Disclaimer: We obviously do not own The Divergent Trilogy. AN: This chapter has a small hint towards the other books, so heed my warning! It's actually really small, so maybe none of you will notice it.
Chapter 3
Annabel was still suffering from the after effects of the serum as Mordekai attempted to get her steadily on her feet. She was tired both emotionally and physically, dragging her feet as she weakly attempted to walk. "What happened..?" She slurred drowsily as she took in the situation in front of her better. Eric was released after Scarlet concluded that she couldn't hold on to him for long considering her small stature. The Erudite girl quickly moved to position herself in between the menacing man and her recovering friend, Mordekai was behind Scarlett opting to be closer to Annabel just in case she lost her balance.
"We found this lowlife laughing at your fear landscape!" Mordekai growled, his frustration was prominent on his face as he glared daggers in Eric's direction. Scarlet scoffed at his behavior, though she was concerned for Annabel's well-being, she wasn't there to add to the already ridiculous dilemma.
"I don't have to explain myself to you." Eric retorted angrily, half angry at the group in front of him, the rest of his anger directed toward himself for allowing the crimson haired spitfire to detain him in his startled frenzy. His narrowed eyes were adamantly avoiding Scarlett's, instead he matched Mordekai's glare, and even shot Annabel an intimidating gander who flinched in result.
"Mordekai, will you take Annabel back to our quarters?" Scarlett barked out, her voice laced with annoyance. Her fists were clenched in notable fury. She desperately wanted to punch the Dauntless leader's face for taking precious time out of her day. "I will converse with Eric myself and hopefully we can come to a mutual understanding, right Eric?" Eric took in Scarlett's impassive stare and was instantly infuriated, he realized that she wasn't afraid of him like most others seemed to be, quite the opposite actually. She looked at him the way one would look at a child who had just got caught sneaking an extra slice of chocolate cake. He considered his options carefully, he could just refuse her but she would probably tell Jeanine that he had deliberately put the group in danger. Nope, he wasn't about to be on the receiving end of that disaster. Jeanine could be a vicious bitch sometimes. He sighed, he eventually decided to take the easier route and try to come to some sort of an agreement with red.
"Yeah, whatever." he agreed in defeat, trying to ignore the smug look of victory adorning her petite face.
"Are you sure you want us to leave you alone with him?" Mordekai muttered anxiously. He held on to Annabel who seemed to be doing much better, a pretty blush returning to her sun kissed skin. "I mean we could mull it over with you two if needed, I can be there just in case he tries something."
"Oh Please, I am fully capable of taking care of myself Mordekai. Besides I think Annabel would be of more of an assistance than you, even in her weakened state." Scarlet teased.
Mordekai sputtered unhappily and scratched at his beard out of habit. "Just when I was starting to think you were decent, you go and act like a spoiled brat. So much for a functioning friendship." Mordekai scoffed. Scarlet shrugged and sent him a bored look. He sighed as he took Annabel's arm, afraid that she would fall to the floor in a heap.
"I agree with Scarlet." Annabel added, the rational part of her brain told her that she should probably rest a bit after that traumatic experience. She shot a frantic glance at her previous assailant, he was currently leaning against the wall, seemingly focused on the dirt compound floor. Her body relaxed, relieved that his attention was no longer on her. "We should probably get out of here, the human body isn't used to being pulled out of a simulation like that, and I don't think mine took it very well." Mordekai nodded in understanding and slowly led the Amity woman out of the room, hoping to get her back to their shared lodgings as soon as possible. On the way out they both turned back to look at Scarlet who hurried them along.
The room was soon filled with a smothering silence as the two inhabitants refused to speak. Eric cleared his voice in defeat as he pushed himself off of the wall, Scarlett's calculative gaze immediately traced the intricate tattoos that adorned Eric's muscular arms.
"Well, let's get this little talk over with, Princess. I don't have all day, being the important man I am." He smirked cockily as she rolled her eyes at his not so creative nickname for her. "It's probably going to take a while though, huh? Do you mind if we head to my office? It's not as gloomy as it is in here."
"I don't care." Scarlett quipped hurriedly, eager to leave the monotone space. Eric nodded as he motioned for her to follow him, they walked in silence as they headed past the chasm and up a flight of stairs. Scarlett immediately signaled out the door that must have been the entrance to Eric's office. It was painted the darkest of blacks and was easily the nicest looking door in the compound. Eric held the door open, allowing her to get in the room with ease. "This isn't an office." Scarlet deadpanned, her lips set in a cute frown. It wasn't an office at all, it was a bedroom. Her face suddenly flushed a deep pink with the realization. Eric tried to hold back his laughter when he saw the expression on her face, instantly preferring it over her usually emotionless facade.
"I lied, Dauntless don't have offices. I thought you of all people would know that, Princess. Oh well. Intelligent my ass. Nervous at being in a guy's room?" He sneered, taking advantage of her discomfort. Scarlet glared, if he wanted to play games then she would beat him. "As I mentioned before, I don't care where we are as long as we get to the point at hand." She retorted, goading him on expectantly. He rolled his eyes, not enjoying her know-it-all attitude. He slowly gave her a once over, noting that it was a pity her attitude was shit, she was quite pretty.
"Just get to the point, you want to yell at me for messing with that useless Amity girl." Eric grumbled as he made his way over a big chair, sinking into it immediately and sighing when he felt his muscles relax.
"You're an idiot. That is to never happen again. Understood?" Scarlett's gaze lingered on him momentarily as she moved to look at the variety of knick knacks on the table near the bed, touching his possessions without any regard for the man. He scowled as she made herself at home, making demands in his own quarters! Who did she think she was?
"Hey Red, I don't know what kind of social standing you have at the Erudite compound, but here I make the rules. I'm going to do whatever I want." He sneered angrily as he got up to move to where she was, he hastily pushed her away from his belongings. "And stop touching my stuff, ever hear of boundaries?" Scarlett shot him an inquisitive gander, her eyebrow raised delicately.
"I assumed it was obvious that I'm Jeanine's new pupil. I'll have you know that I scored highest on my initiation testing. In fact I scored right beneath Jeanine herself, so I suggest you show more respect for me by calling me by my proper name!" She boasted disdainfully, her face betraying her level of insult. Eric raised his eyebrows skeptically at the new found information. He was fully aware that these people were the best, but he didn't realize that it was to that extent.
"You beat Mordekai's score? I imagine he must hate you for it." Eric laughed, happy that someone got the short end of the stick.
"Well, I beat everyone else as well, I don't see why he would bear any resentment towards me." She trailed off, confused at where he was going with the conversation. Eric took noticeable glee in his newfound knowledge, losing his previous anger.
"Ha! He was the second smartest in the compound before you came around!" He snickered, delighted at knowing of this predicament. Scarlett's face visibly fell, her full lips developed a saddened pout. "Your attitude probably doesn't sit well with him either, no wonder he dislikes being in your presence. It's okay though, I like you well enough." He added when he noticed the hurt look she donned.
"So that explains his initial attitude towards me..." Scarlet muttered her eyes downcast, she now knew why they couldn't be friends.
"Princess, you know you don't have to deal with that weakling. I think you're pretty hot-"
"Do you ever shut up?!" Scarlett scowled at the big man, no longer in the mood for his constant bickering. "We're here to discuss your bitterness towards Annabel, so if you can please stop, that would surely be appreciated and beneficial to this assignment. What do you have against her anyway? From what I deduced, this is your first interaction with her, so you really shouldn't bear any ill will towards her."
"Maybe I don't want to stop, I hate everything she stands for. Their stupid goody-goody faction does whatever they can to keep the peace, it honestly gets on my nerves. They're just as bad as those lousy Stiffs." Eric retorted, his anger rising yet again.
"Are you willing to negotiate an agreement? I don't think I can bear your constant assault on the poor woman, it's quite distracting." Scarlet instantly regretted her words as she saw the distinguished leer Eric shot her way. She suddenly felt self-conscious and cursed her revealing Dauntless clothing as his eyes scoured every curve her body owned.
"Well, I'm sure we can negotiate something," he smirked as he noticed her distress at the notion. "How's this, I'll stop pestering Annabeth-"
"Annabel." Scarlet corrected irritably. All she wanted to do was get back to her research, it was of the upmost importance.
"I could care less, I'll stop pestering ANNABEL if I can put you in her place. I'll be able to treat you any way I deem fit." Eric inwardly smiled at Scarlett's now horrified expression, he cherished these new expressions he discovered she retained.
"What makes you think I'm that selfless? I'm obviously not abnegation, and I could always report to Jeanine about your horrid exterior. Besides if you treat me harshly then I wouldn't have as much time with this project. " Her mind was calculating all the ways the situation could go, surely Eric would be incredibly vindictive and it would go further to waste her time.
"Oh, don't worry, Princess! You'll just get a little hands on experience, and I won't take away much time." He reassured, he knew that Scarlett's logical thought process would lead her to agree. Mordekai would be more focused if he wasn't constantly worried about the Amity woman, and in turn Annabel could throw out her opinion and the information she's gathered. Eric knew he won when he once again heard Scarlett's exasperated sigh. Her shoulders were sagged in defeat.
"Fine. I agree to your terms, and Jeanine won't be involved with any of this. I must be assured of my safety though. I don't fancy dying because you're having a bad day and decided to throw someone into the chasm." She deadpanned seriously. Eric laughed at the comically calm expression.
"Of course you won't die, remember you're too important to Jeanine. Besides, I don't like killing pretty girls." Eric smirked as he closed the space between them by pushing Scarlett against the wall. She blushed in return and immediately focused her gaze to the door, her hands were brought up into fists just in case.
"I need to get back to my friends if that's all." Scarlet sputtered, pushing him away as quickly as possible. Eric smirked as he backed up, knowing that he'll have more chances to harass the red head. His eyes were glued almost longingly on her retreating back.
"See you later, Princess." He uttered pressingly. She turned back momentarily giving him a parting glance and continued on to venture out the door. Scarlett had a lot to think about on her way back to her shared quarters.
The air of the compound suddenly felt humid and hot to her. She knew what potential she had and she also knew her limits, in some ways she thought of herself as quite astute. Her observational skills were quite unrivaled, and she had a natural affinity for gathering information, so it was safe to say that she knew what Eric was suggesting with his little deal. It was obvious enough to her that he wanted her in a sexual way, and this whole situation with Annabel was a clever ruse. Eric was a schemer. Though he did have an instant dislike for the Amity girl, there was no way he would have normally put so much effort into his hate. Eric was the leader known to have multiple relations with all sorts of women, and when he saw one he liked, she knew he would do just about anything to bed her. She wrinkled her nose in distaste, not that she wasn't attracted to the man, (in fact she found his face and body quite alluring) she just needed to focus her time and energy on her mission at hand.
This whole situation was bigger than any of them realized, Jeanine was just a small part of this bigger picture. She would have to succeed where her predecessor had failed; this mission had to work. She sighed out loud as she went through the hob, hoping that no one would take any notice of her. All she really wanted to do was get back to her room and rest. Unluckily for her, her shade of red hair was easy to spot amongst the crowd of Dauntless that circulated through the hob.
"Scarlet?" She sighed when she heard the male's voice, hoping that if she continued on like she didn't hear it, whoever it was would go away. "SCARLET!" She jumped when the man put a hand on her shoulder. Quickly turning and sending an irritated glare at the person, she was instantly shocked when she recognized the charming smile and dark hair.
"Zeke?" She frowned at him, instantly regretting taking the hob back, not that she wasn't fond of him. She had grown to like him in her short time in the Dauntless compound, but she couldn't afford to fall in love in here. She couldn't fail like the other woman did, she would never forgive herself. She tried to keep a short distance away from the others, but Zeke and Uriah were the only ones she would call friends from her old home.
"Yeah, what are you doing back here...?" He frowned at her with a hurt filled expression. She was aware that his family were the only ones to take any notice of her transfer, and she felt bad to some extent. She had to leave them though, it was set for her to go to Erudite since the very beginning.
"I'm here with two others to do research for my compound leader. The leadership here knows I'm here, so don't worry. There's nothing illegal going on." She couldn't stop herself from talking, "So, how's Uriah and Hana?" She questioned on, a bit concerned. Zeke sent her an apprehensive look.
"They're fine, been doing really good. Uriah is participating in the Dauntless initiation." They simultaneously winced at the tender subject, instantly taking on a cold silence. "Why didn't you stay?" Zeke spoke up, his hurt returning.
"I wasn't made for the Dauntless, you're aware of that fact. It shouldn't have been such a drastic change. I apologize if I shocked you when I did it." She answered as emotionlessly as humanly possible, trying not to spark the least bit of interest.
"Why didn't you tell me?" His voice trembled, his expression filled with bubbled up betrayal. Scarlett gave him a condescending gaze, raising an eyebrow incredulously.
"You never asked, so I never told you. If you really wanted the information, you should've said something." Her voice was laced with annoyance. "Now if you'll excuse me, I must get back to my research. Please refrain from conversing with me in the future, it isn't something I expect or look forward to." She quickly turned, her high ponytail nearly whacking his face in the process.
"So it's right what they say about the Erudite." Zeke called out, his usually handsome face appeared angry and injured.
"And what might that be?" She spat.
"That you're all a bunch of hard asses, you guys don't care about anyone or anything." He glared, her face held a mirroring one.
"Goodbye Zeke." Scarlett went on hurriedly. Once she got far away enough from Zeke, she let off a frustrated huff. Her eyes welled up with tears as she slid against the wall of the empty hallway she was in. Her head leaned back against the cold stone as she scooted toward the floor, her cat-like eyes blinking rapidly as she slowed her breathing to stop the tears from flowing down. 'Why is this so hard?' she thought as she closed her eyes, once her tears were kept under control, she got up. 'I bet Annabel and Mordekai are doing better than I am.'
AN: Thanks for all the story notes and follows thus far, but come on people, review! Oh, and more Mordekai and Annabel to come, this whole chapter was kinda to give you guys an inside look on Scarlet. Gasp! Someone let the emotionless facade drop, stuff's getting real guys. R&R - Erudite
