Tris's nose flared in anger as she stormed into the kitchen of her small house. Her father was on the floor again, unconscious due to over-consumption of alcohol. He shifted as she clenched her teeth and stalked over. “Get up.” she said, shocked by the command in her voice. “GET UP!” she screamed, her face heating in fury. Her fathers eyes burst open and his face twisted in agony. “Get. up.” she repeated, mustering all the authority she could into her voice. Her father stood, glaring at her. She knew what was coming but she wouldn’t let it happen this time. He cussed her out, raising a hand, “Don’t speak to me like that you little” he brought his hand forward to hit her but she ducked. “STOP!” she screamed, kicking out and hitting him in the stomach. He growled, “so you got some new strength do ya daughter?”

“I’m not your daughter. Not anymore.” she said definitely. Father grinned, but didn’t lash out. Instead he whistled softly. Tris looked around, confused. As she turned to look through the door she felt something hit the back of her head, and hard. She crumpled to the ground and burst into tears as she felt blood trickle down her neck. She placed a hand over the wound, trying to stifle the bleeding. Another blow to her stomach, she felt a rib snap and let out a scream of agony, made from both pain but also disappointment in herself. She got to her feet, ignoring the searing pain, she was used to it. She cursed at her father as he tripped her before walking away triumphantly. She managed to stumble out of the house, oblivious to the tears pouring down her face. She managed to get to the woods, she sat on a tree that had been knocked down but deciding that was uncomfortable she laid down. Black corners edged at her vision, this was it. She was going to die eventually. She would bleed out or not be able to breathe because of her rib. Unless someone saved her. She remembered the doe, Weezie, and laughed bitterly. She closed her eyes. Tris wished she would just die. Get it over with. But no, she would have to wait. She let herself slip into darkness to the sound of a scream.

Tris felt herself coming too, and she glanced around. Two does were sitting at her feet. The room wasn’t familiar, it looked like an ordinary bedroom in an ordinary house, but her neck and stomach were wrapped. Tris scowled, “Where am I?” They looked at her in shock, “Oh my goodness! She’s awake! Go get Nova!” one of the does said. “Where am I?” Tris repeated, wincing as she tried to move. “Your at my friend house, I’m Stormy! We were going to find an ingredient we were missing for soup and, why were you in the woods?” The doe, Stormy, asked quickly, as she noticed Tris fall back sleepily.

“I was in the woods… Because… That doesn’t matter…” Tris began. Stormy opened her mouth to protest but Tris cut her off.

“You know… There was a doe, her name was Weezie… She, she told me something, and I interpreted it wrong. I think what she was saying is to stop trying to change someone who doesn’t want to change. Stop giving chances to someone who abuses your forgiveness. Stop running back to the place your heart ran away from. Stop trusting their words and ignoring their actions.

Stop.

Stop breaking your own heart.”

Then the world faded again.