Becoming Determinant - Tobias' Story

Insurgent Chapter 4 - Conflict Resolution

A/N: Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to review, favorite, and/or follow this story! Your support means a lot to me and always inspires me to write more. Thank you also to my wonderful beta reader, Rosalie!

"Insurgent" Chapter 4 – Conflict Resolution

I wake up early but still barely take the time to get dressed before heading to the kitchen. Per our agreement with the Amity, I have to work the breakfast shift there today. It seemed like one of the easier duties to undertake, since I spent plenty of time cooking and cleaning while growing up in Abnegation. And honestly, I'm a little curious to see how this faction's food is made, given how satisfying every meal here is.

My mood darkens considerably when I see who else is there: a handful of others from my first faction, including my father.

He gives me that small, false smile that he always manages when we're in public, and it sends a twist of nausea through my insides. I scowl back before turning toward the person who seems to be in charge. She's a short woman with dark skin and even darker hair, her white teeth forming a blinding contrast as she beams at all of us.

"Good morning," she states in far too chipper a tone. "My name is Melanie, and I'm going to be guiding you through the joyful process of helping to feed this faction." The cheeriness is too much for this early in the day, and I try to suppress my groan. Fortunately, I'm not the only one; even Marcus is barely keeping the frown off his face.

"First, we'll need to divide into small groups so that we can do all of the important work this kitchen needs." She looks around. "Who would like to make bread?"

Several people immediately volunteer, and she continues to the other duties one by one. It's a slow process, and it doesn't help that I'm hesitant to pick anything, wanting my father to select an activity first so I can avoid him. But he doesn't, and I find myself gritting my teeth more and more the longer I wait. I have a bad feeling that he's going to try to follow me into whatever I choose so he can force me to talk with him.

Eventually, Melanie says, "I need two people to get things on and off the high shelves. Who is willing to do that?"

Cold fury goes through me when Marcus responds. "My son and I can do that. Right, Tobias?" His tone leaves no room for refusal, but I cross my arms, glaring at him anyway.

"I'd rather do something else."

"Come now, Tobias." His tone has a far-too-familiar edge to it. "We're the tallest people here. Surely we can help where we're needed most?"

"Surely you can learn to speak for only yourself," I growl back, "and leave me out of it."

The others stare for several long seconds before Melanie intervenes. "Everyone should pick a job that they are comfortable with." Her voice is soft and lilting, and for a moment I think she's on my side. "But your height would definitely be an advantage, so it would be very kind of you to undertake this task, Tobias."

"It's Four," I snap back, more than a little aggravated that my father has essentially forced me into this. "That's my name."

My response doesn't go over well, causing everyone in the room to stand stiffly, looking at me – or away from me, in some cases – uncomfortably. Johanna's words pass through my mind again, and I know that my current attitude won't count as cooperating. With a long sigh, I mutter, "Fine. I'll do it."

Fortunately, my father and I are separated most of the time, each being asked to help in different parts of the room at any given time. But he still takes every possible opportunity to try to start a conversation.