Revolution -Eric Coulter-

Chapter 41

Evelyn had the entire city on lockdown. She was controlling every move her people made. 

Riley felt as if someone was always watching her, and she was right. Edgar was always close by. The biggest surprise was Eric, who was seemingly on Evelyn's good side now. He was around her almost as much as Edgar, and he didn't have handcuffs anymore.

Riley couldn't help but be curious about his actions. Why was he so quick to flips sides? Was he playing some kind of game, or was this who he really was? Just a man who flipped sides to whoever was the most powerful. It wouldn't be the first time. She tried not to think about it. It was easier that way, but that was a challenge when he was around her constantly.

The walls were on lockdown. Evelyn didn't want anyone leaving. However, Riley couldn't help but be curious about what was outside the walls. Who was out there? Were they still there? For now, there were enough problems on the inside that she had to deal with—trials of those who followed Jeanine. The trail of her father, Marcus, was approaching.

Riley glanced at Maddie, who was playing with Christina. They were sword fighting, but without swords. It was a game Riley had showed Maddie back at Amity, back when they still had factions. "Your childhood must have been weird if the best game you could come up with was building things out of air." The voice belonged to Peter. He was standing beside her watching the scene.

"Wind, technically," Riley sighed. "But air works." Maddie tripped over her shoes but caught herself at the last second. "I used to play with Tobias and Evelyn while we waited for Marcus." Every night like clockwork they were outside. Riley didn't remember planning with her mother. She was young when she died. But Tobias used the game to entertain Riley after she faked her death. It worked for him, and then it worked for her. "After she died, Tobias continued the game." Riley looked away. Her mother hadn't actually died, but she didn't know that at the time. "It helped pass the time. Helped me forget." It helped her forget about her father.

Peter cleared his throat, "I didn't know." He was referring to Marcus. "When I read that article back at Dauntless, I didn't think it was true. I only read it to get under your skin."

"I know," and she did know that. "You act like an asshole, but I think there's some good left in you." Peter stared at her, but she wouldn't meet his gaze.

Riley watched as Maddie tripped again, but this time she fell. The young girl sat on the ground in silence while Christina rushed to her side. Suddenly, Maddie started giggling and threw herself back up. Wiping her hands off, she noticed Riley standing to the side. "Miss Riley!" Maddie darted away from Christina and ran towards her. The red-haired girl took a few steps before Maddie collided into her.

"Oof," Riley wasn't expecting to be met with such force. Nevertheless, she scooped Maddie into her arms and stood up. "Hi, Maddie."

"I played that game you like," Maddie smiled. "But I'm tired now."

"I saw," Riley chuckled. "Did you hurt your hands?"

Maddie glanced down at her palms. "No."

"Good, you want to head back inside and take a nap?"

"Yeah." She rested her head on Riley's shoulder.

"I'm going to head back inside," she spoke to her friends. "I'll see you guys later."

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

Riley watched as Maddie slept peacefully in her bed. The young girl was asleep before they even got inside. Taking a deep breath, she slipped out of her room.

There seemed to be so much going around her, but yet she felt out of place. As if there was nothing for her anywhere. Like she didn't belong. It wasn't a feeling she liked. Tobias was wrapped up in figuring out their mother and Tris. And Evelyn was slowly starting to separate herself. Eric was hardly seen. Nobody ever seemed to know where he was, but usually, Riley saw him near Evelyn.

Whatever was going on, it seemed like she was back on the outside. All she heard now were outside opinions. The wall was the biggest. Evelyn wanted everyone inside. The Edith Prior video was being covered up. However, she understood where she was coming from. The outside world had locked them here without any answers. Were they still even out there? Who knows, and Riley wasn't sure how much she cared. There were bigger issues, like Evelyn and her control over the factions. Or factionless now. They no longer had any factions.

Riley walks down the hallway, her mind full of different thoughts. In her state of distraction, she fails to notice the person hiding in the doorway. It wasn't until she walked by that they made their move. Grabbing her by the jacket and forcing her into a dark room.

Riley reacted quickly, knocking her elbow in the person's gut. "Ow," they said. Her body momentarily froze at the voice. It was Tobias. His grip loosened, and she pushed away from him.

"Tobias? What the hell are you doing?"

"Sorry," he muttered rubbing his abdomen. "I needed to talk to you."

Riley gaped at him, "you didn't have to try and kidnap me. I would have willingly spoken to you."

"Evelyn's watching me, and so are her minions."

"What?"

He glanced in the hallway, noticing there was nobody around. "Look," he began. "Evelyn doesn't trust me right now, but I've heard some things anyway. Whispers in the halls."

That confused Riley. "Why does she not trust you?"

"She trusts me in a way, but not like she trusts you."

He went silent after that. "What whispers have you heard?"

"She's coming up with new rules. To keep everyone in order, and give people jobs of the Factionless." Riley nodded along to his words. "She also plans to move everyone to Erudite soon." That seemed to be obvious. "And Marcus is here."

That caused her body to go numb. Their father was here at Factionless. Riley knew he would have a trial, but the outcome she dreaded. With Evelyn calling the shots, it was clear that anything could happen. "Are they going to kill him?"

"I don't know," Tobias seemed on edge. That only made her fear for him more. Marcus was a terrible man, and there was no good in him. But he was her father. Riley hated herself for caring what happened to him. "That's not why I pulled you in here."

"Why did you?"

"Evelyn is planning something, but I had no idea what it is. She wants you by her side leading the city. You need to do that."

Riley couldn't help but laugh at his words. However, his expression remained stone cold. "Wait, are you serious?"

"We need to know what's coming. Tris agrees with me." She couldn't help but roll her eyes. This was another example of how she was left out of things and volunteered for jobs. Of course, she wanted to help, but this wasn't what she meant. "Please. You're the only person who can do this."

"I'm obviously going to do it, but you have to stop leaving me out of stuff. I know you're doing it to protect me, but I'm not a child anymore, Tobias. I can help out like Tris does."

"Hey," he placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know you can."

"Then let me."

He sighed, "I will. I promise."

"Good," Riley smiled at him. "Move out of the way for your new leader."

Tobias nodded and dramatically stepped to the side. "Anything else for you?"

"Yes," she pretended to think. "Coffee."

Tobias shoved her shoulder jokingly, "get your own coffee." Riley laughed loudly, shaking her head as she walked out the door. Tobias followed after her.

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