To Escape Reality (Divergent story) Complete*

Chapter 8

Updated: 10/07/2023

(Trigger Warning for this chapter)

Have you ever seen a hummingbird before the way it zips through the air rarely do you catch it as it zooms past you. Their wings beating fifty times per second nearly 34 miles per hour I've never actually seen one but I read about them back in Erudite and I always wondered how they were able to beat their wings that fast and seem totally at peace.

Well I'll tell you right now my heart felt like a little hummingbird about to beat right out of my chest and I was nowhere near calm I was the opposite. I didn't dare look up at Eric as he carried me to the infirmary. A few Dauntless glanced at us as we made our way by but I kept my head down.

We finally made it to the infirmary I presume there were cots lined up against the wall he set me down on one of the cots and looked at me "stay." I watched him walk away and come back with a nurse she took one look at me and looked back at Eric. "So what's wrong with her?" He glared at her and walked over to a seat next to the cot and sat down "sparring today. Check her ribs, she might have cracked one or a couple also I'm not going anywhere."

She held his gaze then sighed and pulled a sheet around us it acted as a makeshift room for me so it was somewhat private. This whole time I was biting my lip I was so worried. I looked up at the nurse who smiled down at me "what's your name miss?" That very moment my mind had become blank what was my name again. "Her name is Ara. She's one of my dauntless initiates. I'm overseeing the transfers." I looked over at Eric who had spoken up for me his eyes met mine and nodded.

"Alright Ara I'm going to have to have you take off your shirt for me." My eyes widened as I stared at her. "T-Take my shirt off." "yes sweetie." I looked back at Eric his eyes stayed fixated on me. I sighed and went to pull up my shirt but as soon as I lifted my arms I yelped in pain and lowered my arms. The nurse rushed to my side and poked and prodded my ribs. "Alright nevermind dear I'll have to cut this shirt off. He wasn't lying about sparring today." I could only whisper and reply yes.

I watched her walk out and come back in with some scissors she began cutting the fabric and eventually she pulled it off. I heard her gasp as her eyes scanned over my abdomen the bruises and the few scars from when Vincent got more creative with ways to torture me. I stole a glance at Eric his fists were clenched so tight his knuckles were growing white but his eyes never left mine. The nurse tore me away from Eric's stare as she finally spoke up. "I'll be right back with some bandages that's the best I can do with broken ribs and I'll snag some pain meds alright darling you stay right here."

I nodded and listened for her quick footsteps that faded away. I leaned forward and hissed in pain reaching for the sheet and pulled it up so it covered my chest in that moment I felt the bed dip and I looked over to see Eric.

I sucked in a sharp breath. "Aren't you going to say something?"  He sighed and rubbed his face with his hand and looked over at me with those grey stormy eyes. "Why didn't you ever tell me Ara? I was friends with your brother I can't believe he was doing this to you. I could have stopped it." With his big hand he lightly touched my bruise that covered most of my side and ribs I could barely feel his touch but his hands weren't soft they were calloused but I didn't care I craved for his touch I wanted more of it. Wait what was I saying Eric was just my friend there was no way I had feelings for him.

"No Eric it would have made things worse if anyone knew." His jaw clenched "if he comes during visiting day and lays one finger on you I'll snap him in two." I smiled slightly and touched his arm, "that's sweet of you." He placed his hand over mine and smiled at me not that mischievous smirk no this was a genuine smile it made my heart melt. As fast as the smile appeared on his face as fast as it disappeared he stood up and crossed his arms and waited for the nurse to return with everything.