Candor or Dauntless: Truth or Dare (Watty Awards 2013)

Part 7: Twisted

I stand near the front and look at the talking Initiates in front of me. Dylan, Jess, and Anna are talking. Alex, Cleo, and Bekkah are laughing, more like giggling. Then there's Jaden. Poor kid, lovesick, for me...Why me? He stares at me with a ridiculous smile splattered across his face like paint, his vivid green eyes piercing my thoughts. I scowl at him and turn away.

I look at Tobias, and he too is glaring at Jaden, with his deep, dark blue eyes. I smile, always protective.
I speak loudly to the Initiates, "Simulations start at noon. Be there." The rest of the ride is uneventful, Jaden stared at me, with that ridiculous smile, the whole way, Tobias glared back at Jaden. I'm the first to jump off the train. I land firmly on my feet. The transfers hobble out and I see Tobias.

He's got Jaden by the back of his shirt, holding him over the edge, "Don't you ever look at her again. Understand?" He asks. Jaden nods, tears in his eyes. Tobias throws him onto the roof and strides towards me. It makes me feel safe and secure that he cares that much, but I don't like him when he's 'Instructor Four.' It scares me when he's like that. We all walk down the stairs and into the compound.
"Go to sleep, everyone," He says, looking towards the Initiates, "Just because it's a late training, doesn't mean you can be late." He barks at them, obviously irritated. They all descend to the dorms in one uniform group. I look at Tobias and smile.

I stand on my toes and kiss him, he doesn't kiss back. I pull away, confused. His eyes lurk near the dorms and I realize, he's not ready and he doesn't want to be caught. I kiss his cheek and say goodbye. I walk to my room and he walks to his.

I shower and change into pajamas. Slide into bed, I fall asleep quickly.

I open my eyes and I'm in my old room in Abnegation. How did I get here? I look around, and there's Jaden. He's sitting on my bed, holding a large knife. He looks up at me, eyes full of anger and charges me, knife drawn. He grabs me from behind and snakes his arm around my neck, knife in hand.
He asks me, "Will you go out with me?" I shake my head, if I'm going to die, I'm going to die loyal. He screeches in fury and slices my neck open. I wake up shivering, covered in a cold sweat.

It was a dream. I look at the clock, 7:30am. I whine in protest. I shower and change into new pajamas. I walk lightly to Tobias's room. I'll never be able to sleep tonight in my own room, being racked with nightmares. I open his door, and look inside. It takes my eyes a minute to adjust, but when they do, I see Tobias's handsome face from across the room. There's a sound from the bathroom, someone's flushing the toilet, and it's not Tobias.

I walk in quietly and close the door gently behind me. I hide in the shadows and wait. Slowly, the bathroom door creeps open and out walks Konnor.

She's just in her underwear and I am utterly disgusted. I don't move, I wait. She climbs into bed next to Tobias and kisses his lips. He grabs the back of her head and pulls her close, kissing her more passionately. His eyes are open and he looks at her face and smiles into the kiss. I feel like I might throw up. I move, suddenly. I walk quietly out, while their backs were turned. I limp out into the hall. I walk aimlessly around, until I come across the dorms. I break down immediately. I crawl into the corner near the fountain and silent tears fall down my cheeks. I rub my hands across my face and keep them there. I hear shuffling in the dorms, but I don't look up.

I trusted him and I saw it with my own eyes what he's capable of. The thought of him and Konnor kissing makes my stomach twist into knots. The pain makes a loud, ugly sob contort my body and I yelp. I feel hands touching my shoulders...Strong, large hands. I look up only once, my face soaked in tears, and I see Alex. He smirks, but then hides it.
"Six...Um, what's wrong?" He says trying to be consoling.
I shake my head, "Nothing, Alex...I'm fi--" I struggle to say before another sob hits me like a wave. I can't control the sobs any longer and they come out mangled together. He grabs my shoulders and I bury my face in his chest. He caresses the hair on my head. I pull away from him and sniffle. His dark gray shirt dampened with my tears. He smiles a half smile at me and I look at him, tears still running down my cheeks.
"Guess your not such a bad kid after all, Alex." I sniff.
He nods, "I guess not." He says and I hear no sarcasm. I half smile at him and he smiles a goofy smile and I laugh. I rub my palms into my eyes and wipe away the tears.
"I guess you can keep your Candor-Smart Mouth shut." He laughs, a deep, heavy sound.