Her Secret

The Attack

    When Jeanine got back to her apartment from work, Tris was curled up in an armchair in the dark, staring at her.
    "What's wrong?" Jeanine asks her.
Tris sighs. "I want to know what you do."
    "You miss me that much every day?" Jeanine asks with a smirk.
    Tris shrugs. "I just figured maybe there's an easier way to . . . you know. Reduce the problem," she mumbles. "And how's that saying go? Two brains are better than one?"
    Jeanine smiles. "I think that's something you just made up, cheré."
    Tris rolls her eyes. "Maybe that's the case, but you still haven't told me what you do."
    Jeanine sits down and sets her bag in front of her feet. She pulls out her laptop. "What do you want to know? You already know all of the faction work," she states.
    "Yeah, but you haven't told me about the Divergent work. Maybe this doesn't have to work out as bad as you think."
    "Tris, we've tried testing them. It's not something we can suppress. We don't know how to get rid of it!" Jeanine snaps. "It didn't work, and our scientists have run out of serum ideas to test. Not to mention we no longer have any more divergents to test on."
"I'm one," Tris says softly. Her voice seemed so small as if she was trying to make up for Jeanine yelling at her.
    Jeanine snaps her head back to look at the girl. "Absolutely not. You are Divergent, but I certainly refuse to test on you."
    "But what if-"
    "I said no the first time, and I will say it again," Jeanine whispers.
    Tris looks defeated. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have even brought this up. I just wanted to help, that's all."
    Jeanine stares at her. "You're sorry?" she asks. Jeanine was slightly confused. Before she met Tris, sorry was not a phrase she was used to hearing.
    "And I shouldn't have yelled at you either," Jeanine whispers.
    "You can do it. I believe in you," Tris says with a smirk.
    Jeanine rolls her eyes. "I'm sorry," she says, mimicking Tris' voice. The girl seems satisfied.
    "Good. I'm glad," Tris says with a large grin.
    Jeanine hesitates. "Abnegation has the most Divergents," she says, her tone and her face suddenly becoming serious.
    "And you're going to attack, aren't you?" Tris asks in a quiet voice.
    Jeanine nods. "It was in the plans. We'll capture the Divergents."
    Tris suddenly seems visibly upset. "You can't attack all of those innocent people!" Tris bursts out.
    "I know. That's why I called it off."
    "You did what?" she asks, clearly confused. "Jeanine, that's your goal."
    "I know . . ." she responds.
    "Why?"
    "Because I knew that you'd hate me for it," she whispers, shaking her head. Tris stares at her hands. "Are you going to say anything?" Jeanine asks.
    Tris looks up. "I'm glad you've called off your plans," she whispers. She bites her lip. "If you change your mind, can you at least get my parents out of Abnegation?" Tris asks.
    Jeanine nods. "I think I can do that," she mumbles.

    It was the last day of initiation when Jeanine got a call from Eric late at night. "I started the sim," his voice says over the phone.
    "Eric, you promised you weren't going to do it," Jeanine hisses. "Plus it was in the plans to start the attack after all factions had finished initiation."
    Eric is quiet on the phone. "I'm sorry. It's too late." Eric whispers before hanging up.

    Jeanine gets ready in a hurry before heading to Tris' dorm. She gently shakes the girl awake and presses a finger to her lips. "Get ready quickly. I'll explain once we are alone."
    Tris does as Jeanine says and starts jogging out of the dorms. They quickly make it out of the building, and Jeanine gestures for Tris to follow her. "Get in the car," she says.
    "Jean, what's happening?" Tris asks as she obeys. Her voice seems quite panicked.
    "Eric started the sim anyways. The Dauntless have been controlled, and they are now heading to the Abnegation sector to attack. I've sent someone to Dauntless to try and shut the simulation down, but meanwhile, we're going to Abnegation to get your parents and the faction leaders out safely," Jeanine explains. Her words come out in a rush.
    They quickly make it to the Abnegation sector, in which Tris' heart sinks to see that the controlled Dauntless had already arrived. Jeanine gives Tris a hug. "In case something happens, be safe." She then hands Tris a gun. "You might need this. I don't know what is going to happen tonight, but if I don't-"
    "Jeanine, no. You are going to be just fine," Tris says insistently. "Promise me."
    Jeanine looks guilty as she meets Tris' gaze. She gives her a quick kiss. "I can't promise that," she whispers. "Now go! Find your parents and bring them back here. I've got to find Marcus."