Death Wish

Part 31

"Divergent," I admitted softly.

Instantly, Eric let go of my chin and loosened his tight grip on my arm. He took a few steps back with confliction written all over his face.

It was silent for a few moments as he let that one word sink in. I felt a prickle of something cold go up my spine as I waited for Eric's reaction. I didn't move from that spot against the wall and stayed rooted in place, worries that if I made one wrong move he might get mad again.

I was a Divergent.

He knew it.

He would turn me into Jeannie now.

And I would be taken away. And killed. Or tortured. Or something else horrible.

Eric sighed, rubbing his face as though he hoped to wake up from a dream. Or a nightmare.

"Are y-you going to bring me to Jeannie now?" I asked with a raspy voice befofe standing up straight and rubbing my eyes to stop any more tears from escaping.

Eric didn't reply immediately. He didn't even look up at me from his leaned over position. He just crossed his arms slowly, his gaze focused on the floor.

"What makes you think I would do that?" He asked lowly, still not looking up at me. I furrowed my brows in confusion but decided to tell him anyway.

"While I was at your apartment, I read one of the files on your desk. It was about the Divergents," I answered quietly but loud enough for Eric to hear. "Y-you are supposed to bring me in, and Divergents are kill on sight."

His expression turned angry, and I was sure I'd sealed my fate. He inhaled and exhaled once before slowly walking towards me. I almost melted into the wall, both terrified and paralyzed with fear.  

"You really think I would give you up to that bitch Jeannie?" Eric asked quietly with disappointment in his words. Surprise flashed across my eyes but his gaze stayed somber.

A spark of hope filled my chest.

I took a cautious step towards him.

"Eric... I- Everyone, even my best friends, are convinced that Divergents are dangerous. I was terrified of anyone finding out. I-I couldn't trust anyone. I had no idea what they would do to me if they found out and I don't even understand w-what makes me dangerous," I rambled honestly, trying desperately to convince him. "I would never purposely hurt anyone in Dauntless."

Eric was quiet for another moment and I searched his expression desperately, hoping for mercy or understanding.

"Does anyone else know?" Eric asked, his face unreadable.

"Just Four," I replied honestly, "He's been helping me with the fear simulations."

Eric nodded slowly. "So that's why you were sneaking around at night?"

"Yes."

He stayed quiet, obviously debating in his mind what he should do. But considering that he hadn't instantly dragged me to Jeannie for execution, I must have still had a chance.

"Eric? What's going to happen?" I asked carefully, "Are they going to kill me?"

He immediately shook his head. "No, I won't let that happen," He said, "I'll make sure they don't detect you during the questioning."

My brows lifted at the proposition. "Y-you would do that for me?" I asked, standing up straight as the fear dissipated. "How? Why?"

He nodded. "I think Jeannie is wrong about Divergents and I wouldn't let her hurt you," He explained quietly and my heart suddenly swelled. "I've been watching you progress through Dauntless for weeks now and know you aren't dangerous to our society. You're more Dauntless than half the initiates."

"Wait, what? Really?" I asked, my panic suddenly being replaced by gracious joy.

Eric nodded quietly, his sincere blue eyes telling me everything I needed to know. Without thinking, I closed the space between us and wrapped my arms around him.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you so much," I said, my words muffled against his chest as he hesitantly hugged back.

I didn't pull away, enjoying the reassuring comfort of his body. I normally hating touching people, but I couldn't have been more thankful.

"I don't think you understand how scared I have felt since Jeanie came. Since I ready that file," I explained, holding on tight.

Eric hesitated. "I understand," He offered.

"Thank you Eric," I repeated once more.

"You're questioning, I'm pretty sure, is tomorrow," Eric told me. I adjusted my head so that I could look up at him but didn't pull away.

"I'll be ready," I said, sniffing.

Eric's steel blue eyes looked directly into mine as he slowly brought up a hand to brush some of my hair out of my face. His touch was feather light and could have been mistaken for a gentle breeze.

My body seemed to relax on contact, finding immediate calm under his touch.

"How do you do that?" I asked.

"What do you mean?" He asked, his blond brows creasing.

"You make it seem like nothing could ever hurt me," I replied.

Eric considered it for a moment before a mischievous lilt entered his eyes.

"I guess I'm just perfect like that," He shrugged smuggly.

I instantly gave him a look but couldn't stop myself from grinning.

"You know, everyone thought I had a death wish when they saw I had a crush on The Eric Coulter of Dauntless," I told him, not bothering to hide the pink blush on my cheeks.

A smile that made my heart melt appeared on his normally stoic features.

"At least you didn't listen."