Till The World Ends // Gally x OC

{Ch.2} Marcus Eaton

Standing in the hot shower I couldn't help but think about everything that's happened. I haven't had much time to reflect since we escaped because life has been moving at lightning speed.

But we escaped. We made it out.

Part of me grieves though, because I can't help but think that if we'd just figured things out sooner we probably could've saved Minho. He'd be here right now.

Holding my hand and leading us all through the unknown like the protector he always was. He could've been here if we'd just figured it out sooner.

I finished my shower, loving the smell of the clean scent my hair and body now has. I left the small bathroom and dressed into the comfy night clothes.

With a peek out the glass sliding doors, I saw the city we were in illuminated by silver light from the moon. It's already late? We haven't eaten all day, I'm starving.

There was a knock at my door so I went to open it and smiled seeing my brother standing behind it.

"You showered too?" I asked him, noticing his damp and messy hair. He reached up and tried to fix it.

"Can't remember the last time I've felt this clean," He scoffed. "Can I come in?"

I welcomed him in and we sat on my bed together. I leaned back on the headboard, knees pulled up to my chest.

"What do you think?"

"About all this?" Newt clarified. I nodded so he did as well and sighed. "Well. All we know right now is that it's safer than the Maze. What we don't know is a risk I'm willing to take to make sure we don't go back there."

"I just..."I began. "I can't help but wonder if this is just another experiment."

"You saw that Ava lady. She bloody shot herself. It's over, Els. We're safe."

It was quiet for a while as the unsure weight of his last statement settled in.

"I remember bits and pieces of... life before the Maze," I said. "The world outside of it looks the same it did before I was taken. Deserted and barren. But- out of nowhere this perfectly untouched city just exists. It's just... weird to me. It's not destroyed by the end of the world just like the Maze. I don't know. Maybe I'm barking. But I just don't feel right about this either."

Newt soaked in everything I had said with a nod. "Well. The best thing about all of this is we still have each other. Well, most of us," Newt glanced down at Minho's bracelet I was fidgeting with. "I know if he were here he'd be telling you the exact same thing."

I was about to discuss the things I had thought up in the shower but there was another knock on the door. Newt got up and opened it to reveal Gally.

He stood there awkwardly and rubbed the back of his head. "Hey. Uh, there's a guy here. He wants us all back down in the lobby to talk about tomorrow."

We all met up in the hall and made our way down to the lobby together. Stairs. Stairs are fun. Minho would be proud of the sarcasm dripping off that statement.

"Wow, a lot less of you survived than we thought," The guy said when we all met him in the giant hotel's lobby. "Well, no issue, then. Easier crowd to talk to. You all can take a seat."

Our group found spot on the couches scattered around the lobby. I sat between Thomas and Newt, again, knees pulled up to my chest.

"My name is Marcus Eaton. I am in the faction Abnegation and I'm one of the five council members that govern our city, Chicago. I'm sure you're all full of a million questions so I'm here to talk about what life here is like."

I glanced over at Thomas. He was staring this guy down, hard, studying him and his expressions and soaking in his words like a sponge.

He looked like a protector. Like Minho.

"So, you all took your aptitude tests today. I understand you all know your faction, correct?"

There were nods around the room. I gulped but nodded as well. Remembering my faction. Or- lack thereof.

"Our five factions are based on personality, virtue, and strength. Each group possesses certain qualities they mutually value and excel at. The factions are called Abnegation, Erudite, Dauntless, Candor, and Amity," Marcus said. "Abnegation is selfless, we put other people before ourselves. Erudite values knowledge. They're curious, and seek out any and all new education they can find. Candor values honesty. They believe in the principle that honesty and openness would lead to a more peaceful and perfect society."

I glanced over at Gally at the mention of his faction result. He listened intently to their definition and who they are. And I can't help but notice his look of slight disappointment.

Nevertheless, Marcus continued.

"Amity values peace and kindness. They aim to have a calm society free from conflict and sadness caused by wars and instigation," Marcus smiled a little. "They're the nicest people around. Their representative Johanna is a great woman."

I couldn't help but smile at Chuck and Frypan. They both looked so relieved and happy about their future with Amity. And I'm glad. Chuck deserves a life of peace and kindness and safety.

As does Frypan, who's always been way too nice. A heart bigger than the maze itself.

"And then Dauntless," Marcus nodded. I felt Newt grip my hand between us. I know he's nervous. A different faction than his probably means he won't be able to protect me all the time.

"Dauntless is..." He sighed. "A faction formed by those who blamed fear for society's problems. They're in charge of our security, and their primary purpose is to guard the fence that surrounds the city. They believe that the only answer is to face your fears and find bravery. They're the police, completely undaunted. And that faction is probably one of the hardest ones to get into. So I wish good luck to those who received that result on their aptitude test."

Thomas sat up and raised his hand, then put it down, still staring this guy down, cold.

"What if you don't make it in?"

It's so blatantly obvious that he has zero trust in this guy. I don't blame him. I don't either. After what we all went through?

Well, Newt seems to be on board. But Thomas? Thomas seems to be on my side about it all.

"I was getting there," Marcus sighed with a nod. "Should you not make it past any of your factions' initiations, you will live Factionless."

"Factionless? So- homeless?" Gally spoke up. "So we have to what- win some prize in these 'factions' to stay?"

I almost laughed. Gally is skeptical too.

"Not quite. Each faction has an- entry test- if you will. But I wouldn't worry too much if your faction was Amity or Abnegation. Factions like Dauntless? Candor? Those are the tricky ones."

"How?"

"That's information I cannot share," Marcus said. "You will all be escorted tomorrow morning to the Gathering Place where the Choosing Ceremony is held. There, you will pick your faction and your leaders will take it from there. Now, before I leave, I was told to inform you that just down the hallway there is a dining room with food ready for you all. After what you've been though, I can imagine you're all starving. Eat up, rest well, and be ready for tomorrow. Goodnight."

The guy left and we all looked around each other. Newt scoffed a little.

"Well. That was lovely."

"Who's hungry?"