Hey guys! I'm so sorry it's taken me this long to put out an update for this story. I just wanted to thank you all for your continued support and encouragement! I sorta mixed up the timeline here, sorry. Typically the rankings are announced the night of visiting day, but with Marcus and everything you can see why that wasn't able to work out. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter despite all that!

Tris POV

Everything in my entire body is sore when I wake up. Mentally, my brain is completely shattered, and emotionally, I'm a complete a wreck.

I've never been more thankful for a day off in my entire life. Today, we're supposed to find out our rankings, and after that, we have the rest of the day to prepare for the next stage of initiation. I don't know how much my body can take after yesterday, so hopefully, it isn't anything that is too physical. There's no way I'm going to let myself appear weak in front of the other initiates or, God forbid, Eric.

Tobias woke me up on time that morning and apologized the second I opened my eyes with a sheepish smile. He rewrapped my bandages and lent me the smallest clothes he owned for me to change in to. If I time it right, I'll hopefully have time to visit the dorms to grab some of my own clothes before the rankings are revealed.

Unlike most of the initiates, I'm not really concerned over the rankings. Physically I could beat all of the transfers. The Dauntless-born are iffy, but I know that I've done well enough in this stage to keep myself from being cut.

Tobias had made a simple but delicious breakfast of pancakes that morning. Despite the pain in my back, I managed to enjoy my last few moments with him. Besides the occasional concerned look, Tobias did a good job staying away from the topic of Marcus. Instead, we talked about how we slept and what our future together would look like.

"We'll have to get a new apartment," Tobias said an optimistic smile on his face. "One that's bigger and has everything we'll need."

"This one is plenty big," I argue, "you don't have to waste your points on a new one."

"You deserve the best, Bea." His sincere voice makes a soft blush creep up my cheeks. "This apartment is functional, but it works just for me. I want one that is for us."

The thought of a future with Tobias makes me giddy and flustered. Whenever he reminds me that he is just as serious and committed to this relationship as I am, warmth fills my chest. It was almost unbelievable that he considered me a permanent in his life, and he was proud of that.

"Ok," I mumble, taking a sip of coffee. Though I don't like the taste of it, I still drink it for the caffeine and much-needed energy. Today especially, I would take as much energy as I could get. Finishing up my pancakes, I offer Toby an apologetic smile. "I need to leave now if I want to get changed before the rankings come out."

Toby's face falls, but nods. I wish this could last forever. I feel safe around Toby. Being in this apartment with him makes me feel like nothing outside of this apartment could hurt me.

Toby stands up with me and offers a gentle hug. "How are you doing?" He asks softly. I grimace.

"I'll live," I mumble back, blushing from the attention. "I have to visit Shauna sometime today or tomorrow, she'll probably have a few things that'll help."

"Mentally?"

"Pretty bad," I admit, "Right now, though, I'm pretending to be fine because there isn't anything else I can do. I can't cope with it all right now. Not with initiation and rankings and everything."

Tobias purses his lips, obviously unhappy. "I wish you didn't have to go through this, Bea. I'm here for you if you need me later. If you need to laugh or cry or anything, I'm here."

"Thank you," I pull out of the hug and see tears glistening in Toby's eyes. "Hey, I'm okay. Don't worry about me. I'll see you in twenty minutes." He nods, and I blow him a kiss before walking out the door.

The walk to the dorms is thankfully uneventful. When I arrive, everyone is at breakfast, so I'm able to quickly change into my own clothes. I don't bother meeting everyone in the cafeteria as they'll all be back here in a few minutes waiting for Four to post the rankings. I sit on my bed and wait, trying to keep myself distracted by counting the cracks in the wall.

Initiates started streaming in, and Tobias eventually follows them. He glances my way, and I give a slight nod to reassure him that I'm fine.

Though I know I should be paying attention as Four begins to explain the how the ranks are determined, I can't seem to concentrate as I scan the room of initiates. I don't see Christina. She must be on her way with Al and Will, who are both missing as well.

A minute or so into Four's explanation, the remainder of the initiates arrive. As soon as she spots me, Christina walks over in a rush to sit on my bunk and pulls me into a tight hug. I wince from the pain in my back but reciprocate the hug nevertheless.

"I was worried about you," she whispers. "Four said you got attacked, how are you feeling?"

"Sore," I admit, "we'll talk later, okay?"

She nods, and we turn our attention back to Four who had paused talking and let the new initiates find places to stand.

"For those of you who just came in, I'm explaining how the ranks are determined," he says. "After the first round of fights, we ranked you according to your skill level. The number of points you earn depends on your skill level and the skill level of the person you beat. You earn more points for improvement and more points for beating someone of a high skill level. I don't reward preying on the weak. That is cowardice."

Christina nods in agreement next to me. Four continues on to explain that stage two in initiation is weighted more heavily than stage one. Still, if we want to have a high ranking by the end of initiation, we need to have a high ranking from stage one. Before showing us the ranks, Four reminds us that the fact we are transfers will not affect who is cut.

With that, he turns over the board. My name is first, as I expected it would be. Edward follows me, and after him, Peter. Will and Christina are next, then Molly, Drew, Al, and Myra.

Though he isn't dead last, Al is almost guaranteed to be cut. I'd hate that for him, but part of me has known it was inevitable. Christina looks satisfied with her position and nudges my side.

"Look at you in first place! Can't say I'm surprised. You've been kicking ass since day one."

I smile. "Congratulations to you too! Fifth is really good." Christina opens her mouth to respond but is interrupted by Peter.

"What? I won all my fights except for one. Why is the Stiff ranked above me?" I flinch at the nickname and see Four tense up before replying tersely.

"If you intend to secure a higher rank, I suggest you don't make a habit of losing to lower ranked opponents," he says.

Though I know, he doesn't mean them, the words sting. Four pockets the chalk and walks out. Peter turns and glares at me.

"You," he snarls, "You are going to pay for this."

Instead of lunging at me like I expect him to, he simply walks out, followed by Edward and Molly. Uneasiness begins to grow in my stomach. They can't be satisfied with their rankings. They're going to be planning something. And I'm probably the target.

Will comes over and hugs Christina in congratulations. He offers me a high five.

"It's good to see you, Tris. Look at you, number one. How does it feel?"

"Terrifying, honestly." I force a chuckle. "But good."

"We should celebrate." He declares, a broad grin spreading across his features.

Christina nods. "Tris and I need to talk first. We'll meet you in the cafeteria afterward, sound good?" Will nods.

"Save us some nachos, will you?" she adds.

"Sure." After giving Christina a final hug, Will heads to the cafeteria, leaving Christina and me alone in the dorms.

"Why don't we head by the chasm and chat?" She offers, a gentle smile on her face. "That way we won't have to worry about anyone overhearing us."

I nod in agreement, and we head to the chasm. She leads me to a small area with benches along the edge. Not close enough where it would be easy to fall, but close enough to give you a spike of the classic Dauntless adrenaline.

"Ok," she says, sitting down. "Spill."

I take a deep breath and gulp. What should I tell her? What do I hold back? I've only known her for a week. Can I trust her? What if she tells all the other initiates?

Then I think about the time she calmed me down from a panic attack. How she's stuck with me since the very first day. Through the teasing and name-calling, she's stuck by my side. She threatened Four to keep me safe. She deserves the truth. At least, most of it.

"You can't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you," I say, "It's a lot, I'm going to tell you that now. If you want me to stop at any time just let me know. You're my best friend, and I feel like you deserve to know."

Christina nods and grabs my hands and squeezes them. "Thank you, Tris."

I start off with Visiting Day and tell her everything leading up to last night. I leave out Marcus's name and instead say it was a family friend, which technically was true. Tears are streaming down my face again, and her hands squeeze mine in a death-like grip.

When I try to tell her about Marcus attacking me yesterday, I burst into tears. Christina runs her hand up and down my shoulder before pulling me into a loose hug.

"You don't have to tell me if you aren't ready," she whispers. "You're strong, Tris, to have gone through everything you have and still have the energy to get up every day and work as hard as you do. I'm proud to have you as a best friend."

I smile, unable to form words due to the lump in my throat. With a final squeeze of my shoulders, Christina lets go. "Thank you for telling me, Tris."

I nod, and we sit in silence. Once I get my tears under control and feel up to it, we agree to go ahead and meet Will in the cafeteria. A smile grows on my face as I realize that soon, this will be my life. Waking up in Tobias' bed, having breakfast with him, hanging out with friends – living free, away from Marcus.

Later that night when everyone is getting ready for bed, Four enters the dorm and glances around.

"I need to talk to you, Stiff. Meet me outside." I can't help but notice how the muscles in his arms tense when he calls me 'stiff.' I nod, giving Christina's hand a gentle squeeze of reassurance, though I have no idea why Tobias needs me this late at night.

I walk out of the dormitory and walk down the hall towards Toby. He's leaning casually against the stone, reminding me just how young he is. His tough Four exterior gives the impression that he's in his mid-twenties, but here, now, leaning against the wall, I'm reminded that he's only a 17-year-old kid.

"What's up?" I ask.

"If anyone asks, I'm scolding you for disappearing yesterday, got it?"

I nod. Toby sighs.

"What's the matter?"

"I wanted to ask you if you were comfortable sleeping in the dorms tonight." I look at him confused.

"Erm, yeah. I'll be fine." Tobias gives me a searching look, and I feel like I'm missing some vital reason who I wouldn't be fine in the dorms tonight. It's not like Marcus is still here. I look up at him, and he must see the question in my eyes because he hastily continues to explain himself.

"It's just that-you're ranked first. People aren't happy after the first set of rankings go up, Bea. Things could get ugly tonight."

I know better than to think he's insinuating I can't take care of myself. In my condition, though, I doubt I would be able to fend off an attacker.

"It's not like I can sleep anywhere else, Tobias," I whisper his name, conscious of the camera a few yards away from where we stand.

"You can stay in my apartment again," he offers, voice low.

"People would get suspicious." Toby nods, knowing I'm right. "But hey, we have a little bit until I really have to get back. We can spend some time together."

"You aren't tired?"

"I'm always tired, Toby. That isn't going to stop me from enjoying myself with my boyfriend." He smiles.

"I'll never get tired of hearing you say that." He glances up at the camera. "Careful, though."

"Of course."

We head to his apartment, making comfortable small talk the whole way there. It's nice to do this, to just have a casual chat that doesn't consist of updates on potentially life-threatening injuries.

Later, Toby brings two plates of cake to his couch, offering me one as he sits down. I take the plate and take a bite, savoring the delicious chocolate.

We keep up our small talk, talking about anything and everything. We share a few sloppy chocolate kisses, which are relaxed and filled with love. We stay up until midnight, making each other laugh and giggling over nothing. I feel light for the first time in months. For once, I've been able to take my mind off everything that's happened and enjoy myself.

"I should probably be leaving soon," I say, regret lingering in my voice.

"Yeah," Toby's voice is soft but reassuring. It reminds me that I wasn't the only one having a good time. "Do you want me to walk you back to the dorm?" I shake my head.

"It'll probably look suspicious. I'll be fine, everyone's typically asleep by now anyway." He nods slowly. "Thank you though."

"Stay safe, okay?" Bending down he gives me a final kiss, lingering for a moment before finally pulling away. "I love you."

"I love you too. See you in the morning."

"Yeah, get some sleep, okay?"

I grimace. That's easier said than done. With my nightmares and the soreness, I would be lucky to get even two hours of sleep. "I'll try." He nods.

I close the door behind me with a sigh and begin to walk down the deserted hallways to my dorms. The silence feels eerie and presses on me. Chills creep down my spine as I get closer to the dorm I suppress a shiver, telling myself that nothing's wrong.

Suddenly, a loud scream echoes through the halls. It's coming from the direction of the dorms. I walk faster, heart racing, and push open the door to the dormitories.

My eyes squint closed at the flood of light, not expecting the dorm lights to be turned on at this hour. I open them slowly and freeze. Blood coats the floor, and I close my eyes again to keep myself from throwing up. Flashbacks of Marcus flicker behind my eyelids and I open them again in an attempt to stop the memories. Blood. Pain. Darkness.

One thing's for sure.

I'm not going to be sleeping tonight.