A Different Divergent: A Better Tomorrow

~ninety-five~

Chapter 95

Tobias and I hurriedly leave Marcus' and walk hand-in-hand up the street toward my parents' house in silence. He's been deep in thought ever since he practically dragged me out of that house. I try asking him a couple questions but either he's so absorbed with whatever's on his mind that he doesn't hear me or he's not ready to talk about what's bothering him, so instead of prying, I decide to give him some time, and I go over our conversation with his father in my heard, word for word. The revelation that Ethan Black knows about the Frankenstein Serum troubles me but what concerns me the most is what Marcus said about DNA targeting. What if Erudite researchers make a breakthrough and discover what makes us different and can then make a serum that's harmless to the entire population unless you happen to be Divergent? My heart palpates painfully in my chest.

"Penny for your thoughts." Tobias' soothing, deep vibrato cuts through my anxiety as we stroll up the walkway to my parent's front door.

"I could ask you the same thing," I say as I look up into his dark blue eyes with a smile. "I was talking to you earlier, and I don't think you heard me." He sighs.

"I'm sorry, love. I'm just trying to work a few things out, and I'm not quite ready to talk about it just yet," he says. "When I'm ready, we'll talk. I promise."

"I figured as much," I say. "I'll be here when you're ready."

"I know and I love you for it," he says. "So what has you so far away?"

"I was just thinking about Mr. Black knowing about the death serum experiments and what Marcus said about DNA targeting. I'm worried." I quickly run through my concerns before we go inside to see the kids and talk to Caleb and Cara again. I didn't want to surprise him with my line of questioning. He hangs on every word, worry creasing his forehead just a little more with each word.

"Where did that diabolical brain of yours come from?" he teases when I finish. "Or did I marry a conspiracy theorist and I just didn't know it."

"Do I sound foolish?" I ask, suddenly embarrassed. Maybe I'm making this out to be more than it is. His amused look turns deadly serious.

"That's the most worrisome part," he says. "Every word you just said makes perfect sense to me ... and it scares me to death."

"I know. I'm scared too for a lot of reasons," I say. "I was hoping that our trip today would give us some answers, which it thankfully has but now we have twice as many questions as we did before."

"We better get inside." Tobias knocks once on my parents' front door as he pushes it open and steps aside, motioning me forward. The moment I step inside, I hear Peanut fussing from the living room. I pull my phone out of my pocket and check the time. I'm surprised she isn't wailing, it's past time for her next feeding.

"We're back," I say as we enter the room. Dad's pacing back and forth at a measured clip, gently bouncing my sick baby girl in his arms to calm her while Mom sits in her chair giving Tessa a bottle. Tyler is awake but he's still lying on the couch with his head resting on Caleb's leg. I expect a room full of tension but we're greeted with nothing but smiles. I carefully take Peanut from my dad, and she immediately quiets down but starts rooting toward my chest, letting me know that supper had better come soon.

I kneel beside the couch and Tyler says, "Hi, Mommy." My poor little guy sounds miserable.

"How are you feeling, buddy?" I ask as I run my hand over his forehead and into his hair.

"I yucky," he moans.

"I am so sorry," I say as I press my lips to his forehead in a kiss. I don't need a thermometer to tell he's feverish this time. "You lie there and rest, okay, but let Mommy or Daddy know if you need anything, okay? I love you."