Tris's Contenders

chapter 34

Tris POV

My ear rested against the hard wall of Tobias's chest, his heart thudded slower as the minutes went by since our release. My index finger traced invisible circles over his olive skin. "Tell me what you are thinking."

A small laugh cleared his lips and I brought my head up to gaze into his eyes. "I'm thinking about how much I love you and how stupid I was for ever letting you go." He placed his thumb over my now smiling lips and tugged me up with his other arm. Our lips met briefly. "You sure you were ready? I don't want this being because.."

"It wasn't because of Al. Tobias I know you think I was emotionally unstable or maybe you feel that I might have done what I did because I was depressed or whatever. I came here because with you is when I am the most stable. With you I am...strong."

His lips touched the base of my forehead. "God Tris. You have always been strong." A few minutes went by and I huddled back down into the comfortable spot under his arm clinging to his side. "You loved him?"

"I did. I do. I will always love Al. He was a good, kind soul." I dug deeper, telling the truth to my self more then to Tobias. "I loved Eric too." His body went still and I swear I felt his temperature cool. "He was good in the beginning Tobias. Something happened to him. He broke and the Eric I knew was gone. Replaced by an egomaniac who..."

"Who what Tris?"

"He is the reason Al is dead." I paused and shook my head, "I am too."

"What are you saying?"

The images. The sounds. They all cut through me and I took a sharp breath in. "They fought up on that damn balcony because of me."

He pulled away from me, sitting up causing me to position myself a mere two feet from him. "Why didn't you tell the cops Tris?"

"Because...I don't really know what happen. Al told me to run and I did. I didn't see much. Until I heard...he was laying there. I saw Eric look over the edge and he was gone." Tobias's eyes were dark now, but they were met with concern. "I don't think it was on purpose. Eric....he blacks out and becomes this monster..."

"Stop sticking up for him Tris."

"I'm not."

"You are and it's because that beautifully large heart of yours." He pulled me to him and sighed. "Al's parents deserve to know the truth. And Eric, he needs help."

"I know." I pressed my lips to his chest. "But right now..." I flicked his nipple with my tongue. "I want to feel only you." I reached under the covers and grabbed his already hard shaft. "Deep inside me."

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Time seemed to flow like a downward river after an intense summer storm. I had pulled myself back to my feet and held my pride as I returned to school. I admit I looked around every corner for Eric's figure, but he never showed. Weeks went by and he had not returned. I never received another text from him nor another call. Eric became a ghost.

Even after I went to Al's home and talked to his family. I let the tears escape me one last time for Al as I told them the story of his last day. Tobias had met me at the police department so I could make my statement and once the word was out, Eric was being searched for. Months went by before he was even found and I still don't know how or where they found him.

During the trial to my disbelief Eric plead guilty. He looked into my eyes as he said it and I found no anger there. No pitch black tar like wrath. Just relief. Like he was done running. Done falling.

They sentenced him for involuntary man slaughter and maybe it was because he took a plea agreement or something else entirely, he got five years. Five years, but I wasnt upset on that verdict. That was justice enough. For six months he ran and disappeared as a haunted dark boy, but standing just feet from me, head bowed; not in defeat or embarrassment. In realization and  acceptance for his actions. Who was this Eric that stands across from me? In these six months he has morphed into someone entirely different. I man with hope in his eyes. Eyes that stare pass me and to the face of a petite brunette with striking blue eyes. Almost transparent of blue. And there....there was a story between Eric's and  her's.