Soulmates

Chapter 27: Redeployment

For the next week, Tris, Tobias, and Eric are inseparable when they’re not working. The men tell Tris all about their experiences in the field, the conditions of the factionless, and the efforts that Dauntless troops are making to keep the peace.

Zeke is gone for the second two-week deployment. As with Four and Eric’s time in the field, Dauntless troops keep the peace among the factionless. Unlike their deployment, this time some factionless fight back. Tris is awakened one night by an alarm tone on her comm device. She throws on the first clothes she can find and runs to the leadership wing where she meets up with Eric, Max, and the other leaders. Harrison is the only one missing as he is in the field with the troops.

“Some factionless with knives attacked a tent of our sleeping men,” Max informs the leaders once they have all arrived. “We have several wounded coming back to the compound, and one more seriously wounded soldier heading to the hospital at Erudite. I’m mobilizing another squad to replace the injured and bump up our numbers. Tris and I will go out with them for a couple days.”

“Any word on who the casualties are?” asks Tris, worried about Zeke.

“The soldier heading to Erudite is Jamie Peterson. They think he’ll recover, but some of his stab wounds were deep, so they need to be sure. The other injured will be here soon.”

“How many?” asks Veronica.

“Three coming here,” Max explains. “Eric and Veronica, head to the loading dock to meet them. Tris, meet me in the armory so we can get outfitted.”

“Do I need to bring anything?” she asks.

“Pack your duffle for one night,” Max says. “We should be back tomorrow.”

“Dress in warm layers,” Eric instructs her.

Tris nods and hurries to do as she was ordered.

xxxx

Zeke is not among the injured, but their former neighbor, Zack, is. He sustained minor injuries to his shoulder, side, and thigh. Once Tris is gone and the injured are back, Eric is sent to inform Katrina. He’s thankful on the walk to their apartment that he is only delivering news of minor injuries.

Eric knocks on the apartment door, and a second later Taylor opens it.

“Hey Munchkin!” Eric greets her. “You’ve gotten taller!”

“Mister Eric!” she crows joyfully.

At the sound of her daughter’s greeting, Katrina comes running out of one of the bedrooms. Eric notices right away that the woman is visibly pregnant with the couple’s third child.

“Eric! Zack! No!” Katrina wails as she starts to shake.

“Katrina, no!” Eric says, putting his arms on the pregnant woman’s shoulders. “He’s fine. He’s okay. I promise.”

“Why are you here?” she asks, swiping at the tears on her cheeks as she regains her composure.

“Zack is fine, I promise,” Eric repeats. “There was an attack by a group of factionless overnight. No one was seriously hurt, but a few of the guys needed stitches. Zack is in the infirmary. I came to take you to him so you can bring him home. He’s going to be just fine. It’s just a few stitches, I promise.”

Taylor throws her arms around Eric’s legs and buries her face in the side of his thigh. “I want my daddy!” the little girl wails.

Eric picks her up, letting her cry on his shoulder while he rubs her back. “Daddy is just fine,” he assures the little girl. “We can go see him as soon as Mommy is ready.”

Turning to Katrina, Eric asks, “Where is Bradi?”

“She stayed at my sister’s last night with her cousins,” Katrina replies as she puts her shoes on. She grabs her purse, along with a sweatshirt and shoes for Taylor. “Can we go?” she asks Eric.

“Of course,” he says, still holding the little girl.

The three of them make their way to the infirmary. Another family is there ahead of them, and Will brings coffee and bottled water while they wait. A few minutes later, Veronica arrives with a worried middle-age couple. Will serves them as well, then speaks to the waiting families and leaders.

“My name is Will,” he introduces himself. “I’m a trainee here at the infirmary. As our leaders have told you, a group of factionless attacked a tent of Dauntless soldiers early this morning. Fortunately, no one was killed or seriously injured. One soldier had a fairly deep knife wound and was taken to Erudite. I understand he is already on his way back to the compound. Three others, your family members, suffered surface wounds that required a few stitches. Each of them is patched up and has been given IV fluids, antibiotics, and a tetanus booster. They are free to go home, and will have the next few days off to recover from their injuries and rest. We cannot allow children back in the treatment areas, but I can take one or two adults to each patient so you can speak to the doctors and get them ready to go home. Who is here for Tad Walker?”

The older couple raises their hands, then follows Will out of the room.

Katrina turns to Eric, who is still holding Taylor. “What do I do?” asks the panicked woman. “My sister lives on the other end of the compound, and Tay will freak out. I’m not supposed to be lifting her anymore.”

“Relax,” Eric says with a smile. “She cried herself out and is sound asleep on my shoulder. I’ll stay right here with her.”

“Thank you,” Katrina breathes, rubbing her hands over her prominent baby bump.

“So when are you due?” Eric asks.

“About a month,” she says. “We’re having a boy this time; his name is Axel.”

“Congratulations!” Eric says. “That’s a great Dauntless name.”

Once he helps Katrina get Zack and Taylor settled in at home, Eric returns to the leadership office. He has lunch in his office with Tobias, and the two are tense and quiet the entire time, thinking of Tris and the attack overnight.

Tris returns safe and sound the next day, a love note from Zeke to Shauna tucked in her pocket. Eric and Tobias meet her at the loading dock, just as she had met them. She hugs her two soulmates and drops off the note for Shauna before going home to shower and unpack.

xxxx

After the attack, the factionless become more brave and aggressive. Max deploys more squads of troops, and even spends a week in the field when Harrison comes home.

When Max returns, Eric is sent to the field again, and Tobias’ squad is called up again as well.