Finding The Courage

Part 45(Start of Allegiant)

I had woken up in a cell with Tris and the others, the same cell that Tris had been in days ago. We had been sitting in these cells for days before anyone came to tell us what was going on. When someone finally came it was Four. He entered the cell and sat down facing us.

"I told her I was coming to break things off with Tris." He started. "She has the entire city under lock down saying that there is no need to go outside the wall and that she can fix the city on her own." I watched him shake his head as he told us all this new information. I let my head fall into my hands as the gravity of the situation hit us. "Tris, your trial is tomorrow, you're going to have to lie under the truth serum in order to exonerate not only yourself but Christina and Cara. Wren, you might have your own trial if Evelyn isn't satisfied with Tris's."

"Of course I would have my own trial. Your mother hates me." I hissed out. Shaking my head. Four shot me a look.

"I mean you did try to attack her." Tris said.

"It's not my fault that woman is just as bad as Jeanine. I didn't believe for a minute that she was going to make things better." I grumbled.

I let my head hang again and ignored everyone else talking. My mind wandered back to what Edith Prior had said, about being one of the ones to be placed in the city. As my mind puzzled over this my mom's statement about being an original popped back into my head. Edith Prior was an original, which meant one of my ancestors also was. I wondered if we were supposed to be able to identify each other, if that's why my mother had given me the ring. No, she had said it was supposed to keep me safe if I needed it to. Evelyn definitely knew the ring was significant, she had said as much. I didn't think Evelyn knew exactly what the ring meant, she would have taken in from me if she had. 

The rest of the day passed, Tris was quickly becoming increasingly agitated, lying under the truth serum was never an easy thing to do and if someone was familiar with it they would know she was lying due to her facial expressions. We practiced keeping her face blank as I kept pinching her with enough pressure it caused pain. The day passed quickly and soon we were being woken to the sounds of Tris being brought out of the cell for her trial. I paced the small room until the guards came back, releasing Christina and Cara. I grumbled as they shut the door in my face once more and for the first time in a long time I was well and truly alone. The panic built in my chest as my pacing began to pick up. Finally after what felt like hours the door opened again. A guard led me out of the room and down the hall to where Evelyn was waiting.

 "You will be put under the truth serum." Evelyn announced to me and everyone else around me. I didn't fight them as they injected me and I watched Evelyn for any signs that this was some sort of trap.

"Tris told us that she was working with Marcus under the impression that he was working for me. Is this the truth?"

"I wasn't told anything beyond what we were trying to do, Tris simply asked for my help and knowing her uncanny ability to get hurt or be unnecessarily reckless I felt like it was duty as her friend to go with her." I answered and while it wasn't exactly a lie it wasn't the full truth but the serum didn't try and force anything else out of me.

"Why did you try to attack me when we took you prisoner days ago if you aren't a traitor?" I scoffed in her face at this question.

"When you've been held in a glorified cage and had to watch every move you made for fear of being found out you tend to get testy when someone tries to put you back into it." I met her eyes "I'm sure you of all people would understand that given your history." Evelyn's eyes flashed and Four shot me a warning look from beside her.

"You are correct I do know what that's like and I must say that I hadn't thought about that until you pointed it out. Tris gave testimony enough to clear all of you. I just wanted a second opinion." Evelyn smirked at me. "Thank you for your Candor."

I felt the effects of the serum release my mind and was quick to turn and leave before I snapped and went after Evelyn for real this time. I left the building only to find that all of the faction members were now unidentifiable from each other. Everyone was wearing a mix of colors and sharing all of the same spaces. I walked the streets in search of a familiar face and happened upon Peter.

"Hey there, they finally let the caged bird fly." Peter called when he noticed me. I noticed that Molly and Drew were with him and slowed my approach. Sensing my hesitation Peter left the pair to approach me himself. "Can you believe it? It's so weird to see everyone looking the same." Peter said in a softer voice when he finally reached my side.

"It makes me uncomfortable to be honest with you." I mumbled as Peter began to lead me away from the center of everything. He led me to an empty building and I followed behind him as he led me to the roof.

"A not too little birdie told me you like rooftops." was all he said in way of an explanation. I smiled at him and laid down on the roof soaking up the sun that I had missed over the last several days.

"So what's going to happen now? We can't stay here. Tris and Four won't let us." I turned to look at Peter. "They aren't your problem I know but if they leave you know I'm going with them." I gave a type of explanation. Peter sat down next to my head and just nodded in understanding. "We have to know what's outside the wall. We shouldn't be content to live our lives here trapped like birds in a cage." I mumbled that last part and felt Peter's hand in my hair. It seemed like this was as much a comfort move for him as it was for me. "Peter, you don't have to come if you'd rather stay here. Your family is here."

"And what about your family?" He breathed out.

"Wayne got by just fine without me for 16 years. He has gotten through this whole thing without me, though probably more than a little worried. He deserves to have a life outside of running after his babysitter. I made my way in Dauntless the same way he did. I am more than capable."

"You got shot."

"That was the only time I have gotten shot, besides you got shot for something much less badass." I said in a teasing voice while reaching up to push him playfully away from me. "If you're that worried about me, why don't you come make sure I don't die?" I giggled. It was that moment that someone chose to slam the door to the roof open. I rolled over and popped up in a defensive position with the knife from my boot in my hand now. Peter had taken a defensive stance in front of me. We both watched as Four stepped out onto the roof and gave us a disapproving look.

"You need to come with me Wren. We need to talk, it's important." He approached me and helped me up off the ground. I placed the knife back in my boot and followed after him but before I shut the door to the roof behind me I turned back to look at Peter.

"This conversation isn't over yet, I'll find you later." A nod was all the response I got.