Cold

Start Over

Tobias had managed to secure the wound and stop the bleeding but a doctor had to see Eric.It was a good thing that it hadn't hit any vital organ and that Eric was so strong.

He was sleeping now,trying to keep his strength.
Looking at him now,he looked so peaceful and young.I wondered what exactly made him change his mind.
I placed my hand on his forehead and patted his hair.

"You really do love him,don't you?" Tobias said.

I had almost forgot he and Tris were there.They hand't said much.

"I still love him if that's your question." I admitted.

I heard a soft groan and turned to see Eric.His eyes slowly opened.
The first thing he did was to move his arm to touch his wound but I stopped him.

He glared at me but didn't speak.I helped him get up and rest his back on a pile of what looked like sacks of peas.

"How do you feel?" I asked a few minutes later.

"Tired." he simply said without looking at me.

"In a few minutes we will reach Amity.We can rest there if Jeanine's minions haven't taken over the place." Tobias said.

"Amity?" Eric's voice heald a degrading tone that made the three of us glare at him.

"Yes Amity.They are the only ones who are willing to help us and especially you because once they see us the will propably think it's a trap.We are risking a lot of things by taking you with us."
It was me who spoke this time and I was angry.I was grateful he was alive and angry because he still had the same stupid opinion over factions.

"If it wasn't for me you would still be in that bed." he growled.

That was my breaking point.
I turned to look at him with angry tears.
"If it wasn't for you I would still be in Dauntless.If it wasn't for you i would never be a hostage in Erudite,I wouldn't have to feel the pain of losing a child,I wouldn't go through hell and back!" I screamed at his face.
I let all my anger out and Eric for once stared at me with his mouth open.

I took a few shaky breaths.
"I am grateful you are alive Eric because i would hate see you die now that you finally seem to see the right path but you have to stop being so hateful towards everything they taught you to hate."

Eric stared at me in disbelief.
He made a move to touch my arm in what I assumed was a confirmation gesture but I moved away.

"You don't get to do that anymore." I whispered.

We spend the next minutes in silence until we finally reached Amity.
The train automatically stopped there to get filled with supplies.
We quietly got down,Tobias holding Eric so he wouldn't fall.

We got behind the faction and observed for any sign of Erudite or Dauntless.
It seemed quiet so we decided to approach.

I walked in first.
A young girl saw me and then Eric behind me and her eyes widened with fear.
I put my hands up to stop her.
"He is not dangerous.Can you pleaese call Madelane.Tell her it's Adelane." I explained carefully to the girl.
She nodded slowly and left us.

Eric breathed heavily beside me and I put a hand around his waist for support.

A few moments later Madelane walked towards us looking concerned.
"Adelane...what happened?"
Her voice was surprisingly cold.

"We were captured by Erudite and Eric helped us get out but he was shot if we could just-"
I made a move to walk towards the mains halls where I knew there would be medical help but Madelane walked in and stopped me.
"I am sorry Adelane but I put my faction in way too much danger taking you in twice...maybe if you were alone but I don't trust him" she pointed at Eric "at all."

I sighed knowing this was coming.
"Eric got shot because he helped us.I can't leave him they will kill him." I tried to reason with her.I knew she was simply afraid and she meant well.

"Then it is for the people to decide not me."
She said staring at Eric.

They guided us towards the main room and called the whole faction.
We sat in front of the big tree in the centre of the room.
People gathered around us staring at us frightened probably at Eric.
I turned to see him staring around like an wounded animal ready to attack.
He didn't like that.

Madelane came to stand in front of us.
"Amity will decide what to do with these Dauntless refuges.It is not my place to set you in danger ever again not without your permission."
She turned to Eric.
"How about you start confessing your majesty."

Eric growled at her.
"Confess what Madelane...I am shot and you haven't helped me yet it this the hospitality of Amity?"

She laughed at him.
"Confess your crimes and let the people decide if Amity will help you."

She moved to the side.

Eric stared around him and mattered fine under his breath.

"I killed my first man when I was 19.It was my first year as a leader and he was a rebel.They instructed me to kill him,I did without a second thought.
I murdered many more after him...i don't remember how many."

I felt suddenly cold.Like I wasn't supposed to hear these things.

"You murdered people,took cruel orders,you hurted hunted and abused a young woman... Do you believe you deserve kindness Eric?" Madelane asked.

There was silence.
I looked down at Eric who had sat on the ground and was staring at his hands.

"No." he said

"No,I don't." he lifted his head and looked at her.

"Eric had done terrible things." I spoke.
"First and most to me."

I saw the eyes shifting on me.
"But somehow I still love him and I trust that in the end...he will make the right decision.

That's why I ask you not to trust him...but me."

I heard some whispering going around hoping my little speech made a difference.

Madelane made us leave the room for a moment in order to talk about it.
We walked in the fields and sat beside a tree.
"I shouldn't be here." Eric said

"We wouldn't be here if it weren't for you Eric and we need you.No matter what you are clever we need you to defeat them."

Eric's eyes snapped at me.
"Defeat?Adelane we can't defeat two factions." his voice was a bit hoarse.

"We aren't alone." I said.

"Eric's right.We may have to leave...or hide."
Tobias said.

I couldn't believe my ears.I did not escape my father to run.I wanted a better life.

"No." I said.
"No.!" I repeated louder.

"I am not leaving again.This is my life and I am not running from it.If you want leave but I am staying.I am fighting." I looked from Eric to Tobias and Tris.

"I am fighting with you." Tris said.

Before Eric and Tobias could say anything Madelane started walking towards us again.

Once she was close enough she looked at each and everyone of us.
She smiled a little
"I guess you can stay."