Part 2.

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  • Dedicated to Georgie
                                    

The war. That’s all I remember when I wake. That’s the one thing I don’t want to remember. It’s done, though. The society may be left in tatters, but the fighting against Abnegation has been stilled. Finally, Erudite came to their senses. As I get dressed, in Amity yellow and red – the only clean shirt and jeans I have – I hear a faint, curious knock on my door. Tobias. It’s his room, back in the Dauntless compound, after all. I shuffle over to the door, swinging it open to see the wretched face of Peter by the door. “Where’s Four?” I demand, still forgetting that now everyone knows his real name. “Calm down, Stiff. He asked me to check if you were awake, ‘cause he need to do something… in the control room.” Well, at least Peter’s truly delightful sense of humour has returned. I push past him, heading down the corridor and into a darker, unlit one. The door of the control room is just about an inch open, and I approach it carefully. Not because I am afraid of who lies beyond the door – I’m afraid of what Tobias would do if he knew I was listening in on his argument. “You think you’re all that don’t you? Just back off okay, I don’t want her getting hurt.” A strong female voice declares. Christina. Even if she tries to be quiet, a train would stop in its tracks if she shouted ‘stop’ at it. “You don’t know a thing about us. You never have. And, frankly, no you are not concerned about Tris’ relationship; you are concerned that she’s going to show public displays of attention and Will’s not there for you to do the same!” Tobias – the stern voice that could chill, but not destroy. Even though I know he’s right, he shouldn’t have been so harsh. After all, Will’s death was my fault. “How dare you!” Christina exclaims, as I see her hand clap to her mouth. “In case you are forgetting, Tris was the one who killed him! If she can’t even sacrifice her own life for the benefit of her own friend, what do you think she’s going to do for you?” She’s hysterical now. Her hands are shaking, and her eyes are burning holes in him. Just as Tobias begins to give a full-fuelled reply, I swing open the door. “Enough! This is so stupid!” I am almost as furious as Christina. Almost. “Tris, what are you doing here?” Tobias’ voice is less angered with me, and gentler. “Peter. Peter told me you were in the control room. Is this what you came here for? To argue with my best friend?” I cover my eyes, so my tears are unnoticed to them. “I can’t let your boyfriend,” she says, lingering on the last word, “take the blame for this one. He passed the old dorm, where I, Peter, Zeke and Uriah are staying, and I followed him. I admit, I was a tiny bit angry – I’d just been crying over Will. I couldn’t take it Tris. I mean, he was our instructor.” She gives me a sorrowful look that I do not accept. I move my hand back to my side and stare at her, furious. “You mean, you were jealous? Just go Christina.” She glances at me, pain in her eyes, and tries to explain herself. “No!” I shout, much louder than intended. “I do not want to hear your excuses. Not now, anyway. Go!” She leaves, and I break down against a black, metal panel. Tobias kneels down next to me, and stares with an intense gaze. “Tris, it’s okay. She was upset. You’re upset. And she had a fair point – I was your instructor.” He takes my hand, his voice soothing. “Grief lasts a lot longer than you’d think. We both know that,” he says, lifting my chin to look me in the eyes. “I’m sorry, Tobias. She freaked out at you, and expected me to agree with her.” I run my thumb under the bottom of my eye, tears collecting on my finger tip. He wraps a strong arm around, cradling me against him. “I know, Tris.” He rocks me gently, this time pushing my head onto his chest. “It’s going to be okay I promise you. I’ll sort things out with my mom, I’ll stay well away from Marcus, and I’ll get you your family back. Caleb and everyone you wanted to keep safe. Trust me. At least Robert’s been ‘dealt with’.” I tilt up my head, and press my lips to his. “I love you, Tris,” he says resting his head atop mine. “I know,” I say. “And I love you too.”

TO BE CONTINUED.

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