THE SERUM WEARS off five hours later, when the sun is just beginning to set. Tobias shut me in my room for the rest of the day, checking on me every hour. This time when he comes in, I am sitting on the bed, glaring at the wall. โThank God,โ he says, pressing his forehead to the door. โI was beginning to think it would never wear off and I would have to leave you here to โฆ smell flowers, or whatever you wanted to do while you were on that stuff.
Veronica RothBut there's so much that was a lie, it's hard to figure out what was true, what was real, what matters.
Veronica RothAt home I used to spend calm, pleasant nights with my family. My mother knit scarves for the neighborhood kids. My father helped Caleb with his homework. There was a fire in the fireplace and peace in my heart, as I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing, and everything was quiet. I have never been carried around by a large boy, or laughed until my stomach hurt at the dinner table, or listened to the clamor of a hundred people all talking at once. Peace is restrained; this is free.
Veronica RothDo I look like Iโve been crying?โ I say. โHmm.โ He leans in close, narrowing his eyes like heโs inspecting my face. A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. Even closer, so we would be breathng the same air- if I could remember to breathe. โNo, Tris,โ he says. A more serious look replaces his smile as he adds, โYou look tough as nails.
Veronica Roth