Always

Chapter 1

Bent over at the waist, I shove my shoulder against the double doors, and they squeak as their seal breaks. I breathe clean air and stand up straighter. I am here. I am here. But I am not alone. "Don't move." David says raising his gun, "Hello Tris."

I freeze, numb from shock as my eyes lock in on the weapon, losing sight of it would be the worst thing I could do. I don't know why I am so surprised. I should've known it wouldn't be this easy.
"You really shouldn't be here, Tris" A puff of air escapes my lips. A thousand questions race through head. What is he doing here? How did he know? Who told him?
"And why is that?" I try to act normal, not showing any fear or surprise.
"Because, now I have to kill you." I take a deep breath, trying to keep a straight face, to hide any weakness. I'm sure it doesn't matter. My body can't keep up with my brain. I can still feel the death serum clinging to me, heavy like wet clothes. I quickly scan the room for the device that will set off the virus. Matthew described it to Caleb earlier; it's a black box with a silver keypad. It is marked with a strip of blue tape that has the model number written on it. I can't seem to find it.
Finally, I catch sight of it. I focus back on David and I begin to inch towards it very slowly, using small movements that David would think were nervousness, if he saw them at all.
"Why would you want to kill me, David?"
"Well you see, if you steal four virus devices it would promote a potentially dangerous situation." He thinks I'm here to steal the devices, not set one off. "These devices would give you control over hundreds of people, thousands even. You could create an army; start a war, with control over that many people. Now tell me, why would I let you have access to that? Why would I let you become another Jeanine Matthews?"
"David, I'm not here to steal-" I begin to explain, trying to remind him that we are allies, not enemies. David held up a hand, telling me to stop speaking.
"Don't bother. You don't think I saw all of your buddies planning this? How stupid do you think I am, Tris?"
I continue to make little, unnoticed movements towards the devices. By now I am less than three feet away. One quick movement and I'd be there. I'd be there but I'd be dead as well. I take a step, one that won't go unnoticed. As expected, he notices.
"Stop moving!" He shouts and waves the gun at me. I stop and raise my hands. If I am going to do this it will have to be soon, and fast. I'm just about to make a dive for the device, when I see movement out of the corner of my eye. At first I'm convinced it is a figment of my imagination, but then I see again. My eyes dart in that direction and I see the last person I expected to. Caleb.