Contents
Chapter 61: Four
Overview
Four walks into a standoff at Dauntless headquarters: Evelyn and factionless aim to execute Marcus while Andrew stands helpless. Four confronts Evelyn, calls her “Mom,” and persuades her to stand down. As they withdraw, Andrew realizes Caleb is dead. Marcus thanks Four, Tris defends him, and they catch the train.
Summary
Four, Tris, Marcus, and Andrew reach the Dauntless lobby amid a storm and find a standoff: Evelyn with factionless backing aims guns at Marcus and Andrew, while two factionless hold Marcus at the stairs. Four steps between them, refusing to move.
Four confronts Evelyn, accusing her of serving Jeanine’s agenda and forbidding an execution in front of him. He lowers his own weapon and appeals to their shared past, calling her “Mom” for the first time since her return. Moved, Evelyn lowers her gun and signals her factionless to stand down, creating a fragile truce.
Four returns to Tris, who is shock-shocked and silent after killing Caleb to save Four. As they withdraw, Andrew asks about Caleb; Four hesitates, and Andrew realizes the truth, collapsing in grief. Four urges everyone to keep moving, wary the truce could break at any moment.
On the way to the train platform, Marcus thanks Four and touches his shoulder, triggering Four’s conditioned fear. Tris intervenes, warning Marcus not to touch him. Four steadies himself, and Marcus backs off.
The group reaches the platform. As the train approaches, Tris, briefly numb, regains focus. Together, they run and catch the train, escaping the lobby while Four and Evelyn silently acknowledge that their conflict is far from over.
Who Appears
- Four (Tobias Eaton)Protagonist; confronts Evelyn, prevents Marcus’s execution, protects Tris, and leads the group’s escape.
- Evelyn EatonFactionless leader and Tobias’s mother; attempts to execute Marcus but stands down after Tobias appeals to her.
- Tris (Beatrice Prior)Traumatized after shooting Caleb; stays close to Four, rebukes Marcus for touching him, regains focus to escape.
- Marcus EatonTobias’s abusive father; nearly executed by Evelyn, thanks Tobias, triggers Tobias’s conditioned fear by touching him.
- Andrew PriorTris’s father; unarmed, realizes Caleb’s death and collapses in grief, retreats with the group.
- Factionless gunmenEvelyn’s armed support; hold Marcus and Andrew at gunpoint, lower weapons when Evelyn stands down.