The Damaged

Chapter Twenty Seven

Just after dark, Four guides us out of the entrance of the compound and onto the ongoing train that runs through the night.

We both sit against the wall of the car, watching the lights flicker by.

"I've decided on something" Four finally speaks since he arrived at my apartment.

I look over at him, still catching my breath from the run. "What's that?"

"Leaving Dauntless may be our best option, but for now, we need to be clued in as much as possible" his eyes are focused somewhere far away.

"So that's why you picked the control room? So you can watch Max through the cameras?" My eyebrows cock upwards.

"Part of the reason. The other is that it's the only place with computer access, it may come in handy later" he shrugs.

"So what's the point of this trip?"

Four sticks his hand into his pocket to reveal a crumpled up piece of paper folded in half. "I have a letter to deliver."

I study the waving paper. "Is it for your mother?"

He nods once. "This might be too stupid to risk, but I have to make sure she knows." Four offers me the sheet.

"Are you sure you want me to read it? It sounds personal."

"Go ahead, you're part of this, too" He glances at me.

I sigh and open the paper:

Evelyn,

Someday. Not yet.

— 4

P.S. I'm glad you're not dead.

"When's "not yet"?" I hand the paper back to him.

"When we know their definite plans."

I bring my knees to my chest, watching the city come closer and closer. Even though leaving Dauntless would be for our safety, I can't help but hate the thought of leaving the new life I waited so long for.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Together we run through the familiar dark streets of Abnegation, it's scarier at night. All the broken buildings look different without light.

Four has us stop at an abandoned building with the windows painted black, but we're able to see a glow coming from somewhere within the space. There's also a smell of something burning, the nearby smoke makes my eyes water.

I don't question when Four knocks on the door, he must know of whoever lives here.

Footsteps approach the door, voices lower and goosebumps raise on my arms. There's something eerie about this.

A man opens the door; Factionless. I take note of his mixture of clothing, all from different factions.

No one says anything at first, but the man just eyes Four's attire. "Well, look who made a change. To what do I owe this visit? Did you miss my charming company?"

I try not to make a face out of respect. Four tenses a bit. "You knew my mother was alive when you met me," he says. "That's how you recognized me, because you've spent time with her. That's how you knew what she said about inertia carrying her to Abnegation."

"Yeah," the man replies. "Didn't think it was my business to be the one to tell you she was still alive. You here to demand an apology, or something?"

"No," Four shakes his head. "I'm here to hand off a message. You'll give it to her?"

"Yeah, sure. I'll be seeing her in the next couple days."

Four reaches into his pocket and offers the folded piece of paper to the man.

"Go ahead and read it, I don't care," Four adds. "And thanks."

"No problem," The man grins, eyeing the both of us. "Would the two of you like to come in? There's food and I'm sure you're going to have to be accustomed to our lifestyle soon."

Four takes my hand and answers for the both of us, shaking his head and starting to walk towards where we came from.

"Nice meeting you, young lady" the man nods just as I disappear into the dark void.

"Can you trust him enough to give her the letter?" I ask once I'm walking by his side. It's not hard to match his stride anymore.

"She told me if I ever have something to tell her, I just have to talk to any of the Factionless. He was the only one I knew to look for. It's enough" he sighs.

I look around at the tall buildings, we're not far from the Abnegation Sector. Maybe a few more blocks down, we'll be able to see the housing.

"Four, let's go this way" I grin at him. Now with me in the lead, I tug his hand to a different street and towards the Sector willingly.

"I think it's a bit too late to become Stiffs again, Mal" Four mumbles, I glance at him to see he's looking up at the buildings just as I was.

"Funny" I roll my eyes.

The closer we get, the more he realizes where I'm taking him; picking up a faster pace to lead the way.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It feels like we just walked this alleyway the other day; pushing open the broken door and walking up the rickety steps to the third floor.

Though it's dark, we're able to navigate through the debris and towards the open wall that looks out onto the Abnegation housing.

"Didn't think we'd ever end up here again" Four mumbles, wind rushing against us.

"Somethings never change" I grin at him, intertwining my fingers with his.

We both sit on the chairs we left behind that day, but now there's barely any space between us. Some things do change- in a good way.

Sitting here now, I remember longing for a different life. One that's loud and filled with people. Something the Abnegation would look down on. Now that I have it, I take in all the rare silence I can get.

I don't long for either life now, I accept the compromise of having both.

"Four?" I ask over the wind, studying the few houses that still have their lights on.

"Hmm?" He mumbles.

"What do we do now?"

There's a long silence. I don't have to look at him to know there's a crease between his eyebrows.

He grips my hand a bit tighter. "We wait."