Chapter 59

The days that followed were blurry. Johanna had taken charge with the support of most. She's arranging transport between the two cities. The memories of many in the Bureau were lost. They scraped words like GD and GP from their memories. Those words no longer hold meaning.

David was alive, but he had also lost his memory. Tris was dead. That was still hard for Riley to understand.

Eric's injury was the result of something incredibly selfless. Their plan had been discovered, and the Bureau planned to use a serum on him to make him talk. Instead of revealing the plan, he knocked himself out. It was noble.

Today they're unplugging Uriah, but Riley isn't there. She doesn't need to be. She's still in Chicago. It turns out this place was her home. She needed to be here for Maddie and Johanna. The war was over. Life would soon be normal.

Rebuilding was what Riley planned to do next. She wanted to rebuild her life and find peace. That was what she deserved. It was what Maddie deserved as well.

Riley stares at the city. Everyone seems happy. Nobody displays any sign of fear. "Have you given any thought about what will happen?"

When Riley decided to return, she asked Johanna to keep Eric alive. Now, he was on his way to the city with Christina and Tobias. "Yes," she stands beside her. "Given his previous actions under Jeannie, he will be imprisoned. His actions recently grant him no warrant for execution." That brings her significant comfort. Eric won't be killed. "But he can't go unpunished."

"I know," Riley says. "He knows. That's why he wants to return."

Johanna pockets the words in the back of her mind. They're important. "He will spend a lot of time there. I can not promise he will be freed anytime soon or at all."

"I know." And she does. "It's not my choice either. He wants to face punishment."

"That's very noble." Hiding was the cowards way out. A car approaches them. Inside are her friends. "Transport will be arranged tomorrow. I know you and Maddie are planning on catching the train. I'll be at Erudite tomorrow to make the arrest."

Riley glances at her. "Tomorrow? You're not going to take him right now?"

"No," Johanna hides her smile. "I do owe you a debut with taking Maddie and helping Evelyn surrender."

The truck stops. "Thank you, Johanna."

The older woman places a hand on her shoulder. "Good luck, Riley. I wish you nothing but happiness in your next endeavors." Riley had a few days at Dauntless to come up with a plan. There were no longer Factions, and people were free to do as they pleased. Many were restoring the city while others were moving to the Bureau.

Riley decided to start her new life in a place she loved, Amity. The Faction itself no longer existed and was entirely abandoned, but that didn't matter. She would rebuild her life there. It was the perfect place.

Johanna drops her hand and walks away. The car door opens, and Tobias steps out. Christina and Eric aren't far behind. Tobias had cut his hair. It was short now, but it looked good. "Hey," she addressed her brother. "You okay?" It's a stupid question. Of course, he wasn't okay. Tris was dead. He would never recover from that.

"No." And then he hugs her. Riley hugs him back, her hand patting his shoulder. It's comforting—something they both needed. He lets go first. "Evelyn's moved in. She's doing well. I think it's a good place for her." Riley is happy to hear their mother is adjusting well to life at the Bureau. It's unclear when the two will see each other again.

"Hey." Christina hugs her next. "How have things been?"

"Pretty busy." They pull away from each other. "Always stuff to do when rebuilding a city." They skate around the topic of Tris. None were ready to say her name out loud. She sacrificed herself for the new world. That sacrifice had to be worth something. Christina walks away with Tobias. Riley has no idea where they are going but doesn't care. She focuses on Eric, who appears uneasy. "Hi."

"Hi." He walks towards her. "So." He notices it's just the two of them.

"Johanna isn't going to execute you." Eric sighs in relief. "But you will be imprisoned." He was expecting that. "There's still time for you to leave. Live a good life at the Bureau."

"A good life was never in the cards for me." Eric forces a smile. Riley taps her fingers against her thigh. "Do we wait here-"

"The arrest will be made in the morning." That catches him by surprise. "You have tonight as a free man in the city."

"Why?"

Riley shrugs, "Johanna said she owed me a favor." Eric can't tell if he's grateful or not. "Come on." She turns and begins walking away.

He follows after her. "Where are we going?"

"Erudite," she says. "For the night. That's where they will arrest you in the morning." Riley had been staying at Dauntless with Maddie, but Erudite would do. She wanted to spend as much time with Eric as she could.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

They stay on the top floor. The sky is dark, but the city is vibrant. Eric stares out the window. He wants to enjoy the view while he can. "Here." Riley walks towards him. "I made tea."

He hates tea but takes the mug. "Thank you." All she does is hum. Riley stares out the window. The city is beautiful at night. It's peaceful. "Do you have a plan?" Eric wants to make sure her life will continue once he is gone.

"I'm going back to Amity," her voice is faint. "It always felt most like home." Eric's content with that response. Riley turns and sits on the counter beside him. "I'll try and rebuild whatever is left of my life there. See if I can that peace of mind everyone talks about."

Eric turns to face her. Gently, he sets the mug on the counter. "Peace of mind is good." Riley hopes it is. It's one thing she's never been able to find, but she has faith it's out there.

Eric stares at her. The small apartment is dark. The only light is from the city. It cast a blue glow. Riley looks different now. There are still bruises on the side of her face, but they've healed tremendously. Her hair lays in perfect waves. They fall over her shoulders but end just before her hip.

She's not the same naive girl he met that day in Dauntless. Riley was a survivor now. She was stronger than anyone he had ever met. "What?" She can't figure out why he's staring at her.

Eric doesn't say anything. Instead, he bends his head down and kisses her. It's slow at first. It's as if he's testing the waters. Riley deepens the kiss by moving forward and wrapping her arms around his neck. They only have tonight, but they plan to make the most of it.