Rebels

Chapter 32: Fear Landscape

Al!

Christina gasps and backs up into Will's arms. Will wraps his arms tight around her and pulls her away from the scene. Neither of them wants to see their friend this way.

With my hand over my mouth, I take a few steps forward pushing past all the people.

I watch as another guy runs over with a large black bag. I stare as they roll Al's body into the bag, zip it up, and carry it away.

This is all your fault!

My inner voice screams at me.

I can't stand the scene anymore so I turn on my heels and run away into the dark hallways.

The river of tears pouring out of my eyes cloud my vision essentially making me blind.

"Tris!" A deep voice calls out to me but I am so filled with despair that I don't register it and keep running.

I could just briefly make out the sound of someone running behind me. A large calloused hand wraps around my arm and pulls me against a solid chest.

The person pulls me tight against him and hugs me.

"It's gonna be okay." He whisperers into my ear and I sigh with relief when I recognize Four's voice.

My fingers clutch his black sweater and I bury my face into it.

"No it won't he is dead because of me." I sob into his chest. My voice sounds so childlike but I don't care.

He rubs his hands up and down my back in a soothing technique but it isn't helping.

"It isn't your fault Tris, okay Al chose to walk to the chasm, and then he decided to jump. You can't blame yourself for something that he chose to do."

His words turn my sadness into fury and I push him away with all my strength.

"No Four it is my fault. It is all my fault. He did what he did because I rejected him. He jumped to his death because he thought I was in love with you!" I scream at him.

He looks at me stunned for a few seconds.

"What are you talking about?"

I glare at him and scoff.

"Al thought that I was in love with you. Which is absolutely ridiculous considering that I barely know you."

"You do know me, Tris."

I shake my head.

"No I don't, I don't know where you come from, who your family is, what your real name is. Dammit, Four I don't even know what you look like under that damn thing!"

He clenches his hands into fists and takes a few deep breaths. He walks over to me and grabs my hand and starts pulling me down the passage.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

"You're right Tris you don't know me so am taking you to the one place where I can show you who I am."

***

I keep quiet the entire time while Four takes me back to the underground city and towards the fear landscape room.

He makes me shut the door behind me while he gets started on the program.

"What are we doing?" I ask.

"I'm gonna take you through my fear landscape." He simply stated while removing his jacket revealing his bulging muscles that were kept underneath.