JASON
I had been floating through a deep void, also called a nightmare, until a blood-curdling screech forced me awake.
My hand instantly reached up to my eyes, where they rubbed them open. In the dripping darkness, I could barely make out the shapes running and passing my bed. I felt a nudge and saw a vague outline of a boy - Percy I presume - climbing out of his cot. I have no idea what could have made such an inhuman sound, but of course Percy was the one to run after danger.
Oh screw it, I thought. I hopped out of my cot and tried to walk in the dark. After stumbling into several beds and a metal pole - goddamn that hurt - I just gave up. Did Percy have the eyesight of cat or owl or something?
"Grace!" I heard from halfway across the initiate quarters. It was Percy, and I could make out a few bodies huddled over another body, making whimpers and the occasional scream of pain. I winced at the sickening noise.
"Yeah?" I called out, but I got no answer. I guess he wanted me to come over. Crashing and plummeting into another thousand things, I found my way through the concrete room. In the dark, there was Tris, Will, Al, Christina, Percy, Peter, Molly, and a few other initiates. They were crouched on the floor, some mumbling to one another or patting the body sprawled on the ground.
It was Edward, with a knife buried in his eye. Lucky we were in the dark, because the sight of it may have set me into a nauseating mode. Tris was sitting next to him, trying to comfort him in his darkest hour.
"Who could do such an awful thing?" I heard someone say in the dark, Christina maybe.
I wondered that too, who could do such a horrible thing to an initiate? I know the first rankings were published last night, but seriously, was someone that threatened to go to the extent of stabbing Edward? Was first ranking really that important?
Next to Edward, squirming in pain, was Myra, sobbing herself to tears. The whole thing truly was a disturbing sight, I must say.
"Bro," I felt a tap on my shoulder. "I gotta find out who did this. You in?" Percy asked.
"Definitely," I say. "I'll keep an eye out." Percy gave me a piercing glare. "Too soon?" I asked.
As Percy began to walk away, I clutched his arm and pulled him back. "What the hell - " He began.
"You realized tomorrow we're gonna have to fight? We're at the way bottom of the rankings. We have to get the top ones...For Edward," I gestured over to the struggling body in the corner.
"Yeah," Percy sighed. "Eric had pulled me aside and said 'You'll be first' or some shit. But I have no clue what he's talking about. He hasn't made us fight anyone yet."
"Both good and bad." I say. "You're either off his radar or he's waiting for the ultimate chance to destroy you." I clenched my fist together for emphasis.
"He wouldn't go that far," Percy argued.
"I beg to differ."
"If Eric does go too far..." I could see he had trouble finishing that sentence. "Can't I just use some Poseidy powers to whoop his ass?" He smirked.
I hesitated answering. "...maybe." We laughed in the dark. It seemed to take the weight of grief and worry settling in the room. Will and Chris were arguing over taking him him to the infirmary right away.
Once Edward was carried out, the group of worried - and somewhat scarred - initiates went back to bed. I tried to erase the sight from my eyes, and eventually I drifted back to a deep sleep.
~ le transition brought to you by eye jokes and butter-knives ~
Everyone was a bit cranky in the morning, since we all missed a good hour of sleep. I miss my reliable alarm clock - Piper yelling that I had to get up now.
As I reluctantly climbed out of my concrete cot, planting my feet to the concrete floor, an awkward vow of silence wafted through the air as if everyone were trying to forget what happened with Edward last night.
"Are my initiates ready for the day?" Eric's voice boomed across the room. Every eye in the room darted up to meet Eric's. He looked as jackass as usual, looking proud to push and throttle us around today at training. Something about pushing our bodies to their breaking points, to make ourselves stronger. Because that just made it so much better in that perspective.
I slipped on a black tee and dark gray cargo pants sitting on the cot next to mine. Percy must have delivered them to me.
Now that I think about it, where is Percy? I saw him go back to sleep, but I never heard him get up. I'll go find him, I guess.
"Where you going, Grace?" I heard a sharp cough behind me. I ignored whoever it was. Whoever it could possibly be.
I have to find Percy, now.
The Dauntless Compound seemed much more bigger and maze-like when you're navigating it alone. Too bad I couldn't fly around, but that would blow my cover if anyone saw me.
After what seemed like an eternity, I was about to give up and return to the initiate quarters, but a familiar voice stopped me.
"GRACE!" A voice that sounded exactly like Percy's. I dashed over and saw him leaning against the chasm.
"Whatareyoudoing - !" I shouted. Is he trying to get himself killed?
It's Percy - of course he is! My thoughts erupted in my head.
"Percy - Percy - " I was exhausted from running around the Compound. "I think I know who stabbed - "
"Shush." Percy interrupted me.
"Don't you want to know - " I clenched my fists together.
"No - Jase - I think - "
"Why are you acting so damn strange?" I asked, realizing I had said it aloud and not in my head. "Are you worried about later? What could happen if we're exposed?"
He paused a second before answering, as if listening to the world around us. "I think there's someone watching us."
That sent the hair on my neck straight up, the calm and steadiness of his voice. It was deadly quiet in the chasm. For the next minute, we stood silently and awkwardly, awaiting for a person who would not reveal their cover.
"I'll see you both at fighting today." Said a voice that resembled nails on an old-timey green chalkboard.
My head jerked towards the voice from the shadows. It was braided with familiarity, and it chilled me. Who was it?
"And keep in mind that I plan on keeping my number one rank, no matter the cost." It said again.
No matter the cost....
No matter the cost...
I know who stabbed Edward.
And I'm going to beat his ass at training later.
Author's Note: How are my bros? But omfg I really enjoyed writing this chapter! The Percy-Jason brotp is real in this one XD (their brotp name is Person - just accept it!) And yes, according to the chapter title, puns are my motivation in life.
- But seriously A-chi and I reached 1k reads on quotev (yay) and we're close to 6k on fanfiction, you readers and bros are the best :)
- I lied about last Author's Note, A-chi's chapter will be after this one (ANNNNNNNNA STOP PROCRASTINATING YOUR CHAPTERRR)
~ Jill (J-chan)
