Convergent

Chapter Fifteen

Tris

I can't move, and I can't speak. Tobias stands beside me, his face contorted in anguish, Marcus is in front of him, his lips upturned into a cruel sneer, I want to punch him, to wipe that smile off of his face, I try to reach for Tobias's hand, and to call out to him, but I can't seem to get the words past my tongue. My head feels heavy, and there is a dull throb in the back of my skull, I can't think clearly, it is like when I was on the paralyzing serum, maybe I am on the paralyzing serum? If that is indeed the case then this should wear off in about one minute. Marcus is snarling and circling Tobias, his eyes look predatory, Tobias backs away slowly, He is terrified, but a look of determination shines through the fear.

"Tobias!" He looks at me instead of Marcus, his eyes fill with relief and disbelief. Marcus growls and lunges, I scream. Marcus pins him to the ground, punching him over and over again in his face, dark red; almost purple liquid is dripping from Tobias's nose. I fight against my restraints, screaming his name.

"TOBIAS!" He pushes Marcus off of him and fights to his feet, rushing towards me, he cups my face in his hands, gingerly kissing me, his lips momentarily warm me, and then he is ripped away as Marcus kicks him to the ground again. He starts taking out his belt; loop by loop, and Tobias cringes. I hear Marcus mutter "This is for your own good." Anger blinds me, I don't think, I just do. I yank my arms out of the restraints, hastily rip off the ones on my legs, and jump to my feet. White heat erupts in me, it would be pain, if I wasn't so determined, I run in between Marcus and Tobias, and throw my arms up to protect Tobias's face, the belt strikes me in the shoulder and I scream, I throw myself at Marcus, but before I get to him Tobias is standing in between us, he sidekicks Marcus's feet from underneath him, and kicks him. He kicks him over and over again until blood is spurting from his nose, just like it is from Tobias's, he groans, and Tobias kicks him one more time, before leaning over him and tying his hands together with the belt that was previously used to strike me. Tobias kicks him away, and turns towards me, his eyes are full of- concern? Why would he be concerned, the belt only hit my shoulder, it hurts, but I'm fine, he walks towards me and I start towards him, then my legs buckle. He runs forward to catch me, but is too late, I fall to the ground, the tile feels cool to my face; everything is fuzzy.

"Tris!" I can see the word on his lips, but don't hear it, everything is muffled. His face starts to blend into the surroundings, and I feel him wrap an arm around my neck, and ease an arm under my knees, there is a gentle swaying, then everything is dark.

***

I wake to warmth, the scent of wind and mint dances in my nose, Tobias is holding me close, I sigh and snuggle into his arms, his breaths tickle my ear. There is a constant throb in the back of my head, but as he runs his fingers through my hair the pain subsides. I feel his arms slip out from underneath me and he slowly gets up and walks out of my sight, my heart feels heavy. He returns with an icebox in his hands, and slides back unto the bed with me, he eases one hand behind my neck, and with the other he gently holds the icebox to the back of my head, relief instantly floods in. I study his face; his eyes are intently searching me, they are full of relief, love, and concern. His brows are furrowed with anxiety, and his lips are pressed tightly together.

"Tobias-" I croak, but he stops me from going on

"Shh-shh-shhhh. You need to take it easy, your body just recently came out of surgery and you need rest. Relax... I've got you everything is okay." I am sort of glad he told me to stop; it hurts my head to talk.

"You know-" He says softly "l think you are amazing. What you did for me, stepping in between Marcus and me... That's incredible. No other person has ever cared about me enough to do something like that." I want to console him, tell him just how much he means to me, and I stammer trying to put together words, but he holds a finger to my lips to stop me.

"Shhhhh... I know. I know." And with that he leans over and gently kisses me, erasing all the pain. We lye next to each other in silence for a while, I am tightly tucked away in his arms, with one hand he holds the icebox to my head, and with the other he tentatively strokes my hair, being very careful with his fingers as to not hurt me. I'm in so much pain I am completely incapacitated, I cannot speak, and I cannot move or walk, so he talks, he makes low soothing noises, and murmurs into my ear. I can't tell what he's saying; I'm too far gone, I just enjoy being in his arms, and let the low rumble of his voice lull me to sleep.