♘ Be Brave ♘

C

TWO YEARS LATER:

I am in the middle of the Amity apple tree orchard. I hear a noise behind me, and when I turn around, I cannot believe my eyes. Cassandra's there, healthy, glowing even, and heading straight toward me. I run toward her and pick her up in my arms.

She's smiling, her hair blowing every which way in the breeze. "I missed you," I whisper. She laughs, and the sound is like music to my ears. "I've missed you too." I put her down but pull her close to me, enjoying the feel of her body next to mine. "There's someone I want you to meet. Come."

I let her lead me to the only apple tree there. That's odd. The rest of the place looks empty. She stands next to me and places my hand in someone else's.

Whose, I can't tell; he or she is hidden by the tree's shadow, but I think I can make out a small sliver of-is that gray clothing?-peeking out of the shade. "Take care of her. For me." Before I can ask who it is, she places a finger on my lips. "I love you."

My alarm clock blares just then, forcing me to wake up. I groan. "Wake up, lazybones." Lauren towers over me. "It's Choosing Day." I roll my eyes. "Leave me alone. I was just dreaming about... her."

Lauren crosses her arms. "If you can't man up enough to wake up on time, you shouldn't've signed up for this job in the first place." I glare at her. "I chose it only because I thought Cassandra would be doing it with me."

Initiation went on as planned, Matthew kept his word, and I genuinely forgave him. He made sure a spot was left open for Cassandra, but she still hasn't beaten the coma. As promised, I have visited as frequently as possible, but there are times not even Matthew can help me get away. Like today.

She holds up a hand. "Listen, I'm sorry. But if we don't get out there on time, Rachel will skin us alive." I groan again. "Fine. But I think this is the last year I'm going to do this. I'd much rather work in the control room."

She punches my side, and I stagger back. "Even the initiates are bound to whine less than you are now." I grit my teeth. "Get. Out." She laughs but does as I say, and I resist the urge to throw something at her.

I get dressed begrudgingly, and head to the compound entrance alongside Lauren. On the way there, we walk by the Pit, and come across the graffiti wall. In the midst of it all is the heart Cassandra and I had drawn together so many months ago.

I run my fingers over the rough stone, trying not to cry. "I miss her too, you know," Lauren says quietly. "Though sometimes, I feel like waiting so much is... useless." I shake my head adamantly. "No. God will never leave us nor forsake us."

Lauren purses her lips but says nothing. She had long since given up fighting my beliefs. Yes, my beliefs. Ever since I'd started to read Cassandra's journal, something was different. I had... hope.

Hope that Cassandra would wake up; hope that everything would be alright. Hope that she would one day come home to me and everything would be the way it was before. You can't repeat the past.

I wave the thought away. Can't repeat the past? Of course you can! "Where's Zeke?" She glances at me. "Control room. He's turned into such a workaholic lately we barely see each other-"

Her eyes widen as she realizes what she's doing. Complaining about such a trivial thing... not being able to be together due to work whereas I can't see my wife because she's literally chained to a hospital bed, fighting for her life.

We walk the rest of the way in silence. Once we're there, we join the rest of the crowd in the shadows and wait for the first initiate this year to drop into the net. "Morning, son," Matthew says.

It's now common knowledge that we have forgiven each other, so calling him "dad" doesn't sound weird anymore. "Morning."

It's not long before we hear the unmistakable sound of someone screaming. At first all I see is a blur of gray fabric, but then I realize that it's a girl. A Stiff, no less!

She's about to fall face-first onto the ground, so instinct kicks in. I catch hold of her arms, but let go as soon as she's able to stand upright. "Thank you," she says. I recognize her immediately. Beatrice. Beatrice Prior. Andrew Prior's daughter.

The girl who gave me food the day my mother died. I do my best to maintain a blank expression. If I was able to recognize her, surely she'd recognize me.

And I don't want that. I'm no longer a Stiff. Lauren speaks up, interrupting my thoughts. "Can't believe it. A Stiff? The first to jump? Unheard of."

She smirks at Beatrice, and I feel the need to stand up for her. "There's a reason she left them, Lauren. What's your name?" She hesitates, unsure of what to say. "Think about it," I say.

"You don't get to pick again." She's silent for a moment. "Tris," she says firmly. Lauren grins. "Tris. Make the announcement, Four." I look over my shoulder and shout, "First jumper -- Tris!"