Chapter 57

Tobias gave Riley the memory serum. He stayed in the room with Evelyn to discuss the plan for meeting Johanna and Marcus. They needed to put an end to this war. Riley holds the vial tightly. She wants to smash it in her hands. Force Peter not to do this, but she doesn't. This choice didn't make sense to her, but it was his.

Peter's head tilts up at the sound of boots clicking against the tile. "Hey," he stands up. "Did Tobias reset her?"

"No," she informs him. "She's joining us." It's clear he holds back from making a sarcastic comment. "I have this." Riley holds up the vial. "And I want you to know it's taking all of my inner strength not to smash it on the ground."

He understands. "I never had any friends growing up." Riley isn't sure why he's telling her. "The first sort of friend I had was Edward, and I blinded him in one eye." It's the first time he admits what he did. "I tried to kill you." He did do that. "Yet, you treated me as an equal."

"Because you are worthy of being treated that way." Riley doesn't want him to do this. "Peter, you're my friend. I don't want you to forget. You can change. I've seen people do it." Eric was doing it. He was changing for the better.

"But I won't," he responds. "We both know I won't." Riley hates that his words might be true.

"You won't even try?" Peter takes the bottle from her. "Is there anything you want to remember?" He thinks for a moment. "Anything." He unscrews the cap. This is it. In a moment, Peter will forget everything he knows.

"I do regret pushing you off that ledge."

Riley smiles slightly. "I could have kicked your ass if I was prepared."

He laughs a real, genuine laugh. She prepares to try to convince him to abandon this idea one last time but never has the chance. Peter does something unexpected. He kisses her. Riley's dumbfounded. It lasts maybe a second, and he pulls away. "Stay brave, Riley." And with that, he drinks the liquid.

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

The Peter she knew was gone. He's clueless about everything. Tobias had said it was an after-effect of the memory serum. It will fade soon. "Peter," Tobias scolds him. The boy turns around, pointing at himself. "Yes, you, you idiot." Riley grins. "Come here. We have to go." Peter runs towards him like a puppy. It's amusing in some sick, twisted way.

Evelyn walks beside Riley. They're going to the park to meet the others. Evelyn had gotten ahold of Marcus over the radio. "What happened to your face?" She's trying to make conversation to mask her fear, but Riley knows deep down she's terrified to face Marcus.

Riley's fingers dance over her bruised skin. "There was an explosion." That concerns Evelyn. "I was by it. Luckily, most of the others weren't." Evelyn stares at her. "It did take Uriah."

"Are you okay?"

"No," she answers truthfully. "I'll forever be weaker, slower, and I have permanent tremors in my hands." 

"I'm sorry." The conversation ends after that.

Riley notices the fear in her eyes. It's not from her words. She recognizes the fear. It's the fear Marcus gives them. Riley does something that shocks her. She grabs Evelyn's hand and intertwines their fingers. The moment she does, the older woman smiles. It's the first step for them. Whatever happens next, Riley knows she has her mother by her side.

Johanna and Marcus are already there. Johanna carries no weapon, but Marcus does. He points his gun at Evelyn. "Tobias, Riley," Johanna hides her surprise. "What are you two doing here?"

"Trying to stop a war," he says. "You're carrying a weapon."

For the first time, Riley notices the gun in her waistband. "Obtaining peace requires difficult measures. I think you agree with that." They do. It was why they were sacrificing the minds of the people back at the Bureau.

"This isn't a chat," Marcus snaps. Evelyn squeezes her hand in reassurance. "We are here for the treaty." Marcus is different to her now. His tone no longer scares her. Riley no longer feels the same fear at the sight of him. She no longer cowers in corners and cries. Riley is no longer afraid of him.

"Yes," Evelyn remains strong. "We have terms, and if you agree, I will step down. I will surrender all weapons not used for personal protection. I promise to leave the city."

Marcus laughs, and it angers Riley. Johanna raises a hand. "Let her speak."

"In return," she continues. "No fighting will be done. No attacking to seize control of the city. You allow people to live the lives they want. Whether that is in the city or outside the walls." Riley's proud of her mother. This was the right choice. "You will allow voting on new leaders in a new social system. But my biggest term is that Marcus can not lead them."

Marcus did not deserve to be a leader. He was a horrible, selfish person. Johanna crosses her arms. "No," Marcus yells. "I am the leader."

"Marcus-"

"You do not dictate my position in leadership because you have a grudge against me."

"No," Johanna shouts. "This deal is almost too good to be true. We get everything we want with no bloodshed. How can you say no?"

"Because I am the rightful leader!"

"A good leader would give up their life to protect their people," Riley says. "You would sacrifice your people's lives for your own."

Marcus glares at her. "I am the leader of Alliegant-"

"I am the leader of Allegiant," Johanna corrects. "We agree to this treaty. You will agree to this treaty, or I will tell everyone you had a chance to end this but chose to sacrifice their lives because of your ego." That shuts him up. "I agree to the terms. Tomorrow morning we will call a gathering. Can you make sure it's safe?"

"I can."

Tobias glances at his watch. "Serum was supposed to be released an hour ago." Caleb, Tris, and Eric had done it. They saved the city. "I need to find Uriah's family."

"Go," Riley says. "I'll meet you there in a minute." She wasn't as fast as him and wouldn't be able to keep up even if she wanted to.

Tobias places a hand on her shoulder. There is an unspoken understanding between them. Together they faced their father and saved their home. They did it together. Tobias dropped his hand and ran into the darkness.

Riley drops Evelyn's hand and walks across the clearing towards Johanna. "I never thought I'd see the day where Riley Eaton joins Evelyn."

"I wanted to save as many lives as I could." She glanced behind her at her mother. "Turns out, so did she. A good leader knows when to set aside their pride."

Johannah smiles at her. "You've come a long way from your time in Amity."

"I'd like to think I have." Riley wasn't a naive child anymore. "I don't know what will happen at the gathering or who will be elected. But you have my vote. You always will." Rileys looks around the area. "The people beyond the wall are not as understanding. You may have issues with them."

"I'm sure I can handle it." Riley did not doubt that. "Are you going back?"

"Yes, but I don't think I will stay," she says. "It doesn't feel like home, but I'm not sure anywhere does."

"You'll always have a place with me," Johanna says. "Beside's, a little blonde girl has been asking about you."

The mention of Maddie causes her to smile. "I'll be back for the council meeting."

Johanna places a hand on her arm. "I look forward to seeing you there." Riley offers a smile before turning away. She doesn't address Marcus. There is no need. That part of her life was over. He no longer had any influence over who she was. Riley wasn't Riley Eaton, not anymore.

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

They take two trucks back to the Bureau. Uriah's family is with Romit and Tobias. Christina drives them back in another car. Peter's in the back seat. He's amazed by everything they pass. He's still in a dazed state. Riley wonders how much longer it will last.

They arrive at the compound shortly after. It's dark out, but the lights from the building illuminate the area. The moment Christina parks the car, they get out. There's an eerie silence looming over the area. It makes her uncomfortable. "Where is everyone?" It looks abandoned.

Romit opens the door, and they all follow. Riley searches the area but doesn't see anyone. Back in Chicago, she thought the plan went accordingly. Now she was doubting that.

Walking past the entrance, Riley sees Eric. He's hunched over on a chair. There's significant bleeding to the side of his head. A large gash runs from the top of his skull to his cheekbone. "Eric," Tobias addresses him. Standing beside him is Matthew. "Matthew." Eric's in pain, but Matthew appears sad. "What is it?" He doesn't say anything. That's never a good sign. "Matthew? Where's Tris?"

His face falls. He can't look Tobias in the eyes. "I'm sorry."

The words break something inside of Riley. She knows that Tris is gone. "Sorry?" Christina doesn't understand. "What the hell happened?"

"Tris went into the weapons lab instead of Caleb." Riley should have known. Tris wasn't the type of person who would let others die for her. "She survived the death serum, but David shot her. She didn't make it." The words are like needles on her skin. Tris was her friend, but now she was gone. She was also the person Tobias loved most.

Riley can't process the news. She lost Peter. He was alive, but it would never be the same. Now Tris was dead. "You're lying." But he wasn't.

Christina's knees buckle, but Riley manages to catch her. The weight is too much, and they both crumble to the ground. Riley doesn't fight her tears. She lets them fall freely. Tris is gone. It was okay to grieve that loss.

She stares at Tobias, but he appears numb. He doesn't handle this type of news well. He never has. Riley wants to reach out to him, but she can't. Everything inside her is numb. This type of loss is different. She lost Al and Will, but this felt different.

Eric had once said good people don't live long. It turns out he was right. Tris was a good person. A great person, in fact, but she was gone. She was dead, and nothing would ever be the same again.