Tris and Four: Undefined

Chapter 21: Recognizing Hopelessness

Tobias

As we pounded through the metal door, Uriah and I said nothing. It was a silence that was neither awkward or comfortable. Once the door burst down, I ran through the opening, only to find Kyle crushing Tris against the wall. She was struggling as I walked up behind them. I heard Tris gasp in pain as Kyle moved away, a syringe in his hand. I was two steps from him when he turned, his gaze froze me in my steps. "Four" he nodded at me, then Uriah, as he approached carefully, gun pointed at Kyle's chest. "Tris isn't much of a companion, dull if I might I say" he spoke softly, and in a stuck up manner. "I hated giving her the paralyzation serum just now but" he laughed. "I don't want this to be disturbed". Tris mumbled something inaudible as the serum started to take over. She slumped against the wall, suddenly seeming frozen. My heart and chest ached, but my brain was so flooded with anger it was nearly overwhelming. His smile grew, as he turned toward her. I stepped forward but Kyle held up his hand. "I'm not touching her, nor did I  plan to" he said over his shoulder. I glanced down at Tris, who lay unmoving on the floor. Kyle sank to his knees, in between her legs. I stepped forward again, and he didn't stop me.

Tris

I could see and hear everything they said as I sank to the floor. My wrists burned as the rope rubbed into my skin. I saw Kyle sink to the floor, in between my numb legs. Tobias rushed forward, and this time, Kyle didn't stop him.

Tobias swung his first hit toward his temple. It struck, causing Kyle to fall to the floor. Tobias walked over to him, planning a kick, but obviously Kyle was ready. He seized his foot, swung it around, used it for his own leverage to stand, and threw Tobias  down on the floor. His back hit first, then his head, with a sickening crack. It hurt me not to be able to help him, but I was too focused on the fight in front of me to think. Uriah tensed up to shoot, but Tobias held out a hand. "This is between me and him. I'll get him" Uriah looked shocked, but Kyle smiled and lunged for Tobias. Tobias simply flipped him and Kyle landed on his neck. I watched as he slowly got up and approached Tobias. "You already won, you won when you walked in, why keep going?" He grabbed Tobias by the shirt sleeve and led him over towards me. Uriah followed, one pace behind. "Do you want to know why I did it?" Tobias had reached for a gun. I wanted to go into his arms. "I was never someone to fit in anywhere, after I was orphaned." He whispered to us. I was surprised at Tobias for not shooting him when he got the chance, which was now.  "My parents were threatened that if they did anything against code they'd be Factionless." Uriah looked utterly confused, and so was I. But Tobias's expression was stern and yet calm. "Living without a family is lonely, Four. But I knew that if I came here I would have an excuse." His eyes clouded as he reached to his coat. Tobias raised the gun. It turned out to be a mistake. Kyle firmly put his hand over Tobias's and pushed it closer to his own chest. "I thought if I came here I'd become brave enough to do what I wanted to for so long" he whispered. "But I wasn't. Once I saw Tris I knew she was the cause of all of this, and that she should see the consequences of Abnegation's choices herself. To see if she would be able to feel the slightest bit of remorse. You guys got in my head. I want to be brave, and so I was brave in a way that would get you to do what I wanted. No matter what would've happened, I got my way in the end." He looked at me, then Uriah, then back to Tobias. "Kill me, Four." He begged, his voice choking and tears dangerously near spilling out of his eyes. "That's all I ever wanted from this. Its what I'm not brave enough to do myself."