Rebels

Chapter 12: You Again

The Cafe is empty which is not at all surprising since it was still school time.

We sit down at the biggest table and order some water and chicken sandwiches. Thankfully it doesn't take long for the food to get here and as soon as I take a bite I instantly feel like all the energy that was sucked out of me today has come back.

Leaning back into the corner behind my chair I quietly eat my food and listen to the other engage in a very boring conversation. But then again I find most Abnegation conversations boring.

I turn my head to get a better view out of the stained glass window and stare longly out at the horizon across from me. At the sun streaming through the windows of the tall buildings surrounding the little Cafe.

Right by the window is an alley where Daniel-the owner of the cafe- leaves scrap food for the factionless. I can briefly see him meddling with what looks like a security camera but I don't pay him much attention.

"So how is the house?" I hear my mom ask Susan and I bring my focus away from the window to my mother just in case she asks me a question.

Susan smiles as she rattles on and on about how much she loves the house.
Robert chuckles at his sister's giddiness and even I crack a smile but it quickly disappears as my mind is suddenly filled with the question I wonder what it would be like if Caleb was here with us right now. 

I wish he was with us right now. I wish I could see him try not to smile at Susan. I wish I could hear his voice again. I wish he was here.

I wonder what he is doing right now?

Is he thinking about me, about us? Or is he already shoving us into a dark corner of his mind where we will stay for the rest of his life?

"And Beatrice what did you think of the house?" Evelyn asks me.

"It's great." I smile, it is a simple answer and one they should accept. And they did.

"I'm so proud of all of you. You are becoming adults and contributing to your society." Mrs.Black said. 

"We won't let you down mom." Robert said.

"I do not doubt that." She smiles and gently brushes her fingers up and down his cheek.

The bell at the top of the door rings, the sweet jingle signaling someone was coming.

"Ladies and gentleman." Mr.Black said.

"Hey, dad." Susan greets him.

Mr.Black, my father, and Marcus each take a seat at our table.

Marcus gives Evelyn a small smile which makes her shoulders sink and a sigh escapes her lips. Leaning on her elbows she brings her hands over her face.

"She said she will keep looking but right now there isn't anything." He said to her.

"She always says that." Evelyn sighs rubbing her hands down her face and against her thighs.

"What's going on?" My mother asked leaning towards Evelyn in a comforting manner.

"The Dauntless lady who is trying to locate Tobias called me today and informed me that the lead she said she had a while ago turned up another dead-end." Marcus explained. 

Tears began to rim around Evelyn's eyes.

"I think we should find another person to help us look for him because she isn't helpful." Evelyn snaps.

I am taken aback by hearing her speak like that. She is the kind of person who doesn't snap at or about people. But this is her child we are talking about. She wants him back and hearing that they have come up with nothing once again will make anyone upset.

"Dauntless said she is one of the best techs they have." Marcus said.

"A tattoo artist is the best tech they have." Evelyn shakes her head, "They have a tattoo artist looking for our son."

"She is the tech helping a team of people looking for Tobias. And I think we should give her more time." Marcus said.

Evelyn looked between Marcus and the floor for a few seconds then nodded.

"I'm sure they are doing the best they can." My mom said.

"I know they are I just want my baby back." Evelyn choked back a sob.

" What lead was the tech girl chasing?" Mr.Black asked.

"I can't remember something about security footage. I didn't understand much she was saying. She went very technical," Marcus said," Besides it didn't pan out so it doesn't matter."

Suddenly side door of the cafe bangs shut and Daniel waltzes back in hitting his hands together like he is brushing dist off. 

"Now I'll get him." He huffs as he hooks a grey cloth back on his belt.

"Hey, Daniel." Marcus greets.

"Hi, guys." Daniel smiles at us. 

"What's going on?" My dad asked.

Daniel sighs in frustration.

"Last week some Dauntless guy spray-painted on my wall in the alley. I managed to rinse it off but then two days ago he came back and did it all over again."

"Damn hooligans." My father hisses under his breath.

"I got myself a security camera and set it up. Hopefully, I can get a good picture of him and his faction can deal with him."

"Doubt they would do much." Marcus shakes his head," That whole faction is just crazy and I doubt they will punisher a vandaliser."

"Yeah you're probably right but I might as well try." Daniel shrugs. 

We stayed at the cafe for a couple more hours until the sun started setting over the horizon and darkness started washing over the city.

We would have left earlier but my father offered for us all to help Daniel clean the Cafe and of course, the rest of us couldn't refuse.

"Thanks for all the help. This place looks good as new."

"Any time you need help just ask."

"You are too kind."

Just as we were about to leave we heard the sound of a spray paint can being violently shaken creating that clicking sound.

"You guys go around the front to see if we can trap him in." Daniel whispers to us.

He and the rest of the men go out through the back door while the rest of us go out through the front.

The Dauntless guy is wearing a mask so we can't see his face. He raises his hand and starts painting on the wall in bright orange paint.

"Hey!" Daniel yells at the guy who jumps a little, he wasn't expecting us.

Quickly hooking the can onto his belt he turns to run away but stops when he sees all of us around him. He turns his head back and forth trying to find a way out of the situation he has gotten himself into.

As he looks back to our side and he and I lock eyes I let out a loud gasp. He has bright blue eyes, ones that I could recognize from anywhere.

"It's you again." I unintentionally say out loud.

That catches Susan's attention and she looks at me with concern.

"Get out of here!" Daniel yells.

That was all the invitation the man needed.  Like a flash, he bolts past us nearly knocking Susan and me down.

The boys ran up to us huffing and puffing. 

"And stay away!" Daniel yells and we all watch as the man runs away and disappears.