A blade whizzed past Toby's face and he caught it mid-flight. It felt cold in his hands, almost unnatural. He turned it over and it fell to the ground with a clang.
"Good. Go again," A low voice barked, and Toby felt goosebumps sweep up his arms. His instructor had always given him the creeps, even in his early days. He would constantly shave his head and laugh hysterically almost like it felt good. Toby never trusted him, and he never planned on doing it.
Blade after blade flew and stuck into the wall behind Toby, who had only managed to snatch three of the seven thrown. A disgrace.
"Toby Peterson! Can you tell me exactly what that was besides a complete and utter failure? Are you trying to make me look bad? Because understand now, I have consequences for that," Toby's instructor Damon glared at him from a ledge. He looked as if anyone within arm's reach would be the next to die.
"Toby? Are you listening? Severe consequences. I won't have any of my students-" Damon's voice was drowned out by the sharp buzz of the dinner bell. He cursed and turned away from Toby, signaling his release. Damon rested his head on the smooth stone wall and looked down at the floor.
Toby breathed out and tucked away his knife. It slid perfectly into his belt, a killer in disguise. 'Last to eat, first to die,' Damon always said. Toby wondered if he would make it into one of those two categories tonight.
Walking through Dauntless headquarters is like walking through a cave of never ending tunnels, loops, and open areas. And right at the center? The Pit. Toby had seen his share of horrific events go on at The Pit, and he avoided it at all costs. He heard loud yelling one night coming from The Pit and the following day, a Dauntless initiate was dead. Toby didn't want to be next.
Tossing his backpack into his bunk, Toby slunk down on his bed. Clothes were strewn across the floor, and he quickly retrieved them. When the last sock was in it's place, Toby slipped on a fresh t-shirt and hustled to the main hall. Dauntless whispered and pointed at Toby, who stood taller in retaliation. He knew they were talking about his failure in knife-throwing practice today, and he wasn't about to pick a fight just yet.
Being born Dauntless you would think you're the toughest. To be completely honest, physically, you are. But just walking around and picking fights was irrational, even we knew that. According to the Candor gossip, you would believe we are maniacs. But what do they know? Their faction is based on truth and almost every word out of their mouth is a lie.
Toby entered the Dining Hall and looked around at the crowd of people flowing to and from tables. It was almost hard to keep track. Each person a different story, a different life, a different goal, but we were all Dauntless at heart. Toby took a step and someone snickered.
"Hey Toby! So I heard about practice today! I heard you caught hmmm three out of- what? Seven? Three out of seven knives? What a new record we have here!" A boy laughed and a few more joined in. Toby felt the hatred in the boy's voice and gave him a glare. A couple Dauntless sneered at him but he kept walking to his destination, not too far away now.
An empty seat at his usual table offered comfort to Toby, and he sat gratefully. His two friends Harley and Brennan smiled at his appearance to the table. A pair of Dauntless walked by snickering at Toby, and Harley glared viciously.
"What happened today, Toby? I can't believe they all think they can treat you like this. You could make any one of them pay in a heartbeat," Harley looked concerned and scooped up some noodles for her plate. Toby could see the look of confusion spread across her delicate face, and he shook his head.
"I got distracted. I was thinking about our aptitude tests coming up. I know I shouldn't be thinking about that, but I couldn't help it. It just doesn't feel right." Toby poured himself some water and looked over at Brennan, who was trying his hardest not to stuff himself with the food on his plate. Brennan was the type of initiate everyone liked. He was average, brown hair and brown eyes. Toby couldn't help but wonder where he might be placed after initiation was over.
"You're The best Dauntless born initiate we currently have. Why are they giving you such a hard time about this? Do they not know you could kill any one of them in approximately twelve seconds?" Brennan laughed at Harley's comment and Toby's mouth twitched a smile. It was true- he was the best in about every category in the Dauntless-born initiate pre-initiation training. Most of the Dauntless still wondered how someone like Toby could be the top fighter in the whole initiation program, but he knew the answer that none of them would ever guess. Strategy. Toby learned quicker than the rest that strategizing against the opponent and using their weakness to your advantage was above strength. But that sort of thinking was looked down upon in Dauntless, so he kept the information to himself. Being the one who topped the charts, most of the initiates feared or envied him, and he knew that his torment today was a weak point for everyone to stab him in the back with. If it weren't for his disgrace in knife throwing earlier, he wouldn't even be questioned.
Harley shoved a hamburger in her mouth and Toby picked up a slice of a cake. Dauntless cake. His favorite.
"Why are these aptitude tests so distracting for you, Toby? Once a Dauntless, always a Dauntless. You will be fine." Toby looked down at his cake and shoved it across his plate. He had worked all day yesterday preparing for The Choosing Ceremony that would take place in two days, and he shouldn't have been distracted then either. Yet he was. Distractions are weakness. So why was he letting this get to him so badly?
"I don't know," Toby answered. "I think I'm just tired, that's all. I might get some sleep early tonight." Brennan looked at Harley who seemed dissatisfied with his answer.
"We all need to be ready for this. I don't know what will be on these tests, but we have to be prepared for anything. I heard a rumor in Erudite that they are going to change up the serum this year. No promises it will be better than before." Harley swore as her finger was crushed by a passing plate and Toby looked around the Hall. Most of the initiates would make it. From then on, an easy life as a Dauntless would greet them smiling with open arms. Toby knew he couldn't pass up an opportunity like that ever. No one- Damon, initiates, no one would get in his way if he could help it. The top of the list was open and calling.
Brennan scooped up a bite of Toby's cake and laughed, mouth full. His brown eyes were lively and glinting. Toby wished he could be as happy as Brennan was at the moment.
"You gonna eat this cake?" Brennan laughed through a mouthful of cake.
"Go ahead," Toby whispered. He pushed up from the table and waved goodbye. Fresh air sounded nice.
"See you at lights out!" Brennan grinned and flicked a little cake at Harley. It stuck in her dirty blonde hair and she punched him playfully in the arm. Toby slipped silently out of the Dining Hall. He didn't want to attract any unwanted torment.
"Hey Toby! I wasn't done talking about your knife throwing! Get back here!" The boy from earlier was chasing Toby at full speed. Toby bolted around the corner and sprinted down the corridor. He dodged instructors and workers ending their day early and heading home, skipping dinner for a chance to see their families.
Suddenly the hall ended and Toby pressed up against the wall. The tormentor was grinning and held two other dauntless initiates at his sides. The cat had caught the mouse.
"So how exactly can our top fighter miss four knives? He can't. Or else he isn't our top fighter anymore."
Toby sidestepped quickly and realization hit him like a train. I'm at The Pit! His mind screamed for him to bolt. Toby promised himself he wouldn't dare come here again. But here he was, about to become that boy from months ago. Pebbles toppled over the edge of The Pit as the boys cornered him. The lead initiate carried a small knife about the size of a pencil.
"Time's up. Your reign at the top is over, and now its time for a new king of the list." The boy clicked open his knife and took aim.
Swish!
The knife sailed through the air and landed perfectly in Toby's grasp. The boy looked shocked and backed up a step.
"Yeah, I think knife throwing practice actually does come in handy every once in a while," The boy yelled out in rage and jumped at Toby. Barely catching the hem of Toby's shirt, he turned and struck out again.
"The top of the list doesn't belong to you, Peterson!" The boy screamed in fury and took one last jab at Toby.
Who would have known it would be his last.
The boy screamed as he careened over The Pit's edge and was swallowed up by darkness. In a few seconds the last of his voice faded away. The other two who had followed their leader turned tail and escaped. They followed the corridor until their footsteps were all that was left.
Toby stared over the edge of The Pit in horror. Gone. Forever. He had killed an initiate.
And now all that was left was a ghost of his memory.