Dreaming

Chapter 19

Tris's POV

"Holy shit!" is the first thing Uriah says the moment we're swallowed into the sim.

"Candor," the word just slips out of my mouth. We're standing on top of a roof, but not just any roof, it's the Candor building's roof. I don't know how or why I know this, but that was the first thing that popped into my head.

"What?"

"We're on the Candor's roof," I don't even think about the answer as the words are easily formed by my mouth. I look around us, the sun is blazing down on us. We can't see through the windows because of the blinds, but here up on the balcony, there are tables set up with chairs neatly tucked underneath and an umbrella that goes right through the middle of the table.

"What even? How'd you know?"

I don't get a chance to answer him because something catches my eye, and I'm hit with a strong, deep feeling of déjà vu. My eyes feel moist and my heart starts pounding in my chest.

"No! Please!" Uriah's scream pulls me out of my dream state.

"What-" Marlene is on the ledge of the balcony  along with two other people; two little children.

"You can only save one of us. You can only save one of us." The three of them chant in unison. Their voices deadpan and their faces vacant.

They take a step backwards, getting closer to the edge, and repeat the same phrase twice. Another step back.

"Tris!" My mind and body seem to be disconnected because the moment I hear my name, I rush toward the three of them to pull them away from the edge. But I don't get far.

"No! You can't touch them!" Uriah's hand grasps my wrist, holding me back from doing the only one thing that makes sense.

"I don't understand, you can't just watch! Uriah, this is the only way to get out of the sim!" His eyes flicker between mine. He seems torn between letting me go or holding me back, but I don't get it. Why?

"Uri-"

"Don't say I didn't warn you," he lets go. I close my mouth and rush to the others.

"-one of us. You can only save one of us." I reach out to pull the little girl back when her face contorts into black pits for eyes and razor sharp teeth fill her mouth. Hissing loudly, she yanks my arm with a tremendous amount of strength, sending me flying up and over the edge of the building.

I don't even scream, at least I don't think I do. All I feel is like a weight is being pressed down on my abdomen and my head is about to explode. It feels endless; the fall.

I hear my name being screamed into my ear, and I remember that I have an ear piece connecting me to the real world.

"Tobias," I manage to whisper before landing hard on my back, the wind is instantly knocked out of me. It feels so real. But then, I'm next to Uriah again, and Marlene and the two kids are further from the edge than last time. They repeat the same phrase over and over again, taking a step backwards every two sentences.

"What the fuck," I turn to face Uriah, "was that?" I can still feel the sensation of my body hitting the pavement lingering on my back.

"I told you, but no, Tris listens to no one." He crosses his arms.

"Well, how am I supposed to help you? What the hell is even going on in your head that I can't even exit the simulation safely." I pinch the bridge of my nose and try to think; think of another way.