Candor or Dauntless: Truth or Dare (Watty Awards 2013)

Part 45: Bye bye, Beatrice Prior

I wake up, a smile plastered on my face. Tobias lays next to me, facing the other way, snoring lightly. I still feel tired as I get out his bed and go to my room to feed my cat. I come back and Tobias is sitting up, his head in his hands. Quiet sob-like noises come from his mouth. I close the door loudly and he looks up, his cheeks redden. I walk to him.

"Tobias," I say hesitantly, "What's wrong?"
He shakes his head, "Marcus. He just called me. He said...He said.." I wrap my arms around his tense arms and he buries his face in my neck.
"It's okay. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." I tell him.
He shakes his head, "No. I do." He pulls away and looks at the wall avoiding my gaze. "He called and said that you were next unless you accepted Mr. Woods' offer. Who's Mr. Woods?" He asks, out of tears.
I wince, "He came to me the other day. He says he's the real head of Dauntless. He wants me to be the new leader. You've never heard of him?" I ask.
He shakes his head, "Never. Is he the one killing off your whole family?" I look at my hands and nod slowly. He grips my arms and pulls me close to him.
I hiccup, "My mom, before she died, told me to accept his offer, but I can't contact him. I don't know where I can find him. How can I stay alive?!" I shriek.
He pulls back and looks into my eyes, "Beatrice Prior! You. Can. Do. This. You can and will be our leader." He yells at me.
I smile weakly, "Thank-you for believing in me. Thank you for being here for me. Thank you for--" He cuts me off by pressing a finger to my lips.
"Shh. I think we've got a visitor." He whispers. Quickly and faintly, a brushing sound emanates from behind the door, then a quiet bang. Tobias stands up soundlessly and walks to the door. He picks up the lamp of the table and positions himself by the door.

The door creaks quietly open and a man dressed in all black walks in. He looks around and sees me.
He smiles, "We've been looking for you, Beatrice." His voice is rough and cracked. Tobias brings down the lamp onto the stranger's head. The stranger wobbles and collapses to the floor. Tobias reaches forward and pulls of his mask. Tanner.