Rebuild (Four's Sister X Eric)

Prologue

I wasn't allowed to go the ceremony. I kept telling Toby to leave. He refused. Even this morning. He wants to protect me, I know, but what happens when I leave in 2 years.

I smile to myself. It feels weird, being happy about abandoning your father, but there is no monster in the world worse than Marcus Eaton.

Since I was 4, I have been beaten by my dad. My brother toby was also beaten, wether to protect me or because or he was older and the boy I'll never know.

I spent the day cleaning, making the house look nice for when Toby and Marcus returned home. I'd spoken with my brother in hushed tones last night whilst Marcus was out. Toby had a plan to return to abnegation to protect me, the join the factionless after I leave.

I told him no, repeatedly, but Toby never believed in the Faction system. After all, what Faction would allow two kids whose mother died be raised by a abusive animal?

It was selfish to be happy that he'd stay for me. But both of us knew that I can't survive without Toby. He was the only thing stopping me and Marcus having an all out war in the house.

The clock hit 5pm and I decided to start preparing my food for myself.

Toby and Dad would be eating at the welcome festival tonight for initiates. I wouldn't see him for a few weeks as he does his charity work and learns to put himself out of mind, but Marcus would be relaxed knowing Toby chose to stay with Abnegation.

I place a chicken breast and some vegetables in a pan and put them in the oven whilst I set the table. I pick up a glass cup of water I'd been drinking from earlier, and head back to the kitchen, before the door slams open and I fall to the ground.

The glass smashes into my hand and I yelp amd try to clean up the mess.

"Leave it."
Marcus looms above me, and reaches down to pull me to a standing position.
"Let me have a look at it." His voice is softer than usual and I hastily nod and un curl my fingers.

The blood falls out of my hand on to the floor. So much for my day of cleaning. Marcus hurries to the first aid kit as I grab some paper towels, some go on the floor to clear the blood and water and then I place a pile on the table whilst I wait for Marcus.

"You're going to need stitches." Marcus states pulling out the last shard of glass. "But there is no need to go to hospital, I'll do them for you."

"Thank you." I whisper as I nod my head.
The needle goes through my hand and I flinch, pulling back my hand before Marcus clamps down on my wrist.

"Sorry." I sigh, wiping tears from my face with my free hand.
"Forgiven." The classic abnegation reply falls out of his mouth.

He finishes the stitch and look at my hand, the scar is long and messy - but if something can be fixed in the home it should be. Us abnegation wouldn't want to pester any Doctors.

"Will you be heading out to the feast, I'm assuming Toby's already there, seeing as he didn't come home with you." I smile, tipping the last of the glass into the bin.

"Toby isn't coming home."

I stop. My entire body stops. I go numb, like... like... like the only person who could protect me from my dad who is themostviscousandhorriblemaninttheworldand...and

I can't breathe.

I turn around to see Marcus... crying.

My dad, who I have only ever seen angry or solemn, stood in the middle of our house. Crying.

"Dad?" The word comes out quiet, but it's enough to return Marcus to normal.

"He's dead to us now. Don't you worry about him. And I don't want you looking for him either you hear me." His voice is angry and the words spit like fire on my face as he grabs my collar and hauls me towards him.

"I understand"
"Good." He pushes me back against the wall, before turning on his heels.

"I'll be back late so do not wait up. Goodnight."

"Goodnight"

I pull myself forward, smoothing down my dress.

I'm not supposed to look in the mirror, but I open the panel with a butter knife, and look at the side of my head.

Most people would go get stitches. Most people would tell someone about their father beating them.
But who would I tell.
No one cares about us.
No one should care about us, that's why we're abnegation.

But Toby?

Toby was supposed to care. Toby was supposed to stay.

I sob into my sleeve. How selfish of me? To wish my brother to stay in the same house as our abusive dad? But he told me he was staying. He told me he would stay.

I decide to skip dinner and have a shower before bed. I feel woozy and sick, but this isn't my first time with a head injury, I know I can sleep it off.

The Alarm goes off at 6am. We still have 2 weeks of holiday until we have to return to school, so many Abnegation kids will spend this holiday working with their parents. I made a plan to distribute clothes collected in a charity fund at the school - so my morning will involve me walking up to the high school and organising clothes.

Its been 3 weeks Everyone else has plans to help with other charity work; fixing roads, helping build houses, feeding the hungry, and helping out the new initiates.
This means I'm working alone.

I pull the pillow case off my bed, the dark patch of dry blood stains the side I slept on. I will have to have another shower.

I clean my hair and make breakfast - my dad joining me at 7, eating with me and then helping me wash up.

"What are you doing today?" I ask, placing our bowls back into the cupboard.

"Council meetings. You're organising and distributing clothes for the next few weeks, aren't you?"

I nod and close the cupboard doors, "I will leave now, I will see you at 6?"

My father shakes his head.

"The council has had a problem brought forth. We are planning to stay in the city center tonight. You will see me tomorrow evening." He presses his lips into a thin line and walks back up stairs to collect his things.

I smooth down my hair and grab my satchel off the wall, stuffing some packets of cut apples and bread into my bag for the Factionless.

The street is empty. With no one going to school and most Factions using today as a holiday, the few people I encounter on my walk are all clad in abnegation grey.

The city is built tall but it is still falling apart from the war. The roads towards Abnegation are broken, as we never fix our own paths first, always starting in the centre of the city and moving outwards.

I finally reach the front gates of the school, and walk through to the side block where the charity bins are stored. I start pulling out clothes and organising them into bags;
- Mens Tops
- Mens Bottoms
- Women's Tops
- Women's Bottoms
- Children

I am barely 3 jackets in when I spot a bright blue piece of paper; an Euridite sign up sheet.

The writing on the top reads:

WANTED
MEN AND WOMEN NEEDED FOR
NEW EURIDITE EXPERIMENT.

No requirements needed
Ages 16 and up

Testing a new serum used to increase agility, strength and reflexes.

Accepting applications until the
14th of September

I look around. Its the 13th today. Super agility and strength? Heightened reflexes?

All these things could help protect me from my dad. I look around, the streets are bare. I stuff the note in my pocket and close up the school gates.

Maybe they'll make an exception for the daughter of Marcus Eaton?