Thunder rumbled ominously over the tiny cabin, a deep growl that echoed through the thick woods surrounding them. The air inside the cabin felt lazy and tired as the couple laid passed out in the loft bed. Chicago was asleep on the floor of the living area, staying warm in front of the furnace. Occasionally, flashes of lightning illuminated the small space, casting fleeting shadows that danced across the wooden walls, revealing the rustic charm of the cabin—a patchwork of dark beams and weathered logs.
Then, with a cataclysmic crack, lightning struck a tree nearby, the sound reverberating like a cannon blast, sending a tremor through the ground and a shattering explosion of sound that jolted both Eric and V awake. The sudden violence of the storm shattered the quiet of the morning, the boom echoing through the trees like an angry roar. Instinctively, they reached for their guns, one nestled on each side of the bed, their movements quick and practiced, fueled by years of living on the edge.
As Eric's heart raced, he scanned the dimly lit room, the shadows flickering as the storm raged outside. He took a moment to reassess their surroundings, relief washing over him when he realized it was just the storm. The rain was falling harder now than it had the entire last two days, pelting against the tin roof like a thousand tiny hammers. He ran a hand up and down his wife's bare back, feeling the warmth of her skin against his palm and laying his head back down. He looked at his wristwatch and saw that it was around ten in the morning. He knew they needed to roll out soon, but the thought lingered uneasily in his mind.
V, feeling the tension in his body, crawled across the bed with a grace that was both playful and affectionate. She snuggled into his side, her warmth radiating against him as she took his hand, pressing a gentle kiss to the inside of his palm. She snuggled deeper into his side, her body fitting perfectly against his as she nestled her head into the crook of his neck. He could feel her breath, warm and rhythmic, and it calmed the storm inside him, even as the tempest outside raged on.
"You ready to head back?" He asked her as she shook her head, 'no.' "I know, Doll. Me neither…" He sighed looking out the tiny circular window of the loft and watching fat rain drops steadily smack against the glass. He had wanted to take her hunting and hiking, trying to prepare her life outside the walls. The relentless rain hammered against the cabin roof, and it continuously fueled Eric's rising anxiety. They needed to make it back to the city before the roads washed out completely, and every second counted.
"I'm going to the bathroom, and then I'll be ready to help you pack up," V rasped, her voice slightly hoarse from sleep as she crawled out of bed. She moved slowly, her limbs heavy from fatigue, as she descended the ladder with careful steps, her bare feet gently pressing against the wooden floor.
Meanwhile, Eric quickly got to work as he moved around the cabin, gathering their belongings. He grabbed a couple of bags that had been tossed aside and carried them out to the car.
He stood out in the elements, packing the car with the rain drenching him instantly. He glanced back at the vehicle, noticing with rising panic that the wheels were beginning to sink into the mud. He knew they had to move fast. Once the roads flooded, getting home would be next to impossible.
Eric busted back in through the front door of the cabin only to find V struggling with the last couple bags, her determination shining through the fatigue etched on her face. Without missing a beat, he took the last two bags from her, their fingers brushing past each other. She looked at him relieved, following him out of the cabin and into the car. She had just found herself throwing up in the toilet, but she didn't want him to know that.
"Let's go!" Urgency lacing his tone as they both dashed out into the storm. Together, they hurled the bags into the back hatch of the car, the sound of their movements drowned out by the roar of the rain. Eric's turned towards the porch and signal their dog, who was anxiously waiting for his humans to give him a signal that it was time to go. "Load up!" he commanded, his voice firm. Chicago bolted through the rain and leapt into the car, and Eric quickly followed suit, slamming the hatch closed just as a loud crack of thunder split the sky above them.
"Is that everything?" He yelled over the heavy rain, and she nodded. "Get in the car and I'll lock up!" He shouted running back into the cabin while V loaded up. As soon as she got inside the car, she peeled off her soaking wet shirt and turned around to the back to grab their closest duffle bag and a dry shirt for them both. She found a couple just as Eric was running back out to the car, getting inside and turning over the electric engine.
"Whoo!" He yelled out, shaking the water off his face. She handed him a dry shirt and he quickly changed before attempting to get their car out of the mud. They tossed their wet clothes into the back hatch as V shivered, turning up the car's heat trying to warm herself. Winter was slowly setting in now. Eric carefully pushed down on the accelerator and the car slowly lurched forward. It rocked back into its muddy impression before he gave it another rev and pulled the car out of its muddy hole.
"Yeah!" Eric cheered, feeling more relieved. He really didn't want to have to push the car from behind while V pressed on the gas and slung mud all over him. He quickly pulled away from the cabin and they were on their way back to the city. As disappointed as they both were to leave, V was looking forward to having a couple of extra days at home. They would be able to begin their training early this season and have cozy relaxing evenings in their flat.
They were quiet for most of the drive back the sound of the falling rain blurring out everything else like white noise. By the time they made it back to the city, it was mid-afternoon, and the cloudy sky was getting dimmer. The rain still was not letting up and the city streets were flash flooding but once their tires hit the asphalt roads, they quickly gained speed. The dirt roads had mostly washed out by the time they reached the city limits, and just in time.
V couldn't wait to get into her lounge clothes and lay around their flat for the rest of the evening. They both now lived in Eric's one-bathroom, open floor plan industrial studio flat. It was complete with a full kitchen, dining, and living area. It had the best views of the city and its own private balcony.
The finally turned onto their street and as soon as they did, they both saw Jeanine's car parked out front of their building. Their stomachs both dropped when they saw the car parked in front of their building and next to their usual spot. Eric parked the car, turned off the engine and paused for a moment.
"You think she knows we were coming back today?" V asked, resting her head against the back of the headrest, staring back at Eric. He shook his head, 'no.'
"Let me lead. Who knows why she's here…" Eric muttered, his voice low and edged with unease. V swallowed hard and nodded, gripping the car door a little tighter before stepping out. Together, they moved to the back hatch, their motions tense and deliberate, the dread clenching their insides like a fist.
Upstairs, Jeanine watched them pull up, her sharp eyes tracking their every movement through the window of their flat. Max and another officer worked behind her, unboxing V's belongings—things that had been forcefully taken from Four's flat.
V leashed up Chicago before letting her Malinois hop out of the car as she grabbed the last bag before Eric shut the car and they made their way up the stairs of their building. They silently marched up the steps to their flat, seeing that the door was closed when they got to their floor. Eric had a pretty good feeling that Jeanine was inside, and he would be surprised if she wasn't.
Eric and V stood in front of the door as Eric pressed down on the handle and easily opened it. They stood side-by-side in its open frame, staring in at a sea of moving boxes. The living room and kitchen were completely covered in boxes. In the center of the living room pile stood Max and Eric clenched his jaw, glaring at the unwelcomed man in his apartment.
It didn't take long for V to look at all the items and quickly realizing they were all things from her and Four's flat. The longer she looked at everything the more she came to the realization that some of the things sitting in their flat were Four's things. The urge to throw-up came back again, accompanied with chest-crushing anxiety.
"How was the honeymoon?" Jeanine asked walking up to the couple who were still standing in the open doorway. Chicago anxiously letting out a single bark before V quieted the animal back down and he sat beside her feet, still clipped to his leash.
"Hello, Jeanine." Eric's voice was steady, as he led them into the flat. His body was tense, subtly positioning himself between V and Jeanine.
Jeanine stood poised, her sharp gaze dissecting them the moment they stepped inside. "Did you enjoy yourselves?" she asked, her tone light, but laced with something unsettling.
V hesitated. Her mind still clouded with thoughts of her brother. "Yes, ma'am. Thank you." V responded, her voice flat and mechanical.
Jeanine tilted her head slightly, studying V like she was some kind of experiment. "I hope that means you're ready to work," she said, eyes flicking between them.
V barely managed to nod, 'yes.' She couldn't stop staring at all her things scattered around the flat. Everything felt very real suddenly and she realized this was the sign from Jeanine that she was no longer allowed to go back to her brother. Jeanine had a rule about visiting family and no long than a day if you were in the same faction.
Eric, however, held firm. "We're ready," he answered for the two of them, locking eyes with Jeanine, unwilling to show weakness.
Jeanine didn't break her gaze, but her focus remained on V. "Look at me, girl."
V stiffened but obeyed, snapping her eyes back to Jeanine's. She stood frozen, barely breathing, while Eric's muscles coiled, ready to strike if necessary. The room suddenly felt like all their oxygen had been sucked out, holding everyone still.
"Leave her alone, Jeanine," Eric growled.
Jeanine's lips curled slightly, amused by his protectiveness over her. Behind her she listened to the officers quietly go back to unpacking. With an exaggerated sigh, she finally walked over and took a seat on one of their couches.
"Oh, calm down. I was only going to tell her that all her things have been delivered. Besides, I didn't plan to meet you here. I didn't even expect you to be back this early."
Eric clenched his jaw. "The rain was washing out the roads," he replied gruffly.
Jeanine hummed in approval, rising from her seat as the officers finished their task, gathering the empty boxes and making their way out. "I guess I'll be seeing you… Mr. & Mrs. Coulter." She smiled setting a small box on their kitchen island as she walked past them and out the door.
"Have a good night." Eric snark-ily replied walking over to the close the door behind her.
"I'll see you both at the Choosing Ceremony." She smiled as she stepped out of the apartment and made her way back down to the car. Eric locked the door and leaned against it letting out a heavy sigh, scanning the room. Their belongings were scattered and violated. His gut twisted Jeanine had been digging through their things. He knew it.
As soon as that door locked shut V bolted to the phone in the kitchen and saw the messages light flashing. She knew it was her brother. She felt sick again, as she hit play.
'BEEEEEEEEEEEP'
"Eric, it's Four… Are you there? If you're there, pick up. Please…" He paused for a moment. "Call me back when you get this."
'BEEEEEEEEEEEP'
"Eric, are you there?" He paused. "Have you seen V? She hasn't come home yet. I'm starting to get worried, it doesn't feel right…"
'BEEEEEEEEEEEP'
"Eric! Pick up your damn phone!" He shouted, smacking the mouthpiece of the phone into something. "I need to know if my sister is with you! She hasn't come home, and all her things are here. Call me."
'BEEEEEEEEEEEP'
"Eric! Answer the phone! Where was she today?" He paused. "Call me!"
'BEEEEEEEEEEEP'
"V? Are you there? If you are, I just need to know you're okay. I'm not mad. I just want to know you're okay." He paused. "Call me."
'BEEEEEEEEEEEP'
The last message. It was from this morning.
"What the hell is going on? I know you know where she is! Jeanine and her henchmen just raided our apartment and took all her things!" He paused for a long time. "She said they were going to your place. Call me back or I'm coming over."
'BEEEEEEEEEEEP'
The recorded ended and the light stopped blinking as V blankly stared into the machine. Without another thought she picked up the phone and dialed his number just as someone started pounding on the door. It was Four. She dropped the phone and rushed to the door, throwing it open to her big brother standing there. She threw her arms around him, tears already pouring down her face.
"I'm so sorry!" She sobbed into his shirt.
"V?" He frantically answered, trying not to cry. He was so thankful she opened that door. He thought he had lost her, and it was the worst week he had ever endured. Four looked at the ceiling to hold his emotions back while he felt her violently shake in his arms.
"Four." She finally gasped, trying to stop her tears. "I'm alright! I'm okay. I'm sorry." She gasped for air in between each sentence, trying to calm herself down. She let go of Four taking deep breaths, stepping back and leaning against the wall to catch her breath. After a moment she was able to stop herself as they both stepped into the flat.
Four looked around their place, noticing that her things were scattered… literally everywhere. When he started looking closer, he realized that some of it was his.
"They took my salt and pepper shakers?" He asked almost half-amused, picking them up and putting them in his pocket.
"They took more than salt & pepper shakers." She sighed, handing him some of his books and drawing notebooks. He took them from her as they both sat down in the living area, sitting on opposite couches.
"What happened to you?" She looked over at him uneasy. She knew he was going to be pissed once she told him.
"I wasn't allowed to tell anyone."
"Tell me what? You're freaking me out, V. Do you realize I haven't seen you in a week?
"Eric and I, got married." She blurted out and he froze.
"Excuse me?" He responded, at a loss for words. Four was quiet. He didn't know what to say to his little sister. He wanted her to be happy, but he wasn't sure this was the solution.
"Does he make you happy?" He quickly asked, not caring if Eric could hear him or not. She nodded with a soft smile spreading across her face.
"He makes me feel safe." She looked across the room at Eric, watching him in the kitchen. He was shoving shit to the side, trying to clear cooking space on the counter. They were quiet for a minute before as he thought of what to say next.
"I'm not mad at you, V. I just want you to be happy." He smiled, standing up and going to hug things out with her. She held on for a second longer before pulling away. V slinked off into the bathroom as Four shifted his attention to Eric who was now cooking.
Four stepped into the kitchen, looking at Eric who stood over the stove. The only sound in the room was from the sizzle of beef frying in the skillet, its aroma filling the air. Beside it was a pot of pasta shells boiling. Neither man spoke at first, just listening to the rhythmic crackle of cooking meat before Four cracked the silence.
"So? Did you get a chance to take her out?" His voice was low as he glanced over at the closed bathroom door.
Eric shook his head. "No. The rain screwed up all my plans. So instead, we got high, watched movies, and slept in."
Four pulled three plates from the cabinet, loudly setting them down on the counter. "Do you think you'll take her out again?"
Eric exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "No."
Four then considering the impact of what that would do to them during the first half of their journey. The plan had been for Eric to take her out to the cabin and teach her the skills she'd need once they got beyond the walls. Eric had taken him not long ago, and he'd picked it up rather quickly. But now, V would be going in blind.
"She'll have to learn as we go. It should be fine. She's a smart girl." Eric drained the boiling noodles into a strainer in the sink before tossing them into the beef. "It doesn't change anything." Four sat with his backside against the counter, arms crossed, watching Eric in silence. He wasn't as convinced, but he wasn't going to question Eric.
"Does that mean we are ready to begin planning our next phase?" Four asked and Eric gave a single nod. Just then the bathroom door opened and both men went quiet. V came out wearing fresh clothes and a refreshed face. She walked over to the dining table and sat down, just as Eric went to carry their loaded plates over. Four and Eric walked over to the table and set everything down before taking their own seats. They immediately dug in, not saying much in between each bite. V was too tired to think of any small talk and the guys were okay with sitting in silence.
"Does that mean we are ready to begin planning our next phase?" Four asked, his voice edged with a quiet urgency. He took a seat at the dining table, his fingers tapping lightly against the wooden tabletop as he met Eric's gaze.
Eric, who had been absentmindedly stirring the beef and shells gave a single nod before plating up their food. The decision had already been made, but the weight of it still pressed on them both. There was no going back now as they entered the final phase of their plan.
Just then, the bathroom door creaked open, the sound slicing through the conversation. Both men immediately went silent, instinctively looking toward the door. V stepped out, a soft sigh escaping her lips as she ran a hand through her damp hair, fresh from a shower. Her skin exhibited a soft radiance, reminiscent of the tranquility experienced during a fleeting moment of peace. She was wearing Eric's favorite hoodie and a pair of PJ pants, the fabric soft against her skin.
She glanced at them briefly, offering a tired but genuine smile before walking over to the dining table. Without a word, she lowered herself into the chair, the movement fluid and graceful. She was clearly exhausted, but there was something calming in her presence, as though the weight of the world, for now, was lifted from her shoulders.
Eric, still standing in the kitchen, glanced at her for a moment, then back down at the plates in his hands. The food was still steaming, the warm scent of grilled meat filling the room. He carried the loaded plates over to the table, setting them down gently in front of each of them before taking his own seat across from Four.
The clink of silverware and the scrape of plates were the only sounds they made for a moment. The three of them began to eat, the rhythm of their motions synchronized in a quiet, unspoken understanding. Each bite was taken with little thought—chewing, swallowing, a brief glance exchanged now and then.
V's mind was too weary to summon even the slightest urge for conversation, her thoughts drifting aimlessly, fleeting like the passing of a soft breeze. She didn't have the energy for anymore conversations tonight.
The guys were content with the silence. Four kept his eyes on his plate, occasionally looking up, but never in a rush to break their moment of silence. He was just happy to know that his sister was alive and seemingly well. Eric was the same, his thoughts clearly elsewhere, but the stillness between them was comfortable, almost peaceful.
After dinner Four helped clean up before he left for the evening. V had spent a couple of hours putting things away and by the time she was done Four had left and Eric was shutting down for the night. V decided it was time to get ready for bed while Eric took the dog out and did a perimeter walk around their building. He didn't trust Jeanine.
When he came back up, he saw that V had shut off all the lights and was laying in their bed on the other side of the often floorplan. She had the TV on and was watching a movie on their DVD player. It was The Day After Tomorrow, one of her favorite films. It always made her wonder what New York City looked like today.
When he made it over to their bed, he realized V had fallen asleep. He smiled, getting undressed, and carefully climbing in beside her. As he crawled under the covers, she woke up and wiggle over to him, quickly falling back asleep. He turned down the tv and turned off the bedside lamp, running his fingertips up and down her back while he watched the movie and tried to fall asleep.
He finished the film before he was able to fall asleep. As the credits began to roll, he turned off the tv, set the remote on his nightstand, and laid on his back. He stared up at the dark ceiling, still running his hand up and down her back while trying to drift asleep. He couldn't shut off his mind. After a minute he sat back up, turned on the bedside lamp, and went to give Four a ring.