I walk back into the training room with Eric right on my heels. I'm relieved when I scan the room and see Four is back. He looks furious. He looks like he's ready to rip Eric's face off. That would be amazing... but it'll never happen. Eric has made it painfully clear who has the authority here. A girl can dream though. Eric just smiles at four knowing he won't do anything.
After a moment of awkward silence four announces the next fight. It's me and drew. Drew isn't very tall but he's still a lot bigger than me. I'd love to just stand down and let Drew take the win unopposed but after what happened with Christina I can't risk it.
Peter gives my shoulder a squeeze I guess as some kind of encouragement and gives drew a death stare. At the start of the fight we just circle each other. Round and round we go. Neither one of us make a move. Drew looks nervous. I know I am. He must be nervous because of Peter. I know it's not because he thinks I'm a threat. Peter has always been the protective older brother and Peter could easily take drew if he wanted to and drew knows it. One time when we were younger drew accidentally tripped me when we were playing outside and the next day he showed up to school with a black eye. Drew's been afraid of peter ever since.
Eric stands off to the side looking irritated. Four looks equally irritated but I think it's more because of Eric than our lack of fighting.
'Stop!' Eric yells. 'What the hell are you two doing?'
We just stare at him.
'Everyone listen up! In dauntless you have to know how to fight and you have to know how to defend yourselves. This is how you learn to do it. If any of you have a problem with that then there's the door!'
Me and drew look at each other. He has a different look in his eyes now. Peter or no peter he is planning on taking me down. I really stand no chance against him. Hopefully he makes it quick.
Drew throws the first punch. I'm not ready for it. I barely get out of the way but he quickly follows with another punch to my jaw and I'm not as quick this time. I'm down and out. This is pathetic. I didn't even throw one punch.
I'm out for only a moment and when I wake I immediately look over at Eric to see if he's angry but he's already preoccupied with the next fight. I hope that's a good thing.
After dinner I decide to go for another walk. I need to find a way to be comfortable here if this is going to be my home⦠though I'm going to have to figure out how to hold my own in a fight if I'm going to have a chance of being in the group that can stay. For now I'll focus on learning my way around. It's a start at least right?
I wonder up and down the hallways. Some I recognize and some I don't.
I make a right down a new hallway and notice it leads to a dead end. I turn around and am startled to see Eric standing there. He stands just a few feet from me staring at me for a long while. I stand frozen. Did he follow me here?
He finally speaks... 'Come with me. Its time for your punishment.'
I look up at Eric in pure horror. He has a grin on his face. 'Punishment?!... for what?'
'For your lack of fighting today.'
'But...' the look on his face tells me I shouldnt be arguing.
'Lets go.' I dont move. He grabs my arm above the elbow and drags me down the hallway. Every part of me wants to fight against him or yell for help but what good would that do? Who would stand up against Eric?
Turn after turn he stays silent but he keeps his grip firm on my arm. I'm too afraid to make a sound.
After a few minutes he stops in front of a door. He pushes me against the hallway wall and simply says 'stay' and he disappears into the room. My heart is pounding. I look down the hallway contemplating an escape. After giving it a moment of thought though I decide to stay put as told.
I stare at the opposing wall trying to calm myself. I feel like I'm having a panic attack. Random people walk past occasionally but no one says a word. I'm not sure if I've been standing there for a long time or if time is just passing slowly. I try to listen closely for any sound coming from behind the door but it's dead silent. Did he forget about me? Maybe this is my punishment. He could be testing me to see how long I'd stay put and he's probably just waiting for me to move an inch so he could justify a cruel punishment.
More time passes.
My feet are killing me. Oh how I'd love to slide down the wall and sit for a bit! But I can't. I don't need to give him any more ammunition against me.
After a good while he comes back out of the room with a new shirt and pants and appears to be freshly showered. Part of me is relieved that he's finally back and part of me is afraid for what's next.
He locks the door behind him before turning to me. After a moment he says 'follow me'.
I follow him without hesitation as he leads me back towards the pit. My heart begins to race again. I feel like I'm getting light headed. Oh, please don't pass out!
He finally speaks.. 'I want you to go get something done to yourself tonight'.
He must find my expression of mixed confusion and terror amusing because he lets out a chuckle.
'Hair, tattoos, or piercings. I dont care what. Just make it noticeable.'
We enter the edge of the pit and all he says is 'get' and walks off leaving me standing alone and very confused.
What the hell was that? Is he messing with me? What about my punishment? It can't be as simple as standing in a hallway for a while and getting my hair done.
I better keep my guard up. He'll most likely come at me with a punishment when I'm least expecting it. He's probably getting off on my stress right now. This sucks.
I make my way to the tattoo parlor to look around.
Do I really want something permanent on my body? I can't disappoint Eric so after looking around for a bit I find a small symbol that means strength that isn't so bad. I decide to get it behind my right ear.
Afterwards I realize it's probably not what he was talking about when he said 'noticeable'. Shoot. I really don't want another tattoo.
I decide on getting my hair done next. Maybe that would satisfy him.
I get my hair cut just above my shoulders and get it dyed an orangy red. It's not dauntless drastic but considering my hair was midway down my back and a dull brown it's pretty drastic for me.
I make my way back to the dorms and luckily most everyone is sleeping. Of course Peter isn't one of them.
As soon as he sees me he jumps out of bed and partially runs towards me. He pulls me back out into the hallway.
Here we go.
Brace for it.
'What the hell did you do to yourself?'
'Just my hair and a small tattoo. Its nothing.'
'TATTOO?'
'Just a little one behind my ear'
He pulls me towards him and pulls my hair out of the way. He finally releases me and I stumble back.
'You didnt feel the need to tell me you were getting this done?'
... I feel like I should tell him about my encounter with Eric but Im nervous. He's clearly in a mood tonight.
Im not even sure what to say. How do I explain what happened when Im not even sure myself? On the other hand I could never lie to my brother.
'I ran into Eric earlier and he told me to get it done.'
I pause to see his reaction.
He looks confused. Hey, I'll take it over angry!
I continue... 'Im sorry I didnt come to you peter. I wasnt thinking. I just didnt want to make him mad.'
He stares at me for a moment.
His eyes soften. He sighs then he leans over and kisses the top of my head. 'Lets get to bed'.
I let out a breath I had been holding.
Crisis averted.
