His Amity | Eric Coulter x Original FMC |

Chapter Eighteen

Lia's breath quickened as she paced her apartment, trying to gather her thoughts. Eric's hurried departure had left her in a panic. She needed a plan, and fast. Grabbing her jacket, she headed out to find Four.

She checked his apartment first, but it was empty. Lia scoured the compound, her anxiety mounting with every minute. Finally, she found him in the control room, eyes glued to the camera feeds. He saw her, quickly motioning her inside and the other guard to leave.

"Lia, what's going on?" Four asked, his voice low but urgent.

"The attack is happening tomorrow," she whispered, her voice shaking. "Those who can't be controlled will be eliminated. I don't know what to do."

Four's eyes narrowed as he showed her a restricted area of the compound on the computers. "I've noticed Erudite and Max going in and out of this area. I can't access the cameras, but it's likely where they're controlling the serum from. If we can get in there and destroy the computers, it might delay their plan."

Lia nodded, her mind racing. "Okay. Let's do it."

He opened the weapons cage to the side of the door, handing Lia a rifle and a knife. Lia took them both reluctantly, trying to convince herself that using them wouldn't be necessary. The realization that this was life or death dawned on her, and she knew these weapons would get their use tonight.

"We need to find someone first," Four said, ignoring her questioning look.

They headed to the bar, spotting Archer among his friends. When Archer saw them, his smile dropped, sensing the seriousness of the situation. Lia's anger flared, knowing Four was involving him.

Lia started berating him, "You're involving Archer? Four why didn't you fucking tell me-"

As they approached, Archer stood up, ready. "What's going on?"

Lia glared at Four. "You shouldn't be involved in this."

Archer smiled gently. "I told you I would protect you, no matter what."

Lia's heart ached. "Are you...divergent?"

Archer shook his head and gave her a soft smile. "No. But someone dear to me is," he said, tucking a piece of stray hair behind her ear.

Lia frowned, how long had he knew? "I meant to tell you, I just didn't want to trouble you-"

Four cut them off, and quickly briefed Archer on their plan. His expression was apologetic, but they both knew they didn't have time for confessions right now. As the night grew darker, they headed back to the control room to finalize their strategy.

There were back ways into the restricted sections of the compound, old maintenance tunnels and shafts. They had planned to use these to their advantage, surprising those within and destroying all they could. They were deep in discussion when Archer suddenly stood, his face blank, and walked towards the door.

"Archer!" Four called, but there was no response.

Lia looked at the cameras and saw all of Dauntless moving toward the pit, with the same blank expression.

"Four... it's happening. I thought we had more time..." Lia trailed off, panic enveloping her.

Four grabbed her arm. "Are you in this?"

"Yes," she said without hesitation.

"Then we proceed as planned, but we can't be subtle. There's no going back after this."

Lia thought of Eric, of their time together. The last night they spent together, his confession of wanting to be with her. She finally admitted to herself that wanted more with him, too.