Fourtris Now and Forever: Divergent No War

| c h a p t e r 64 |

The second stage of initiation could not come quick enough. Time is like that though: slowing down when you least want it and speeding up when you want to live in the moment. I was able to walk around-- thankfully-- and soon, I was running.

Everything is normal: fights, rankings, more fights . . . It made me scared at how sadistic I was becoming when watching Madison in pain. I would want to cackle when someone punched her right in her big nose.

Tobias and I have been pretty distant recently. He hardly talks to me anymore, and almost goes through his days numb. As soon as I finally get him to warm up to me, he'll suddenly close up if he gets a good look at my knee which has turned a sickening greenish purple color.

Only two initiates needed to be cut, due to the fact Sophie had torn her ACL and-- much to mine and Tobias's dismay-- had to be deemed factionless. Cassandra and Darnel were the two behind the line, with Madison just above it. One night, I caught Jenna in the training room after hours. She had somehow worked her way up to the third slot.

The rankings are as follows:
1. Tamani
2. Luke
3. Jenna
4. Maxon
5. Bill
6. Blade
7. Hazel
8. Abigail
9. Thomas
10. Madison
Cut: Cassandra, Darnel, Sophie (injured)

Today is the first day of the second stage, which means three things: a day of sitting down and administering the fear landscape tests, a day of being cooped up in a room with Tobias, and looking out for any Divergents.

Lauren has already had them experience her fears, while Tobias and I set up the room. My hand stills as I'm packing all the needles and syringes neatly in the box. I run my hand over the sharp metal and with it, memories pour through the floodgates. Fear overturns my blood and my face drains of color, remembering that I'm still hiding a secret from all of Dauntless.

"You good, Stiff?" Tobias asks roughly with a cheeky smile.

"Yeah," I respond half-heartedly. He doesn't notice my lie, and if he does then he doesn't respond. I feel like he's becoming less and less the Tobias I know each and every day.

He has his back turned to me and I set down the needle. Screw it, I think as I walk over behind him. My small arms lace around his muscular body, holding his back to my chest. I cozy the side of my face against the top of his back, breathing in his scent. I almost get dizzy from how intoxicating it is.

"You good, Stiff?" I whisper with a small laugh.

He takes a moment and exhales, "Fine."

"I know you, Tobias. I know you like the back of my hand-- even better. I know you're not alright. Just talk to me," I plead with him.

"Nothing's wrong, Tris," he snaps coldly. My eyebrows crease with his reaction.

"Tell me," I demand, firmer this time. He throws my arms off of him and sends me a glare as I take a step back, appalled. Tears form in my eyes. "Fine," I swallow my tears and return to my work.

He's becoming a monster . . .

I hear breathing evening out. "I'm sorry," he whispers, approaching me. I don't listen to him. "Did you hear me? I'm sorry, alright?"

I whip around. "No! Not alright! You've been next to ignoring me for the past week and whenever I ask you what's wrong, you snap at me. It's not alright. It's like you're becoming someone else entirely, Tobias! You're not acting like the person I fell in love with, you're acting like the instructor that intimidated me!"

He licks his lips and closes his eyes. It looks like I hit a sore spot. "I'm sorry," he whispers, his eyes begging with me to just accept that meager response.