Contents
Chapter 29: Four
Overview
Four spends the night in the hospital after the Candor fire and receives a covert visit from Evelyn, disguised as Amity. She admits starting the fire as a diversion but denies targeting a specific man. Four challenges her morality, revealing widening rifts and mistrust. Evelyn departs, leaving their relationship strained.
Summary
Four, recovering from smoke inhalation, is forced by Shauna to stay overnight in the hospital. Restless beneath an oxygen mask, he senses someone approaching and recognizes Evelyn entering quietly, dressed as Amity to avoid notice.
Evelyn asks after Four and credits him for saving a man’s sister and advocating for the man against their mother. Four minimizes his injuries and immediately asks about Tris, confirming his priorities amid the aftermath of the Candor fire.
Four confronts Evelyn, noting Tris suspects Evelyn started the fire. Evelyn admits igniting smoke as a diversion but claims the blaze grew beyond her intent. Four challenges whether she risked many lives to threaten one man, exposing his uncertainty about her willingness to sacrifice innocents.
When Evelyn suggests Four cares too much about that man, Four rejects the idea, insisting his concern is broader than a single life and condemning her assumptions. A coughing fit underscores his fragility and the cost of the chaos.
Unable to reconcile their differences, Four retreats behind the mask. Evelyn squeezes his hand and slips away, leaving the door open—an exit that mirrors the unresolved distance and deepening distrust between them.
Who Appears
- Four (Tobias Eaton)Hospitalized for smoke inhalation; confronts Evelyn about the Candor fire and questions her ethics.
- Evelyn Johnson-EatonVisits in secret dressed as Amity; admits starting the fire as a diversion; denies targeting one man.
- ShaunaInsists Four remain in the hospital overnight for his recovery.