Chapter 4-Fights
Rob pov
Waking up this morning, I ache everywhere from yesterday's training. Not many others are up so I decide to have a quick shower before we have to go to the training room. The hot water soothes the ache slightly but I'm still quite sore. That's what happens when you grow up in Abnegation and you have zero chance to do anything physical. I'm just about to throw on a shirt and leave when I catch a glimpse of my back in the mirror.
The tattoo actually turned out really well. My back was the obvious place to get it; I would get so many questions about why I have three faction symbols on my back. Especially since one of them in Amity and they aren't known to have a great relationship with Dauntless. This tattoo is something to always remind me of my past so that I won't forget where I came from, where I could be and where I am now. With that thought in mind, I need to get to training so I can stay here.
"There are thankfully an even amount of you so no one has to sit out today," Eric says once we're all in the training room. "Here are the pairings for today's round of fights."
He motions to the chalk board behind him and I spot my name in the second slot right next to Edward. Oh no! This is bad. Will had warned me the other day about how Edward has been studying hand to hand combat for years. And I'm about to be on re recovering end of that. My eyes skip down to the spot below and I see Tris is paired up against Myra. That's a fair pairing so at least I don't have to worry about her too much.
"Al and Will; you're up first," Four announces.
The pair head to the ring in the middle of the room and start to circle each other.
Four pov
Will and Al are in the middle of the room sparing off and I can figure out how the fight will end. I know I shouldn't be judging them based of size alone but, anyone with eyes can see that the odds aren't really in Will's favor. I can't help but feel responsible.
The first day of fighting, they usually try to have equal pairings so it makes the first fight easier. Then later on they make it harder. Will probably should have been paired against Rob, which would have been fair. But, I don't like Rob and I put him against Edward and put Will against Al. He's fast though so at least Will has that on his side.
They circle for a while longer and then Al hard in the jaw. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Eric smirk and can't help but wonder how someone could be so sadistic and evil. I shouldn't be surprised that there are people like that though; just look at Marcus.
Al tries to land another punch but Will blocks it this time. It looks like it hurt him though, and I can't help but remember my first fight of initiation. I was up against Zeke and even though he went easy on me since we were friends, he packed a hard punch.
I'm broken out of my memories when Al falls to the floor with a hard thud. Will had just knocked him to the ground and he does the smart thing and scramble to get back up. Both boys look to me pleadingly as if I could call off the fight. I would but, I can't. Maybe back when I was an initiate and our fights were scored, it could be called off. Now though, you fight until you can't fight anymore.
Beside me, Eric checks his watch impatiently. Eric yells, "Do you think this is a leisure activity? Should we break for nap-time? Fight each other!"
Al stands up and drops his hands to his sides. "But, is it scored or something? When does the fight end?"
"It ends when one of you is unable to continue," Eric says as if he's not talking about one of them being beaten to a pulp by their friend.
That annoys me the most about Eric, how ruthless and horrible he is.
"According to Dauntless rules, one of you could also concede," I say, mainly to tick him off.
Eric glares at me, most likely remembering when we fought back in initiation. I had him pinned to the floor and Amar suggested he concede. When he didn't, I knocked him out and he was sent to the infirmary. Later, once he had come to, Amar told him that a brave man can acknowledge the strength of others and know when he's been beaten by a stronger man. Ever since then, Eric has hated me and hated Amar for seeing my strength and practically calling him weak.
"According to the old rules, in the new rules, no one concedes," he says. Ever since Amar was killed, the rules have changed and Eric just loves to remind me of that.
"A brave man acknowledges the strength of others," I say, reminding him of what Amar said.
"A brave man never surrenders," he growls.
We go back to our death glare and then Al speaks up. "This is ridiculous. What's the point of beating him up? We're in the same faction!"
Not yet, I think to myself.
"Oh, you think it's going to be that easy?" Will asks. I'm starting to like this kid; he's got a lot of spirit. For an Erudite. "Go on. Try to hit me, slowpoke."
Will puts up his hands in defense and I can see a new determination in his eyes. Al goes to punch Will but he ducks under his arm and kicks him I the back. But Al turns quickly and charges at Will, grabbing his arm. With Will in his grasp, Al punches him hard in the jaw and Will crumples to the floor. What he's just done had dawned on Al and he drops to Will's side to try and wake him. A minute or so later his eyes flutter slightly.
"Get him up," Eric says. He looks down to Will and his lip rings pull into a smirk.
Disgusting.
Not wanting to leave this psyco alone with Tris-I mean, the initiates, I get Drew to help Al bring Will to the infirmary. I circle Al's name to show his victory.
"Next up-Edward and Rob," I call out.
This should be interesting.
Rob pov
Edward and I make our way to the middle of the room and before we get into position to start the fight, Edward leans in and says, "Please don't take this personally, it's just part of initiation."
"Of course," I reply. It's not that I thought Edward was a jerk but, I didn't think he would be this nice.
We get into position and start to circle. I can see Edward's eyes flick to where I have my hands raised in defense, trying to analyze the situation. I can tell that he's about to punch my stomach and when he tries, I grab his fist and respond my punching his side. It winds him slightly and he takes a step back. More than anything, it probably caught him off guard that a guy from Abnegation could punch him.
Edward sweeps a leg under my feet and I'm suddenly on the ground. I'm about to jump up from the floor when a huge weight falls on my chest. Edward has me pinned to the floor and is sitting on my stomach. My legs are free though and I knee him in the back. It gives me the chance I need to free myself and get back on my feet.
Edward gets back up and goes to punch my side but, he fakes and punches me in the side of the head. Hard. The last thing I hear is a small yelp before I fall to the floor and everything goes black.
A/N Hi, here is the long over due fourth chapter. And unless you didn't notice, I have changed my pan name to cmatty. Enjoy the chapter and Travelin' Soldier is probably coming tomorrow or monday. Please review.
