The Soldier

Falling

"They're late." He reminded me for the third time in the last fifteen minutes.

"I know."

"Do they know where we are?"

"Yes."

"Then why aren't they here?"

"I don't know."

I watched him pace back and forth in front of me, his questions and anxiety were starting to make me nervous. I patted the ground beside me.

"Come sit," I offered.

"No, thanks."

I sighed. Partially in annoyance and partially in exhaustion. It was the middle of the night and it would be morning in a few hours. I doubted that I would sleep tonight. I rubbed my eyes, I was getting used to living on little sleep. Having real assignments from The Bureau was exciting but it was starting to take its toll. 

The constant thud, thud, thud of Skylar's shoes was beginning to lull me to sleep. Other than his footfalls, it was dead quiet and I could see myself easily napping against the tunnel wall I sat against.

I yawned and, as Skylar passed by, I grabbed the fabric on his pants.

"Sit. They'll be here soon. Relax." I made it sound like an command and he took it as one.

Since our lengthy conversation a couple days ago where Skylar admitted his aptitude test was inconclusive and where I explained who I was and who I worked for, he had become compliant. Extremely compliant and extremely uneasy. Even Jenna and Calvin began to take note of his behavior change and made comments on how I was being nicer and allowing him to follow me around like a lost dog. It was a good thing The Bureau were able to extract him so quickly, I don't think I'd be able to take anymore of Jenna's teasing.

On the other hand, it worked for our benefit that people were noticing Skylar's erratic personality changes. It would make his faked suicide more believable.

He sat next to me, closer than I would have liked, and cleared his throat. I groaned and opened my eyes, ready to hear whatever he was going to ask. Lately, he was full of questions and I answered them with as much patience as I could.

"Are you...?" He raised his eyebrows at me, hesitant to finish the sentence. "You know..."

"Am I pregnant?" I said, rolling my eyes. "Yes, and you're the father. Congratulations."

He did not think that was funny.

"No. Are we the same...?"

"Are you asking if I'm Divergent?"

He was visibly uncomfortable with the word. "Yeah."

"Of course. They wouldn't trust someone genetically impure to be a spy."

"Oh," was all he said in response and I closed my eyes and was on the brink of unconsciousness when he shook me awake.

"Someone is coming!" He hissed.

Two pairs of heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway to us and I shot up. That better be them.

They came into view, lugging a long, heavy metal container between the two of them. They shuffled down the tunnel to us and I welcomed them one of them a genuine smile. "Hey!" Braden greeted me and dropped his end so he could take a quick break. "We have to be fast, everyone is waiting outside for us."

I told Skylar to help carry and the four of us lifted the container down several more hallways and out into a secluded spot overlooking The Chasm. The Pit was dark and empty. We got close to the fence and the dark water below was violent. I gagged when they unlocked the trunk. Covering my shirt over my mouth and nose, I inspected the corpse in its semi-fetal position. It was freshly dead, the blonde curls twisted on its skull and the mouth was agape.