A/N; Hello! Thanks for reading this (if you are). Before you say anything; I'm not copying the idea from the instagram account @plottwistsofdivergent. It is my account. Okay? Okay. Anyway. Here we go :) (also, if anyone would like to make a cover for this, go on ahead and send it to me somehow. I'll dedicate to whoever does! But no pressure either.)
I can't hold on any longer.
I feel my hands slip more as I fall further. My arms ache. I can feel my grip loosening, but I still have a minute and a half of this tortute to endure. There's no way I can.
I give up and let go, knowing I don't have the strength to pull myself up and fully accepting my inevitable death.
But before I can fall, someone grabs my hand and pulls me up, and as their arms encircle me, I burst into tears and start shaking. I'm not cut out for Dauntless.. I was stupid to think I was.
"Hey, it's okay," the person that saved me mumbles into my ear, "I wasn't gonna let you die. I couldn't."
I recognise their voice almost instantly. It's Will, the Erudite transfer I argue with so much. He saved me.
I'm about to ask him why when Eric stats yelling.
"That was an act of foolishness," he roars, speaking more to Will than me, "something we don't appreciate in Dauntless. There's a thin line between bravery and stupidity. You're both out."
We're factionless. Just like that.
"No," Will loosens his grip on me slightly, still with a protective hold on me. "You can kick me out, but Christina didn't do anything, she doesn't deserve this."
"She accepted help, and she gave up. One of the greatest forms of cowardice. Dauntless don't give up."
"She would've died!"
"I don't care. You're out." I'm still crying, out of fear of being factionless more than anything. At least I won't be alone. "Go. Get out of my sight."
Will helps me up- I'm still shaking- and keeps an arm wrapped around me as we walk away from everyone. Away from Dauntless.
"Are you okay?" he asks me gently, as soon as he knows no one can hear us.
"Y-yeah, I'm f-fine...." I say weakly, brushing tears from my cheeks. "I... I'm sorry."
"Why are you sorry?"
"If you hadn't saved me... you wouldn't be factionless."
"But you would've died."
I look up at him, and I realise I'm looking at him in a completely different way.
"That's not important." I whisper, the tight knot in my throat returning.
"Don't talk like that. If course it's important. You're important."
No, I'm not.
I bring my hand to my mouth and let out a muffled sob.
'"I... I'm scared, Will," I admit, letting out a few more sobs.
"Hey..." he pulled me towards him again, and I bury my face in his chest and hug him back tightly. "It's gonna be okay. I'm gonna be there the whole time, I promise."
I look up at him and smile gratefully.
"Th-thank you."
***
By nightfall, we're with the factionless. It's a cold night, and I shiver as we lie down to sleep. Will notices, and wraps his arms around me for the third time today.
"Sleep. Just... sleep," he whispers. At first, I stiffen, but then I let him hold me and close my eyes.
"How're we gonna live like this?" I ask, my voice hoarse.
"We'll get through it together." he promises. "Just sleep for now."
He's so warm. So comforting. I feel safe with him. Like nothing can hurt me.
I fall asleep in that very position, still shivering slightly.
***
When I wake up, Will's still holding me, and I can feel him breathing deeply as he sleeps. I don't want to move. I don't want to face the horrors of the world we now live in.
A tear slides silently down my cheek as I feel him stir.
"Hey," he says, brushing the tear away gently, "don't cry."
I look up at him and force a strained smile.
"Sorry."
"Don't apologise."
I sigh and look around.
"I don't want to live here.."
"I know, me neither. But we'll be okay. I promise."
I look up at him and force myself into a sitting position, still shaking. "Are you still cold?" he asks gently, sitting up beside me.
"I'm fine," I tell him. "Can I.... can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Why dd you save me when you knew what would happen?"
"Because I'd rather live factionless than live with the guilt of letting you die... I do care about you. I don't think my life would be the same without you...." he stares into space as he talks, and then looks back at me, "who else would I fight with, huh?" he finishes with a light laugh.
I smile shyly and look down.
"That... that really means a lot to me. No one's ever said anything like that to me." I say quietly.
"Well... I'm sure that's not true. But if it is, I'm glad to be the first."
When I look up to him next, I feel myself melt as his eyes look into my own.
"Do you... do you mean it?" I ask, almost afraid of the answer.
"You'd know if I was lying. That's the problem with you Candor. I couldn't lie to you if I tried," he laughs lightly, almost fondly, and shakes his head slightly. "Of course I meant it."
"Promise?"
He reaches forward and gently pushes a strand if hair behind my ear, his hand lingering for a moment on my cheek. I feel a warm tingle run through me at his gentle touch, and I have to try hard to hide it. He gives me the kindest of smiles, and I can't help but return it. Then he says one word. Just one word, in the smallest of whispers.
"Promise."
