A Different Divergent: Everyday Love

35

Chapter 35

Tobias and I follow Purple-Hair and Snake-Tattoo toward the chasm. Two burly patrol officers I've only occasionally seen in passing are guarding the usually hidden entrance to the winding path that leads to the rocks below. Beside them are two maintenance workers who, according to the patch on their coveralls, work for chasm maintenance.

"Four, Tris, this is Shaffer and Eugenia," Snake-Tattoo says. "They were in the chasm this morning doing routine maintenance when they discovered dried blood pools on the rocks and bloody handprints up the wall leading to the maintenance entrance."

"I'm afraid we cleaned some of the blood off the rocks even after we found the handprints," Eugenia says. "But when I remembered the altercation the other morning and the reports of someone being pushed into the chasm, I immediately had Shaffer stop, and we called it in."

"Thank you for reporting what you found," I say. "Tony, please take Shaffer and Eugenia to the conference room and get their full written statements."

"Right away, Tris," Snake-Tattoo says.

"Shaffer, Eugenia, once you're finished with your statements you'll have to move on to your next maintenance task," Tobias says. "The chasm will be off limits until the investigation is complete."

"Okay, Four," they both say at the same time.

"Please follow me," Snake-Tattoo says. I lean against the railing and look toward the rocks below after the trio makes their way along the path toward the Pire.

"Have you inspected what they found, Simon?" I ask Purple-Hair.

"Tony and I did, yes, Tris," he says. "To me, it looks like an injured party escaped the chasm through the maintenance door. At least that's what I infer the blood trail suggests."

"How many people know about the maintenance tunnels?" I ask, although to no one in particular. "I wasn't aware of them for quite some time after getting here, and I figure the only reason I do now is because of my position."

"They aren't exactly secret," Purple-Hair says.

"You know how Dauntless like to explore," Tobias says and I nod . "That's how I was made aware of them. Zeke was out causing trouble one day and stumbled across them. Up until then none of us knew about chasm maintenance."

"None of you?"

"Zeke, Shauna, and me," he says. Hhm. I remember him talking about that now. "Simon, were samples of the blood taken yet?"

"Not yet, Four," he says. "I wanted to make sure that any samples collected were done so properly."

"Have you contacted the infirmary?"

"No, we came to find you first," he says.

"All right. While Tris and I inspect the scene, please go to the infirmary and tell Dr. Parrish what we need," Tobias says. "If he wants to delegate the task, that's fine. I completely trust his judgment. Just make sure that whoever collects the evidence takes multiple samples."

"Okay, Four," he says. "Do you have a flashlight? It's pretty dark down there. It's hard to see the trail without one."

"No, I don't."

"Here. You can use mine," he says as he hands him a small cylindrical object. Tobias turns it on, and I'm surprised by how bright the beam of light is. For being so little, it packs quite a punch.

"Thanks," Tobias says. "I'll make sure to get it back to you as soon as possible. Tris and I have a busy afternoon ahead of us, so more than likely we'll be gone when you get back."