Dauntless High School

Chapter 8

FOUR

"Park over there, up front near the building," Tris directs me. I frown, but obey. It seems like we should be parking somewhere more hidden. But Tris seems to anticipate my concern. "If you park like you're trying to hide, it'll give security a reason to believe something shady's going on. Right out in the open, as if you are an employee working late, they won't think twice. You gotta act like you belong." That actually makes a lot of sense, and Tris probably has plenty of experience pulling off stunts like this.

I turn off the engine, but leave the radio on and lean back in my seat. Tris lounges back, too, crossing her legs at the ankle. "Christina's late," Tris scoffs. "She always gives me so much shit if I show up a few minutes late."

I smile. "I take it you're not letting this go, then?"

"Not a chance," she grins.

While we quietly wait for Christina, I internally cringe remembering the homework I need to catch up on. I really should have gone home and gotten straight to work on it after practice, but instead I hung out with Zeke, then came out to help with this dare in the middle of the night. I should have at least turned down Tris's invitation to come out here and gotten a good night's sleep, but I couldn't resist the opportunity to spend more time with her.

Christina finally arrives at 11:55. She pulls up in a shiny, white, late-model Mercedes sedan with Marlene in the passenger seat. We all hop out of the car; I shove my hands into the pockets of my hoodie to keep them warm, and Tris rubs hers together. It's cold enough that I see a white puff of fog in front of me with each breath.

"You're late," Tris scolds. "Any longer and we would have bailed." I know Tris is just giving her a hard time; we hadn't talked about leaving yet.

"Sorry, sorry," Christina pleads. "My mom took forever to go to bed tonight! Okay, I've got the stuff I need. Since you're here, Four, you can video and Tris and Marlene can help me give Ole Ben his makeover." I acknowledge her instructions with a nod.

"No," Tris argues, "you and Mar can handle dressing up the statue. I'll be your lookout."

Christina rolls her eyes. "Fine."

"Everyone lock your wallets and purses up in the cars," Tris instructs. "We don't need to chance dropping anything that could identify us. Once we're there, work fast and get out. And if security comes, I'll whistle. Do not run toward this parking lot. Go the other way and circle back around. Got it?" We all agree and start toward the statue.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

I take video with my phone while Christina and Marlene decorate the statue; Marlene is decorating it with scarves and such while Christina applies face paint of some sort to its face. I have to keep shushing the girls, who talk and giggle while they quickly work; I don't want to miss it if Tris whistles her warning.

I'm finding that Christina is a bit of a perfectionist. I would think this could have been done in three minutes, but it's been seven so far, and the longer we are here, the more likely we will get caught. "Chris!" Mar hisses. "Come on, it's good enough! Let's just go!"

"Almost done, just give me a second," Christina protests.

And that's when a whistle rings out in the cold night air. I stuff my phone in my pocket and run, feet pounding on pavement. "Four!" I hear someone hiss from above me. I skid to a stop and look up; Tris is above me in the tree. "Come on!"

I hate heights. I never do things like climb trees for that reason. But the branches are thick, and I'm hidden right now behind some tall bushes... if I get up there to where Tris is, I will be hidden and safe. So I take a deep breath and climb.