Eric eyes up Callie from across the dining hall. Typically he can figure someone out in the first few moments of meeting them but she has him stumped. He's never met someone from Amity that was actually comfortable around Dauntless, let alone him. He watches as she chooses Peter's table over the stiff's. Peter just arrived at Dauntess but he reminds Eric if himself when he first came here. If Callie were smart she'd stay away from him. She'd stay away from both of them. Though if she were smart or kind for that matter then she wouldn't have chosen Dauntless in the first place.
Just then Callie looks up from her food and catches Eric looking at her. Instead of avoiding his gaze like most she just smiles her genuine and gentle smile before going back to her conversation with Peter. Eric watches the way Peter looks at her and it makes him uneasy. Callie is looking to make a friend and Peter is looking for a toy. Eric is torn. Part of him wants to break her to prove Amity-born aren't strong enough for Dauntless but the other part can't stop thinking about the calm way she looked at him as he held her over the edge of the walkway. This girl may look weak but she has strength.Lets see how strong she is when she finds out she may become factionless.
Eric stands and clears his throat. The room goes silent. "Transfers follow me."
All of the transfers get up and follow Eric. All of them keep their distance except for Callie who is in the front of the group. Callie is amazed at the way everyone fears him. She doesn't understand it. He's just a person. How bad could he be?
He stops in front of wooden doors. He turns to face the group and folds his hands in front of him. Callie looks around and notices no one is looking him in the eye. Not even Peter.
Eric goes on to tell them that training is from 8 to 6 everyday, they are free to do what they like after 6, and no initiate is to leave the compound without a Dauntless escort. He then tells them about rankings. The lowest ranking initiates will be forced to leave Dauntless and become factionless. Christina tries to argue saying that they should've know this ahead of time but Eric isn't having it. He tells her that if she wouldn't have chosen Dauntless because of fear then she should leave now. "If you're really one of us then it won't matter to you that you might fail... You chose us and now we get to choose you." Eric opens the doors and lets everyone pass. Not one looks up at him as they enter the room.
Callie steps to the side and waits for everyone else to enter the dorm room.
"What's the point of making people factionless?" For the first time since jumping off the train Callie feels uncomfortable.
Eric walks to her and brushes her hair back behind her ear. He smiles. "Aww what's the matter little one? Are you afraid you won't make it?" Callie rolls her eyes.
"I just don't get it. Isn't there room for everyone? Everyone can serve a purpose."
"Dauntless is strength. We can't afford weak links. One weak link could bring everyone down."
"I don't believe it. Everyone is strong at something."
"How naive you are. You'll see soon enough." Eric walks off not waiting for a response.
Callie sighs and walks into the room.
...
After everyone changes into their Dauntless clothes some of them decide to check out the tattoo parlor. Callie tags along.
When the group enters the tattoo parlor she looks around and notices Eric across the room. She decides to mess with him. Let's see how tough you are.
She politely excuses herself from her group and walks towards Eric. Eric sees her coming out of the corner of his eye and turns away from her.
"Hi there."
"Hello initiate." Eric continues looking at the different tattoos without looking up.
Callie glances around to make sure no one's looking and she lightly touches his arm running her fingers along a tattoo. Eric stops what he's doing and looks down at her. What the hell is she up to now?
Callie looks up at him through her eyelashes. "When did you get your first tattoo?"
"My first day of initiation." He steps away and continues down the row of tattoos. Callie follows.
"I was thinking about getting one today. Will you help me pick one out?"
"Don't you have some friends that can help you?" Eric says in his annoyed tone.
" So does that mean you won't?" Eric looks at her again. "It'll only take a minute. I promise." Eric sighs and reluctantly agrees.
Callie leads him to another room of tattoos that's mostly empty. "Some of these look nice."
Eric shrugs his shoulders but starts flipping through some tattoos. Callie gives him a sly grin and slides in between Eric and the table with her back to him. She moves her hand behind her so it's rubbing up against him. He's a little taken back by the gesture but doesn't move.
"Do you like any of these?" Eric reaches forward to point out a tattoo and pushes his hips forward so he's pushing into her hand. Callie's smile widens.
"I'm open for whatever." She continues to rub her hand against him. "Where do you think I should get one?"
"Hmm.." Eric runs his fingertips lightly up her arm to her shoulder. Callie softly moans and bites her lower lip. She leans her head to the side as goosebumps form on her skin. His fingertips run along her jaw then trail her neck to her collarbone where they linger for a moment before continuing down her chest then to her stomach. Her breathing becomes labored and she pushes harder against him when his fingers slip under her shirt and come to rest just under her waistband.
"Excuse me?" They both look over to see one of the female tattoo artists standing about 10 feet from them in the doorway. Eric shoots her an angry look. Callie blushes.. "Oh... I'm sorry. I just... wanted to see... if either of you were ready. I can come back."
Callie gives her a smile and says "No, it's fine. I'm ready." She grabs one of the tattoos they were looking at and steps away from Eric. "Thanks for giving me a moment of your time. See you around."
Callie has a big smile on her face as she leaves the room knowing she left Eric's pants a bit tighter.
Eric watches her walk away and shakes his head in disbelief. He can't believe the nerve of that girl.
