Chapter 23

"Are you sure that's what you saw," Riley whispered to Tris as they stood together. "Erudite was here?"

Tris looked around, "yes. They were loading in supplies. Four took one of the vials. He thinks it's some sort of cognitive transfer. It's injected like a serum." Riley processed the information slowly. It was a scary thought. Erudite overthrowing Abnegation and taking over. It was possible, but Riley knew that Erudite would need the help of Dauntless. 

There was a crowd around them, but most were not paying attention. "But why?"

Tris coughed, taking yet another look around. "He said it makes someone more susceptible." Riley blinked, "there was enough to create an army."

"An army," her voice got loud, and Tris quickly shushed her. "Sorry. I'm sorry." Erudite was planning something, but it wasn't clear what. "I don't know what to do. What do we do?"

"I don't know."

Max stepped onto a table across from them, his eyes roaming over the group. "Congratulations," he began. "Welcome to Dauntless."

"Yeah!" Christina turned to her two female friends and wrapped her arms around them. Riley felt a brief moment of joy. They had believed both Tris and Riley were Dauntless and not Divergent. But with the news of Erudite bringing in vials of something that made people more susceptible caused her to worry. "We did it."

Riley and Tris both shared a nervous look, not sure what to do. Max gestured towards the door, putting an end to the celebrations. Riley stepped down from the table she was on and began walking with her friends. Will had an arm wrapped around Christina, both of them smiling. Neither had any idea what was going on in their friend's heads. "It's going to be okay," Riley whispered to Tris. "We just have to act excited to be here."

"That's hard," Tris muttered.

Will began to poke Christina's sides, causing the girl to squirm. The four walked into the Pit and noticed everyone was in line. "Everyone get in line."

Riley felt a weird sense rush through her as if something was very wrong. "What's going on?"

"All Dauntless initiates," the intercom began. "Report to your command leader."

"Alright, listen up," Eric's voice filled the room. Riley glanced up at him, her mind going blank for a moment. "Before you leave tonight, we need you in four lines. You're all getting a tracking device."

"A tracking device," Riley spoke in shock.

"Don't ask questions," Eric's eyes searched the room. "It's just a precaution." As his eyes traveled in her direction, she made sure to be looking elsewhere.

Tobias had never mentioned getting a tracker, and Riley began to put the pieces together. If her gut was right, there were enough people in this room to create an army. Just like Tobias had thought when he found the vials. "Do you see Four?"

"No." Riley searched the room for her brother but couldn't find him. More and more initiates were getting the injection, and Riley knew she had to get out of there. "Tris, we need to-," but Tris was gone. "Tris?"

"What's going on," Will placed a hand on Riley's shoulder.

"Tris," Riley was starting to panic. "Tris?"

"Hey," Christina stepped in front of her. "What's wrong?"

"I have to go." Riley shuffled away from them and began searching the area for Tris. At the same time, she had to keep her head down to avoid attracting unwanted attention.

It didn't take her long to find Tris. She was speaking with Eric. Riley watched as someone came up behind her and quickly injected the item into her. Tris flinched and instantly went to rub her neck. Their eyes met, and Tris faintly shook her head. There was a plea in her eye for Riley to run. Unfortunately, Eric noticed and turned around. They locked eyes, and he could see the momentary flash of fear. "Riley," he called for her. The girl spun on her heel and made her way to the closest door. She tried to appear calm, but it didn't work.

"Woah," Max slid in front of her. "You haven't had your tracker yet." He moved so suddenly she barely had time to process. There was a sharp pinch in her neck, and she jumped back. The tips of her fingers rubbed at the mark. "Now you're good to go."

He walked away from her, and Riley continued to rub at her neck. "Riley," Tris put a hand on her shoulder. "We need to go." Riley glanced to where she last saw Eric, and to her surprise, he was still standing there. His eyes were on her, and she struggled to figure out what he was thinking. Tris pulled at her hand. "Come on." Riley followed Tris, and the two were out of the room before Eric could move.

~~~~~~~~~~

Riley slept peacefully that night, which was a surprise to her. But her sleep was disturbed by Tris shaking her awake. "Get up, now." Riley opened her eyes and stared up at her friend. Tris had a panicked look on her face. The red-haired girl pushed up and took in everyone in the room. They were all getting dressed abnormally slow.

"What's going on?"

Riley stood up and frantically dressed herself. "I don't know." Christina stood next to them, a lifeless look in her eyes. "Oh my god."

"What," Riley asked terrified. She slipped on her boots and grabbed her jacket. "Tris, what is it?"

"The serum," her voice was low. "We are the only ones awake." Riley took another look, watching as they began to file out of the room in a line. "We need to blend in."

"Okay." Her heart was racing in her chest, and the two girls stepped in line. Riley was behind Tris, and they began marching along with the group. It was unclear where they were going or what the plan was. However, Riley needed to focus on blending in.

Riley kept her eyes on one thing, the back of Tris's head. It was easier to focus on her friend, and she didn't dare to move her eyes. When they began walking down the stairs into the Pit was when the real panic set in. All the initiates and some others were getting into lines. Riley could see the ways Tris's shoulders tensed, but there is nothing she could do. They were both in the same situation, and they were both scared.

They marched down the stairs and got into line. Riley made sure to stay as close to Tris as possible. The two of them appeared to be the only people awake. "They can see and hear us," Max spoke from in front of her. "But they don't process it the same way." Riley knew Max was ahead of her, but she refused to look anywhere besides Tris. "Commands come in through the transmitter." His voice grew, and Riley could see his figure. Next to him was a few others, and that included Eric. The line stopped every few feet, and a group would pick up their guns before walking out the door.

Eric's body started moving. He was only a few feet away but coming towards her quickly. Riley swore her heart was going to explode in her chest. The fear inside her was at a breaking point when he stepped in front of her. Riley kept her eyes to where Tris's head should have been and stopped moving. "A Divergent?"

Riley refused to move a muscle in fear of revealing herself to Eric. She hated how much she cared for him and knew whatever connection they had was one-sided. He didn't care for her. "No." Eric lifted his hand and pushed a piece of hair out of her face. It appeared he didn't think she was Divergent, and Riley was grateful for that. But she had no idea why he stopped her. "She's not."

Max stepped closer, and Eric cleared his throat. He moved out of the way and allowed Riley to continue. Taking a step forward, she felt her eyes burn with tears. Her body urged them to go away, but Eric had nearly broken her composure.

Tris was just as fearful but relaxed as Eric let Riley continue. "Hey," someone spoke. "What's going on?"

"A Divergent," Max spoke.

"Hey," Eric talked to him. "Everything is fine. There is nothing to worry about." He raised his gun and shot the man in the head. Riley felt the urge to vomit but managed to keep her calm. She picked up her weapon and followed the group outside.

Riley continued to fight the urge to throw up, and everything that came next was a blur. She trailed behind Tris, keeping her eyes ahead while her mind ran wild. Eric had killed someone, a Divergent. She feared if her composure has slipped, would he have shot her?

The train they were in began to move, and it brought Riley back to reality. Tris was by her side, their shoulders bumping as a reassurance that they were close. There was a tap on her hand, and Riley carefully glanced at her friend. Tris mouthed a single word, Four. Following her gaze, Riley quickly found her brother at the front of the train.

Tris moved first, slowly moving past the others. Against Riley's judgment, she did the same. Everyone else on the train was under simulation and didn't so much as notice the two girls. Their movements were slow enough not to draw attention.

Tobias appeared to be under the cognitive simulation, but he was Divergent. It wasn't affecting him. Riley was amazed at how well her brother kept himself in check. She only made it because of Tris.

Tris got to his side first, and Riley found herself on his other side. Tobias noticed the two, and his posture instantly relaxed. Riley didn't look at him, feeling content enough knowing he was close by. For now, that would have to do.