The moon cast light intermittently between clouds, barely lighting my way. I stop roughly a mile from the pier, jumping early in order to asses a possible ambush. I foolishly came alone like asked, only one additional clip of ammunition stands between me and what lies ahead in the darkness.
I reach the opening fence line, broken down concessions line the pathway. I approach quietly, my pistol in my right hand, my finger on the trigger.
Halfway down the midway I stop, despite the cooler temperatures my neck is beaded with sweat. I squint my eyes, my forehead automatically furrowing as I look around. I'm not sure what-or who I am looking for.
My eyes land on a place of comfort, one where fears were faced, and a place of first. I think of the first time I kissed Tris deeply, sitting high above the ground, my knees shook uncontrollably as I parted my lips for the first time, claiming her mouth with mine. The thought makes a tingle run down my spine, spreading warmth throughout me. Without any further hesitation, I walk towards the Ferris wheel.
I had forgotten how large the structure is, straining my neck to see the very top from under it. I nervously check my watch, anxiously pacing and growing more guarded as each moment passes.
My body tenses when I hear the shuffle of gravel growing closer. My pistol instantly aims steadily in the direction of the source. There is not a breath of Abnegation in me at this moment. Only Dauntless blood pumps through me, making me brave, deadly.
"Put the gun down Four, you're in no danger here." A mans voice directs quietly. My head cocks at the familiarity of his tone, unable to place it to any face or name. A more distant sound tells me whoever he is, they're not alone.
"Move again, and you die." My voice is the voice of a Dauntless leader. In any other moment I may be proud of myself for the man I have risen to be.
"That's not necessary. I thought I had taught you that bravery also comes with empathy and patience."
"Taught me?" I whisper to myself. The figure steps closer, his hands out in front of him displaying he is unarmed. The blood drains from my body, standing frozen as though I have seen a ghost. Because I have. "Amar?" I manage to stutter out. My gun still firmly pointed on him. "You're dead, you died!"
He steps even closer, putting himself at an arms reach. I don't even flinch when he reaches out, his hand applying pressure to the top of my pistol to lower it. I allow my arm to drop to my side, my finger still pressed to the trigger.
"I know you must have questions, but we must get a more secure location."
"I'm not fucking moving until you tell me how you're not dead." The memory of his body being pulled from the Chasm is one I vividly remember. One that has haunted me everyday since.
Amar gives me an amused look. He was my mentor, the person who guided me through initiation, the way I did with Tris. Teaching me how to hide my Divergence, to stay hidden in the most dangerous place for a Divergent to be. "You've grown." He finally says, a hint of pride in his tone. "My death was faked. There was a growing hunt for Divergents, it was no longer safe."
"So you left me? To what? Be killed?" He shakes his head defensively.
"You were never suspected. I made sure of that." He pauses for a moment. "I was approached the day before my death, by a woman. Her and a small group were evacuating Divergents from the Factions. I was one of them."
I stand in complete disbelief, the last three years of my life were a lie. The sound of a second set of foot steps draws my pistol back up, this time aiming right behind Amar. "You're not alone?" I question him.
"I'm not. Which is why we must move. She isn't safe here."
"She?" I whisper. I watch a small figure appear into the moonlight. A figure I would know anywhere.
My knees want to give but they can't, because I can't move. I stare blankly as a small hand reaches up to push back the hood to reveal her face.
I can only hear my heart thudding and blood rushing into my ears. My vision tunnels as my body begins to give way to the overwhelming mixture of disbelief, relief, and betrayal.
TRIS POV:
I watch as the tenderness in his face hardens as the reality of my betrayal settles. His shoulders straighten and his eyes go dark, piercing into me the same way he did as my instructor.
I let out a shaken breath and close my eyes. Reciting the words of my mother's letter to give myself the strength to endure this.
My dearest Beatrice,
Words cannot express how proud I am of you, and the woman you have become. Dauntless suits you well, you were never made to be caged within Abnegation.
As much as I would love to tell you these words my sweet girl, we both know that just isn't possible. You are special, capable of more than any of us could ever imagine. You are Divergent. The same as I was, and my mother before me. It is in our blood.
When my mother was a child the council began hunting those who were unable to conform to a Faction. Because of this your great grandmother formed a society in secret, responsible for preserving Divergence, rescuing them and taking them outside of the wall. They called themselves the Allegiance.
One day they will come for you to offer you a life beyond these walls, one where your purpose will be
given clarity. If you choose to join them, your life, and everyone in Chicago will no longer exists.
The choice is yours, and yours alone. We must remember that the price for our humanity is steep, and not always paid with our lives, but with our heart.
I have no doubt you will choose correctly when the time comes. You have always managed to find your way.
I will always be with you.
Love,
NP
I fight back the tear that had threatened to fall and steady myself as my eyes settle on Tobias. This is the moment my mother spoke of.
He was my sacrifice.
The End.
——————————————————————————
It was a short chapter to wrap things up but I will be pushing straight into book 3.
Book 3 will continue on in this story, starting over at Chapter one. Look for an update by the weekend.
Book 3 will be an unforgettable adventure for Tris and Tobias.
