Chapter 5

I woke up in an empty hallway, forgetting which hallway I'm in. Slowly getting up, I wince at the new pain my head hurts. I use the wall as a crutch to help me stand up. I take a moment to figure out where exactly I am.

This hallway looks familiar but I can't pinpoint it. The hall is lonely, so I assume it's one where people rarely go to during the day. It could be the one leading to the weapons room, the bathhouse or to Braydon's living quarters. Judging myself, it's probably Braydon's living quarters.

It explains why it's so dark and cold in this hallway. It also explains why no one has found me yet. No one's allowed at this part of the base. It's strictly Braydon's.

Years back when his parents were alive, my father was the leader but instead of James being his second, it was Matthew, Braydon's father. Since my father's in charge, he got his own part of the base and as his second, so did Matthew.

After the accident, it was all Braydon had left of them. Father let Braydon keep this section of the base and no one complained. Mostly because they felt sorry but also this part of the base is creepy.

I made my way through the dark hallways until I made it to the blue checkpoint. It's like a mini pit stop. A blue light shines off the wall, lighting the hallway blue. A desk full of survival things sits on top of it and stands beneath the blue light.

I've been here a couple of times since the accident. Some on a few dares from Kahlen and others on the account of Braydon himself. Before the accident, I used to come here every day, it was my second room to put it simply.

I grab the flashlight he keeps for me here. In the first drawer, Braydon always keeps a sweater because further down it gets colder. I put the oversized sweater on. I look like a child playing dress-up.

Mint, sweat, and something I can't put my finger on lingers in the sweater. I wrap myself into him.

I turn on the flashlight and look into the creepiness of this hallway. My breathing quickens at the thought of being alone in Braydon's living quarters. I swallow at the fear of being by myself.

After about ten minutes alone in the dark, I wanted to turn back and hide in my bed with the comforts of the warm sun. But I kept going. My anger still there but there's enough to want to hide out at Braydon's still.

To be honest, I haven't been here for a while. It's been so long that I don't remember what it looks like. The tunnel just keeps going. I feel like it wasn't this far down before. I breathe his scent in giving me the extra courage to keep going.

I finally reached the end of the creepy tunnel. Braydon's door is a vault door that leads into his living space. I touch the ice-cold handle and I could feel no warmth whatsoever. My palm sticks to the ice-cold handle when I turn it.

His sweater holds no warmth but I'm glad I wore it, otherwise, I'd be colder. And probably catch hyperthermia or something. I pushed the frozen door in. It's so heavy that I had to put all my strength into opening it a crack.

For once in my girlhood, I'm glad that I have no curves. This would have been a lot more difficult. I slip through the crack and make my way into his room. I flip the switch and my jaw drops. The room is beautiful.

Twinkly lights cover the walls, along with candles placed in spots that make it romantic. A plaid blanket is laid out in the middle of the room. Rose peddles are sprinkled around the room.

Tears fall down my face.

I'm ten and even I know what it is that grown-ups do when they really love each other. That's why he tensed up when he saw Tris yesterday. He's nervous to bring her down here. He's nervous because he wants her.

I crouch down and begin to wail. Tears fall down my face and they'll never stop. I can't stop. It won't stop. Why? It hurts too much. I can't breathe. Heavy breaths come in and out of me. I can't think.

How could he? Why would he? And with Tris? My worst enemy? The girl I hate. I hate her more than I hate Elizabeth and Kahlen. What did she do to wrap him around her finger? She must have done something to him that made him sick. He couldn't... wouldn't do this to me.

It's her fault.

I wipe the tears from my eyes. My breathing becomes even. This new calmness is my rage I feel towards that self-absorbing bitch. Now I have a reason to kick her ass.

My eyes only see red and I'm out for blood. There is nothing that could stop me from hurting Tris just as badly as she hurt me. I want to bring her to her knees and beg me to stop. I will hurt her.

I ran out of his room and made my way through the darkness and cold hallway. Nothing has ever made me feel this way. The cold, the darkness or even the feeling of loneliness this hallway creates, doesn't make me cool down.

I could say I don't want to touch her and ask Braydon what it actually meant back there. But the logical side of me is lost to the emotional, traumatic side of me. I know the moment I see her I will lose it more than I already have.

The creepy hallway came to an end and I ran past everyone who was in the hallway. I had to get to my room and change into something that represented that I'm going to war with my nemesis. I bypassed Kahlen and didn't bother stopping when he called out my name.

I'll have to deal with him later.

My room is just around the corner. I could feel the strain my body has possessed from running from one point of the base to the opposite side. I ignore it. I'll rest when I'm through with her.

I crashed into my door realizing that it's locked. I dig into my pocket for my keys. They fumble out of my hands and land on the floor. I stop to stare at them. The rust-like key stares at me.

Father.

He wouldn't want me to fight a battle with Tris no matter how angry I am with her. But he doesn't know yet. I pick up the keys ignoring my moral compass. Tris has to go down.

I open my door revealing my girly side. I'll have to tear those down when I get back. There is no little girl when I'm finished with Tris. I open my closet.

It's filled with colours that I don't want to see any more. I tear everything out and place them on my bed. I grab a black tank top, black baggy pants, my combat boots, and a black elastic.

War calls for black. I take off my cute clothes and put on my new clothes. I look into the mirror and the little girl who used to stand there is gone. Black suits me. It brings out the green in my eyes.

I bend my head forward and gather my silver hair into a ponytail. I wipe my hair back. With that, I complete the look.

I turn around and Elizabeth enters my room. Her face revealed her surprise to my new look. Her mouth dropped to the floor and I smile. I take pleasure in her surprise, it makes me feel different. I walk past her to the door where I stop.

"If you want anything, it's there." With that, I left her to her shock.

I made my way to the training arena. If I was correct, which I always am, Tris should be there waiting for our session. I take my time. Better to be late, just to piss her off.

The door is in my view. I crack my neck and stretch out my muscles before entering. I don't want to strain anything during our epic battle. My hand was on the door when someone called my name.

"Zeria, what happened to you?"

I turn to face grandpa. His face filled with sadness and concern. He walked up to me holding my arms. "Where did you go? I was worried about you. When you stormed out, you ran out so fast that I couldn't catch up to you. The base is so big that I gave up searching for you. Hoping, that sooner or later than you would turn up."

I looked at him. If only he were my actual grandpa, maybe his words could have touched me. I take a step back and look into the distance.

Joseph lowered his hands and backed away from me. "Please bring back the Zeria I used to know. You're not her."

That's the only correct thing you have said. I turn back to the door and open it. There Tris waited impatiently. I can tell because she taps her foot ferociously when she's mad. I walk in and slam the door behind me.

She whips around to face me. "Where have you been? I've been waiting here for almost an hour already! Your lucky your dad's the boss, otherwise, I would have left by now."

"Good, then leave and never return." My voice is as cold as Braydon's hallway.

She walks up to me and gives me a dirty look. "What did you say you little brat?" Her hands clench at her sides.

I cross my arms and pop out my hip. "You heard me."

A huff passes her lips. Her jaw clenches and she takes one step closer to me. "You don't want to mess with me, little girl. Unlike Braydon, I won't hesitate to hurt you." She cracks her knuckles to show me she's itching for a fight.

"I was hoping you would say that." I smile.

She sucks her cheeks in. I can tell she's thinking about hitting me.

"What are you waiting for? My permission? I'll give it to you if that's what you need."

That pushes her over the edge. She runs up to me, turns to kick me with her foot. I duck. Another leg comes from under her and kicks me in the face. I fall backward. My fury and rage help me ignore the pain. I quickly get up and take my stance once again.

She cockily laughs at me. I clench my fists tighter. I circle her with my fists raised. She joins into the hunt. I move in close enough to punch her. I hold waiting for her to make the first move again. Braydon's voice lingers in my head.

Wait. Your small, so your attacks won't have much effect when it comes to attacking. Always let your attacker attack you. Your quick and clever, so you'll be able to dodge faster than others. Let them waste their energy on trying to get you.

She goes for a punch in the face. I dodge and grab her hand, using her force to pull her to the ground. She dived face-first to the ground. I back away. She punched the ground, anger clear in her movement. She got up.

"You're really pissing me off, little girl." She carefully chooses her steps.

I keep my guard up. I can't let her beat me. I have to win.

"Nice look. Did you finally realize your baby clothes just weren't cutting it with Braydon?"

The mention of his name coming from her lips felt like poison to me. I clenched my jaw.

"I see now. This is about Braydon." A smile crept on her face. "Too bad, little Zeria couldn't win his heart. I mean why would he fall for you? Your nothing but a child. He needs a woman." She gestures to herself.

My blood began to boil again. Red filled my vision. I rammed into her. Both falling to the ground. I started punching her perfect face. Each blow didn't make me feel better. I had to destroy her. I need to.

She threw me off of her. I landed pretty hard on my side. Before I knew it she was on top of me. She punched my face harder than I could ever punch her. I tried to block but she grabbed both of my hands and raised them over my head. Using only one hand, she punches me everywhere. My eyes, my cheeks, my stomach and she wasn't finished there.

The pain is too much for me to handle, I couldn't move to run away or to say stop. She dragged me across the training arena floor. I could feel myself internally bleed. That's not a good sign.

She picked me up with ease and sat me on a chair. She left. My eyes started to swell closed. The pain becomes unbearable. I could hardly breathe without making a sound which made it hurt even worse.

Braydon.

A slap walked across my face. I tried opening my eyes but I couldn't.

"You can't sleep just yet, I'm not done." Her voice sounds menacing. I wish I could scream for help.

I tried to move but it seems that I'm tied up. She tied me up to a chair. I sigh. She won. Why does she keep torturing me? I'm beaten into a pulp. What more does she want?

"You're going to make me a promise." She pokes at one of my bruises. I grunt at the pain. "You're going to promise me to stay away from Braydon. Got that pipsqueak?"

I don't move. She digs into another bruise. "Did you hear me? I want you to stay away from him."

I screech as her nail digs into my skin. She stops to ask again.

"Nod if you agree."

I weakly nod at her command

"Good. Mention our fight to anyone and I will make this ten times worse."

She unties me and leaves me where ever she left me. I hear the heavy vault door open and close. I'm stuck here in Braydon's room. To hide me from everyone else. Smart.