Twin Image: Family, Before Anything

Chapter 37

~The Next Week~

-December 25th, Saturday-

~Natalie's POV~

I pull out my keys to my personal truck, coming out of the hub, waving goodbye to Johanna as she gets into her own personal truck as well. That meeting went rather well, although there is still one person in that room who doesn't agree with my husband's decree. Andrew Prior, believe it or not. My father-in-law left the leadership position years ago, giving the reins to Andrew. And for some reason, neither me or Caleb Prior, his own son and the leader of Erudite, could get him to see this is for the betterment of the city.

I didn't realize he'd be such a stubborn person when I first met him. I unlock my truck and nearly hop into the front seat until I notice there was a piece of paper with red ink on it sitting neatly on the seat. I didn't leave this here. I pick it up and unfold it, clenching my jaw when I see this isn't written in red ink like I thought it was. Blood.

"I'd like to speak with you, come to the factionless site beside Dauntless. Come with uninvited guests and you won't be welcomed in." ~ Bloodreina

It reads, and I scoff. What the hell is this girl trying to prove? I'm stronger than her and I always will be stronger than her! I crumble and burn the paper, closing my truck door, and soaring into the sky. I head towards home, and veer once I see my destination.

I land and march my ass into the main corridor, seeing just how different the factionless is. All of them, covered in black and red paint. And even the inside of the site was different. The upper levels where all gated, having people snarl against them, looking down at me as I make my way towards her. The factionless make way for me, "I see you got my message, care for some tea?" She asks, gesturing to a table where this sweet old lady stood, making tea.

I fizzle, seeing how she's basically enslaved most of these people. She makes a cup for Bloodreina, and thus makes one for me, and I sit for this nice lady. But not for her. "You wanted to talk, so talk." I tell her, making her nod. "I did indeed," She sips her tea, as do I, "And I've honestly had an epiphany in this passing week. I've realized I was a fool to challenge you." She tells me, making me widen my eyes.

"I should've befriended you instead, given how powerful you are. In both person and in your position." She says, and I'm taken by surprise. "Oh really now?" I ask, sipping more of my tea. She nods, "Yes, really. I never knew about golden meta's until now, and I do say, you have a nice right pitch." She says, making me laugh a bit. I drink the rest of my tea, given it was so good, and I thank the sweet old lady. "You see? Befriending you, is much better. You wanna know why?" She asks, and I nod for her to go on, "Because, only real fools fall for a sit-down with their enemy." She states, and I feel something familiar. M-My invulnerabilty . . . it's gone? And before I could even think to stand, I feel someone inject me in the neck with something. And I figure out what that something is as I lose feeling in my whole body, and lose consciousness.

***

~Tobias' POV~

"Dad, where's mom? You said she'd be back any minute an hour ago." My eldest asks me, and I look at my watch. Hm. He's right, and I start to feel weird. Until I remember all the times the monthly meetings would end up lasting longer than usual. "She's probably being held up at the meeting, let's go pick her up, and I might just let you drive her home since we have to get both trucks back here." I tell him, and he jumps for joy, grabbing his jacket.

***

"What do you mean the meeting ended awhile ago? My wife's truck is still out there." I ask and say, and the receptionist shrugs. "I could pull up the surveillance feed from the camera's right outside though." She says, and thus proceeds to tap away on her computer. She finishes and turns the screen, and I watch my wife wave to Johanna while exiting the building, and she opens the truck door and yet, she doesn't get in. All I can see is her standing there but, I know she's reading something; that's her reading face. And the next thing we see is her shut the truck door, and take off into the air, towards Dauntless.