Divergent Powers High

Chapter 33: A Story and Something New

One Week Later

I wake suddenly, torn from the depths of an awful nightmare. My chest heaves, struggling to take in enough air. It's the third time this week, and the same thing. It was David, kidnapping me and teleporting us back to my old rooms. He was cutting open my arms and stomach and I was just sitting there helpless, paralyzed. 

It's sad to say I'm not far off from that. That room is but fifty feet away from me. 

Natalie walks in, slightly flushed. "Are you alright Six?" 

I close my eyes, exhaling deeply, "Yeah, I'm alright. Just a bad dream again." 

She looks at me with pity in her eyes. For the most part I've always hated that. When people look at me like a helpless puppy. However, coming from her, it's comforting. She knows exactly what's happening to me, and how traumatizing it is. 

I click the side of the bed so it lifts me into a sitting up position, while Natalie checks my vitals once more. She hands me some eye drops. My eyes have been unbearably dry and itchy lately, but we chalked it up to malnutrition.

"I think he is starting today." She mutters, taking the bottle from me. 

I turn to face her, curious, "Starting what?" 

"Infusions." 

I go cold, my heart stopping. "No. No, no, you can't let him!" 

She grabs my hand, but I pull it away. 

"Six, please, I can't stop it. I don't have much control over what he does, you're lucky I was able to convince him to let you stay in here." She explains, looking down at her feet. 

I shake my head, "You would do something if you cared." 

She gasps, eyebrows furrowing, "I can't believe you would say that! I've done so much, Tris, and I'm really trying here." 

I bite my lip, bringing my hands to my face and my knees to my chest, "I'm sorry. I am. It's just a lot to handle." 

She smiles gently, and sits on the edge of the bed, "It's okay. I understand, it must be hard. You know, David has hurt me too." 

I look up, eyes wide, "He has? How?" 

Natalie looks at me, grief filling her eyes, "Sweetie, he is my husband." 

My jaw drops as I struggle to process the information. How could she have married somebody like that? 

"Why?" I whisper, suddenly scared. 

She sighs, eyes watering, "You said a while ago, if I help you walk then I could tell my story. Do you want to do that?" 

I think for a moment, before eagerly nodding my head. While I have gotten minimal strength back, I can still only stand for a few seconds at a time. 

I pull myself to the edge of the bed, next to her, and she puts an arm around my waist, and her leg behind mine. "Okay, on a count of three, we'll get up." 

Before she can start counting, I push on the bed, standing. She laughs heartily, holding my weight as I lean against her. I grab my IV pole with my other side. She guides my left food as I use my right, slowly trekking across the room. 

"Now, for that story," I start making her smile disappear. 

She looks forward, "If I'm being honest David was a great guy. When we got married, he wasn't into the whole hunting thing. He loved to draw, actually, and paint sometimes." 

I laugh, imagining the man with paint on his coat or a sketchbook with him. 

"He was always very passionate and driven, it's just his personality. He planned the most amazing dates, and was always supportive when I was going through nursing school."