Tris the trainer

Facing them

Tobias pov:

After I finish crying, which was completely embarrassing, I try to sit up but my head is pounding. I curse.

"Wow, wow, wow, you have to be more careful, Four." Six says, putting her hand behind my head.

"Okay I will," I say leaning my head back into the pillows, after she removed her hand.

"I could report this, you know," Six says.

"No," I reply. "I don't want them to think I'm scared."

"I figured you would say that." She says, running her finger absently over my check bones, collecting stray tears.

"Do you think it would be a bad idea if I tried to sit up again?"

"I'll help you this time."

Six grips my shoulder with one hand and holds my head steady with the others as I push myself up. Pain rushes through my body in sharp bursts, but I try to ignore it. I bite my lip to keep from groaning.

She hands me the ice pack. "You can let yourself be in pain, it's just me in here."

I just shake my head. I can't be any more weak than I already am. I cried in front of her, I didn't even cry when my father beat me. I am not being any more vulnerable than I already have been.

Six just changes the subject and says, "I suggest you rely on your transfer friends to protect you from now on,"

"I thought I was," I say. I can just feel Al's hands on me, forcing me to the chasm, almost killing me, for what? What have I ever done worth killing for? "But Al..."

"He wanted you to be the weak, nothing boy from Abnegation," Six says softly, stroking my arm. "He hurt you because your strength made him feel weak. No other reason."

I nod and try to believe her, but all I can think about is me rejecting him. That probably hurt. I would never know because in Abnegation if you wanted to go on a date with someone, you would figure out there community service schedule and match yours to there's, or help clean up at a house 'party' with them. Plus In Abnegation I've never talked to a person long enough to care about any of that, or them to care about me.

"Four!" Six snaps her fingers in front of my face.

"Sorry, what were you saying? I ask, looking her in the eyes.

"Last time I'll repeat," Six says, making me think that she said it more than once when I was thinking about Al. "The others won't be as jealous if you show some vulnerability. Even if it isn't real."

"You think I have to pretend to be vulnerable?" I ask looking down at my self.

"Yes, I do." She says standing up.

Sometimes I think that she is just another person, but sometimes I feel the sight of her in my gut. I just can't help it.

"You are going to march into breakfast tomorrow and show your attackers they had no effect on you," he ads, but you should let that bruise on your cheek show, but keep your head down and stay to the side."

This sounds like every single day of my childhood. Won't be that hard. I nod.

"Go to sleep, four. You deserve it." Six says looking me in the eyes. "I'm going to be here the whole time, so you can sleep soundly." I nod, but not breaking the eye contact. It seems like an eternity, but I know it was only a matter of seconds when my eyes start to droop. Right before I slip into darkness I feel a hand on my cheek and I open my eyes to see her a few inches from my face. "But please, when you see the opportunity..." Her eyes harden and she has a look like pure hatred. "Ruin them."