A 'Divergent' Escape

Part 14

A/N - Here's part 14, hope you enjoy!

{.....Tris's POV.....}

My breath is released in fast-paced, short huffs as I desperately try and regain a steady breathing pattern; the workout we had been given this morning being such an intense and action-packed experience. My limbs were crying out in despair as they weakly and reluctantly continued to do what was being commanded of them.

Fours little chat outside with Eric must have lasted at least ten minutes; if not even longer. I became immediately curious; especially after the way Eric seemed so urgent in his demanding of Fours presence.

What's all that about?

Upon his handsome reappearance a little time later, there was no sign of Eric following behind him. However this wasn't what had disturbed me for the continuing duration of the training session.

No, that minimal success was awarded to four himself.

He was acting strangely as he walked back into the room; not as though he'd suddenly grown an alternate personality strange, but he just wasn't being Four. For a start he didn't make eye contact with me once. Not once! His eyes remained glued to the hard, cold flooring of the training room as he made his way back over to us initiates; and since the floor was plain and a dull concrete-grey in colour - I knew for a fact that his absent gaze wasn't because he was finding the same old ground 'interesting'. No, there was something else going on. Furthermore, he also walked slowly, not his usual arrogant stride; more of a gentle stroll back over to where we were stood waiting.

Since when did he ever do anything gently? Especially not in front of the other initiates!

He always tries to make out as though he's the 'big, tough guy'; this being so that he can come across as intimidating in order to gain both fear and respect in equal measures.

His words, not mine.

Furthermore, when his face finally did lift and grace the likes of mine waiting patiently for answers; flashing and dancing through his eyes were many many different emotions. Anticipation, worry, regret, excitement, bewilderment! There were probably more, but I was too busy trying to catch and register the ones I caught.

What the hell had gone on out there?!

Throughout the rest of the training session lasting another hour, he continued to avoid my glare; whenever I looked his way he dodged the eye contact expertly, and whenever I caught him glancing my way, he was quick to avert his eyes if I so much as moved mine a millimetre in his direction.

Asshole!

What the hell had happened!!

It was at the end of the session as I was gathering up my sweat ridden towel and empty water bottle that I was finally approached by my agitated boyfriend.

"Everyone, take an hour's break and meet back here at 1'o' clock where we will continue to go over what we have practiced this session" Four commands the initiates coldly as he dismisses us from the training facility.

"What? Na man that's not fair!" whines Uriah. "We don't start our afternoon training sessions until three!"

"I have somewhere to be at three" he states angrily, trying hard to keep calm at Uriah's annoying resistance. "You will be back here by one sharp. End of conversation".

"C'mon Four, don't you think an hours rest is just a little unfair after such an extensive session" adds Al, attempting to make his way down the old 'empathy' route. Sweet, sweet Al; when will you ever learn that here in Dauntless - empathy is something not socialised into the civilians!