Divergent?

Chapter Twenty-Four (Tobias)

I'm walking away from her, but not in the way I expected to this morning. I'm walking away, yes, but I know it's not forever. This isn't the end, only the beginning. 

My whole body is fizzling with energy, tendrils of it snaking up and around my body from the tiny point where she touched me. I'm hyper aware of my entire being, excruciatingly conscious of each movement I make and every sensation I experience. She did this to me. The thought burns inside if my brain. I've never felt this way before, and it's new, exciting, and a little scary. But she did this to me. It makes me wonder what else she's capable of. 

Now I'm in my room, the walk here a blur of sensations. I go to lay on my bed, but see the tablet on my pillow, left here this morning. I walk over and gingerly pick it up, as if it's about to bite my hand off, then leave it on my desk, glad to have let go of it. Suddenly, there's a knock on the door. My heart leaps at the sound of it, but I'm confused at why. Before I have a chance to say 'come in', the door bursts open. I'm about to shout at whoever it is when Uriel steps in from the corridor. 

'You couldn't wait for me you let you in?' I snap, half joking half not. I motion my head towards my bed and Uriel goes to sit on it after closing the door, his long legs crossing the room in two strides. I sit down on the opposite side, and notice a troubled expression on my friend's face. A cold shiver runs down my spine, and I know for reasons unknown to me that this can't be good. 

'Look, whatever this is, just spit it out' I whisper, tired from the emotions I've experienced lately. Before Uriel came in here, I was convinced my happy mood couldn't be broken. But the minute I saw Uriel and felt the ominous aura he brought with him, that mood shattered like glass. 

His mouth is pursed in a thin line, but Uriel unseals it to start speaking.

'They've released another report.'

I know instantly who Uriel is talking about. What is it that the Erudite have against us all of a sudden? What has any of us ever done to offend them? I sigh and lower my head into my hands.

'Tell me what it says,' I tell Uriel, not wanting to read the bitter words for myself. I know they will sting ten times more if I see them with my own eyes. I can take it better coming from him.

So Uriel tells me all about what accusation has been put upon us this time. Apparently the Abnegation are the most self-indulgent faction of them all. I almost snort when I hear this. Our faction is built on selflesness- surely no one would believe that lie. But when Uriel begins to explain, my blood runs cold. The Erudite are obviously clever. But now I see them for what they really can be- manipulative, sly and crafty. People will believe this. In their eyes, Abnegation workers taking supplies meant for the factionless for themselves will make absolute sense.

Yes, I see it now. We are stifling. People hate our good ways, can't stand that we are never seen doing something wrong. This is the perfect lie to expose our selfish nature.

Things are changing in this city. Tensions are rising. And I'm scared to see what degrading lie Jeanine will come up with next. I look up into Uriel's eyes, and I know he feels it too. Something must be done.