Four's eyes gleamed with surprised hatred.

"How did you know that?" he asked, taking a step closer to me, purposely emphasizing how much taller and stronger is than me.

I gulped and didn't reply, but somehow held eye contact with him.

"I just know his name," I finally said.

"Likely story," Without batting an eye, Four whipped out his pistol, and shot me in ankle. Pain shot up my leg and I shouted. Quinn shouted. I crumpled to the floor under the mercy of the Dauntless instructor, my hands clutching my agnoic ankle.

"NO!" Quinn screamed, "YOU BASTARD, LEAVE HER ALONE!"

"What the hell is going on here?"

I heard another voice pulse through the room, and I could barely make it out as Eric's, buried under the ringing in my ears. The room seem to spin, but the only thing I could focus on was the pain in my ankle and all the blood I was probably losing. I clutched my ankle, and crimson liquid streaked through my fingers. I felt muscle and torn flesh right above my boot.

I managed to hear everything go silent. Everyone turned in Eric's direction.

"Who the hell are these girls?" Eric motioned to Britt and Quinn, who stood motionless.

"That's exactly what I'm wondering," Four replied, "though they say their names are Britt and Quinn."

Why did he leave out me? Like I cared. I preferred it this way, because since Eric is here, my ass is stomped.

"Well Britt and Quinn," Eric snapped, "you may leave politely or we kill you. The choice is yours."

"There's a third one," Four grabbed my arm and hauled me up. I kept my head down to hide my burning cheeks. My ankle throbbed. If Four gripped me any tighter, his fingers would snap my bone.

"She says her name's Eris," Four held me up by my arm, showing no compassion or empathy. How could he be meaner than Eric?

I glanced up, and swore I saw Eric's expression soften, but his eyes remained cold.

"Do you know her?" Four asked, noticing his sudden change in expression, "Dhe told me she only knew your name."

"She knows more than that," Eric replied, stepping forward, "I'll take her."

"You sure?" Four asked, "I didn't check her for weapons."

I heard hatred in Four's voice, but it didn't seem to be directed at me.

"Positive," Eric shot back, "You lead these two to the exit-" He motioned to Britt and Quinn, "-I'll take care of Eris." He glared at me. I didn't respond, but looked down again. I felt blood tickle the top of my foot.

"Can't she stand?" Eric questioned Four.

"I shot her," Four replied, like he regretting nothing.

Nothing.

Eric raised his eyebrows, "You're a dipshit."

"She lied," Four raised his voice, "I warned them I'd shoot, too."

Britt opened her mouth to protest, probably to say that he had only warned her. But Quinn and I had been right there. Four would assume we'd know the same rules apply, and so would Eric.

Eric didn't seem to have a response, but I still knew he highly disapproved of what happened. He disapproved of Four shooting me, interrogating me. I think he might know that it's him my friends and I are running from. I felt a pang of guilt that made the pain in my ankle worse.

I felt Four reluctantly hand me over to Eric. Eric's grip was might tighter and stronger, but less cruel. I winced a little. My bangs fell in my face, and I was startled when I saw a pool of blood that stained the hardwood surface. How much had I lost?

I wasn't able to see what Four was planning on doing with my friends, but he was told to lead them to the exit. I prayed they didn't get hurt...like me.

Eric closed the door behind him, and silence took me in. Eric had slung my arm over his shoulder, so my feet dragged behind me. It was my responsibility to keep my ankle up, and it hurt horribly. Blood dripped behind me, and I lost a few chunks of flesh. It only took a few seconds for Eric to reach the stairs, considering Four's apartment was so close to the stairs. My weight felt heavier.

"I'm...in trouble...aren't I?" I managed.

(Strange "first words"? I think not.)

I think Eric must have thought I was about to pass out from blood loss, which was probably true. My eyelids grew heavy and my vision lost focus. I was barely aware that Eric had swept me into his arms, one hand over my back and the other wrapped behind my knees.

"You bet," he replied, and everything went dark.