|Published November 12, 2016|
Pacific Time

Chapter IV | REJOINDER

Captain's patience may be low
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The tranquil night is vanquished by the constant chirping of crickets around the field. I find myself feeling drowsy in need for soft bedsheets, especially when I didn't take my afternoon thirty minute nap. How I make it through the expeditions is beyond my understanding. I'll have to consider the almighty father to give thanks for my undeclared demise.

Few tears well in my eyes when I yawn quietly. If I don't head back to the castle, I'll be sleeping with crickets tonight. I begin to gather my lantern, blades and black coat. "We should head back, Captain." I rise from the grass and stretch my arms with lantern in hand. "Ow." I rub my head.

"Idiot." The Captain yanks the lantern from me. Do lanterns possess the force of steel? It felt like my head hit the pavement. "Trying to beat the dust already?" He treads off to the direction of the old headquarters.

"Not until I complete my mission." I walk beside him, rubbing my temple. I could've suffered a concussion.

"What mission?" He eyes around the perimeter.

"Save the future for those who deserve it." I put my cloak on. I hear him hum in understanding. I wonder how the Captain found me. We stroll through the forest until coming across some tall bushes.

"Answer my question, Divergent." He steps aside so I can walk through it. "What's different?" I pause for a second. Is he still going on with what I said a few minutes ago? Why is he insisting all of a sudden? I'm not prompting Levi to reveal his most deepest secrets.

"I'm not comfortable speaking of this issue." I avoid a few thorns protecting their roses.

"Then start off by telling me." He insists from behind me. I sough in irritation.

"Sorry. Can't do." I make it across the bushes. I expect another pile of his prompting but I only hear his footsteps from behind. Probably he gave up.

After a few minutes we make it to the main entrance of the old headquarters. Instead of going to my room I stop for some water. Expecting the Captain to be long gone, if the silent footsteps behind me are any indication. I spin around to find Levi standing with arms crossed a few inches away from me.  

"Nice try Captain." I glide away from him meanwhile sipping on my glass of water.

"Divergent." Levi follows me to the table. "Your personal issues or insecurities may affect your performance with my squad and the upcoming expeditions."

"Hasn't affected me these six years I've embarked out the walls." I shrug as I place the glass of water on the wooden table. "I've been dwelling with it since I was eight. So now is no different from a decade ago." I clarify. I watch him scrutinize me with those piercing eyes of his that I have found so captivating and attractive. Wait. Hold on. I groan inwardly. I can't possibly be developing some intimidate feelings towards the Captain.

He clicks his tongue at my absent response. "Are you deaf? Answer the damn ques-" The dining room door is suddenly slammed open. I shift my attention to the door to espy a drunk Petra revealing what men name the beauty of life. The beauty of nudity. I glimpse at my hands.

"I'll carry her to our assigned room." I consume the remaining water from my cup. As I do, I catch Levi gazing at a naked Petra. I clear my throat as I fix my shirt.

I step to help Petra to our room but she swiftly slips from my grasp and sways towards an exhausted Captain. She moans Levi's name like a prayer when she sits in top of Levi. My hands stop from reaching her arm after seeing this position. It hurts how I will never have this from him or from anyone. The confidence is not a gift I will ever posses.

"Help me with Petra." Levi grumbles with disgust as he attempts to shove Petra off him. She's already knocked out from the drinking. "What a hindrance." He curses. I remove Petra off him. He dusts the invisible dirt on his sleeve shirt and takes a quick sniff of his clothes. "Damn alcohol."

Petra's body falls limp onto mine. I hug her waist but her body slips down before getting a good grip on her. She's like a mud worm.

"Captain." I struggle to keep her straight. Levi steps closer and grabs ahold of Petra. Her face smashes onto my chest whilst her smooth legs lay bend in the floor. I feel the Captain's face near my own. His breath emits the desire for his acceptance when it caresses my cheek.

'Breathe Divergent. He's no special than the rest of the other men. He'll reject you if he knows.' I hear a monotone voice advice me but then another cheerful voice adds in. 'But what if he feels the same as you? He'll accept you. I'm sure of it.' Suddenly the first voice ends my thoughts. 'But if he doesn't?'

"She's heavier than usual." He uses his strength to throw her over my shoulder. I grunt at the impact. "You're answering my question after this." I glare at him for a moment.

"I take it you worship invasion of privacy." I plod towards the door with Petra on my shoulder. Levi grips my arm.

"Hey." I gesture with my eyes towards my arm. "That's called harassment and invading my comfort zone." He grips me tighter. I watch appalled. "You're hurting my arm." I try to step away from him to no avail. I click my tongue. "You're quite the clean freak and truth seeker." I murmur.

"I loathe secrets." He nears my face. "Speak now or you'll have no squad tomorrow."

"Typical threat." I yank my arm away from him. "I can always transfer to the Commander's or Squad Leader Zacharius."

"Do you resent me?" He asks abruptly.

"Resent?" I pause. I shake my head in confusion. "How will I resent you?" I continue my journey to my assigned room. "We've have officially been around each other for-" I turn to him. "-what? A day?" I shift Petra's weight around my shoulder.

"Tell me, what's different?" Enraged from his prompting, I ignore him.

"Divergent."

"Don't call me that." I warn him. "I believe it will be best I transfer to the Commander's squad."

"What did you say." He nears me.

"I have no time to be dealing with a Captain who seeks their cadets' privacy." I drop Petra next to the wall and cover her with my black coat. "I'll be leaving your squad tonight and get transferred somewhere else where I feel comfortable." I glimpse at a drunk Petra. "I have no time for filthy games." I tread to my room leaving the Captain to handle the workload.

I quickly pack my clothes and put on my gear in top of my black pants and black button up shirt. I double check the weapons I have hidden securely inside my brown boots, pockets and coat.

I take a quick glance to my golden watch noting it's 1:20 in the morning. It'll take me four hours to get to Headquarters because it's night. I hope the Commander understands my concerns regarding privacy. Why doesn't Levi lay off what I said back in the hill? Why is he insisting so much?

"Athena." Levi enters my room uninvited. His white sleeve shirt somehow glooms his firm face. His raven hair forms shadows in his face making his features more prominent.

"Yes. Captain." I throw my sack behind my shoulder without sending him a glance.

"Reconsider your decision." He recommends.

"No need." I pass beside him and out the room to feel a gush of wind propel me to the right. I stare off to the end of the hall scanning for an open window. There's no windows. There's no wind. Then who pushed me?

"What's wrong?" Levi interrupts any further inquiries. I watch the Captain and send him a one's over

"You're giving me a headache."

______

I gently wake up my golden horse, Sam. "Hey darling." I pet his neck. "Time to wake up." I pat his back causing him to wake from his slumber.

Luckily he slept the whole afternoon. "Come on Sam. We're leaving." I watch him rise from the floor. I place the horse saddle on Sam's back and secure it tightly. I grab onto the lantern and the horse reins, and make my way outside.

"Sneaking for a date?" I hear Levi question a few feet away from me.

"Headquarters." I simply respond. I mount my horse.

"In the hours of night? I won't let you." He snatches the reins from me.

"Sir. Give me the reins." I extend my hand.

"Don't be stupid and head back inside."

"Your status as Superior won't impede my journey back to base." I get off my horse and make my way to the forest with sack in my back. "I'll be back in a few days, Sam." I wave. "I promise."

Levi yanks me close to him, my small breasts pressing onto his chest. "Hey." I shove him away from me. "Quit the yanking." I fix my collar shirt.

"Your preferences aren't a concern to me. Get back inside." I notice the Captain having a difficult time controlling his anger issues.

"I believe my place lies on Erwin's Squad. So leave me." I say tiredly. "You possess an excellent squad. My absence will make no difference." I  yank the reins from him and head to the dark forest.

I hear him sigh. "Then let me escort you. Your abilities may be outstanding but as a woman alone....Those possibilities may vary." He strolls to the stables.

"Make it quick or I'll be heading off by my own." I fold my arms to chest.

______

"It's decided." Commander Erwin Smith rises from his chair. "Prepare to train with my squad from now on." He extends his hand to me.

"Watch out for this brat." Levi warns the Commander from the wall. "She's ignorant to her superiors' orders." I urge my turquoise eyes to remain fixed to the Commander's and not rotate a full round.

Our relationship is going to be  bombarded with glares.

I apologize for the short chapter.
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