Tris Prior's Selection

Chapter Twenty-Five - Down to Three

The newspapers rustle as I pick carelessly through the front pages; there is about a fifty-fifty split between articles displaying outrage towards my attack, and ones displaying disgust and naming me 'traitorous' for dancing with Eric at the Ball last week. Opinion polls in the majority of them place Patricia and I as most popular in The Selection, I can't wait to have my eyes stabbed out. My mind drifts briefly to Four, that young man who helped me before I came here... it has been many months since I have seen him and even his face evades my memory.

"Lady Beatrice," The voice follows a sharp knock upon the door, a glance at the clock confirms to me that it is time to get ready to leave. "May we enter?"

"Come in." My voice is tiresome, had I not sworn to my mother that I would continue with this competition no matter what, a promise she made me reiterate at the ball, I would have left this all behind.

Joan enters, along with my new maids. They never offered me their names, and the way they refuse to meet my eyes has made me reluctant to ask them for it. It seems like everyone in the palace, besides Will, Zeke, and Uriah, perhaps, have returned to disregarding me as a worthless Abnegation. Patricia has been impeccable in recent tasks and at events, however I'm sure that if people could experience her behaviour behind closed doors she would be less popular.

"Remember the Press are present tonight, so make sure you show off that gorgeous smile." Joan grins at me encouragingly. I catch her eyes in the mirror and smile a little back. The gown I'm wearing is elegant and simple, perfect for a charity event with children says Joan... however the irony of me wearing a dress worth more than the budget for children's aid in this country isn't lost on me. I know better than to refuse the clothes, however.

"Sorry I'm late!" Will exclaims as he enters the room. "Was just chatting with Christina." His words make me smile a little bit; perhaps Will's attention will calm Christina down... Tobias hasn't payed her much attention recently. "You look wonderful, Tris!" He says in a friendly tone, his arm linking with mine so he can escort me to the function room of this evening's event.

"Lady Beatrice!" Joan corrects with him a hiss, dislike his use of my 'commoner' nickname. We both chuckle a little as we head downstairs together.

"Sounds like you are the last one to arrive, fashionably late as always Tris." Will comments as we hear the press yelling the other three girls names as we reach the top of a grand staircase.

"And who's fault is that?" I question with an upturned brow and a smirk.

"Oh would you look at the time! I wouldn't want to be late for this...thing I got to do!" He grins, allowing me to head down the staircase alone, as protocol dictates.

Immediately my vision is filled with the flashes of cameras, I catch a glimpse of the other three girls heading into the function room as their attention dwindles. For some reason, everyone always wants to ask questions of me.

"Beatrice! Can you tell us about your life in Abnegation?"
"Beatrice! What does your nickname really come from?"
"What are your true opinions on The Prince?"

Most of the questions are as trivial as this; just attempts for tabloid headlines and catchy soundbites for television shows following the selection. A few ask more serious questions like my attack or my relationship with Eric, but I don't allow them to turn my head anymore.

I attempt to head straight inside, but an arm curls around my waist and stops me on the 'red carpet' for the event.

"Smile, Tris." Eric grins at me, and I obey. I think back to that first photo of me from the Selection announcement, the one Caleb took and entered with my application. My smiles are not that sincere anymore, they are falsified for the cameras, I'm getting rather good at this 'acting' thing actually. "Haven't seen you in a while." He hums to me when he eventually guides me into the function room.

"Been ill." I reply, a blatant lie, as my eyes search the room for Tobias.

"You know I find you and your little imagination funny, Tris." He chuckles, shaking his head a little. "My mother doesn't so much." The feel the threat worming its way under my skin, but do not react. "Go and have fun." I don't need to be asked twice, I split from him and take a moment to take in the room.

There are people everywhere, all smartly dressed, however the carers for the children in attendance are clearly identifiable by their Abnegation clothing. There are activities set up everywhere, and I see some of the other Elite spending time with the children. A few are watching me hopefully. Then I spot him;

"Albert!" I call, the child running over to me and leaping into my arms. It hurts my injured arms, but I don't care. "How are you little man?" I ask him with a grin, forcing myself to block out all the cameras and the journalists I feel watching me.

"I'm great! Can we dance?" Albert asks hopefully, and I nod immediately.

"Of course! You'll have to teach me though, I heard people found my dancing at the ball less than amazing." I chuckle, but I know that the journalists, numerous of whom were responsible for the less than admirable comments about my dancing skill, can hear.

We walk to the middle of the room, and I crouch to allow Albert to reach my shoulder and place our hands in the correct position. Down here, I can do little more than sway, but Albert is enjoying himself. After a while, I feel a heavy hand on my shoulder and look up to find Tobias smiling down at the two of us. I feel the eyes of the entire room upon us, though they are all trying badly to pretend they aren't watching.

"You stealing my girl, buddy?" Tobias' gentle and playful words are quiet enough that only Albert and I can hear. Tobias leans down to crouch beside me.

"So Tris is going to be Queen?" Albert breathes back, astounded by the seemingly confidential information Tobias has bestowed upon him. I know it is just a facade, any one of the four girls remaining could become The One. Tobias places a finger to his lips with a smirk.

"Shall we dance together?" I ask, moving away from the topic. I stand and haul Albert up to rest upon my hip. The three of us sway together, Albert laughing in glee at all the attention he is getting with who he believes are basically the King and Queen. This lasts for a while, and I allow myself to be invested in this moment of happiness. In moments like this, I truly believe that Tobias may love me.

A deafening cry out fills in the room, and the chatter that had finally recommenced stumbled to a halt. Instinctively, I pull Albert closer to me, his face hidden in the crook of my neck. Tobias moves me behind him. There are brief sounds of struggle, and then, a collection of guards drag Will, physically restraining him, into the room. Christina is dragged in after him, guards pulling her by her wrists, and tears are streaming down her face.

"I'm sorry!" She cries, and the many children in the room shuffle further behind the closest adults. Tobias glances briefly back at me before he strides over.

"What is the meaning of this?" He demands from the guards.

"Found them together in the music room down the hall." A guard reports breathlessly, as Will struggles. "Kissing, your Highness." Christina reacts to this with further sobbing, but Will just goes limp and silent.

"Is this true, Christina?" Tobias demands sharply, not even glancing towards his father for guidance. She nods weakly.

"You both know the rules..." He pauses, shaking his head. I watch the conflict occur on his face almost in slow motion, I watch every thought he has pass through him. "Take the to the dungeons, they will be executed tomorrow."

The room descends into chaos, and I step forward, still holding Albus. The Press are storming forward as Christina and Will are dragged from the room. People are crying out in protest. As Albert begins to cry softly, from shock or fear I do not know, I catch movement behind me.

There stand Patricia and Marcus, grinning at the scene before them. The look of victory on their faces. One more girl out of Patricia's path to the throne. The Elite are down to three.

Impulse wrote this in an hour just no, with no plan, no edits, no proofreading, and probably no continuity from the rest of this fanfic toon that I haven't looked at for two years, enjoy!