Allegiant alternate ending

Chapter 54

Tobias and I head down to the dinning hall for breakfast. On trays, we each grab a muffin, a milk, an apple, and a yogurt. It isn't a lot, but it's enough.

We sit down at a table by ourselves, our friends aren't down here and the hall has very few people. Well, it is Saturday.

I was the first to speak. "Can we leave?"

Tobias gives me a puzzled look, then says, "Yes, why would you ask?"

"No, can we leave soon?"

"If you want, sure. But we have the others to tag along too."

"I've thought about it, and, I will." I say.

"You will...?"he smiles a little.

"Live with you. You know, when we go back."

He gives me a huge smile. "Great. I was worried that..." His voice trails off.

"What? I wouldn't?" I lean over and kiss him, short and sweet. "I love you."

"I love you, too." He takes my hand in his. For a minute, we hold the gaze. But are shortly interrupted by Uriah, and Christina prancing loudly into the hall, followed by quiet Caleb and Cara.

I don't hesitate and say as soon as they sit down,"We want to leave for the city. As soon as possible. Is tomorrow okay?"

"Uh, sure. Why so urgent?" Christina asks.

"I...I don't know. I am just really eager to get back. Not feel so contained as living in one small cluster of buildings," I respond. But what I really want is to leave the memory behind of being so close to death, for my loved ones to be so close to death.

I glance at Tobias, and he's giving me a small smile, as if he can read my mind. I return his smile before looking back at the others.

Uriah nods. "Yeah, sounds good to me."

"Um, can I think about it?" Caleb says.

I look at him, puzzled at his response."I guess. But...why would you want to stay? Your loved ones will be in the city."

"Well..." Caleb hesitates, and stares down at his shoes. "Matthew... he offered me a really good job here. It sucks it would be away from all of you, but I could visit. I'm just not sure if I want to stay here or be in the city."

I frown and look away too. I'm slightly hurt he doesn't want to stick with me, the only family he has left. He's all left of my family too. My brother. "Oh. Okay. Well, you have until tomorrow to decide." I get up from the table with my tray and dump what's left on it in the trash. I start towards the hallway that will take me to the doors going outside. I feel Tobias behind me, but he doesn't say anything.

I reach the doors and push the glass open, taking a huge whiff of fresh air. I feel really hurt, but I don't cry. I can't cry. It's silly.

I walk towards the trees, my footsteps echoed by Tobias'. I reach the one I'm looking for, the one I liked to climb. I grab the first branch and carefully pull myself up, wedging my foot in the crook. I climb higher. I want to go to the top, but I remember Tobias is with me. I stop and rest on a very thick branch. Tobias rests on the one across. He looks nervous, but I can tell he's trying to hide it, for my sake.

He speaks:"You're upset."

"No, really?" I look at him. "Sorry, I shouldn't lash out on you."

"It's okay. I can take it." He laughs a little, but it quickly muffles and turns into a concerned tone."Is it because of Caleb?"

"Yeah. I'm his only family left, why would he want to leave that behind? All his friends...it must be a really good job."

"Well, he was Erudite. That's sorta Matthew's department." His eyes meet mine.

"I suppose. But he will visit, right?" I ask.

"I don't know for sure, but I think he will." He comes and balances beside me. "It'll be okay. I'll make sure. You deserve it."

"You do too." I smile.

He smiles back. "Then I'll make everything okay for the both of us."

"Okay." I hug him, my head on his heart. I listen to it beat. It's sort of fast, but for being up high, that's normal for him.

He pulls away only long enough to touch his forehead to mine. "That wasn't why you wanted to leave either. Am I right?"

"Yeah. I don't like the memory of the people I love almost dying. I almost died here." I cringe at the thought.

"But you also awoke from death here." His eyes look deep into mine, as if searching.

"I suppose."

We sit in silence for a while, our eyes closed, our foreheads touching, embracing.

Eventually, I decide to climb down and he follows. When we reach the ground, he lets out a sigh. I walk over a few steps to meet him and touch his lips to mine. He smiles, and kisses me again. Our noses touch, and for a second we just smile and look at each other through lazy eyes.

We walk around until the sun begins to set, and dinner begins to be served. We go in, fingers intertwined. I had a fresh smile on my face from something he just said. We walk to our table where Christina, Uriah, Caleb, and Cara have already gotten their trays and started eating. Tobias insists he gets our trays and urges me to sit, so I do. I start up a conversation with them, and when Tobias returns, everyone is laughing. Christina shoots milk out her nose and we laugh even harder. Tobias laughs at her as he sets my tray down in front of me and I kiss him on the cheek to say thanks, since I can't speak. After a minute, we all finally calm down and begin discussing the details for tomorrow.

"So," Tobias starts."Everyone meets in the main lobby at 1oam sharp. We grab the truck and reach the city before dark, so we can get situated and everything. Sound good? And bring everything you want, I don't think we'll be back anytime soon."

Everyone nods, but Caleb is silent and still. My heart flutters at the thought of the city. I used to hate it, but now I can see it as the place we started again, the place Tobias and I could finally live happily ever after. Well, as happy as it can be.

After dinner, Tobias and I head upstairs to pack. We lay out clothes for tomorrow, then go to bed. We lay close together, and fall asleep fast.