Dauntless Born

Chapter 15 Plans

I stared out over the city that I could see from the fire escape. There was this warm glow about it. Pretty right? I looked over at Eric smirking and nodding. Yeah. I said as I leaned against him. Too bad it's all gone to shit. I frowned some. What? The city. It's gone to shit. And it's all because of you. I felt something drip on me. I saw red on my hand. I turned covering my mouth as Eric was standing there, with a gaping hole in his head. I let a muffled scream out my back hitting the railing which didn't hold me, and I fell backwards.

I woke up with a jolt as I hit the ground in my dream. I was staring at the plain ceiling. I sat up quickly panic setting in as I was worried I was trapped in a different dream. The panic lasted until the door opened and Uriah stepped in. Hey! You awake? I looked over at him and relaxed. Yeah, why? I asked standing up the black and blue pants shifted some. We're heading over to Four's. I nodded some grabbing my shoes. He glanced over his shoulder before stepping in and closing the door. How're you, doing? Fine. How're your really doing? I frowned at him and he sighed. You were calling Eric in your sleep last night, I was the only one awake so I was the only one who heard it. I swallowed hard looking down. I'm doing fine. I said as the image of the lifeless Eric standing over me flashed into my head. I nodded before grabbing my stuff and walking downstairs. Oh come on, we need to get her different clothes! Lynn snapped and I rolled my eyes. I kinda like it. I said and she shook her head as we headed down the road. We get to the house. I don't wait on the porch stairs like the others do. I just stand by them. The door opened and Evelyn was standing there. They went in as I scanned. Kace! Uriah called and I turned looking up. I swallowed hard before walking up and in. From the front door I can see Four standing there making breakfast. I notice the others standing around talking. I step towards the conversation and Tori stopped talking. Evelyn looked over. Kacie, go give your brother a hand in the kitchen. I feel my hands ball up Uriah, Lynn, and Christina look at each other. Excuse me? It's polite.

I wanted to argue back, that I wasn't a stiff, I didn't help people. But before I can do anything, I'm walking to the kitchen. Four turned as he cracked an egg. Hey, what're- I got sent to help you, because it's polite. He looked over at me with an eyebrow raised. And you didn't punch her? I shook my head. Wow. He said as he started whisking the eggs. I started putting butter on bread to make toast. I kept glancing around and then back down. What's eating at you? I shook my head. Nothing just a little weird. He looked over at me as I started frying the hell out of the bread. How so? It's just different. I said and he nodded some. Where's Marcus? Not here thankfully. I raised an eyebrow. Evelyn kicked him out. So the vic finally stands up to the abuser. Yeah. What're you two talking about? I stiffened up at Evelyn's voice. Nothing, just having a conversation. I said stacking the toast into a basket that Four had handed me. Do we have any clean clothes for your sister? He nodded some turning. Yeah. But-  Good, she needs out of that Erudite drag, you can use the bedroom to the left. I felt my stomach pit. Ok. I muttered before heading up. I changed but kept the jacket with me. Time I get back down Tris is downstairs, and they're laughing about something. I rolled my eyes and headed to the kitchen to get some water. Kacie? I stopped dead in my tracks. What, Tris? I asked shortly and she looked at Four. When did she get here?!? last night, she came in shortly after you fell asleep. I felt my eyebrows raise and then drop, I made a face and someone laughed some shaking their head. That's a look! I shook my head before walking back out to the living room and heading to the front door, and walking out.

Four

I let a little puff of air out before standing. What's going on with her today? Tori asked and I shook my head as I headed to the door. Who knows. Tobias, make sure she doesn't go far. I looked over at Evelyn and then back to the door rolling my eyes. I closed the door and jogged after her. Hey! I said getting ahold of her upper arm. When I turn her to face me, she's red, her eyes are a little more blue than green, her lip was quivering. Kace, you're- shut up. She snapped her voice shaking. I looked up and around before dragging her down an ally, where no one was staying. What's wrong? Everything! She snapped her voice was choked out to a squeak. She shook her head before taking a deep breath. Everything is wrong, I was never meant to be here. She said evenly. I was never meant to be Dauntless, a Soldier, and- She bit her lip. I have lost everything, EVERYONE I have EVER cared about, because they were either Divergent or just traitor scum to you and everyone else. Kace- You killed Dexter. My stomach dropped. Dexter, had been Eric's best friend, during our time in Erudite, I noticed Kacie was stuck to him like gum on the bottom of his shoe, but he didn't seem to mind. And here I am in a faction, that I tried to save, a faction that was never meant to be mine, and I didn't even get a simple thank you from you! I-I didn't think- This was YOUR faction, not mine. She spat the words out like it was bitter. All I got a was a beating from Marcus. I didn't hear anything else she was saying, I shook my head. Hey, stop hang on, he did what? Her face dropped and she shook her head. I don't- You never fell off the fence, did you? I fell I- Kacie, don't lie to me. She started crying again. I grabbed her into a hug, her sobbing becoming muffled. I just wanna go home. For real this time, not just to make a stand against Erudite, I wanna just wake up.

***

I don't remember how I got here. After my breakdown, I had fallen asleep, when I woke up, the sun was setting. I had managed to slip away and take a walk. It shocked me how easy it was for me to slip off. Maybe he wants you to think that? I shook my head as I came to the Abnegation head quarters. I was just rounding the corner when I saw Tris exit, and then Marcus. I frowned some as I slipped back behind the building. I knew I could go tell Four, and he'd never trust Tris again. Or I could use this to my leverage. I started making my way back to the main square right as I hear Evelyn and Tori start the game plan. Our strategy is not pointed, but broad. I hear Tori say as I settle next to Four, my arms crossed over my chest. There is no way to know who among the Erudite supports Jeanine, and who does not. Pretty easy, most of them do, they see her as some sort of god. I muttered and Four nodded some, a slight hum escaping. Seems right. It is therefore safer to assume that all those who do not support her have already vacated Erudite headquarters. I thought about how many Erudite showed up in Candor, and how many were in Amity now, because no one trusted Candor after they were bowing to the will of Jeanine. We all know Erudite's power lies not in its people, but in its information. I swallow hard shaking my head. Evelyn was Erudite once. How did we know we could trust her? And the question as to why she left in the first place kept rising. It wasn't because she suspected them to be corrupt, otherwise she would have cut ties with Ed had she been smart. As long as they still possess that information, we will never be free of them, especially while large numbers of us are wired for Simulations. They have used information to control us and keep us under their thumb for far too long.

I felt the side of my neck, thinking back to the injection in Dauntless, or the most recent one from Candor. I looked at the people as a small shout was spreading. Did you ever get the one from Candor out? No, but what's the point? It can't control me anyways. Just because you are one, doesn't mean it can't. I frowned and remembered, he had somehow been put under. I shook my head. I know it won't control me, if I believe that, then it won't. He shook his head. You should still remove it. I rolled my eyes some as people started groaning in protest as they said people who had been hit would have to stay. Obviously those of us who knew we were Divergent and couldn't be controlled would still go. I shook my head as I sorta tuned the plan out. Something felt wrong. Like really wrong. I couldn't tell Four, because he wouldn't believe me. I took a deep breath and sighed before slipping off.

***

I came back to the house and stood outside against the wall. Something about Tris and Marcus leaving the same building felt weird. I smirk as the door opened and I heard Tris walking out. So, what were you doing with his dad? I asked cleaning my fingernails with my knife. She looked over at me. K-Kacie. I'm not asking again Tris, I wanna know what you're up to. She stared at me, and swallowed hard. Ok, you have two options, You tell me, and you get to do whatever it is, without anyone catching you. Or? Or I go upstairs and tell him that I saw you with him, now stiff, what shall it be? She glanced around and sighed.