Disclaimer: I do not own the Divergent books, movie franchise or any of the characters from it. I do, however, own the plot and characters you don't recognize.
"Choose."
"I'm not doing this again."
"Choose."
"I know you've already chosen for me."
Light blazes into existence and in the space that forms around her. Mirrors cover the inner walls of the room. She can see her reflection from all sides, her body stained with death and gore. The dog's mangled bloody remnants are splay before her. Its intestines and gouts of blood are spilling out from the open cavity of its abdomen.
"Smart girl."
Her mirror image hums smoothly. She wraps her red coated fingers around the handle of the dagger sticking up from the animal's head. Then she wrenches it out with audible suction. She brings the blade to her mouth and her tongue darts out to run along the sharp edge. She further smears the blood that's already painting her lips and jaw.
"Why don't you just give in? Embrace it. Enjoy it. Love it."
"I'm not like you."
Her reflection stops to stare at her. There are no whites in her eyes or the hazel irises she inherited from her father. Just a black gleam and a playful tug at the corner of her mouth.
"Are you sure about that?"
The room spins and she hits her knees while squeezing her eyes tight against motion. Then the scent of copper evades her senses and she's now clutching something heavy in her right hand.
A sob hitches in her throat. Her eyes open wide to the image of the bloody dagger and the dog's mutilated corpse. Her nefarious bloodstained smile reflecting back at her.
"Old habits do die hard, keep that in mind."
She watches herself say. Then she lifts a bloody hand to sensually run it down her face, unleashing a shrill, hysterical laugh.
"Petra."
Spinner's vision swims when she blinks. It flickers between the dreamscape filled with horror and blood, to the analytical expression sharpening Jeanine's distinct features.
Wait… Jeanine… here in… Dauntless?
She blinks again, lowering her head to knuckle both her eyes. The image finally absconds but she's left with the impressions of trepidation and violence. The phantom laughter has her throat pulsating in time with her heartbeat.
"Petra."
Spinner shakes her head to clear the fog muffling her mind and wills it to wake from its coma-like slumber. She looks up again, her eyes still unclear, but they meet Jeanine's metallic gaze over the top of her bifocals.
Her lips are moving as she speaks. Yet Spinner can hardly decipher her words over the thunder of her pulse still roaring in her ears. "Where… how did I-"
Jeanine waves her hand through the air in a sharp motion. An act meant to both silence her and gesture to the gentlemen in a sea-blue lab coat.
Spinner's lashes flutter as his hand rests on the top of her head. A dim light is then shone in her eyes, causing them to sting. With a flinch, she swings, but a set of thick fingers wrap around her wrists before she could deliver the hit.
Then it registers that there are more people in whatever room she's in.
The pressure on her head elevates, the light is abruptly pulled away, and then she blinks rapidly to free her vision of the black spots.
"Her pupils are still dilated but she's responsive."
"Is this a common thing whenever she takes the serum?"
Serum? What Serum? Wait… the silver box…
"She hasn't been taking it. I've already informed you about the incident regarding one of our Dauntless-borns."
That's Eric's voice.
"Hmm, yes, I see."
Come on, Spinner, focus.
Her body jerks at my commanding tone, glancing up into Eric's unreadable expression. "Where…where am I?" She asks, her voice unsteady and dry.
His hands release her and then she notices the sleeves that engulf her arms. They belong to a jacket she knows she doesn't own, and it doesn't take Spinner long to realize that Eric's standing in just his gray tank top.
Her brows knit together in bewilderment.
"We're in Erudite," is all Eric's says before straightening and facing forward.
Erudite? How did she manage to get here without having any recollection about it? "How-"
"Petra."
A ripple of awareness shoots up her spine as Jeanine's voice slices into her. It sounds like jagged rocks and broken glass. Spinner's gaze flickers to her and Jeanine leans forward, clasping her hands together on her stainless steel desk.
"I'd hate to think you don't trust me. After all, I did put my job on the line for you. To have you rehabilitated and a functioning member of society. And I certainly can't meet my goal if you're unwilling to cooperate." The threat behind her word lingers long after she finishes speaking.
Spinner digs her fingers into the arms of the jacket to control the anger rising inside her.
Agree with her and apologize, I prompt her as Jeanine watches her carefully.
"You're right, sorry." I chasten Spinner and she sighs. "I mean, I'm sorry for my behaviour. I'll do better, ma'am."
Jeanine tilts her head in acknowledgement. Her sickeningly delighted smile reminds me of death's head. "Good, I'm glad to hear that, Petra. I don't need to remind you of the importance of taking the serum every day. The doctors here in Erudite assured me of its effectiveness. And like I've said many times before, I only want what's best for you."
Liar.
"Thank you." Spinner nods.
"Eric, I assume you'll be keeping a closer eye on her, yes?" Jeanine enquires icily, regarding him with a critical look.
"Yes, ma'am," he answers, though there's a sliver of contempt in his tone.
"You two may go." Jeanine dismisses them with a wave.
Eric's hand wraps around Spinner's bicep before hauling her out of her chair.
"Max, a moment?"
He moves from his place near the corner and approaches Jeanine's desk. How long has he been in the office?
Spinner waits until Eric and her are out of the room before grabbing his wrist. "You mind telling me how I wound up here in Erudite?" She demands softly.
"You had a seizure this morning." Eric says lowly, eyeing her hard.
Spinner blinks and glances down at herself; she's still in her t-shirt and pyjama bottoms. Her questioning gaze rises back to his.
"Lauren found you frothing at the mouth. And Gale isn't as knowledgeable about epilepsy as she should be. So Max and I brought you to Erudite to have you medically examined by their doctors."
"And?" She presses as their hands fall away from each other. Spinner fingers the collar of his jacket and Eric, folding his arms, watches her do so.
Amusement kicks up one corner of his lips while he leans in slightly. "It's imperative that you stop smoking."
"Oh, what a bunch of bullshit doctors." Spinner huffs and Eric rolls his eyes. "I don't have a history of epilepsy. For all they know, this could've been some kinda fluke.
"Well, anything can happen, clearly."
"Like with you?" She toys with the collar again and his eyes follow, undoubtedly catching the reference towards his jacket.
Eric raises his chin as he tightens his arms around himself. It's subtle, but still a physical indication that she strikes a nerve. "I don't like feeling indebted to someone. So consider it," he nods to his jacket swallowing her body, "us being even."
Spinner smirks at him. "So does this mean we're kinda friends?"
He doesn't say anything. He simply squares his shoulders then turns on his heel to march away.
"Is that a maybe?"
Eric continues walking, and with a light laugh, Spinner jogs after him.
Twenty minutes later, she's back at the Dauntless compound.
Spinner showers, eats, and makes it in time for the first fight. It's between Jed and a stocky Candor transfer named Oscar. They apparently have an uneven number of initiates this year. So Jude's fortunate enough to be the odd man out.
Not like I want to see the Amity-happiness beaten out of him, although the boy does need to toughen up.
"You know, Four, there's still a leadership position open if you're interested." Eric says casually as the transfer-initiates stand across from each other in the arena.
Spinner makes an indignant sound as she steps away from the chalkboard. "Um, hello, isn't that what I'm being trained here for?" She butts in, frowning.
Eric spares her a glance before looking at Four sidelong. "If Petra doesn't pan out, I mean."
"Thanks for the support, love." Spinner mutters sarcastically as she stands next to him.
In the arena, Oscar charges at Jed. He drives his shoulder into other boy's hips and wraps his arms just under his rear. With a growl, Oscar pulls Jed's legs out from underneath him, knocking him to the ground. Then he quickly straddles the temporarily stunned boy and lands a few hard punches across his jaw. Jed's shaken from his daze. He grimaces shortly before throwing his arms up to protect his face from the assault.
Four, stone-faced, gazes at Eric for a short moment before replying, "I'm still not interested. Once again, tell Max that I'm satisfied with my position in the control room. I'm sure Spinner will do just fine."
"Aw, Broody, I'm touched." Spinner claps a hand on Four's shoulder with a cheeky grin. He rolls his eyes as he moves away from her. "And that's how you reassure someone, Eric. Take notes."
He sneers without taking his eyes off the two initiates now back on their feet and circling each other.
Oscar lunges for Jed again. Catching the other boy by his shoulders, he raises his knee and thrusts it into his chest. Jed staggers backwards as his hand flies up to clutch the spot, eyes wide and choking out a gasp.
Taking advantage of his vulnerable hunched-over position, Oscar clasps his hands together then swings. The compacted fist renders a sharp blow to his temple. He is very agile for someone with such a heavy build and has a serious amount of power on his side.
Across the room, Alley cries out as Jed crumples to the floor. As he wheezes, Oscar begins sending kicks to his ribs and the air stammers out of his lungs. Jed groans as he curls in on himself each time Oscar's foot collides with his stomach.
Alley takes a step forward.
"Don't move." Spinner doesn't need to make eye contact, the deadly cool tone is enough to stop her dead.
Eric inclines his head in her direction, leaving the sight of Jed being pummeled before them. She catches the momentary flicker of fascination in his eyes before it disappears.
"He's going to kill him!" Alley bellows. "When does the fight end?"
"It ends when he's unable to continue." Eric answers instead.
Jed struggles to push himself up. Only to have the surface of Oscar's foot connect with his stomach, knocking him back down to the floor.
"According to Dauntless rules," Four interjects smoothly. "He can also concede."
Eric glares at Four. "That's according to the old rules," he argues lowly. "In the new rules, no one concedes."
"A brave man acknowledges the strength of others."
"A brave man never surrenders."
Exhaling a deep sigh, Spinner moves between them and places a hand on either of their chest. "Fellas, as much as I'm enjoying your little pissing match, now's not the time." She separates them with a light shove before focusing on the arena again. "Oscar, you're beginning to bore me. Stop with the overkill and just end it already."
She receives a troubled look from Four to which she shrugs then reaches up to wipe imaginary dust from her eye.
Oscar casts a sideways glance Eric who nods in conformation. He drops his gaze to Jed withering on the ground. Bringing his foot back, he delivers a severe kick to the button on his chin. Jed flops down as his body goes limp and the room grows silent.
Spinner heads to the chalkboard and then circles Oscar's name. "Take him to the infirmary." She hears Eric order. She peers over to see Jude and Alley dragging Jed's unconscious body out of the arena. The younger girl glares at her as they pass and Spinner gives a snort in retaliation. "Next up—Delilah and Jasmine!" She announces.
As the two girls make their way to the ring, Eric steals a quick glance at her over his shoulder.
"Hm." She murmurs considerately when he faces forward as Jasmine and Delilah assume their stances. "That's new."
"Go to the control room once you're finished here."
Spinner clicks her tongue as she mops away the last bit of blood from Jasmine and Delilah's fight. She tosses a short glance to Eric towering over her. "What happened to Jessica?"
"Hailey's out sick, so I sent Jessica to cover her shift for the rest of the evening."
Spinner drops the mop into the bucket of cleaning solution before she claws away the sweaty strands of hair clinging to her forehead. "And Four?"
Eric scowls darkly. "He's busy with Max."
"And you can't do it because…"
"Because I have things to do as well."
"Well, sorry, can't help you there." Spinner shrugs dismissively. She wheels the mop bucket around him and pushing it where it was initially propped up in the corner. "I'm fucking exhausted and all I wanna do right now is sleep."
"I'm not asking you, Petra, I'm telling you."
Spinner whips around to glare at him. "And I said-" But her defensive retort is cut off by Eric's sudden nearness.
"Have you ever heard of the expression when I say jump, you say how high?" Eric taunts menacingly.
"I'm familiar with the phrase."
Eric's eyes narrow. "Good," he spits, his voice dropping even lower. "So start jumping."
In an act of defiance, she folds her arms and leans back against the wall, foot bracing the brick. "Maybe if you had asked nicely I would've considered it. But you didn't. So, the only place I'm jumping is to my bed. Or Lauren's couch if you wanna get technical. Have a good evening, Eric."
Spinner moves to step around him, but Eric's hand closes around her neck and he slams her back against the wall. His gaze pierces her, predatorily relentless and unwavering, akin to being eaten alive. The intensity of his eyes sends an electrifying sensation coursing all through her body.
"Don't test me." Eric doesn't raise his voice above a low, rumbling purr. Something about it is more chilling than when he yells. "I'm getting tired of your smart mouth, Petra. I'd learn to watch my tongue if I were you." He chuckles darkly, eyes smoothing over her face. "Or someone might put it to good use."
Spinner actually laughs—laughs—throat vibrating under the burning force that's his palm. Her response appears to provoke the flames of his anger and Eric's grip tightens. Her laughter ebbs quickly as her expression becomes grave.
"I don't take kindly to threats, Eric," she says, regarding him inscrutably.
"And what are you going to do about it?" Eric challenges as he matches her stare, although now the hostility alters into a slight amusement. "Does kitty have claws?"
Spinner's lips quirk upward. "Wouldn't you like to know?" She trails her fingertips over his, stroking along the back of his hand and curling around his wrist. Heat flows between their bodies as they squared off against one another.
It's suffocating.
Eric steps back, removing his hand and simultaneously breaking her hold on his wrist. A smirk curls his lips. "You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into, little girl," he remarks in a tone light with humor.
"I'm sure it'll be something worth my while." Spinner grins broadly. She reaches up to brush some dirt from her shoulders. "Well, I guess I'll be heading off to the control room now. Goodnight if I don't see you around."
He grunts.
"Oh and before I forget," Spinner stops at the doorway and turns back to him. "Game fucking on," she growls playfully.
Eric simply raises a pierced, confirming eyebrow.
Spinner's more complex than I thought she was going to be. Many reviewers are still confused by the point of view. Please be patient. All will be revealed. We get more Eric and Spinner interactions. It was fun to write. Hopefully I'm keeping him in character.
Anyways, thank you for the reviews, favorites, alerts. I'm glad you're not all put off by now lol