Those Five Words

38.

Chapter 38

Tris POV

I decide to go to bed early. I am so glad that Tobias and I have made up. Or at least we are getting there. This hasn't been easy on either of us and there is still some rebuilding to go. I get into bed and pretend that I am already asleep as the others slowly trickle in. I am still upset with the way Will and Christina reacted. I don't really care what Peter thinks of me.

I can't seem to get to sleep there are too many thoughts going through my mind. I get out of bed to get a drink of water. I'm not thirsty but I need to do something. I think of going to go and see Tobias but think better of it. I have just taken a drink from the drinking fountain when I feel someone grab me from behind.

I start to scream, but a hand slaps over my mouth. It smells like soap and it's big enough to cover the lower half of my face. I thrash, but the arms holding me are too strong, and I bite down on one of the fingers.

"Ow!" a rough voice cries out.

"Shut up and keep her mouth covered." That voice is higher than the average males' and clearer. Peter.

A strip of dark cloth covers my eyes, and a new pair of hands ties it at the back of my head. I struggle to breathe. There are at least two hands on my arms, dragging me forward, and one on my back, shoving me in the same direction, and one on my mouth, keeping my screams in. Three people. My chest hurts. I can't resist three people on my own.

"Wonder what it sounds like when a Stiff begs for mercy," Peter says with a chuckle. "Hurry up."

I try to focus on the hand on my mouth. There must be something distinct about it that will make him easier to identify. His identity is a problem I can solve. I need to solve a problem right now, or I will panic.

The palm is sweaty and soft. I clench my teeth and breathe through my nose. The soap smell is familiar. Lemongrass and sage. The same smell surrounds Al's bunk. A weight drops into my stomach.

I hear the crash of water against rocks. We are near the chasm-we must be above it, given the volume of the sound. I press my lips together to keep from screaming. If we are above the chasm, I know what they intend to do to me.

"Lift her up, c'mon."

I thrash, and their rough skin grates against mine, but I know it's useless. I scream too, knowing that no one can hear me here.

I will survive until tomorrow. I will.

Hands push me around and up and slam my spine into something hard and cold. Judging by its width and curvature, it is a metal railing. It is the metal railing, the one that overlooks the chasm. My breaths wheeze and mist touches the back of my neck. The hands force my back to arch over the railing. My feet leave the ground, and my attackers are the only think keeping me from falling into the water.

A heavy hand gropes along my chest. "You sure you're sixteen Stiff? Doesn't feel like you're more than twelve." The other boys laugh.

Bile rises in my throat and I swallow the bitter taste.

"Wait, I think I found something!" His hand squeezes me. I bite my tongue to keep from screaming. More laughter.