Lost Truths

Escape

I awoke the next morning with enough time to allow myself to fully wake up before our scheduled escape.

My mind started working almost immediately, giving myself idea after idea. Ideas on alternate escape exits, what if scenarios and their solutions, where to go to get to Dauntless.

Caleb and I would be splitting up as soon as we were out of Erudite. We would need as much time as possible to get to our assigned factions and start blending in.

One thing that wasn't on our side was the fact that the sixteen year olds of the city had already chosen their faction weeks ago. The both of us would have to come up with a cover story for why we were joining late.

With all these unknowns and chances things could go wrong, I was surprised at the level of confidence I had in our plan.

Caleb had been pacing the floor for a while now, nervous out of his mind. He didn't approve of harming others, even though his joking and brave facade said otherwise. I knew the real him though.

"We got this," I said as I heard the footsteps of approaching guards. "We get out, find the portal, and go home."

He still looked on edge.

"Hey," I said in a softer tone. "I'll see you soon okay? We can do this."

With Caleb looking more reassured, I was able to relax and focus on the guards unlocking the door.

We walked to the door, looking defeated as usual.

Acting was a very important part of our escape plan. Poor acting ensured us a lifelong stay here.

When I reached the guards, I made sure I took a few steps out of the room before drawing back my hand as if to scratch my head. I suddenly released it into the guard's face, giving him a bloody nose and unconsciousness.

I looked over to Caleb and saw his guard was also knocked out.

"Let's go."

We ran as fast as we could to the place I could almost guarantee would give us freedom from Erudite.

I pushed the door open quickly, and without so much as a second glance back, we fled into the cool air of the outdoors.

We stopped running only when we were outside of Erudite.

I turned to look him in the eye, the sunlight shining in his face made him seem older somehow.

"I'll see you soon Ari."

"And I you."

We spoke no more to each other, knowing that it would make walking away more painful. We didn't know how long it would take us to find the portal, or how long it would be before we would see each other again.

Turning in opposite directions, we walked away from each other and into the new society.

I could do this. I would find that portal and get us home. Jeanine would never hurt us again.