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Chapter 3
Who the hell are you?
Tobias' POV
I contemplate whether or not to go back to the house and let this beautiful, blonde stranger sleep. But I can't seem to pull myself away from her. In fact, I can't seem to pull my eyes away from her face. I take a seat behind my desk, placing my rifle quietly on the desk keeping it in arms reach just in case.
Hours pass in silence between us as the storm roars outside. The wind is threatening to tear this place apart. I'm surprised that this stranger can even sleep so deeply in this storm. Another hour passes by before she finally begins to stir awake. Her eyes slowly flutter open, unfocused as she glances around. A small smile appears on her face as she obviously feels comfortable in her surroundings. Well that is until she sees me. Her smile quickly falls to shock before she rushes to struggle with the mountain of blankets that are on top of her and rushes to stand on her feet. Her hands are balled up in fists beside her.
I take my own stand, not feeling intimidated, but feeling like the intimidator. I place my arms across my chest, never once looking anywhere but her. Taking notice that she is alone, with one bag, taking in her pale complexion and boney appearance. Something in me softens just a little.
"What's your name?" I ask.
"My name… it's…. B-" she says, struggling. I see something in her, something familiar. The need to start fresh, to not be the person you were yesterday.
"Is it a hard one?" I ask, my voice sounding more tougher than I mean it to be. I may want to help her, but she also needs to know I'm not one for games.
"You can pick a new one… If you want but make it good. You don't get to pick again." I encourage her. She breathes out, her eyes looking at me up and down as if trying to decide if I'm a threat or not.
"Um… Okay," she breathes, as she continues, "My name is Tris." She finally says. I don't know if its her real name or not. That's not the point. The point is, I'm not a threat.
"Well Tris, welcome to Dauntless Christmas Tree Farm," I say. I reach for my rifle, pointing towards the ground. I walk around my desk and begin to head out of the barn. I only glance behind me once at Tris before I say, "Follow me. You must be starving."
I scoop up an equal amount of scramble eggs onto two plates, followed by placing two bacon slices and toast on each place. I turn around with both plates in my hands and walk towards the dining room that hasn't been used in ages. I slide Tris her plate, before placing my own plate down and sitting across from her.
For what seems like minutes go by in silence as we both eat. I admit it's one of the most comfortable silences I have ever had. It's not awkward at all and there is no need for that small annoying talk. Only it leaves me to stir in my own thoughts.
Thoughts like, how did she get here? And why? What was she doing out in this storm? Is she on the run? Running from someone or something?
"What are you doing here?" I blurt out.
"You made me breakfast." She points out.
"I mean why were you in my barn?" I correct myself.
"I just needed a place to stay and wait out this storm." She sighs, her eyes trained on her plate while her fork pushes her eggs around.
"Where were you headed?" I ask. I watch as she contemplates telling me her story. I want to help, but I won't accept lies.
"I-" She begins but cuts herself off. Obviously not sure what to tell me and what not to. I can see in her eyes that shame is holding her back from speaking. I decided not to give her a hard time, knowing damn well that if it was me on the other side of this table, I would probably send myself straight to hell.
"My car… Broke down on the way out of town." She finally admits. "I was just trying to take cover from the storm."
"I see," I say, "Well I can help you get it up and running. I have a friend who is a mechanic." I can call Uriah once the storm passes, bribe him with food to come out here.
"Thank you… But I…. I don't have any money." She says, dropping her fork, she looks up at me for one second before looking back down at her hands.
Something tells me there is more to the story than a broken-down car and no money to fix it. I glance up at Lauren's picture that hangs in the hallway smiling at me, I know what she would do in this situation. Lauren always had such a warm heart, even being her sarcastic self, she could make you feel welcomed and loved. She had a knack for it. I may not know everything about Tris, but for now I don't have to.
"You can work it off here…" I offer. "I'm short staffed, actually I have no staff right now. I could use a hand and in return I can arrange for your car to be fixed and I can offer you room and board in the meantime."
"I don't want your pity." She spits out. She obviously hates the thought of me seeing her weak. I admit although given her situation, something tells me she is far from weak.
"Good. Cause you won't get it," I spit right back. I stand up from my chair, placing my empty plate in the sink. I turn towards her, leaning against the counter. "The way I see it…We are both in a sticky situation where we can both benefit from helping each other. I need help, you need to fix your car and in the meantime a place to stay," I point out. "So do we have a deal?" I ask, holding my hand out for her to shake.
"Where? Where will I stay?" She asks, her voice hesitant.
"In the house?" I answer more in a questioning tone given I'm not sure exactly what she meant. Did she think I would make her sleep outside in the barn?
"I mean…. Will I have my own room?" She asks slowly, her eyebrows raising up in question.
"I have a guest room." I laugh. "Come let me show you around." I push off the counter and gesture towards the hallway, given from her tone and word choices we should get along just fine.
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Revised by FDFobsessed
