Soulmates

Chapter 12: Recovery

Eric has experienced an adrenaline rush many times. He's been ziplining. He's been in fights. He's faced his worst fears in sims. He's even led troops putting down riots in the factionless sector. But Eric has never experienced the blinding rage, panic, and deep, hollow fear that courses through him when he sees three masked men attacking Tris by the Chasm.

After posting the initiates' rankings for stage two, Eric and Four had gone out for a drink, as planned. Two drinks in, Four expressed his concern that Tris' fast sim times might put her at risk for an attack. They discussed strategies for keeping her safe.

By some unspoken understanding, both men had stopped drinking at that point. Even when Zeke came by and entertained them with his crazy stories, neither trainer took another drink. 

Eventually, Four became restless. "We need to go," he told Eric. The leader didn't argue, but Zeke did. He was in the mood to party, and wanted them to stay.

When they finally got free of their exuberant friend, the two men left the bar together. Walking quickly through the corridors, all Eric could hear was the slap of their shoes on the stone floor and the raging water in the Chasm. But Four insisted that he heard a scream. Eric didn't question his friend, but followed him toward the bridge at the top of the rocky chasm.

Then Eric heard the scream as well, and his heart nearly exploded from the rush of emotion that filled it. Both men took off running.

The first thing Eric saw was a small, blindfolded figure, Tris, being held against the railing by two larger men in ski masks. A third masked man was in her face, saying something Eric couldn't hear. When the masked tormentor reached out and groped roughly at Tris' chest, Eric saw red.

He and Four ran at the men, and the assailants dropped Tris. Two of the attackers started running. Four caught one, while Eric chased the other. Remembering that Tris was still at the railing, he didn't pursue his foe, but went back for his soulmate.

At the railing, the third assailant had lifted Tris over the rail. Eric watched as if in slow motion, as the assailant dropped Tris and turned to run. Eric met the would-be murderer with a straight right that knocked him out cold. He had a lot more rage to take out on the attacker, but Tris, his Tris, was hanging on for her life.

Eric pulled the girl over the railing and into his embrace. "Eric," she breathed in relief against his chest.

A few feet away, Four stood over two unconscious attackers. The third had gotten away, but Eric hoped Tris will know who he was so they can track him down.

xxxx

Eric lifts Tris into his arms, cradling her small form like a baby. She wilts in his arms, unconscious, and Eric feels his heart drop.

"She needs help," he says to Four in a panicked voice.

"I'll deal with these two; you get her to the infirmary." Four says. The two men nod at one another, and Eric leaves with Tris as Four gathers the kidnappers' ropes and the blindfold so he can restrain them.

Eric tries not to jostle the injured girl in his arms as he hurries to the infirmary. He's relieved to see Hana Pedrad on duty. The older woman ushers him back to an exam room, then starts checking Tris' vital signs while she asks Eric what happened.

By the time Eric finishes recounting Tris' ordeal, Four has returned. The two men wordlessly reach for one another and stand side-by-side, arms over each other's shoulders. They stand as one, soldiers watching and guarding at the bedside of their soulmate. Hana's brows raise when she sees the change in their demeanor towards one another, but she doesn’t say anything.