"Why a curfew? Isn't the attack supposed to be during the day?" I asked, confused, as I watched Eric putting on his vest.

Uriah managed to complete the simulation last night. After our emotional encounter, I decided to put him in the simulation until he succeeded. It's worth mentioning that we finished very late, but the Dauntless hallways were empty. Once I left him in his room, I went to mine, and Eric was in the same position where I had left him.

Now Eric stands in front of me, paler than usual, with dark circles under his eyes and a constant feeling of nausea. But he is ready to fulfill his duty, with two cups of coffee, an aspirin, and no memory of how he got to the room.

"The curfew isn't just at night, schedules for leaving the house will also be set under the pretext of saving energy and fuel in public transportation. It will be set at 8, and the attack starts at 7:30." he shrugged.

"Where will I be?" I whispered after taking a sip of my coffee.

"With me. Jeanine will program the Dauntless at 7, they'll get on the train, and during that time, you'll be with me in Dauntless to ensure there are no issues. They'll board the train, and we'll leave in the van."

"I don't want to be in Abnegation." I said, shaking my head. "I can't, and you know it."

"I know." he murmured. "Jeanine wants to see you. We'll enter the faction once it's taken over. You'll be far from them, you won't see anything."he commented. "We'll leave before the shooting starts."

"Who will watch over Dauntless while we're gone?"

"Several Erudite will be in the control center, along with a few Dauntless who won't be given the serum. They'll secure that area." he replied simply. "The rest of Dauntless isn't a problem, everything will be empty."

Just what I wanted to hear, I have complete freedom to hide these 3 individuals.
I asked them not to leave and to integrate with the others once they are done. I nodded. A few seconds later, Eric approached, standing just a few centimeters away from me, and I responded with a simple, tender, and lasting kiss.

"Do you want to come?" he asked in a whisper.

I shook my head with a smile without showing my teeth. "I prefer to stay and train." I shrugged.

"See you." he said goodbye with a final kiss and left.

In 3 days is the final stage, they will be administered the serum with the excuse of being a simple tracker as they finish the simulations.
Meanwhile, in the pit, it will be given to the rest of the Dauntless without exception. And on the fourth day, the massacre begins, Tris' parents will have a single opportunity to leave their faction.
I hope Joana receives them.

I took the tablet and set out to investigate the two people I am about to save. I need to prepare, to remember their faces so I can find them.
 
****************************************

Even though Four can be an idiot, he's smart, and I hate to admit it. He's a big fool who was waiting for me outside a truck with boxes of water, food, and clothes from Amity. All for Natalie and Andrew. But it was too much for just the two of them, which makes me doubt what will happen.
Nevertheless, I got into the passenger seat, indicating the meeting point away from the massacre.

It was an old distillery a few blocks from the Sears building, where I had precisely hidden the bag with weapons. All in case something goes wrong. We carefully unloaded the boxes and entered, removing the rusty padlock and spreading a paper map over a dust-covered table.

I was about to go after one of Tris's parents, but Four refused to let me go and expose myself, so the brunette decided to go for Natalie while I sat patiently waiting for his return. This is a betrayal, one of the worst. If I were Catholic, I would like priests to exist so I could confess, so my sins could be forgiven, but in the absence of that, people gradually lose faith. And I understand them, how can you not lose faith in this when Erudite leads us to a life where emotions are not welcome?

Sometimes I want to stop this, gather as many people as I can, knock out Eric and hide him in the bathroom of our room while I bring down Erudite and Max. Then force the blonde to adapt to me, not the other way around, to accept the divergents and understand that not everything unknown deserves to die, that his ambition for power is taking him too far.

But I lack the courage.

The back door opened, followed by several hurried footsteps, so I lowered my feet from the table as the person arrived.

"I saved your skin so you wouldn't get filled with bullets. Now, the least I expect from you, Grace, is damned honesty." he said, angrier than I'd ever heard him before. He sighed in annoyance, crossing his arms.

"Hall." I murmured, getting up from the chair completely.

It was already too late, he had seen the blankets, the food, and the map on the table. He looked at them in disbelief and confusion.

"Well?"

"What do you mean, filled with bullets? Who?"

"Soldiers, some newbies who saw you leaving with provisions. I had to make up an excuse that you joined the support group for the Factionless and that's what you collected. Are you going to tell me what's going on?"

"I can't."

"Is this a joke?"

"First, I want the names of those idiots."

"Just ignore them. They begged me not to say anything once I told them who you were." he said, shaking his head with disinterest. Then, he stepped closer to me. "After the fight we had and your rise to leadership, I respected you. I was loyal to you because you proved to be a good leader. But if you're not honest with the people who are loyal to you, then you're not a good leader." he said sternly.

I pushed him hard by the shoulders, and though I didn't move him much, I showed my annoyance and frowned at him.

"Don't forget who you're talking to." I growled, raising a finger and pointing at him threateningly. "What I'm doing goes beyond leadership in Dauntless." I excused myself. "And this doesn't concern you."

"Being a leader goes beyond a stupid title, Grace. I don't follow you because I work for you, I follow you because you can lead the flock in every possible way. You just need to believe it."

"I don't want to involve more people. Telling you is condemning you."

"That's life. The Amity and the Abnegation live long because they are ignorant. The more we know, the closer we are to danger. And if I'm here demanding the damned truth, it's because I understand the risks." he said, lowering his arms to place them on his hips. "Something big is happening, otherwise, Erudite wouldn't be spending all their time in Dauntless. You disappear most of the time, even after your kidnapping, many Dauntless are disappearing, and every day they bring boxes with this serum." He raised his hand, showing me the amber-colored lethal weapon that would induce everyone into mind control. "And now, here I find you, hiding in the blind spots of attacks, with supplies and a map of Chicago."

I saw the desperation in his eyes, demanding the truth, tired of lies, suspense, and the gaps that distinguish Dauntless. And I understood him, I was the same at first, when I didn't know about the attack and would have loved to remain ignorant. But I couldn't deny him; humans are never satisfied with anything.

"Erudite will attack Abnegation in four days. They will wipe out the entire faction—women, children, and men."

"How will they manage that?" he asked, frowning.

"With Dauntless."

"Impossible. No one would agree to something like that." he shook his head quickly, confident in his assertion.

"That's why those vials exist. They will administer the serum under the pretense of it being a tracker, when in reality it's a program to make the subject follow the commands of a computer. When the massacre is over, no one will remember what happened." I shrugged.

At that moment, the door opened, and in came Four and Natalie, Tris's mother. They both approached us while I turned to look at Hall.

"They will seize the government and eradicate the divergents, at least in Dauntless and Abnegation, since those are the factions with the most divergents." I continued. "That's why I'm doing this, to warn that woman and her husband, to settle a debt." I turned to Four, looking at him for a moment.

"Then, it's true? They will attack us?" asked Tris's mother, Natalie.

"Yes." I responded. "That's why you need to leave a day before. I have a plan, Natalie. I want women and vulnerable children, a small group, at least 15 Abnegation, so choose well."

"I'm in." Hall agreed, stepping forward.

He nodded while I gave him a smile.

Saving Tris's parents isn't enough for me. If I'm going to betray Eric, I'll make sure to do it right. The children are innocent, they don't deserve this. I won't let them be killed.

************************************

Four accompanied Natalie to her home, and she agreed immediately, even seeming content with the escape plan, the alternate exits, and the time they would leave their houses. I tried to give her a weapon, but she refused with a loving smile, explaining that she kept one at home in case things got complicated.

In a few days, the attack will happen, and I don't know how to feel. It's troubling because there are more than 15 children in the faction. I won't be able to save them all, but at least I know that a fraction of innocent people will migrate to Amity. I just hope Joana will give them asylum, welcome them with a smile, and they learn to adopt Amity as their new faction. I hope that when everything returns to normal, Hill will kill Jeanine once and for all, and things will improve.

"Is there any way I can avoid that serum?" Hall asked after we finished setting up the hiding spots and access points.

"No." I replied. "It will be administered to everyone. Their technology is advanced enough that they will notice if a Dauntless is missing."

He sighed in frustration. "I don't want to kill anyone."

"If it's any consolation, it will be like being asleep." I shrugged.

I was at the back of the factory, near a window covered with cardboard except for a corner where the sun's rays peeked through. I got lost in the tiny view, watching a white cat rummaging through the trash as it spotted a mouse.

"Does Eric know what you're doing?" Hall asked after a few seconds.

"No." I responded. "He's in favor of the massacre and believes I accept it."

"Are you the undercover spy?" Hall asked with a laugh. "Whose side are you really on?"

"To be honest, I have no idea." I admitted. "I don't want to throw away everything I've achieved in Dauntless, but it seems irrational to take power this way. I can't believe they are willing to kill the children, but going against Jeanine is a suicidal act, at least right now. I just want to save enough people so my soul can be at peace and wait for everything to return to normal."

"And... haven't you thought that if they can control us once, won't they do it whenever they feel like it?"

"If that's the case and they do it again, don't worry, I'll destroy the program myself and kill everyone."

"Including Eric?" Hall asked.

I turned around and looked at him. He had a questioning look on his face, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms.

"Nobody touches Eric."my demeanor changed radically, showing the inner demon.

"Do we agree that if he finds out what's happening here and complies, the others will follow the attack?" Hall continued.

"I have a deal with Four. I'll take care of Eric, and he..."

"I'm not talking about Four." he interrupted. "You've organized a group of Abnegation, and one of them has a weapon, Grace. Maybe it won't be her, but there will be more than one willing to kill him, and we both know Eric doesn't give up easily." he scoffed. "You've fractured their plans, and you still have people in Dauntless who will be awake. What happens if someone kills him? Or better yet, if they try to use the serum again, and you want to prevent it, you won't be able to stop the entire group of Dauntless who will be behind you."

"Everyone knows what Eric means to me. I'll take care of him, I always will."

"No, Grace. There may come a moment when you have to decide between Eric and the rebellion you're about to create."

"I'm not creating any rebellion." I scoffed, letting out a nasal laugh.

"Didn't you see the emotion you provoked in that Abnegation woman? Even Four and I were convinced easily. Everyone feels safe with you. Stand up, and they will stand with you." he shrugged. "Just choose, because Eric won't want you to rise, and those around you might kill him."

I knew he was right, but just imagining Eric dead terrified me. Eric is stubborn and won't abandon his beliefs, even when they're wrong, and I'm not sure if he could change even if I asked him to. Hall's hypothesis was extreme, but not out of place. Jeanine could use the serum as many times as she wanted, and I can't allow that. She would have an army, and even if Hill managed to overthrow her, I can't be sure she would give up that advantage. Hill is just as ruthless as Jeanine, which is why they clash.

And though I hate to say it, I'm willing to do anything to prevent that weapon from being used again. I don't know if I'm ready to kill Hill, but killing Eric is out of the question, even in my dreams. Yet that doesn't change the fact that those below might be willing to do it.

"So, what would you do?" Hall continued.

I turned to him with seriousness, dreading the answer I was about to give, but I couldn't deceive even myself.

"Put me in that position, and my actions are certain." I said. "Eric was the only one who believed in me, from my initiation days." I shrugged. "If they hurt him, I could destroy the entire city."

"Even though they believed in you?" Hall pressed.

"Even so." I nodded. "I'm not asking for much."

The shuffling of footsteps on the floor made me turn around. It was Four, standing a few meters away from us. When he realized we saw him, he approached slowly, looking at me. His gaze was so clear, he had heard my conversation with Hall.

********************************

I will save 15 Abnegation and 3 Divergents in Dauntless, and I'm lifting a bar weighted with my body as I go through my usual exercise routine, thinking about Hall's involvement now.

He knew everything now—he knew Four and the initiate were Divergent, he knew Uriah was too, and in the end, he deduced that I was as well, and I couldn't deny it. He took it all in stride, saw the bigger picture, and yet he supported me. He agreed to help the Abnegation and protect the Divergents. He swore loyalty and protection, and I confessed that I would kill everyone if they harmed Eric.

Just minutes ago, I showed Four and Uriah where they would hide, set up a room full of papers, got the key, and gave it to them. I asked them to allow themselves to be injected, and by dawn, I want the three of them in the cellar, no exceptions. The Abnegation were ordered to stay in the factory for two days until everything was over, then I would send them to Amity, owing a favor to Joana.

Everything was calculated—the hours, the minutes, the positions, the wind, the temperature. Absolutely everything was planned out, and everyone knew their part. I created a flawless structure, and everything had to go perfectly if everyone did what they were supposed to do.

So, I could say I was training with a peaceful mind. Uriah would be safe, and that comforted me. The weight of the bar didn't bother me; I was thinking of adding more disks, at least 5 kilos on each side. The only pain I enjoyed feeling was the ache in my muscles, causing them to tremble, and the sweat that poured from my body under the inevitable load I gave it. For me, this was life, health, and peace.

And it was most satisfying to do it in silence, when there was no one around, when no Dauntless came to bother me. But all good things had to come to an end, as the silhouette of someone stood beside me and showed no sign of leaving.

With one final effort, I lifted the bar and placed it back in its place, then sat down and wiped the sweat from my brow with a small towel. I took a water bottle and drank deeply, looking at the person responsible for my interruption. I closed the bottle and stood up, raising an eyebrow.

"Do you need something?" I asked indifferently.

Tris narrowed her eyes for a moment, letting out a scoff and shaking her head lightly. "There's going to be a massacre, and yet you seem so calm. How do you manage to sleep?" she asked softly.

"I just close my eyes and count sheep." I replied ironically. "If you're only here to question my morals, you might as well leave. I have things to do." I added bitterly, brushing past her and making sure to bump her shoulder.

She didn't leave, instead she approached me again. "I'm sorry, I just don't understand." she murmured, glancing around to ensure we were alone in the room.

"What don't you understand?" I asked.

"I don't understand you." she murmured back. "How did you manage to rise to leadership as a Divergent without anyone finding out? Or how can you still be loyal even though you're a threat to them? Yet at the same time, you want to help."

Discovering that Eric had known I was Divergent since my initiation made me realize it's futile to hide from the leaders. You have to blend in most of the time, keep your guard up, let them rough you up occasionally to stay in the middle of the pack—avoid being weak but also not stand out.

"Commitment, struggle, and perseverance. I admit I had a lot of help." I nodded, recalling Freya, Four, and even Eric. "My ambition outweighed my survival instinct, and here I am, in my dreamed-of position, trying to save those I care about. Of course, they matter to other people too, so..." I sighed. "I have to save a lot of people."

"But not enough." Tris pointed out.

"Just be thankful your parents will still be alive." I frowned.

"Thank you." she acknowledged, more because I asked her to. "But you've only given them an escape route, you're not helping them get out. And besides, why go to these extremes? Another faction? Is it necessary?"

"What do you suggest, Tris?" I asked irritably. "Seriously, any plan is welcome."

"I feel like you contradict yourself, you want to do the right thing but could stop all of this once and for all. There are many of us willing to do it, many lives will be saved, and the bad guys could fall."

"I won't do it. I'll save your parents and my friends. Consider yourself lucky and forget it." I growled.

"And why not? It's the right thing. If it's because of Eric, you know well that it won't matter once he finds out you're a diver..."

It was to be expected. I didn't let her finish. I hit her cheek with my right fist, already bandaged and ready—ironically, Tris ended up being my punching bag.

"Don't forget who you're talking to, initiate." I threatened, leaning close to her ear.

She touched her cheek in surprise, fell silent, and lowered her gaze. "You know what's right." she murmured.

"We're both divergent, but the difference between you and me is that you would sacrifice what you love most because it's right, but I wouldn't, Tris. I would sacrifice the entire city to see the man I love happy." I whispered close to her ear. "Saving them is a mere act of kindness and a risk, so be thankful I'm partly abnegation." I added.

I turned away and walked towards the punching bag. It was always liberating to hit someone, but I couldn't do it as I pleased, especially for Four's sake.

Lost in my thoughts and waiting for Tris to leave, I began hitting the bag. I started with light jabs, then doubled up, and followed with roundhouse kicks.

That Tris spends time with Four confuses her, I expect a bit more respect from her as I am her leader. But it seems Four managed to talk about me as the girl he trained, the divergent who will save others.

However, her silhouette interrupted my ongoing punching training. Annoyed, I threw one last jab and stopped, turning to look at her.

"Don't you get tired?"

"I want to get to know you, understand Four." she murmured.

I took two steps towards her. "I don't want to get to know you, okay? And if you want to understand Four, go to him and get to know him."

"I want to understand why you're friends, even when it's clear you both can't stand each other most of the time." she murmured.

I tilted my head, wondering why she cared. Despite her impertinent question, I paused to think about it. I don't even know the answer myself, sometimes I hate him, I want to hit him, but at the end of the day, he'll protect me from everything just like I will.

"Sure." I murmured. "We've been through a lot together." I sighed, tired of her presence, and began unwrapping the bandages from my hands. "He was my trainer and my headache at the same time, we fought together on many occasions. I related to him, we have a lot in common."

"He holds you in high regard, Grace." she murmured.

I lifted my face to meet her brown eyes that scrutinized me carefully, as if analyzing me.

"I have to go." I turned around, ready to leave.

"Wait." she requested, grabbing my shoulder.

I sighed with annoyance, turning back to her with raised eyebrows, making sure she wasn't touching me.

"What else do you want?" I asked sharply.

"You know Four better than I do... And I just want..." she murmured, hesitating as she looked away.

"Just say it, Tris." I growled.

She blinked in surprise at my insistence.

"Who is Andrea?" she whispered.

I chuckled softly, looking at her in surprise, tilting my head. "How do you know about her?"

"He talks in his sleep." she replied, embarrassed, indicating they had shared a bed more than once. "He says that name many times, like he's scared, and he wakes up agitated."

"Interesting." I murmured. "She's his ex-girlfriend." I replied casually.

My answer wasn't what she expected, she looked surprised and took a step back, blinking several times. I sensed jealousy in her, which amused me.

"And what happened?" she cleared her throat. "Where is she?"

"She was my friend, we were in the same generation."

"Was?" she asked.

"I killed her." I replied casually. "See that door where the armory is?" I pointed towards the bunker, making her turn for a moment. "That's where I put a bullet in her skull."

"Why?" she asked, horrified.

"Because she tried to kill Eric, formed a rebellion, and stirred up the renegades." I said with a half-smile. "That's what happens when they try to take away what I've worked hard to build and what I love the most. I don't care if it would have been the right thing to do, she messed with what matters to me. So, Tris, I expect exceptional behavior from you on that day because now you know what I'm capable of."

I didn't let her speak or analyze my confession, I disappeared from her sight as quickly as I could, hoping that the story of Andrea would be enough for her to understand what I might be capable of doing.