fearless

Chapter 63: Love and War

Don't- Bryson Tiller

I step cautiously through the dark underground tunnels of the Dauntless compound. "Awah!" Hannah throws her arms in the air each time we walk under a turquoise emergency lamp, becoming closer and closer to Olivia's house with each step.

I cross the rusted metal bridge of the chasm, leading myself into the corridor of Dauntless in which Olivia lives.

I see Olivia's door in the distance, the smoky air that floats through Dauntless making it hard to see.

I knock on her door as I reach it, but then stop. I hear moans. I turn the knob on the door, knowing that I probably shouldn't do this; Hannah won't remember what she saw.

I push the door open, and see Olivia's blonde hair smashed against a wall, a man on top of her. Beer bottles on the table and a smell of alcohol in the house.

I think back to our fight. I told her to stop with the one night stands and alcohol; clearly that meant nothing to her. I sigh.

Her eyes catch mine and she pushes the man off of her. I step away from her, toward the door. "Sorry, Ed, family business." She tells the man, and steps toward me.

"Madisonnn," she slurs after she chugs another beer. "What are youuu doing here?" She stumbles toward me and looks at Hannah.

"Helloooo, Lucassss." She pats Hannah's head roughly. I slap her. Hannah soon cries, calling for Ty and I again. "Shhh, honey. Mama's gonna take care of it."

I look up at Olivia, whose red lipstick is smeared across her face and hair is tangled, greasy. "I guess that everything we've had," my eyes gloss. "I guess that meant nothing."

"Fuck you." I tell her, crying. Hannah screeches from my side but I ignore it; I've got other things to take care of at the moment.

"Madisonnn. You don't knowww. I'm getting marrieddd soon, and I thought I'd celebrateee it," her words slur as she topples into a wall.

I can barely see in the darkness of the room, but I'd probably be sick if I could actually see her face right now.

"Bye, Olivia. Call me when you're sobered up. Better yet, come over." I slam the door, and step outside. What a bitch. Her life isn't ever going to get straightened out again if she doesn't keep herself sober.

She had to be lying about the marriage, right? Olivia lies about everything when she's drunk because she doesn't actually know anything.

I contemplate thoughts as I walk back to the apartment, Hannah gurgling with each of my steps.

"Why hello, Maddie." I hear a voice say. the voice echoes, and out steps someone in a black hoodie. I hold Hannah close to me as I stand silently.

The man pulls the hood from his head, revealing Jordan. I gasp audibly. He steps toward me, and looks at Hannah. He scorns at her. "I should be the father of that baby. Not my lousy ass cousin." He reaches for Hannah and I turn around, protecting her.

He grabs my arm, and pulls me toward him by my hoodie. "Help!" I wail as Hannah screams. Jordan looks at me.

"No one can help you now. We're going to take a quick walk to a place far away from your idiot husband." He mumbles as he pulls me away from the chasm, away from the security cameras.