Dauntless Rising

Safe

Arabella's POV

I was talking to James about my fear simulation when I heard someone scream about a body found in the chasm. I exchanged looks with James and we ran. I saw Ana there with Alex, and they looked just as shocked as I felt. I saw some Dauntless leaders pull a body out of the chasm. Al. I saw Tris run into the hallway, Four following her, and later she came out and led Ana away. Her goodbye to Alex seemed strangely... final. What was she doing? I'd have to ask her about that later.

James and I walked back to the bunk room. "That was scary. I can't believe he would kill himself. Do you think it was because he was at the bottom of the rankings?"

"Probably." He nodded and looked at me. "I know this is probably a bad time, but..."

"What?"

"Well, I really like you Ara. You're the first person I've ever met to really get me. I was just wondering if maybe you wanted to be my-"

Before I could finish, Luke walked over to me. "Hey beautiful." He gave James a dirty look, before he kissed me, right there. Man was he hot.

Luke released, gave me a quick wink, and walked away. "See you later, babe."

I stared after him, mesmerized. I snapped back into reality. Oh, no. James. I whirled around and saw James, with a crushed expression on his face. Just the sight of it broke my heart. "No, wait, James-"

"No. I see how it is." He scoffed, and then got angry. "I'm such an idiot! A girl like you would never go for a guy like me. I shouldn't have even tried."

He started to walk away. I can't lose him. "James! Come back!"

He didn't even look back.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Angie's POV

Even after the whole thing with Al jumping into the chasm settled down, I lingered by the edge. This was the place everything started for me and Evan. How could a place that started something so beautiful end a life?

I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder. I spun around and saw Evan, a sympathetic look on his face. "I thought I might find you here." He furrowed his eyebrows. "Are you okay?"

I shook my head. "Someone died here today, Evan. Why is everyone taking it so lightly?"

"I'm not."

I sat down, and Evan sat down next to me. "And of course it had to happen at the place where we..." Tears started to fall down my cheeks.

He wrapped his arms around me. "Shh. It's okay." He stroked my hair.

I chuckled. "I don't even know why I'm crying. I barely knew the kid. I guess it's just... in all my years in Dauntless I never saw someone die. So, I guess the first time's always the worst."

"Yeah, it is. It's my first time, too. You don't have to be afraid."

I sobbed into his shirt. After I while I calmed down, and we just sat there, his arms around me, watching the water crash onto the rocks down below.

"Evangeline?" He was the only person I let call me that.

"Yeah?"

"Can this still be our special place? Even after what happened today?"

I took a shaky breath and nodded. He smiled. We stayed there for what seemed like forever. I never wanted to let go, because I felt safe in his arms.