The next morning I'm woken up from a not so great dream. I blink a good number of times before the world comes back into focus. The word murderer still fresh in my mind. I turn and come face to chest with Justin. My eyes widen. I feel like I will never be able to look at him without a shirt on my brain just doesn't allow it.
"Ugh. What is going on?"
"I don't know but it sounds close so it must be one of ours."
I say as I get up and find a shirt to quickly put over my head. Justin doesn't bother with one as he gets out and walks to the door in nothing but his underwear. He turns back towards me and smirks.
"You coming or not?" He starts to laugh at me before stopping abruptly and massaging his temple. "Ugh what happened last night? My head is killing me."
We walk into the hallway and see Tris and Peter yelling at each other.
"Don't call me a little girl."
"I'll call you whatever I want."
She grabbed his injured arm. I would say low blow but Peter is kind of an ass so I let it slide. They start to fight while a sea of colors and gray swarm the hallway. I quickly grab Justin and go back into the room. I have a feeling we are going to be leaving sooner than we planned. I start to pack what I can as Justin gets dressed. We agree that he goes out the window since he isn't supposed to be in my room anyway and our group is in enough trouble as it is. I go to open the door right when Tobias goes to knock on it.
"Hey I think-"
"I already packed."
"Right." He clears his throat.
We stare at each other for a moment. Before he says he has to go to the orchard for his daily chores. Oh man I forgot about that, I head towards the laundry room for my own work and I guess I'll have to do Tris' as well.
Joy.
I sigh as I shake my head making my way to the laundry. A few hours later Tobias walks in looking more annoyed than normal.
"You alright, Four?"
"Tris is driving me crazy. They drugged her and she is currently out of her little mind."
I couldn't help it I laughed till my stomach hurt. He starts to chuckle as well.
"Stop D, it isn't funny. She really is insane, all lovey-dovey and well nice. I don't like it."
"Sorry Four. What was it they gave her anyway?"
"Peace serum and it seems to be in the bread as well so stay clear."
My laughing stops automatically.
"The bread?" I inquire, he nods. "Well shit that explain the way Justin was acting yesterday and the headache he woke up to this morning. He ate at least five servings of bread at each meal. He was all touchy and smiley. It was odd to say the least."
"What a pair we are huh, we don't like our partners nice and lovey."
I nod.
"Well I got to go check on Tris. It's been almost five hours now that stuff has to wear off soon... at least I hope so."
"Later Four." I say as I fold my last shirt.
***
Our small group sans Tris are sitting in the far end of the cafeteria with that abnegation girl, Susan I found out her name earlier in the day. She seems to be smitten with Caleb, why I cannot be so sure, but they seem to know each other slightly more than normal abnegation couples should. Justin and Peter are arm wrestling as Tobias and I look on after a short conversation of minor importance when Tris comes bursting through a group of Amity yelling only one word.
"Erudite."
"Coming here?" Tobias asks.
Tris nods. By now our group is standing. The Amity are staring at us and the Abnegation are starting to take notice.
"Do we have time to run?"
Tris shrugs, huffing trying to still catch her breath.
"Why would we need to run?" Susan asks. "The Amity established this place as a safe house. No conflict allowed."
All I can think as i shake my head internally is is this girl for real? How does she expect that to be enforced in a peace loving drugged induced society? My brother won't give a damn about what the Amity says. My brother, Eric. He would be coming for us, for me. The question remains which version of him would I get. My brother, my protector or my brother the ruthless leader bent on killing off the divergents?
I am jolted back into the conversation when Justin grabs my hand entwining our fingers together. I look at him, his jaw is taut, his eyes narrow. He won't let Eric take me again. He knows just as much as I do if my brother gets a hold of me the odds of Justin and I seeing each other again are less than favorable. But, could I allow Justin to be put into harm's way for my own safety?
'Murderer'
Could I allow him to be killed, no I would die before I would let that happen to him, just like he would for me. An impasse that is where we are at without even mentioning it, i know it is true.
Is that love? Is that what love makes us do. I look at Tobias, he would do the same for Tris. It must be love.
"Tris has a gun," Tobias states. "We can try to fight our way out."
"Wait," Tris stops him from leaving. "I have an idea. Disguises. The erudite don't know for sure that we're still here. We can pretend to be Amity."
Marcus gets his Abnegation members to put down their hair or leave to get dressed into Amity garb. Tris goes with them while Justin runs off to grab a new shirt. I look to Tobias. His expression is schooled, it reminds me of his own father. I internally cringe.
"D, I need to you understand something. I don't really care about the Abnegation. We are going to lose people and as long as it isn't Tris, you, or Justin I am fine. Now listen I need you to find your way to the factionless. Use my name, my real name and they will help you. Do you understand. Eric can't find you, but I can't protect both you and Tris at the same time. Stay with Justin and no matter what don't get caught. Do you understand me?"
"It sounds like to me you want Justin and I to leave you guys behind."
"Once an Erudite always an Erudite. D, you and Tris are the most important people to me. She won't leave without Caleb and me, and I won't leave without her. I need to know you have a chance even if we don't. As soon as Justin gets back your leaving."
"What gives you the right to make that decision?" I push him back and he stumbles marginally before righting himself. "I can't leave you, I can't run, I am not a coward!"
"Do you want your father to get a hold of you!"
I freeze. A small gasp leaves my lips.
"If he gets a hold of you we are all doomed. If they learn to control you we all have no hope. We need hope if we plan on stopping this war. I don't want to be separated but we need to be smart."
"Danni?"
I turn to see Justin running over to me his callused fingers quickly run across my cheek wiping stray tears from my face. When did I start crying?
"Are you alright?"
"You and D are leaving now." Tobias states.
Justin looks at him as though he lost his damn mind. Personally, I think he has, but I remain silent. I know he is right. It's the smart move. The right move, but my heart hurts at the thought. The two men stare at each other silently before Justin takes my hand and nods to Tobias.
"I've given her orders. Keep her safe, keep yourself safe. I hope to see you again soon. Now hurry before the others return."
I give Tobias a final look as Justin pulls me away and into the orchard. We are surrounded by tress blocking most of ourselves from view. We have no weapons on us, but we have each other. We just need to make it back inside the gate and to the Factionless. We just need to not get caught.