imagine those who know him thinking the same thing. But there is something deep within in me that is so hurt and angry. Something buried so deep has been uncovered and cries out.
"I asked for help for so long," I speak quietly, but I don't doubt that Eric can still hear me, "and I was ignored every time. I spent so many years begging for people to check on the house or to check in on us. I didn't just ask those in Abnegation. I saw other people. I even made comments to Jeanine the few times I saw her. But no one listened. For years I suffered and tried to get help and was abandoned. Only after I've escaped, now that I've started to build something for myself, now that I'm moving on, suddenly this gets brought up. Suddenly, when it's convenient for Jeanine to get the sway she wants, suddenly it matters. It didn't matter when children were suffering. It only matters when she has something to gain. This isn't justice for anyone. The only people suffering from this are the people who suffered all along. No one is going to turn against Marcus for this. And Andrew was never one of the corrupt ones. Instead, the only people who are hurt are Tris and me, maybe even Four. And for what? For Erudite to make another grab at control?"
Eric squeezes me tighter, not responding aloud. Instead, he just moves his hand to stroke my hair, his fingers gently massaging my scalp every once in a while. I continue to match my breathing to his, waiting for the gasps and sobs to die down, and find myself so incredibly tired and empty. All the rage, all the hurt, and all the pain I had felt mere moments ago is suddenly gone and I am left feeling like a husk.
"Kat," when Eric breaks the silence, his voice is still quiet and gentle, "since this deals with the other factions, this should be taken to Max."
"No offense, but wouldn't he already know about this? There was that Erudite reporter that was here not long ago? Surely someone like that couldn't be here without Max knowing?" Realizing that what I'm saying may sound like an accusation of some sort, I lean back slightly, looking at Eric. "Not that I'm saying Max supported this, or he has some role in it. It's just he must have known something was going to happen. From what some of the others said, he was specifically asking about Abnegation."
He is silent, thinking for a moment. After a moment, he looks at me, scanning my face. I'm not sure what he's looking for, but finally he lets out a sigh, playing with one of the piercings in his lower lip.
"Kat, there are many factors at play in the relationship between all factions right now. And there are things that you are not in a place to know, but clearly you know that people aren't the happiest with Abnegation being in control. And there have been communications among the leadership of some of the factions. But this was not the direction things were supposed to take. Bystanders and victims are never to be the target or hurt. That's why this needs to be brought to Max. Things need to change, but not like this."
I nod my head, and Eric stands, offering a hand and pulling me to my feet. Once I'm steady, I go to step away, but Eric moves his hand to the small of my back and as he begins heading down the hall, he keeps it there, keeping me close. I don't have to think of where we're going as the pressure at my back guides me, allowing my head to wander separate from my feet. I realize that Eric is giving me more information than someone of my level would normally be given, or even should be told, and I'm grateful in a sense. But on the other hand, the story I'm being told doesn't fully fit. Not to say that I think Eric is lying purposefully. I truly do think that Eric is telling me what he believes to be true. However, some of it doesn't make sense. Like the fact that bystanders aren't meant to be hurt, and yet the initiation process leaves a portion of people factionless. It incentivizes ruthlessness and in some ways cruelty. I am trying to reconcile both in my mind, but it doesn't make sense. But more than anything, I want it to be true; I want to trust Eric and Max, I want to be safe and free and cared for. And most importantly in this moment, I don't know what to do, regardless of what is true.
After several turns that leave me feeling dizzy and lost, we approach a closed door that looks identical to any other that we had passed before. But Eric pulls me to the door, knocking twice and waiting until a voice calls for us to enter. Eric moves his hand to my waist and gives me a squeeze before letting go and opening the door. He stands aside with the door open and gestures for me to enter before following behind and closing the door behind him.
Max is sitting behind his desk, looking at a computer while holding a tablet of some sort in his hand, scrolling through something and making notes. Noticing me, he places the tablet down and looks confused, but manages to maintain a level of decorum and professionalism with how he masks the confusion to a point it is barely noticeable as he turns to look at Eric.
"Max, we have an issue. Jeanine is taking things too far." He walks to the desk and hands the paper Peter was reading over to Max. Max looks between the two of us for a moment before reading the paper. His face remains calm and neutral as his eyes quickly scan the page, and after a moment his mouth pinches ever so slightly as he looks back up at Eric.
"There was nearly a fight in the dormitories earlier. An initiate got ahold of this and was using it to try and demean and torture some of the other initiates. And she is needlessly targeting our transfers. There are other Abnegation transfers, including one into her own faction but instead she only calls the ones coming to us cowards." Eric seems genuinely upset as he speaks with Max, gesturing loosely with his hands. Max doesn't respond immediately, instead looking back at the paper. Then he glances up at me.
"Are you one of the initiates who nearly got into a fight?" There is no judgement, but I realize that in this office I should mind what I say. And so, I opt for honesty, realizing that I don't know if there is surveillance anywhere, and I don't know what might get said.
"In all frankness sir, I did get into a fight. I punched Peter. I lost control. Another initiate did nearly fight Peter and Molly as well, but nothing came of it. She was pulled away by another initiate."
"Did you know anything about this paper prior to it getting read in the dormitory?" There doesn't seem to be any judgement as Max asks his questions, only curiosity, and so I continue with my honesty.
"I had heard some rumors of an Erudite reporter going about the faction and inquiring about Abnegation, but I wasn't present for any of that, so I didn't know any details about what that was about."
Max simply hums in response before leaning back in his chair with a sigh. Picking up the tablet, he scrolls a few things before turning to his computer and typing some things out. After a few moments of Eric and I just watching Max type and scroll, he stops and puts the tablet back down and turns back to Eric.
"I'll speak with Jeanine. This wasn't done correctly. We can discuss this," Max glances at me before quickly looking back to Eric, "later. Are the initiates under control?"
"Of course. The situation was contained and dealt with quickly. I don't foresee any further issues. If nothing else, it may motivate some competition among the higher level initiates."
Max gives a nod at that before turning in his chair to face me.
"Kat, I apologize that this happened to you. Please know that I am going to address this with all due severity. I don't take kindly to my own being attacked and bullied. So as much as you can, try and forget this. Don't let it impact your initiation. Is there anything else I can do for you regarding this?"
A near hysterical laugh almost bursts from my chest, hearing Max tell me to just move on. As if that isn't what I've been doing the entire time. And just when I was starting to reach a point of peace it all gets thrown back in my face. But of course I'm just meant to act like nothing happened. But I take a deep breath, grounding myself and trying to maintain a semblance of control, especially given my outburst earlier, which I am not facing consequences for, but I am unsure if that is truly a good thing. Realistically there isn't much that Max could do in this moment, and I am grateful that he is doing anything now. It is a step closer to healing, if he holds true to his word. And I realize there are risks for him to speak to Jeanine, especially if he calls out her own injustices in this act. So I smile as well as I can, seeing Eric watching me out of the corner of my eyes.
"No, but I would like to inform Four of the article. While he wasn't directly mentioned, I am concerned about how he may feel about it, since he was indirectly mentioned. And I can't imagine it will be pleasant for him to be surprised by it. I think it'd be best coming directly to him."
Max's eyes narrow for a moment, staring at me before offering a nod and turning back to Eric.
"Why don't you accompany her to inform Four. You can take this," Max holds out the paper to Eric at first, but then turns to me instead and holds it out, "just bring it back afterwards. And go ahead and escort Miss Kat back to the dorms. Then come back and we can discuss this among other things."
I step forward and take the paper from Max. As I grab it, Max reaches forward and takes my hand. My hands look so small in his, and they are warm and rough. But he simply holds my hand gently in both of his and his grip is gentle but still firm as he looks at me.
"Take care of yourself Kat. The world can be rough and ever changing and things can be very overwhelming. But you aren't alone anymore."
His smile is kind, and I am stunned by the gentle kindness. I find myself always thrown off balance, thinking I know what to expect from the people, and yet never being right. I always think I understand how the people here think and act, and yet I never expected this gentle care from a person of such a high level. Such a gentle hold from such a large and solid man.
"Thank you." My voice is so quiet I'm not sure he'll hear, but he gives my hands a squeeze before letting go and leaning back.
"Any idea where Four is?"
"Last I heard, he and some of the others were planning on enjoying some drinks near the Pit. Wanted to feel a bit of a rush I guess."
Turning to Eric, he offers a short nod to Max before turning to me.
"Ready?"
I give a nod to him, starting towards the door. Eric reaches the door and opens it for me, standing to the side allowing me to walk through. As I'm on the other side, I turn back towards the room. Max has already returned to his tablet.
"Thank you again Max."
He looks up again, offering a smile and nod. Eric also gives Max a nod that is returned before closing the door.
"Let's see if we can find him." Eric turns and heads down the hallway. I can only follow behind, again lost in thought. Every so often Eric will glance over his shoulder, seemingly to ensure that I'm still behind him. The action is almost sweet. Sooner than I would have thought we are entering the Pit. Glancing around, the bustle of people moving about is a little overwhelming. And Four isn't readily visible as Eric and I look. Finally Eric taps my arm and points to a point near the chasm where a group of people are laughing and leaning against the railing. And there amongst them is Four, laughing in a carefree way that I don't know I've ever seen on Tobias.
Eric leads me up a stairwell and as we approach, Four's back is to us. Some of the others in the group notice us first, and some start to stand straighter upon seeing Eric. He offers them a nod and they seem to relax slightly, but Four stands up and turns to see what his friends are reacting to. He notices Eric first, his face pinching slightly, but upon seeing me, a number of emotions cross his face rapidly. His eyes run head to toe, taking in my general appearance and he seems to settle on concern.
Eric stops a few paces back, seemingly to give me space. I wait a few feet away from the group. Four turns to his friends and says something quick and they offer him nods and hands to his shoulders before he turns and heads toward me.
"Kat? What's wrong?"
"I think you should read this. It was written by Erudite and released this morning. Peter had it when he came back." Tobias takes the paper I hand him, staring at me momentarily before reading the article. He reads quickly, and I can guess where he is based on his face as he slowly becomes angrier. Once he's finished reading, he looks up and scans my face again.
"Kat, I'm so sorry. Has Max been informed about this?"
"Yeah," I nod, "Eric took me to tell him about it earlier. He said he's going to speak to Jeanine about it. I figured you should hear about it from someone you trust though, instead of possibly finding out on accident or having someone say something. I'm not sure how many people would realize it's you being mentioned, but just to be safe."
"Thank you," he offers a smile, "but I'll be alright. I'm worried about you. Are you alright?"
"No, but I will be, given enough time."
Tobias hesitates for a moment before pulling me in for a hug, before quickly releasing me and taking a step back.
"Why don't I walk you back? So you can have some peace and quiet for a bit?"
I smile at the offer, but I glance over his shoulder at his friends at the Pit. Focusing back on Tobias, I see the flush in his cheeks and am somewhat surprised at how sober he is managing to act given the bottles on the ledge and the general behavior of his friends who don't seem to have even noticed us.
"No thanks, Max already has Eric on that duty. You go and enjoy your friends. Try and forget this even happened."
Tobias straightens upon hearing Eric's name as if only just remembering he was here. He turns to look at Eric, his face pinching slightly. He grabs my shoulders and gives them a quick squeeze.
"Are you sure? I really don't mind. I'm worried about you."
I place my hands over his, giving them a squeeze as well. Tobias turns back to look at me, concern still clear on his face.
"I promise Tobias, I'll be alright. Enjoy your friends. I haven't seen you so light. Enjoy your evening, for my sake if nothing else."
His mouth pinches momentarily before he takes a deep breath and nods. Sensing the conversation is coming to a close, Eric finally approaches.
"Could I have the paper back? Max has requested I return it to him."
Four stares for a moment before slowly handing the paper over. The two stare at one another, neither saying anything for a while, and the tension in the air grows, neither willing to look away. Finally Four lets out a huff before turning back to me, and giving my shoulder another squeeze that I return to his hand with a tight smile, trying as hard as I can to try and convey that I'll be fine. Letting go, he turns back to Eric.
"Take care of her. Or else."
Without waiting for a response he turns and heads back to his group at the ledge. Eric only raises one brow, watching Four's back as he leaves. Once Four has reached his friends and picked up another bottle, Eric turns back to me.
"Well, that's one mission down. One more to go."
I give a small smile at the lighthearted response before gesturing for Eric to lead the way. He gives a theatrical nod, head tilted, before placing a hand at the small of my back and leading me back to the stairway and towards the dormitory.
There is still silence for the walk. I am unsure what topic of conversation could be fitting for a day such as this, with the events that have happened. We reach the dormitory in what feels simultaneously like moments but also hours. When we reach the door, Eric pauses and faces me.
"Thank you, for stopping me earlier. Before I could manage to do something I truly regretted." I'm not sure what compels me to say it, but once the words are out, they feel right. Eric's smile is gentle, much like Max's before.
"I'm just glad I was there to step in for it. Not just the fight, but for the whole situation. You deserve better than this Kat."
My jaw clenches, and I turn away to stare at a spot on the floor. I don't know why, but I find myself unable to meet his eyes. I don't know if it's shame or fear or something else. But I just want to curl up and vanish for a while. To be away from it all, if even for just a moment.
"Kat," Eric's voice is gentle as it draws me back, "I know you aren't okay. And that is fair and justified. But you don't have to suffer in silence anymore. You have people here willing to support you. You're safe. Don't forget that. I'm here if you need to talk."
A lump rises in my throat as he speaks. I don't know if there are words that exist that can manage to convey the gratitude and sheer emotion I feel at his words. Instead, I find myself moving forward and colliding with him as I wrap my arms around him. At first he doesn't react, his arms lifting slightly, but staying away from my body, but after a moment I feel the warmth wrap around my body.
"Thank you." It's a whisper spoken into his shoulder, but I can feel and hear him hum in response. We stay like that for a while before I let go and move back, his arms lingering around me for a short period.
"Go on in and get some rest Kat. I'll see you tomorrow."
Meeting his eyes, I give him a final nod and smile that he returns before I head into the thankfully empty dorm. I realize I will likely miss dinner, but I don't have an appetite. Instead, I make my way to my bunk and get ready for bed, ready for this day to finally be over.
Howdy! Apologies as always for how long it's been between updates. I'm not going to give an excuse because it's not worth it. Just know that I am very sorry, and for those of you still around, I'm very grateful that you are here and that you're reading this. I hope you enjoy. I know things are quite different from the books, but the events for this chapter and some of the ones coming up are difficult to translate into another character, and so I am having to come up with very non-canon events and whatnot, hopefully you all don't mind too much! And I realize that Eric and Max may seem very OOC, but as I've mentioned in some other chapters, I wanted to add some dimensionality to them. I wanted them to not be simple villains, but complex humans, which I realize some people might not enjoy, and if that's the case I apologize, but it's the interpretation I'm choosing to follow, especially given that Kat is navigating Dauntless in a very different way to how Tris does in the books. But I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I promise, I will continue updating, I'm just not sure what the timeframe will be, but I will continue. So thank you so much for reading, and I hope you enjoyed. Until next time, Stay Fierce!
~ChildOfLupus