Innocence Lost

Chapter 80

What am I doing here?

I sit at the table, listening to Jeanine go on and on about God knows what. All we've discussed so far was leadership business, which may I add has nothing to do with me. So again. . . What am I doing here?

Glancing around, I notice that Beth keeps glaring at me in between looking at Eric. What's her problem?
Everyone else is fixated on Jeanine as she speaks, including my father. The way he looks at her, it's like the way he used to look at my mom when I was a kid. All that changed the more they got involved with Jeanine.

Besides Max, Xavier, Cherry, and Eric; Ryker and Bass had also attended. Makes me wonder why Four and Donovan aren't here, they are faction leaders. Looking up, Bass's eyes surprisingly catch mine. He gives a little wink as I smile in return. Eric's breath whistles through his teeth, and I can't help but be amused. Hearing my name, my train of thought is broken.

Did Jeanine just ask me a question?  She's staring right at me. Shit, I wish I was paying attention. My eyes snap to hers as she gives me a cold smile.

"Excuse me?"

Dumb Kate. Real dumb.

I could hear Eric shift uncomfortably in his seat, clearly annoyed that I wasn't paying attention.

"We're discussing the ongoing Divergent issue we are facing and I was asking both you and Beth your thoughts on the increasing risk in our society"

She's asking both of us, but why is she only looking at me? I look around and everyone is starring at me, including Beth.

"I always thought the divergent were a major threat to our way of life. I mean, that is what I've been taught as a small child" I began to say.

I can slowly see a smirk forming on Jeanine's face. Like she's won me over. I wanted to smack it straight off her face.

"But now I question what threats could they possible pose? It seems as if the last thing they would want, is to go against their faction"

Oh no, why did I just say that? I just threw myself under the bus.

The table goes silent, waiting for Jeanine's response. Jeanine's cold, gray eyes bore into mine. She's not used to someone challenging her. She doesn't say anything, just continues to gaze, waiting to see if I'll retract my question, but I don't. I meet her stare with my own hardened one. After a moment, she clears her throat.

"Divergents threaten the very structure of our society as a whole. Our founders created the system to ensure peace so that the past errors of human nature would not repeat this time, completely destroying civilization. History has taught us that human nature is responsible for what almost destroyed the world through war, famine, and disease. Those who possess multiple traits are a danger, as they cannot be counted on to be loyal to their faction's credos. They could turn against the ideals and principles that are the glue that holds our society together. Hence, causing more war, famine, and disease. We are all that is left, Katelyn"

Katelyn?  I want to throat punch her.

"It is up to us, to ensure that doesn't happen again" she states.

I quickly glance over at Eric. Yeah, he wasn't happy. He slowly shaking his head no. He knows I want to come back at her. He's right, I just can't seem to keep my mouth shut.

I look back at her, meeting her gaze "We have never come across any evidence to suggest Divergents are out to destroy us. If they're hiding within their faction, it would appear they have no desire to draw attention to themselves, hence completely adapting to their faction's ideals, instead of resisting them" the room grew awkward as the table shifts their eyes back and forth between Jeanine and I.