Contents
Chapter 26: Four
Overview
Four checks the wall’s fear-simulation repeaters and learns a crate of guns is missing, hinting at internal instability. During capture the flag, he encounters Tris retrieving a planted banner on the Ferris wheel. When fire erupts at Candor HQ, Tris abandons the climb, suspecting Evelyn’s attack, and Four follows.
Summary
Before dawn, Four visits Zeke on wall patrol, noting the monotony and learning a full crate of guns has been miscounted or stolen. Four explains he’s checking the wall’s simulation signal repeaters that project fear scenarios beyond the fence, rendering intrusions unlikely but fueling Dauntless paranoia.
That night, Four co-captains capture the flag with Lauren. Teams are chosen—Uriah, Lynn, Will, and Marlene for Four; Peter, Edward, Drew, Molly, and Al for Eric. They head to the pier near the marsh, planning to use the carousel as a defensible flag site.
Spotting movement by the Ferris wheel, Four investigates and discovers Tris with Christina. After Christina departs for Candor to avoid Peter, Tris tells Four she is retrieving a banner hung high on the wheel. Despite his fear of heights, Four agrees to spot her and climbs after her.
On the ascent, Tris recognizes Four’s fear but notes his persistence. They pause on a small platform, speak briefly about their past encounter and her aptitude, then continue toward the banner across thinner beams.
Mid-climb, they see a massive plume of smoke over the river. Tris identifies it as Candor headquarters and, fearing a deliberate attack—likely orchestrated by Evelyn—insists they descend immediately, worried for Christina, Mae, and her father. Four follows her down, abandoning the game to run after her toward the crisis.
Who Appears
- Four (Tobias Eaton)Narrator; services wall signal repeaters, learns guns are missing, leads capture the flag, aids Tris on the Ferris wheel, then follows her toward Candor.
- Tris (Beatrice Prior)At the Ferris wheel to retrieve Evelyn’s banner; climbs confidently, then aborts upon seeing Candor aflame, suspecting Evelyn and rushing to help.
- ZekeWall guard friend; complains about boredom and reveals a crate of missing guns during Four’s morning visit.
- LaurenDauntless-born instructor; co-captains with Four and manages initiates while he investigates movement near the Ferris wheel.
- UriahTop-ranked initiate; key pick for Four’s team and suggests the carousel strategy.
- WillInitiate on Four’s team; debates strategy, favors defensible positions.
- MarleneInitiate on Four’s team; clumsy dismount from the train, eager for strategic input.
- LynnInitiate on Four’s team; pushes for carousel tactics and attempts climbing access.
- EricRival instructor; delays the game until after cuts, captains opposing team.
- ChristinaMeets Tris at the Ferris wheel but leaves for Candor to avoid Peter; becomes a focus of Tris’s concern when Candor burns.
- PeterInitiate on Eric’s team; his presence scares Christina away from the area.