Until Death Do Us Apart ? ???? ???????

I walked into the dorm and dropped onto the bed, burying my face in my hands.

Footsteps followed behind me, then stopped just at my side.

"I'm not in the mood," I muttered without looking up.

They sat down next to me. I glanced to my right and saw it was Four.

"Jordan, you keep doing stuff like that, you're gonna get kicked out."

I laughed bitterly. "Good."

"Why did you almost punch that kid?" he asked, voice calm but firm.

I sighed and pulled the crumpled paper out of my pocket, handing it to him.

His eyes scanned the drawing—my face with a bullet drawn through the forehead and the words KILL THIS BITCH in bold letters.

Four sighed and rubbed his temple. "I'm sorry. You don't deserve this."

"Damn right."

"I'll do something about it, okay?" he stood, offering me his hand. "Come on. Let's train. Might help you blow off some steam."

I took his hand reluctantly and followed him out into the pit. All eyes turned toward us.

"Nice of you to join us," Eric snapped from across the room.

I rolled my eyes and walked over to stand beside Christina.

This was gonna be a long session.

I lay flat on the mat, chest heaving, sweat dripping from my forehead. I'd just fought some girl—and lost. She extended a hand to help me up.

"Good fight," she said.

"Whatever," I mumbled, pushing past her.

Training was over. I was ready to collapse. But then—

"Jordan, can I see you for a second?" Eric's voice cut through the exhaustion.

I walked over to him slowly.

"What's going on with you?" he asked. "I know you wanted space, but refusing a handshake? I can't keep covering for you."

Without a word, I pushed up my sleeves and showed him my arms.

His breath hitched. "You did this?"

"Yeah. You did this," I hissed and turned away.

Only one more test. Then the final mental simulation—and I'd be done.

Later, I sat on my bed, fingering the edge of a shirt in my lap. My heart was heavy. My mind, racing.

"Can we talk?" Eric's voice came from the doorway.

I was too tired to argue. I nodded.

He walked over and sat in front of me, taking my hands gently.

"Please never hurt yourself again," he said softly. "I'm so, so sorry for not telling you the truth about the Divergent stuff. But I swear, I'd never hurt you. I'd never let anyone hurt you."

Tears blurred my vision.

"I don't want to lose you. Not now. Not ever. I want to grow up with you... be with you. Forever."

A tear slipped down my cheek.

"I—I love you, Angel."

The words stunned me. My chest clenched, and I pulled him into a hug, crying into his shoulder.

"I love you too."

He held me tighter. When I finally pulled back, he gently wiped my tears with his thumb.

"Tomorrow, when you pass that test, I'll announce we're together. No more hiding."

I nodded, heart pounding.

"Let's go," he said. "Your final test awaits."

I sat in the waiting room. Four and Eric were in different rooms, calling names. Thirty minutes passed. My legs bounced.

Finally— "Jordan?"

I stood and followed Eric into the room. He gently fastened the wires to my head.

"You ready?"

"Ready."

I closed my eyes.

Darkness.

I opened them to find myself in the middle of a vast field. Rain slammed down, soaking me to the bone. Wind howled like a banshee. Thunder cracked so loud, the earth trembled beneath me. Lightning struck just feet away.

Panic gripped me.

I ran, slipping in the mud, and fell hard.

Suddenly, I wasn't in the field anymore—I was underground. A small, tight space. Dirt filled my mouth.

I was being buried alive.

"HEY!" I screamed, banging against the ceiling. "GET ME OUT! I'M NOT DEAD!"

Tears blurred my vision. "Please," I sobbed.

Then—a snap.

The coffin was gone. I was in a house.

No dirt. No mud. Just silence.

Then I saw him—Eric. Tied to a chair, gagged.

I rushed toward him—only to slam into an invisible wall.

"Eric!"

Behind him stood Max. Gun in hand. Calm. Cold.

"What are you doing?!" I cried, fists pounding on the invisible barrier.

Max aimed the gun at Eric's head.

"No—no, Max, please! He's your partner!"

He didn't blink.

"MAX!" I screamed, tears streaming.

He pulled the trigger.

I jolted awake in the simulation chair, gasping for air.

My heart pounded.

That was the same fear as the first time. But something about it... felt worse. Realer. Eric might not have noticed, but I knew.

"Good job, Angel," he said, smiling.

I rolled my eyes. He was lying—I did terribly.

"You should eat and rest," he added. "Tomorrow's the big day."

I nodded and made my way to the cafeteria.

It was quiet. I grabbed food and sat alone.

A few minutes later, Christina and Will joined me.

"Hey guys."

"Hey," they replied.

"You ready for tomorrow?" Christina asked.

Will and I both nodded.

"We got this," I said, holding up my hand for a high-five.

Will totally missed it. My palm hit my face. "Idiot."

Christina laughed.

"Well, I'm heading to bed," I said, standing. "Gotta be ready."

They nodded, and I walked off.

My heart was uneasy.

Tomorrow was everything.

And I was terrified